Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Meal: B/L/D
Altitude: 1400m
Distance: around the city (20/30minutes)
Mode of transport: private car
Early in the morning after arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our driver will pick you up to drop you at the hotel. The hotel executives will offer you welcome drinks. After a little introduction, our representative will give you a small briefing of the entire tour itinerary. You can also visit the local markets in the evening. If you have ample time then you can visit Pashupatinath temple. Lord Pashupatinath is the national deity of Nepal. Witnessing the beautiful evening prayers of the lord from the banks of Bagmati River will engrave an indelible experience in your mind. The soothing south of bell chimes from the temple will transcend your present state of mind to some astounding land of divinity. At night you will stay in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Drive to Pokhara from Kathmandu
Meal: B/L/D
Altitude: 1400m
Distance: 204km (6hrs)
Mode of transport: private car
Early in the morning, you will drive to Pokhara after completing your breakfast. Every tourist loves to visit this mountainous country to enjoy the extensive view of the mountains. Being a tourism capital of the country, this amazing land will allow you to get chances of coming close to nature. It is the gateway for the adventure lovers to reach the high mountains like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna. After reaching Pokhara, you can go for boating on Phewa Lake. This stunning lake will give you an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding mountains and its reflection on the water. At the time of sunset, you can enjoy the amazing crimson red colored sky and its reflection on the water. This natural beauty of the city will make you spellbound with the terrain of the country. At night you will stay in Pokhara.
Day 3: Fly to Jomsom and then drive to Muktinath and driving back to Jomsom
Meal: – B/L/D
Altitude: – Jomsom- 2743m; Muktinath Temple – 3710m
Distance: -158km (20 minutes flight) and then 1hr drive to Ranipauwa
Mode of Transport: – flight and then drive
Early in the morning, you will be flying to Jomsom from Pokhara. It will take around 35 minutes to reach Jomsom. This small village is located at an elevation of 2743m in the district of Mustang. The village is developed on both the banks of Kali Gandaki River. Your short flight to Pokhara will be an amazing experience as you will be flying across the mountains. Mostly the passenger’s board a small chopper to reach Jomsom from Pokhara, therefore, window seats offer amazing sight to enjoy. The runway of Jomsom airport is comparatively short. After reaching Jomsom you will be walking to your hotel. Being a small village, mostly the hotels are located around the radius of the airport exit. Due to its remote locations, you will be provided with the basic amenities. After checking into the hotel, you will be traveling to a nearby village called Ranipauwa. On your way you will find, numerous guest houses, restaurants, cafes, hotels for the pilgrims traveling to Muktinath. This routeway is equally used by the trekkers traveling towards Annapurna Circuit. After getting down in Ranipauwa, you will be walking for 15-20 minutes to reach Muktinath temple.
It is one of the notable pilgrimage sites for both Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims in Nepal. As the name suggests, it is the mythical ground of liberation. Located at an elevation of 3710m, this famous pilgrimage site is considered as the place of liberation. According to the Vaishnava sect, this temple is one of 108 Divya Desham temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is also known as one of prominent Shakti Peethas, as the forehead of Sati fell on this part. Before entering the temple shrine, one takes bath in the 108 bull shaped water spouts located around the temple wall. The holy water of Kali Gandaki River is directed to these water spouts for the pilgrims to take bath. The spiritual practitioners believe that before stepping into such prestigious pilgrimage site, one has to be mentally and physically clean. The holy water of the Kali Gandaki River gushes out the impurities from the minds of pilgrims. Even the Buddhists consider this place religious due to Guru Rinpoche. It is believed that the spiritual leader meditated in this pristine premise of Muktinath temple while on his way to Tibet. Even today one can see how both the Buddhist and Hindu priests pay service to the temple in harmony. The Kali Gandaki River is quite famous among the pilgrims because one can collect Shaligram stones or Shila from the water of the river. This stone is known to be the physical manifestation of Lord Vishnu.
After visiting the temple shrine, you will be walking back till Ranipauwa. The vehicle will be waiting for you on the other side of the tail. Then you will be driving back to Jomsom. At night you will stay in Jomsom.
Day 4: Fly to Pokhara and sightseeing
Meal: – B/L/D
Mode of Transport: – 20 minutes flight (flight then bus coach)
Today early morning you will be flying back to Pokhara. As mentioned earlier, small aircraft are used for the passengers to carry from Pokhara to Jomsom. Therefore one can really enjoy the sight of lofty mountains surrounding. The aircraft will be flying across these snow cladded mountains. This short flight journey will give you the ultimate visual pleasure. The exotic terrains of the land will allow you to unleash your adventurous spirits.
After checking into the hotel, you will be visiting the local places for sightseeing. First, you will be visiting Bindebashini temple. Kaski rulers built this beautiful temple in the city. Inside the sanctum of the temple is devoted to Goddess Durga. After visiting the temple, you will be visiting the local marketplace. The old bazaar premise is quite famous for selling local handicraft items. Later you will be visiting Patale Chongo, cascading waterfalls known as Davis Falls among the tourists is one of the major locations to visit in Pokhara. You can enjoy the marvelous sight of gushing water of Davis Falls. During monsoons, the falls take more gigantic shape with wild water. Next, you will be visiting Gupteshwar Cave, located on the opposite side of Davis Fall. This cave will be surprising for you to explore its natural beauty. On the dark uneven walls of the cave, you will find out natural deposits of limestone. You will treasure those memories in your mind.
At night you will stay in Pokhara.
Day 5: Drive to Manakama on way back to Kathmandu
Meal: – B/L/D
Altitude: – Manakamana-1302m
Distance: - Pokhara to Manakamana- 109km (3hrs), Manakamana to Kathmandu-95kms (2.5-3hrs)
Mode of Transport: – Private car
If possible wake up early in the morning to enjoy the amazing sight of sunrise in the laps of mountains. The tourists travel to this beautiful city to enjoy the enigmatic sight of mountains and the sunrise across it. You will feel the serenity in the terrains. It is a paradise for those nature lovers who want to spend times in seclusion.
After enjoying the sunrise you can start your journey towards Kathmandu. On the way, you will enjoy the hide and seek of the sunrays falling on the laps of the mountains. The extensive beauty of nature will completely make you awestruck. On your drive to Kathmandu, you will be visiting another notable temple located in Gorkha district. The Manakamana temple is famous among the devotees for fulfilling the desires. The etymological meaning of the name is desire coming out of minds. One travels to this remote place in the hope of fulfillment of desires. Bhagwati, the primary deity in the temple is an incarnation of Devi Parvati. The two words Mana and Kamana meaning heart and desire respectively. The devotees for years visit this auspicious site with a pure heart to get their wishes fulfilled. To reach Manakamana Temple one will have to drive till the bank of Trishuli River. From Kurintar, one will have to take a cable car ride to reach the top of the temple. This 3km long distance of cable car journey will take you to an amazing picturesque view of the surrounding mountains of Manaslu, Himachuli and Annapurna ranges. The four-storied pagodas styled temple of Manakamana stands on a stone square-shaped pedestal. There is a belief that if one wants his wishes to be fulfilled then should bring either one of them-almond, flowers, vermillion, oil lamp, incense sticks, saffron, vermillion, betel leaf, Janai and fruits, and foods.
After completing the puja, you will be driving back to Kathmandu. At night you will stay in the capital city.
Day 6: Kathmandu sightseeing
Meal: – B/L/D
Distance: - around the city
Mode of Transport: – Private car
After enjoying a delicious breakfast you can get ready for the local sightseeing. You will start your day by visiting the recognized locations of the capital city. After taking breakfast, you will get yourself ready for the guided tour along the Kathmandu valley. The city is well known for its cultural and historical heritage monuments. When you will be strolling along the valley you will closely understand the essence of historical artifacts along with spiritual and religious values.
Start your day with Pashupatinath darshan. It is the national deity of the country. The religious temple shrine of Pashupatinath is located on the beautiful banks of Bagmati River. The temple complex is one of the most popular religious sites to be visited by the pilgrims of different religious beliefs. Inside the temple complex, one finds out temples devoted to different gods and goddesses. During the 5th century, Prachanda Dev, Lichchavi King erected the temple. With times, the temple was decayed until it is the oldest Hindu temple of the country. The deity Pashupatinath gained fame among the devotees as the Lord of Pashus. In Hindu mythology, darshan plays an important role to bring the devotees close to the devoted god. The ornamented pagoda styled temple still symbolizes the base of Shaivaism. After visiting such amazing temple architecture you will be going for the next stop.
Next, you will be visiting Patan. It is famous for Durbar Square. Visiting Nepal remains completely unfulfilled without visiting this second largest town. This beautiful city is located on the banks of River Bagmati. Inside the cityscape, you will be visiting some of the architectural masterpieces. It is believed that the square of the temple squad is located on the center of Kathmandu. While walking across the square, you will find out refugee quarters of Tibetan community as well. The travelogue becomes complete only when one starts interacting with the local people. The warm hospitability of Tibetan people will make you feel flattered with the culture of the country. Most of the people in the communities earn their livelihood from the carpet industry.
Lastly, you will be visiting Swayambhunath stupa, a marvelous symbol of Buddhism. The beautiful temple is located at the top of the hill in the valley of Kathmandu. From the hilltop, one can get a spectacular view of the valley as a whole. The Buddhist Newars believe this mythological place as the central most location in practicing Buddhism. Within the complex of the stupa, one finds out small temple shrines venerated during the Licchavi period. The main attraction of the stupa among the pilgrims is due to its wide eye sights. The compassion that one can feel in the eyes of Buddha painted on the walls of Stupa is quite famous. It is said that most of the iconography in Swayambhunath got its influence form Vajrayana School of thoughts of Newar Buddhism. Even the Hindus prefer to visit this worldly recognized location for its calm and serenity.
In the evening you can indulge in shopping or strolling across the streets to explore your taste buds. At night you will stay in Kathmandu.
Day 7: Fly to Janakpur from Kathmandu
Meal: – B/L/D
Altitude: – 74m
Distance: - 225km (30-45minutes flight) and then around the city
Mode of Transport: – Flight and then private car
Early in the morning, you will be flying to Janakpur. This ancient city has its glorious roots back in the epic of Ramayana. It will take around 4hrs to reach this historical city. It is the auspicious birthplace of the wife of Sri Ram, Sita. It is a famous city where Devi Sita and Rama married to each other. The ardent followers of Hinduism engage in circumambulation around this holy city after worshipping other cities like Kashi, Ayodhya, and Brij in India. Next, you will be visiting Dhanushadham. The historians believed that till date fossilized form of a broken piece of the arrow is present in the soil of Janakpur. Dhanusha is an amazing place to roam around in the lush green land. Due to the presence of such extensive lands, the inhabitants depend on agriculture mostly. If you are an ardent lover of art and architecture then you will definitely like the Maithili School of painting. The vibrant usage of colors and the rich stories of folklore and myth will definitely give you visual pleasure.
Post lunch you will be visiting the famous Janaki temple. Tour to Muktinath and Janakpur visit are designed together because it is said Ram is a divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu, therefore, his consort will be a divine incarnation of Devi Lakshmi. Therefore the pilgrimage tour becomes complete only after traveling to both of these places. Both these holy sites are clubbed together to give you an overview of the spiritual journey in the mystic land of Nepal. You will be overwhelmed with the Koiri architecture present on the walls of the temple. This three storied temple shows amazing handwork of marble and stone. In 2008, this beautiful temple has come under the world’s heritage list of UNESCO. Vrishabhanu, the renowned queen of Tikamgarh built this architectural marvel dedicated to Devi Sita spending 9lakhs of rupees. Due to such extravagant expenditure, this temple is also known as Naulakha Mandir. During the auspicious time of Ram Navami, Dusshera, Tihar and Vivaha Panchami, thousands of pilgrims all across Nepal and India travel to this holy site for accomplishing their wishes. Devi Sita symbolizes the chastity of a woman according to Hindu scriptures. Mostly, married women worship the goddess to seek blessings. In all these auspicious festivals, the married women celebrate the chastity of Devi Sita and hope to dedicate the entire life for the well-being of the husband. In Hindu mythology, Devi Sita is described as an epitome of a chaste woman who devoted her life out of respect and love towards the husband.
At night you will stay in Janakpur.
Day 8: Departure
Meal: – B/L/D
Distance: - 225km (30-45minutes flight)
Mode of Transport: – Flight