Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu.

Assistance upon arrival at Kathmandu airport and transfer to hotel. A short briefing session with refreshment drinks. Check in hotel and time permitting; take short walking tour of the city. In the evening, we enjoy Nepali welcome dinner in a typical Nepali restaurant amidst a Nepali cultural dancing and singing. Overnight in Shanker Hotel.(D)

Day 02 Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan City and Bungamati Village (B)

Exploration of the ancient and medieval temples, former palaces, Buddhist monasteries and stupas and traditional markets of Kathmandu Valley. The tour begins from Pashupatinath Temple-one of the holiest Hindu establishment in entire South Asia, situated on the bank of sacred Bagmati River. Admission to the main courtyard is reserved for Hindus only but we can still have unobstructed views of the temple and the ritual activities around from the eastern bank of the river. We can also watch Hindu cremation services taking place on the bank of the river. Our next stop today is at the giant Boudhanath Stupa-claimed to be the largest of this kind in the whole Asia! The area is predominantly Tibetan with monasteries of different Tibetan schools around, devout pilgrims circumambulating the shrine and spinning prayer wheels or counting beads with utterance of their sacred mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ and strong smell of burning juniper incense and butter lamps.

Afternoon, we visit Patan-one of the three principalities of medieval Nepal, is known as the City of Arts and Crafts. As we walk through the narrow streets of Patan, we will realize that the name actually stands true. We will visit its Durbar Square, packed with palace and temples with intricate wood carvings and fabulous stone and metal works based on the Hindu and Buddhist scriptures. We will visit some of the most important monasteries of Patan and peek into the workshops of the local artists. From Patan, we drive about 3 miles out of the city to visit the traditional village of Bungamati. Bungamati Village, despite being so near from Kathmandu, remains untouched by modernization. The villagers are purely farmers and crafters. We will have opportunity to visit the private house of locals and interact with them. We have some time free in the afternoon to pursue our own interests.

Day 03 Bhaktapur City, Panauti Village and Dhulikhel Village.

After breakfast, we drive to Bhaktapur (14 km)-the best preserved of the three Malla principalities of medieval Kathmandu Valleys. Bhaktapur city with its former palace, temples and monasteries with intricate wood and stone works, gives an impression of an open air museum. The major attractions are Durbar Squares, Golden gilded gate to the palace, Royal Bath tank, the beautiful windows, 5-toried Nyatapola Temple that remain untouched by the devastating earth quake of 1934 , Duttratraya Square, Pujarimath complex with beautiful peacock window etc. We will sneak a peek inside the workshops of wood carvers and thangka painters and watch potters using traditional method of making ceramic potteries. From Bhaktapur, we head east to Dhulikhel, a beautiful hill resort, situated at an altitude of 1800m. Few kilometer before Dhulikhel, we take side trip of traditional Newari Village of Panauti. Panauti village, despite being so close from the capital stays decades behind in the history and maintains its original flavor. We walk on the cobbled street, visit the local temple and school and take the opportunity to chat with the friendly locals. Accommodation in Dwarika’s Himalayan Shangrila Resort.

Day 04 Enjoy Himalayan Panorama in the morning and afternoon leave for Chitwan National Park (128km/100 miles, 6 hrs).

We wake early morning for the sunrise and Himalayan panorama view. On a clear weather day, we enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped mountains. After breakfast, we leave for Chitwan National Park-Asia’s one of the most famous natural game park. The road follows the Trishuli River downstream and rafting enthusiasts can try 2-3 hours long rafting trip down on the way with prior arrangement. (Costs approximately US$ 50, cold lunch, safety jacket and helmet included). We arrive at Chitwan at lunch time. After we check in our room and have lunch, we take Tharu Village Tour. Tharus are the aboriginal inhabitants of Chitwan and live with their century old lifestyle and traditions. There will be slide show presentation on the on flora and fauna of the park or cultural dancing program in the evening. Overnight in Rhino Residency Resort (B/L/D).

Day 05 Jungle Safari Rides at Chitwan National Park.

The adventure begins early morning with dugout canoe ride in Rapti River. While the boatmen paddle the boat for us, we will be on the lookout for the aquatic birds and two large reptile species-Marsh Muggers and endangered Gharials. The canoe trip lasts somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour and we have two options after that. We can take 3-4 hours long jungle trek through dense woods and grasslands of the park or we will be picked up in other side of the river and we will visit the elephant breeding farm where we will see the cute elephant babies and get to learn how elephants are kept, trained and tamed to work for the human beings. While motor vehicle transportation is available, we would like to recommend for traditional oxcart ride back to our resort. We ride through the villages which is an opportunity to see the local life. We freshen up and enjoy hearty meal of the day. We will have time to take a nap, write journals or chat with resort staff before we are ready for another adventure of the day. This afternoon, we will take elephant back safari, which probably is the most exciting of all the activities. We will be seated high on the seat mounted on elephant back, straddling our legs down. Warning: if you have any back issue, elephant ride may not be a fun. The ride lasts anytime between 1 to 2 hours and in this span of time, we will see a good number of Rhinos, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Wild Boar and monkeys. Tiger, being nocturnal animal, is rarely seen during day time. Sloth bear and leopard sighting are also not that frequent. If we are in Chitwan during spring, we can switch elephant ride to Jeep safari that takes us deeper in the forest and chances of animal sighting is a lot higher. Overnight in Rhino Residency Resort (B/L/D).

Day 06 Drive to Pokhara (140km/88 miles, 4 hrs).

We will go for one hour long guided birding trip in the neighboring forest. Chitwan National Park provides habitat to more than 600 different species of residential and migratory birds and in a span of one hour, we will be able to spot around 25-30 specifies of birds. After breakfast, we check out hotel and head southwest to Pokhara-the beautiful glacial valley, nestled in the lap of might Annapurnas and Mount Fishtail. The retrace drive along Trishuli River upstream up to Mugling and then the road divides; the left branch leading to Pokhara. The road follows Marsyangdi River upstream and passes through several road side settlements, terraced farmlands and offers views of gleaming Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Annapurnas to our right. Pokhara, surrounded by beautiful snow capped mountains, with a magnificent lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water, all-year round pleasing weather, mysterious cave temples, deep hair raising gorges and with a lot short hiking destinations, is referred as the capital of nature of Nepal! Pokhara is also popular because many of the Annapurna trekking has its trail head or finish point near Pokhara. This afternoon, we take boating trip in Fewa Lake and visit the Island Temple of Barahi. In the evening, we can browse the touristy lakeside lined up with restaurants, handicraft shops, etc. Overnight Fishtail Lodge. (B)

Day 07 Sarangkot Sunrise and Pokhara Valley Tour.

We leave our hotel before dawn for Sarangkot. It takes about half an hour from Pokhara to reach the ridge top of Sarangkot. Sarangkot offers spectacular sunrise and Himalayan panorama view on a clear weather day. We drive back to our hotel and on the way, stop to visit the Bindhebasini Temple-the center of religious activities of Pokhara and the most visited of Pokhara’s religious shrines. After breakfast in the hotel, we set out to explore more of Pokhara valley. We visit the mysterious cave temple of Gupteshwara Mahadeva and adjoining Davis Fall and Tibetan Villages. We will also visit the deep gorges formed by Seti River near Mahendrapul. Pokhara also offers opportunity of paragliding and ultra light flights, if you are interested. Accommodation in Fishtail Lodge(B)

Day 08-09 Sirubari Village.

After breakfast, we check out our hotel as we are going to spend two nights with wonderful families of Sirubari. Its about 3 hours jeep ride in the rural areas. We are welcomed upon arrival in the village and we are assigned a family who we are going to stay with for two days. In the evening, we will enjoy traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing. We will go along with our host family in grazing animals or plowing in the field or harvesting the crops or escorting the children to the schools. We can also go for short hiking above the village to Dahare Deorali for the views of the mountains and panorama. We can also visit the Buddhist gompa, a simple but beautiful temple which will be a feature of your stay in Sirubari. And, at the end of our stay, we will be overwhelmed by the farewell that our host family will give us. If we never come this way again, the village and its people will remain in our heart forever. Accommodation in private home (B/L/D)

Day 10 Drive to Bandipur Village.

We are transported back to Pokhara by jeep and we switch to our car and we continue on our trip. Today, we will be heading to the lesser known Bandipur village. We retrace drive on Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway up to Dumre (67 km) and then take the rough road for 7 km to Bandipur Village. Bandipur is a traditional Newari town, which has maintained its age-old flavor, and presents sightseers with a heady mix of history, architecture, incredible views, awesome caves and unspoiled landscapes. A medieval prosperous trading center, Bandipur has charming buildings,with their neoclassical facades and shuttered windows, bespeak its past glory. Bandipur also offers spectacular views of the snow capped mountains of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, we check in our hotel. This afternoon, we take relaxed stroll in the cobbled streets of Bandipur. We will visit the Bindabasini Temple, the home of goddess Durga, Mahalaxmi and Khadga Devi Temple. Accommodation in Bandipur Mountain Resort(B)

Day 11 Explore more of Bandipur Village.

After breakfast, we hike the mysterious Siddha Cave which is 750 m long and is believed to be the longest in Asia! We hike about 90 minues and then we descend to the Bimalnagar village where we meet our transport and drive back to the resort. We take the afternoon at ease. We stroll in the township and visit the local school and stop to chat with the locals. Accommodation in Bandipur Mountain Resort (B)

Day 12 Drive from Bandipur to Kathmandu (140km, 4 hrs).

We retrace drive to join the main highway at Dumre and continue on to Kathmandu. At Kurintar (40km from Bandipur), we stop at Kurintar and take cable car trip to the shrine of Goddess Manakamana-the wish fulfilling goddess. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the temple everyday with offerings to exchange with the wishes. The cable car ride offers panoramic views of the Himalayas and the villages. Accommodation in Shanker Hotel (B)

Day 13 An additional day in Kathmandu.

An additional day in Kathmandu to pursue your own interests. (B)

Day 14: Departure.

Transfer to airport for your flight to next destination.(B)