Essential Nepal

Price

€1440

Days

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Tour description

The main holy sites, unusual traditions and wild animals. All the main attractions await us in mystical Nepal.

Walk three times around the sacred Buddhanath stupa with monks and pilgrims from around the world
Go boating on Phewa Lake in Pokhara while taking in views of Mount Annapurna
Observe the simple life of the peasants of Gorkha people and Chitwan tribes
Get close to rhinos, deer and elephants in the jungles of the Rapti River Valley
Meditate under the Bodhi tree at the Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini.

Tour departures

11 November 2024 - 21 November 2024

€1440

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The price of the tour includes

Accommodation in double/twin rooms of 3-4 * hotels
All transportation
Breakfasts in all places of residence
Profesional guiding services
Entrance fees to all attractions, museums and parks
Safari in Chitwan National Park.

What is NOT included

Flight to Kathmandu and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best tickets)
Visa (issued upon arrival and costs $25)
Food (up to $20 per day)
Insurance including treatment of Covid-19 (mandatory).

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Parping village, Dakshinkali temple, Padmasambhava cave

We arrive in Kathmandu, meet with the tour leader at Tribhuvan airport and leave for the village of Parping, 30 km from the capital. We check into a hotel there and take a walk through the village streets, observing the very simple local life.

We go to the famous Hindu temple Dakshinkali, built in honor of the goddess Kali. During the holidays, animals are still sacrificed here in front of the statue of the warlike goddess.

We head to the caves near the village to see the place where the great teacher Padmasambhava meditated. He brought Buddhism from India to Nepal and Tibet in the 8th century A.D.. In Nepal, he is often called Guru Rinpoche. Buddhists believe that the cave holds the prints of his feet, forehead and knees.

Day 2-3

Chitwan National Park, Safari, Elephant nursery, Tribes cultural show

After breakfast we head to Chitwan National Park (4 hours on the way). The road passes through the picturesque low mountains and forests of the Parsa National Park. We settle in the village of Sauraha, where the headquarters of the national park is located. Here we will visit an elephant farm where little elephants are raised, swim in the Rapti River and enjoy the pool in our hotel.

Early in the morning we begin our safari and meet families of elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, spotted and barking deer, many birds, including wild ancestors of domestic chickens, as well as forest macaques.

After lunch we watch a cultural show about the life of local tribes. Did you know that Nepal is home to 59 different tribes?!

Day 4-5

Lumbini, The birthplace of Buddha, Ancient and modern Buddhist temples

Today we leave for Lumbini (about 4-5 hours on the way), where the founder of Buddhism, Buddha Shakyamuni, was born. We check into a hotel in the village of Rumindei.

In the morning we head to the Lumbini complex to see modern Buddhist temples built by architects from different Buddhist countries on a huge territory. We meditate under the Bodhi tree. Buddhists believe that it grows on the very place where Buddha Shakyamuni was born more than 2500 years ago.

We learn more about the history of Lumbini while inspecting the excavations of ancient monasteries and stupas, and visiting a small museum.

Tour leaders

Yevgeniy Ikhelzon

co-founder, tour leader

Is this trip for you?

This trip is very active, of easy physical grade. It includes long walks in urban areas, villages, and safari in Chitwan National Park. We will also travel on mountain roads (up to 5-6 hours) in specially rented passenger minibus like Toyota Hiace. Accommodation in good 3-4-star hotels, with hot water and wi fi everywhere.