10-Day Nepal Tour with Kathmandu Heritage, Chitwan Safari and Pokhara

• Meet at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

• Walk around Kathmandu Durbar Square in the afternoon.

• Start the day by visiting the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu:

  • Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the medieval kings who ruled the then Kathmandu Kingdom.

  • Pashupatinath houses a sacred lingam, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Aryaghat, alongside Pashupati on the banks of the Bagmati River, is a famous funeral site for Hindus.

  • The Buddhist shrine of Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist destinations in Kathmandu. The area of Boudhanath is also famous for its more than 50 Tibetan monasteries.

  • Swayambhu, meaning "self-existent," is popular among foreigners as the Monkey Temple because of the large monkey population residing in the area.

• Drive to Nuwakot Shivapuri after breakfast. Kakani is a beautiful point known for its land terraces and distant mountain views.

• Enjoy fish farming and observe the rural life of the people in that region during the drive to Nuwakot.

• Drive to Chitwan National Park after breakfast.

• Reach the resort by 1:00 to 1:30 pm in the afternoon. Upon arrival, there will be a short briefing on the program and the facilities, after which rooms will be assigned and lunch will be served.

• The program at the resort:

  • 3:30 PM: Elephant-back safari. Ride on an elephant to explore the jungle and wildlife, including the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard, and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours.

  • 7:00 PM: Slide presentation. Jungle experts will introduce background information and the history of Chitwan National Park, as well as other topics related to wildlife.

  • 8:00 PM: Dinner at the central dining hall.

• 5:30 AM: Have tea or coffee after waking up, then proceed for canoeing or a jeep safari. A traditional dug-out canoe takes you on a silent trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds and the animals along the riverbanks. The jeep safari by Land Rover starts from the canoeing put-out point, covering a distance of approximately 10 km with chances of seeing rare wildlife.

• 8:30 AM: Breakfast.

• 9:30 AM: Elephant briefing. Learn more about the lives of these fascinating animals by visiting the elephant stables.

• 1:00 PM: Have lunch at the central dining hall.

• Remaining hours before the afternoon program: take a dip in the pool or relax on your verandah. Hammocks and the library are at your disposal, and the bar is close by if you would like to refresh yourself with a drink of your choice.

• 4:00 PM: Nature walk. Walking with nature will introduce the main features of eastern Chitwan's sal forest, open grassland, and riverine jungle. Guides will help identify some species of birds, plants, and other wildlife.

• 7:00 PM: Tharu stick dance. Farmers from the nearby villages will demonstrate some of their traditional skills and dances. Your participation is highly recommended.

• 8:00 PM: Dinner in the central dining hall or outside on the terrace.

• 5:30 AM: Go birdwatching, or take another elephant ride if available, after early morning tea or coffee. Out of the 519 species of birds found in the park, 276 species are found in this area. Guides will help identify some of these bird species.

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast.

• Visit a souvenir shop before departure, where there is a small collection of local and ethnic items.

• 9:00 AM: Depart for the journey to Pokhara. Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of Fishtail Peak rising behind it create an ambience of peace and tranquillity. Pokhara is a perfect place to see panoramic views of the Himalayan region, including Annapurna and Dhaulagiri.

Overnight at a hotel in Pokhara.

• Drive to Sarang Kot hill station early in the morning to view the sunrise and the Himalaya Sangri-La.

• Proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara City and enjoy 1 hour of boating on Lake Phewa.

• Be free at leisure for the remainder of the day.

• Depart for Kathmandu after breakfast at the hotel. The journey covers 202 km and takes 6-7 hours.

• Visit two more World Heritage Site cities adjacent to Kathmandu: Patan and Bhaktapur.

• Patan is also known as the City of Fine Arts. Patan Durbar Square is one of the places in the Kathmandu Valley where medieval arts and architecture still remain in their original state. The Durbar Square is full of ancient palaces, temples, and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings, mostly among the Hindu and Buddhist monuments.

• The medieval town of Bhaktapur, or the Town of the Devotees, preserves medieval arts, architecture, culture, and lifestyle to this day. One is sure to feel as though traveling back into the past while walking along Bhaktapur's thoroughfares, squares, and streets.

• Go shopping and enjoy personal activities until departure time.

• Transfer to the airport according to the departure time for the next destination.