Gai Jatra Festival Tour
Our tour ensures a safe and immersive experience, allowing you to witness local traditions up close while exploring the heart of Kathmandu. Engage with local people, learn about their customs, and enjoy a festival that is both deeply rooted in cultural heritage and incredibly engaging.
Highlights
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5N / 6D
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All around the year
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Gai Jatra festival celebration
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Festival tour
Outline Itinerary
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Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
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Day 2 Kathmandu heritage sightseeing
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Day 3 Cultural Immersion in Bhaktapur
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Day 4 Gai Jatra Festival
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Day 5 Drive to Kathmandu & sightseeing
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Day 6 Departure
Includes
1. Transport in private vehicle
• Airport transfers
• Sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary
2. Accommodations:
• Kathmandu (3Ns)
• Bhaktapur (2Ns)
3. Meals:
• All breakfasts except the day of arrival
4. Guide
• A representative from Aarya Village Travel for arrival and departure assistance.
• An experienced English Speaking licensed holder guide throughout the tour
5. Taxes, service charges, and Permits:
• All the applicable services charges, government taxes
Excludes
1. International Airfare, Nepal VISA Fees ($30 per person), Excess baggage charge in Domestic flight, Travel Insurance
2. Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary
3. Meals not listed in the itinerary
4.Entrance fee wherever required
5. Gratuities, tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc
6. Personal expenses such as laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc
7. Payment Transfer Charge
8. Hotels check out as per the hotel rules.
9. Any extra expenses incurred from flight cancellation or delay, sudden price escalations in hotels, transport, flight or any other items, any form of rescue
Detail Itinerary
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, where you will meet our representatives who shall transfer you to the hotel. Welcome drinks on arrival and briefing of the tour program
Begin your exploration at Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. Perched atop a hill, this ancient stupa offers breathtaking views of the Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can explore the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the Kumari Ghar, home to the Living Goddess. The square’s intricate temples and courtyards will transport you back to Nepal’s medieval era.
In the evening, explore Patan Durbar Square, known for its stunning Newari architecture. Visit the Patan Museum to learn about the city’s rich history and art.
Today we will drive to Bhaktapur, and dive deeper into Bhaktapur’s rich cultural heritage. Visit the towering Nyatapola Temple, Nepal’s tallest pagoda, and the 55-Window Palace, both exemplifying the city’s architectural grandeur.
Explore Pottery Square, where you can try your hand at traditional pottery-making, and wander through Bhaktapur’s ancient alleys, discovering hidden temples, local art, and vibrant street life.
This day we will celebrate the Gai Jatra festival in full swing. The Gai Jatra, or "Festival of Cows," is one of the most colorful and significant festivals in Nepal. It commemorates the deceased loved ones of families, where they honor their memories with a vibrant and joyous procession.
You will witness families leading decorated cows through the streets, believing that the cows will help guide the souls of the deceased to the afterlife. If a family cannot afford a cow, children dressed as cows participate in the parade, making for a lively and heartwarming sight.
As the day progresses, the streets of Bhaktapur will be filled with traditional music, dance, and street performances. Local Newari communities perform masked dances and folk dramas, depicting various mythological stories and local legends. The festival also serves as a platform for social and political satire, with participants often dressed in humorous costumes that reflect current events and societal issues.
On the way back to Kathmandu, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine, where you can observe traditional rituals along the banks of the Bagmati River.
Next, head to Boudhanath Stupa, a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, and soak in the serene atmosphere as you circle the stupa with pilgrims.
3 hours before your flight back home, we will drop you at the airport.
