Experiential Tour in Nepal

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and meet assists and transfer to the hotel by our representative. Welcome drinks on arrival and briefing of your Experiential and Cultural Nepal tour by one of the representatives from Aarya Village Travel.

Your Nepal tour itinerary starts with activities at Kathmandu:
1. Visit Patan city: Durbar Square, alleys, shops
2. Visit Tibetan Refugee Camp
3. Visit Swayambhunath and surrounding
4. Sunset view from a hilltop

Meet Astrologer at a hotel and show your hand and predict your future. After breakfast drive to Patan, a distinct place for arts and architecture that reflect on each temple, monument, and palace building that were mostly built during the Malla period between the 16th, 17th, and 18th century. We will explore its unique Durbar Squares, temple, and alleys. In every corner & alleys of Patan, you can see Thanka painters, filling color to ancient Gods and Goddess, fine metal shops that offer Buddha's exotic, handmade brass sculpture at a very reasonable price. You can taste local cuisine as well in Patan's alley.

Later we will visit Tibetan Refugee Camp, the pioneer of the Tibetan Carpet Industry in Nepal. In the camp, more than 1000 Tibetans are settled and out of this, 500 Tibetans are engaged in different processes of carpet production like Wool sorting, Hand Brushing & Spinning of yarn, Dyeing, Ball Winding, Weaving, Trimming & Finishing, etc.

Later drive to Swayambhunath - A Monkey Temple from where you can see the magnificent views of Kathmandu Valley and tribute to Buddhism. Walking around in the evening playing prayer wheeler will keep your mind calm and peaceful. The evening views of Kathmandu valley and sunset from the hilltop will be memorable for you.

Today's activities at Kathmandu:
1. Visit Boudhanath Stupa
2. Hi-Tea Ceremony at Monastery
3. Visit Pashupatinath Temple and surrounding
4. Aarati at Pashupatinath

Morning our guide will assist you to drive to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage where all devout come for a pilgrimage. We will keep Hi-Tea Buddhist Ceremony in one of the monasteries in Boudha where monks perform their ritual, chanting Buddhist mantras and praying for our good health and prosperity. At the end of the ceremony, monks offer blessing food and Hi-Tea for all.

Later we will drive to Pashupatinath Temple; a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images, and inscriptions raised over the centuries. Take a tour around the temple until the evening Aarati begins. Evening "Aarati" at the banks of Bagmati River on the eastern side of the temple draws people in hordes. This evening rituals with a band singing hymns in praise of god, playing of classical instruments, chanting of Vedic mantras, ringing of bells, burning of incense, and lighting of oil lamps, keep the people spellbound throughout.

Today you will embark on a cultural tour in Nepal, you will hop on the Rickshaw ride through the traditional Market, alleys & durbar area: Get blessing from Living Goddess at Kumari Ghar.

Duration: 3 hours

Today's activities at Kathmandu:
1. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square: Temple of living goddess, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and other monuments
2. Rickshaw ride through Thamel, Ason Market, Indrachowk
3. Drinking sweet Lassi at a local market( Traditional Nepali drink)

Experience and discover Kathmandu and its culture like a local on a Rickshaw ride. Our guide will meet you to begin your rickshaw ride tour through the busy streets of the Thamel area. We will pass through handicrafts shops like pashmina shawls, Nepali carpets, etc and merge onto a narrow alley full of a local shop called Ason Bazaar, a popular vegetable and spice market and the oldest in Kathmandu, around 1000 years old, and finally arrive at Durbar Square, filled with centuries-old temples, palaces, and shrines that are sure to enchant you. Walk the square on foot and our guide will take you to the house of Living Goddess, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and receive blessing from her and you will also explore or hang out in one of the hippie-era shops on Freak Street.

Today's activities
1. Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square
2. Making pots the old fashioned way in Bhaktapur's pottery square
3. Visit Paper Factory

After breakfast drive to Bhaktapur, the medieval town or the city of the Devotees who have preserved medieval arts, architecture, culture, and lifestyle to this date. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the best-preserved among three Durbar Squares in the valley. One is sure to feel like traveling back into the past while walking along the Bhaktapur thoroughfares, squares, and streets. Overnight at Hotel Heritage, a boutique hotel that successfully blends the traditional Nepali look with modern amenities.

Later go for a guided walk at Pottery square, where handicrafts are still made by hand. Traditionally spun and fired clay pots are a fine example of Bhaktapur's thriving craft trades. It's a fascinating process to watch and you can make a clay pot for your own.

Later we will take a tour around the factory and observe the Nepali papermaking process and manufacturing a variety of delightful handcrafted paper products - cards, notebooks, books, prints, and so on. The activities are perfect for your family tours in Nepal.

Have breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Pokhara for around 6-7 hours. Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty, situated at an altitude of 900m from sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley. The enchanting town is perfect for a family tour in Nepal that has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambiance of peace and magic. Check-in hotel. Enjoy 1-hour boating at Phewa Lake.

Today's Activities:
1. Drive to World Peace Pagoda
2. Hike to Kalabang village and have lunch with a host family

Altitude: Kalabang (1344m) and World Peace Pagoda (1000m)
Duration: 25 minutes drive
Walk Duration: 2-3 hours

After breakfast drive to World Peace Pagoda for around 25 minutes. Enjoy the beautiful view of Pokhara city and Himalayan views from Stupa - a perfect holiday gateway in Nepal. After some rest start hiking to Kalabang Village. The quaint tower offers an alternative to the frenzied viewpoint at Sarangkot, with an unparalleled panorama of the Annapurna Range. Across the valley, the buildings of Sarangkot appear like Lego, and the waters of Fewa Tal stretch out into the surrounding hills. Depending on the season, the line between sky, lake, and clouds blur. We will have hosted lunch with a family and we will visit Pumdi village. Drive to the lakeside. Rest of the day is free on your own.

Morning excursions at Pokhara city: Visit Tibetan Refugee camp at Hemja & participate in chanting program at the monastery
Chanting with Monks: 3:30 - 5 pm
Drive Duration: 25 minutes
Distance: 7.5 km

Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast start sightseeing at Gupteshwor Cave - popular for the different natural forms made from limestone deposits and Devi's Fall - which comes to its gushing best just before disappearing underground, Seti George.

In the afternoon drive to Tibetan Refugee Camp (The largest settlement close to Pokhara is Tashi Palkhel, about 5 km northwest of town at Hyangja, on the road to Baglung. With prayer flags flapping in the breeze in the rocky valley, it genuinely feels like you're in Tibet. The colorful Jangchub Choeling Gompa in the middle of the village is home to around 200 monks. Try to time your visit in the afternoon to experience the rumbling of monks chanting and horns blowing during the prayer session (held 3.30pm to 5pm).

Distance: 202.5 km
Onward your cultural tour in Nepal, today we drive to Lumbini - the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the founder of Buddhism, known as Buddha or the enlightened one. In case we reach Lumbini around sunset time, we can stroll in the local market to have a glimpse into the local lifestyle. Visit the Mayadevi temple which is built on the exact place where Buddha was born. We spend some time wandering around the gardens. You can meditate under Bodhi Tree and relief your stress.

Lumbini Temple/ Temple of Mayadevi: walk inside the temple built over the spot Buddha was born Mayadevi pond: where Buddha's mother is said to have bathed before giving birth to him Bodhi Tree: impressive tree covered in prayer flags beside the sacred pond.

Today we will hire a Rickshaw and Visit monasteries built by different nations: - Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese, Korean, Nepal, Malaysian, Germany, etc. The rest of the day is free on your own. The monasteries are perfect for your tour in Nepal to understand the cultural and religious diversity.

After breakfast drive to Tiger Tops, Tharu Lodge for around 3 hours. Arriving at the gate to Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, you will be met by Tiger Tops staff with a welcome drink in the dining hall. Continue to the garden where lunch will be waiting for you. After lunch we suggest you take a stroll to the Narayani river with our resident elephants and one of our naturalists and watch the family of elephants while you enjoy your sundowners, Return to the lodge for hot showers and cold drinks before dinner.

Breakfast is served al fresco beneath shady mango trees - fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, and bacon to get the day off to a perfect start. After breakfast, prepare for a river safari in the Narayani river. The outing commences with a nature walk or bullock cart ride through the riverine forest, followed by a scenic float down the river. Cruising on the wide expanse of the river, pockets of rapids propel the boats along as gentle waves lap at the sides. Sitting inside a hand-carved boat, keep your eyes peeled for a variety of birdlife and wildlife. Top of the list is the endangered fish-eating Gharial crocodile and its more sinister relative, the Marsh-Mugger. Lunch at Tree Houses.

Later in the afternoon, when the weather is cooler and the animals become active, meet with our naturalist for a jeep safari in the national park to get a taste of the jungle. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Our naturalists are extremely knowledgeable about the animals and the history of Chitwan National Park. During the safari, you will encounter wildlife such as different species of deer, birds, monkeys, the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, and hopefully the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Visit Vulture Restaurant. Return back to Lodge, dinner, and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel, then go for elephant bush walk, make elephant food kuchi and feed them. Elephant Feeding Experience is one of the most adventitious experiences. Around two hours of time will be enjoyed for preparing food and feeding the elephant. During this activity you can touch animals, wash animals, and take pictures other many more things can be done. Vegetable picking participates in cooking: invite Tharu to the hotel and enjoy traditional Tharu food cooked by them - a perfect activity to experience the culture of Nepal.

This morning after another leisurely breakfast, drive to Kathmandu for around 6-7 hours. Check-in at the hotel. Rest and refreshment at the hotel. Have a 6-course Krishnarpan Dinner at Dwarika's Hotel in the evening at the country's most exquisite architectural traditions, The Dwarika's Hotel. This offers a unique gastronomy experience of typical Nepali food.

Approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Aarya Village Travel will transfer you to the airport for final departure to your home country.