Nepal: 21d Cultural Circuit

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The Cultural  Circuit of Nepal is a rich and complex mixed form of different cultures and traditions. These cultures and traditions meld over thousands of years into a unique whole. And there is much that is familiar and many surprises to experience for the traveler. Family and religion are of paramount importance. And that is constantly reflected throughout the culture. Nepal moves to a different rhythm than the West.

Cultural Circuit is probably one of the most exciting and complete itineraries you can imagine! Prepare yourself to submerge in an ancient world of living history. And this trip is for those who want to explore and experience different cultural values and norms. For almost three weeks you’ll cross temples and places of origin. You also get a chance to witness breathtaking views of the Himalayas and see Nepal’s beautiful natural surroundings. This trip will give you all of the best and combines culture with nature in a relaxing style of exploration.

We do cultural sightseeing of Kathmandu valley including Bhaktapur and Patan. Then after, drive to Nagarkot for a beautiful view of Kathmandu valley as well as the white snow-capped Mountain range. We also visit Lumbini which is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. This trip also includes a wild safari in Chitwan National park.

Note: B=Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner

Day to day schedule to Nepal: 21d Cultural Circuit

  • Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel. (D)

    After your arrival in Kathmandu, we will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Then after we invite you to our typical Nepalese welcome dinner.

  • Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    This day after breakfast, we already eager to take you on an introduction tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. Then we will go to the famous and relaxing Swayambhunath temple. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples. A Tibetan monastery, museum, and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on.

  • Day 3: Drive to Nagarkot, (2175m,32km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today we will leave the capital city of Kathmandu and drive to Nagarkot. It is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan Range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.Here we will take you on a sightseeing tour to Bhaktapur. It is an ancient town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork. Also we visit and Changu Narayan, one of the oldest Hindu temples of the valley, and is believed to be constructed in the 4th century. You will stay overnight at a hotel in Nagarkot and can enjoy an impressive view of the Himalayas!

  • Day 4: Drive to Kathmandu & Sightseeing of Patan, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    During breakfast enjoy the sunrise view over the Himalayas after which we take a breathtaking panorama drive to Patan. It is one of the major cities of Nepal. It is one of the sub-metropolitan cities of Nepal located in the south-western part of Kathmandu valley. It is best known for its rich cultural heritage, particularly its tradition of arts and crafts. It is also called as city of festival and feast, fine ancient art, making of metallic and stone carving statue.

  • Day 5: Sightseeing in around Kathmandu valley, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    On this fifth day we’ll continue our impressive cultural tour with a sightseeing tour to Kirtipur. Many places within the valley and indeed the close ones from the main city have remained isolated and unexplored. One such place is Kirtipur, a town that is very close from Kathmandu City but still far from the reach of tourism activities. The next stop at Dakshinkali Temple, located 22 km outside Kathmandu, is one of the main temples of Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali. Animal sacrifices, particularly of cockerels and uncastrated male goats, are the main way that the goddess is worshipped, and this is especially seen during the Dashain festival. At last we visit Chobhar, known for the nearby Chobhar Gorge where there are the Chobhar caves. There is also a temple, Adinath Lokeshwar, that is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus

  • Day 6: Drive to Daman,(2415m,75km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today is special due to our drive to Daman along the Tribhuvan Highway. Daman is a village in the central part of Nepal, located in the district of Makwanpur. It is halfway between Kathmandu and Hetauda at 2320m. It has an unrestricted view of the Himalayas range stretching before it.This night you will spent in a real Resort.

  • Day 7: Drive to Chitwan, (250m,140km)o/n in a hotel. (B.L.D)

    Early morning, you will go to the tower to enjoy a fantastic Himlayan Panorama view! Take your time to let this view print into your memory. After breakfast we will drive to the famous Chitwan National Park. It is the first national park in Nepal. It covers an area of 932 km2 and is located in the subtropicalInner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. The wide range of vegetation types in the Chitwan National Park is haunt of more than 700 species of wildlife and a not yet fully surveyed number of butterfly, moth and insect species. Apart from King Cobra and Indian rock python 17 other species of snakes, Indian starred tortoise and monitor lizards occur.

  • Day 8: Activities in Chitwan, o/n in a hotel.(B.L.D)

    Of course we want to enjoy the full possibilities of the Chitwan park, so today we’ll keep you busy with several jungle safari activities! The national park offering full board and accommodation in combination with elephant and jeep safaris, rafting tours and guided jungle walks.

  • Day 9: Drive to Lumbini (175m, 190km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    After exploring a few days the Chitwan Park, today we drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. Lumbini is in the foothills of the Himalaya.

  • Day 10: Drive to Tansen(2035m,65km) o/n in a hotel (B)

    Well, today we will enter the mountains by a 4 hours drive along rough hilly roads, after which you will arrive at Tansen. Tansen is a town in the Palpa District. The narrow winding streets are full of Newari shop-Houses and temples and most of the center is too steep for cars, which all adds up to Tansen’s charm. Tansen is a maze of narrow alleys, the main road snakes around the western edge of town. The most important landmark is the octagonal Pavilion in the middle of Sitalpati, the main market square. The town developed as a market center for the Newari traders and artisans famous for their metal and dhaka (cloth) industry.

  • Day 11: Drive to Pokhara,(850m,75km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    We continue through the fascinating mountain area for another 5 hours, afterwards we will arrive at Pokhara, the second most popular tourist destination in Nepal. It is a city of close to 200,000 inhabitants in central Nepal. In no other place do mountains rise so quickly. In this area, within 30 km, the elevation rises from 1,000 m to over 7,500 m., the outskirts of the city touch the base of the Annapurna mountain range. From the southern fringes of the city 3 eight-thousanders: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu.

  • Day 12: Sightseeing in Pokhara, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today we will visit the Pokhara valley for a more adventurous trip, includes visiting temples, caves, gorges and waterfalls. We also take a tour with boats in the nearby lakes. The porous underground of the Pokhara valley favours the development of these magnificent caves. The Seti Gandaki (White Gandaki) and its tributaries have created spectacular gorges in and around the whole city.

  • Day 13: Sightseeing in Pokhara, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Early in the morning, you can drive to Sarangkot view point (1600m) for a sunrise view over the Himalayan panorama. Magical is the view of the sun rising over the mountains – the higher you get the more stunning the views become. Sarangkot is a small hill that stands at 1592 metres high; it is quite steep but steps have been created to make it easier. It provides wonderful views of the Annapurna Ranges with the majestic Machhapuhre aka the Fishtail dominating your view. Whilst not the highest mountain it appears that way as it is so close to where you are standing.Then, you can choose to take a nice walk back to Pokhara or by car.

  • Day 14: Drive to Gorkha (1600m, 130km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today, we take a closer look at the home of original Gurkha warriors. Gurkhas are best known for their history of bravery and strength in the Indian Army’s Gorkha regiments and the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas. The Gurkhas were designated by British officials as a “Martial Race”. “Martial Race” was a designation created by officials of British India to describe “races” (peoples) that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strategy.

  • Day 15: Drive to Kurintar (500m, 45km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Our next destiantion is Kurintar which lies on the Pokhara-Kathmandu highway on the bank of the Trisuli river. Manakamana is a holy site of Hindu Pilgrimage. Pilgrims of different places including India come in the thousands to visit and pay homage to goddess Manakamana. It is believed by the locals that she fulfills our wishes if we pray her by heart. So she is called ‘Manakamana” which means ‘wish of heart’. There is only one cable car service in Nepal is Manakamana Cable Car. We can reach the temple of Manakamana by this car.

  • Day 16: Drive to Kathmandu,(1400m, 85km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    After breakfast, you will leisurely drive back to Kathmandu.

  • Day 17: Sightseeing in Bungamti, Khokana & drive to Dhulikhel, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today we will show you some interesting villages in the Kathmandu Valley, such as Bungamti, Khokana and Panauti Village. The beautiful mountain valley of Panauti is situated at the confluence of Roshamati, Punyamati and Lilavati rivers. Traditional houses, courtyards, temples and monuments create the outstanding atmosphere of this place. Houses are built traditionally and the unique roofs and windows prove the craftsmanship of this city. Small and narrow alleys are paved with stones and bricks. We stay overnight in the nice town of Dhulikhel. Dhulikhel has for many centuries been an important trading centre on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. The spectacular snowfed mountains seen from Dhuklikhel must be one of the finest panoramic views in the world.

  • Day 18: Hiking to Namo Buddha and Panauti, 4/5 hrs, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    From Dhulikhel, we today go for an easy hike to the legendary Namo Buddha shrine. According to legend it was here that Buddha, in a previous incarnation, fed his flesh to a hungry tigress as an offering. A stone statue marks the site; there is an active monastery close by. We follow the picturesque view along tarmac and dirt roads o/n in panauti .

  • Day 19: Drive to Kathmandu (30km) o/n in a hotel. (B)

    Today we return to Kathmandu where you finally get the chance for some free time! o/n in a hotel in Kathmandu.

  • Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu, o/n in a hotel. (B)

    In the morning, we suggest you can take an optional mountain flight trip over the Himalayas.This is a trip you never forget, but it is up to you. Of course you also can explore Kathmandu, on foot or by bike or what kind of transportation you wish. We arrange it for you!

  • Day 21: Transfer to the international airport in Kathmandu. (B)

    After breakfast and more important, all precious memories we transfer you to the international airport.

What is included?

  • Full board in Chitwan NP
  • All activities in Chitwan NP
  • Pickup and drop from to the international and domestic airport in Kathmandu
  • Accommodation in standard hotels including breakfast apart from Chitwan NP
  • Private transport with driver
  • Pension fund, wages and insurance for the local guide
  • Typical Nepali dinner by arrival
  • Government licensed english speaking guide for whole tours

What is excluded?

  • Lunch and dinner during the tour, except rafting and Chitwan NP.
  • Personal expenses and tips for staff
  • Personal insurance and helicopter rescue in case of emergency
  • International flight ticket
  • Monumententrance fees during sightseeing except chitwan NP

Best Seasons Listing

Best Season
September, October, November, March, April & May

Trip Customization

Nepal Trekking

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