Tour Program
Day 01: Arrival:
Pick-up at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel.
Trip briefing at the hotel. There will be a short walking tour if arrival is early afternoon.
Duration: ~ 0.5 hours.
Overnight in Bhaktapur
Day 02: Cultural Sight-seeing; Bhaktapur, Changunarayan & Patan:
Ancient traditional town Bhaktapur treasured with Durbar Square is an amazing living museum in itself. The square consists of stone temple of Batsala Devi full of carvings, Palace of 55 windows, temples and architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of king Bhupatindra Malla, the picture gallery and the Batsala temple. They are master pieces of Nepali traditional art and architecture preserved for hundreds of years.
Perched on a hill and visible from miles around, the Changu Narayan temple stands majestically above the rice fields of Bhaktapur. Dedicated to Vishnu, the Preserver the temple’s origins go back to the 4th century. The temple is a showcase for Newari art and architecture of the early century. The stone, wood, and metal craft found here are exemplary.
Patan Durbar Square is a unique piece of art and architecture well preserved and hundreds of Buddhist Stupas and Bahals dating back to over 2000 years old. One unique temple among many temples here is Krishna Mandir a 16th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Krishna, built entirely of stone in Shikhara style architecture.
All these stupas and temples are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Monuments.
Duration: ~ 7 hours.
Overnight in Bhaktapur
Day 03: Everest View Tour by road,
The morning starts with scenic drive via popular hill town Dhulikhel, Kavre Bhanjyang enjoying panoramic view of central Himalayan range, terraced hill farm land and scenic nature. After Bhakunde town, the road runs along Roshi river, then follows Sunkoshi river valley on BP highway. The drive turns left to new mid hill highway and crosses Sunkoshi river at Gurmi. A short lunch stop will be at river bank before Ghurmi. The road to Patale crosses Sunkoshi river and turns Northwards on Harkapur Okhaldhunga road. The drive climbs up higher Northwards via hill villages past Hilepani, Thakle, Mani Bhanjyang and continues past Chitre, Todke and Dap (2932m) villages. After Dap, you start viewing the Himalayan range including Mt. Everest.
Duration: Total 235 Km and about 7.5 hours
Overnight Patale (2840m)
Day 04: Hiking and Village Tour:
Tour begins with a short hiking to higher view point, Thale Danda for more wider view of river valley, high hills, mid mountains and the Himalaya. If you like, continue longer hiking to Ranivan, Timburbote cave and Gauritap temple. Afternoon visit of Patale village meeting local people for observing their simple way of life. The Himalayan mountain view can be enjoyed all day long. At the day end, join a Nepali family for traditional dinner in their house.
Enjoy the sunrise and clear view of majestic Mt. Everest and other big mountains - Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori, Makalu, Kanchanjunga and Gaurishanker ranges.
Duration: ~ 7 hours.
Overnight Patale
Day 05: I. Drive or II. Fly back:
Day 05: I. Drive back: Option -
I. Drive to hill town Dhulikhel, the same way back; down to Sunkoshi river via Okhaldunga and along the river up stream on BP highway.
Dhulikhel is a scenic old town situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Araniko Highway that goes to Tibet boarder, Kodari. From here one has a panoramic view of the Himalayan range.
Duration: about 6.5 hours.
Overnight Dhulikhel
Day 06: Tour of Buddhist and Hindu holy sites.
Stunning sun rise view over the Himalayan mountains is a popular attraction here.
After breakfast, drive to Namobuddha, the Buddhist pilgrimage holy site where sight of rituals by monks, nuns and other pilgrims is common. There are new and old stupas and Buddhist Monasteries. Afternoon sight-seeing in Panauti situated at confluence of two small Rivers. The old traditional town noted for its numerous temples and shrines with magnificent woodcarvings. You can meet Hindu Sadhus here. The confluence is also cremation site for the Hindu people.
Duration: ~ 7 hours.
Overnight Dhulikhel
* OR
Day - 05. II. Fly back: Option-
II. Fly from Phaplu to Kathmandu and transfer to hill town, Nagarkot
Getting from Patale to Phaplu airport is about an hour drive.
Again, it is about an hour drive from Kathmandu airport to Nagarkot.
Duration: ~ 4 hours.
Overnight Nagarkot
Day 06: Nagarkot at an elevation of 2,195 m. is one of the best spots to view the central and eastern Nepal Himalayan panoramic range. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley, hill villages, terraced farmlands and beautiful mid hills.
Stunning sun rise view over the Himalayan mountains is a popular attraction here.
After the breakfast, you can do hiking around the nature and do village tour near by. Or simply relax and enjoy the magnificent Himalayan panoramic view and scenic valley below .
Duration: ~ 4 hours.
Overnight Nagarkot
*Note: Flight back option depends on number of pax in the group and booking days. Because, there are no regular flights to/fro Phaplu.
Day 07: Transfer to Sundarijal, drive or hike to Haibung, Shivapuri National Park,
HIKING:
Morning drive ~ 40 km. to Sundarijal (1350m) in Kathmandu countryside and about half an hour walk up hill on stone paved steps through national park jungle take you to a small hydro electricity reservoir. The trail still climbs up about an hour through Mulkharka Tamang village then levels towards Nagmati river bank. After about 1.5 hours further walking through well preserved jungle along pristine small riverside, view opens up with magnificent Himalayan mountains to the North upon reaching Hile Bhanjyang (2050m) ridge. Panoramic Himalayan range can be viewed as far as Annapurna, Manaslu to Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar and further East.
Beautifully laid out Prakriti Resort & Organic Farm 20 minutes away stands fascinatingly inviting where you will enjoy nature retreat for next two nights.
Duration: Drive ~ 1.5 hours + Walking (9 km) ~ 3.5 hours
OR
DRIVING:
Morning drive ~ 40 km. to Sundarijal (1350m) leaves behind hustle and bustle of vibrant culturally rich Kathmandu valley and the road enters into national park area. From Sundarijal, about 1 Km. short drive through the jungle and across Nagmati pristine river over a small bridge, the road climbs up to lower part of Mulkharka Tamang village then gradually goes further through the jungle. While driving further towards Jhule danda (2175m) through the national park jungle, sprawling Kathmandu valley can be viewed to your right below and also the Himalayan peaks to the North East. The road still continues through the well preserved jungle and drops to Hile Bhanjyang (2050m) ridge before turning right to beautifully laid out Prakriti Resort & Organic Farm. The Prakriti with an impression of a small farming village looks fascinatingly inviting where you will enjoy nature retreat for next two nights. Sundarijal to Prakriti is about 19 Km. drive.
Duration: 1.5 + 1.5 = ~ 3 hours.
Overnight Haibung
From here; panoramic Himalayan range can be viewed as far as Annapurna, Manaslu to Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar and further East.
Day 08: Nature Tour; Lake side walk, jungle walk, trout fish farm and tea garden visit.
Sunrise view even from your bed rooms is memorably fascinating.
After breakfast, you will take a short walk to Dhap Pokhari (lake) for lake side nature walk. Those, with more interested to longer hiking, can go higher to Chisapani (2215m.). Afternoon program is visits to; village agro farm, Everest tea garden, Trout fish farm, Gurung village etc. Or more jungle walk with alternate options.
Duration: ~ 6 hours.
Overnight Haibung
Day 09: Drive or hike back to Kathmandu
A) DRIVING:
There are two route options;
09.A.I; On the same road driven before via Jhule danda and Sundarijal and back to Jorpati, Kathmandu, 26 Km.
OR
09.A.II; Different route via trout fish farm, Everest tea garden, Bhotechaur, Jarsingpawa villages overlooking Melamchi valley below to right side and towering Himalayan peaks to the North East. After about 21 Km drive, you reach Sankhu old Newari historic town. An hour cultural sight-seeing here including Salinadi Narayan temple is recommended. Total drive back to Jorpati, Kathmandu is 31 Km.
Duration: ~ 1.5 hours.
Overnight Kathmandu
B) HIKING:
There are two options;
09.B.I; - On the same route hiked up before along Nagmati river side to Mulkharka village and down to Sundarijal, 9 Km.
Duration: ~ 2.5 hours walking.
Overnight Kathmandu
OR
09.B.I; A short walk up to Hile Bhanjyang (2050m) junction where the road branches out rightwards to Chispani and leftwards to Sundarijal. Taking left turn, it is about 1.5 hours walk up hill along the dirt road through the national park jungle to Jhule Danda (2175m). From Jhule, walking trail drops down to the army camp and Jhule village then further down to main road, small Chauki Bhanjyang. Total walking is about 3.5 hours.
There is also an alternate route hiking trail to famous Bjrayogini Buddhist temple and direct to Sankhu town. This route is longer by about half an hour more. Transfer from here to Jorpati, Kathmandu by road about is 12 Km.
An hour cultural sight-seeing of the old town including Salinadi Narayan temple is recommended.
Duration: ~ 3.5 hours hiking + ~ 1 hour driving.
Overnight Kathmandu
Day 10: Cultural Sight-seeing; Pashupatinath, Boudha, Swyamabu & Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Mt. Everest Flight in the morning, Optional
Pashupatinath, the principal temple of Lord Shiva with its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors is considered one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world. Pashupati area is small village with numerous temples and shrines. Bagmati river bank by the side of the temple is also a busy cremation place for Hindus. Boudha, the ancient colossal Buddhist stupa is one of the biggest in the world and an important pilgrimage center for Buddhists. Further proceed to Swayambhu, about 2000 years old, one of the world's most glorious Buddhist chaityas painted with the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Next sight-seeing site is Kathmandu Durbar Square and temples like; Taleju, Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction; Nautale Durbar; Nasal Chowk; Gaddi Baithak; Kumari temple etc. are not only hundreds of years old but also very historic and rich in art and architecture.
All the above sites are again UNESCO world heritage sites.
Duration: ~ 7 hours.
Overnight Kathmandu
Day 11: Free day, activity of personal choice.
Overnight Kathmandu
Day 12: Departure; transfer to the airport for onward/homeward flights
Duration: 0.5 hours.