Kathmandu Chitwan Lumbini and Pokhara Tour is a 10 day tour package that offers you the experience of visiting all the top-notch cities of Nepal. The tour starts and ends at the capital. This package spans short visits at all the famous cities each one offering their own unique experiences. Of the four cities, no two cities are further than 201km apart. So the longest bus ride you’ll have to take is from Pokhara to Kathmandu on the journey back which only takes 7 hours on road. Of course, you can take the alternative of flying this distance.
The tour starts with sightseeing at the capital, then you go to Chitwan famous for safaris at the national park, followed by Lumbini where Buddha was born and finally a tour of the city of Lakes, i.e. Pokhara. Kathmandu is known as the city of temples because of its abundance in cultural heritage sites that includes temples, stupas, and palaces. There is also a lot of cultural diversity at the capital, allowing interaction with all kinds of people. Chitwan is native to the Tharus, an ethnic group indigenous to the Terai. Chitwan National Park is famous for housing a plethora of endangered species including varieties of birds, the one horned rhinoceros, and the Bengal tiger. Lumbini is specifically visited by Buddhists but non-followers too can gain a lot from the birthplace of the Light of Asia. Pokhara is known for its proximity to the mountain range, the range of adventures it offers and cultural sites you can visit.
This Kathmandu Chitwan Lumbini and Pokhara Tour gives you a wholesome experience of what Nepal can offer you. This package does not include trekking to the Himalayas.
Day 1: Arrival, Pick-up and Transfer to the Hotel
Day 2: Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
Day 3: Journey to Chitwan
Day 4: Exploring Chitwan National Park
Day 5: Journey to Lumbini
Day 6: Exploring Lumbini
Day 7: Journey to Pokhara
Day 8: Sarangkot, Exploring Pokhara
Day 9: Return to Kathmandu
Day 10: Departure
On your first day in Nepal, one of our representatives will come pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. After some rest and refreshment you can choose to visit nearby places and restaurants. If you’ve got time, explore some tourist attractions close to your hotel. Visit the famous Thamel area where you can find diverse cutlery ranging from international cuisines to local Nepali dal bhat. Thamel is also famous for its night life so you can choose to experience that as well.
The city of temples is rich in cultural heritage sites. On the second day we’ll visit the historically significant sites which have been listed on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. Seven of such sites are in Kathmandu Valley; 3 durbar squares, 2 stupas, and 2 temples.
The Durbar Squares are in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur and are palaces where the royal families who ruled Nepal lived over the years. These include the Malla Kings, Shah Kings, and the Rana Kings. Each palace is unique in their architecture and the culture it portrays. For example, the palace at Bhaktapur reflects mostly Newari Architecture. The durbar squares also have museums that house artifacts, historical monuments, weapons, and royal regalia.
The stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath have a similar architecture both containing the famous white dome on the base and the cuboid structure painted with Buddha’s eyes on top. These stupas are symbols of enlightenment and is famous among Buddhists. The sites are peaceful, the Tibetan restaurants here are amazing, and you’ll find incredible people.
The temples are Pashupatinath Temple and Changu Narayan Temple. Pashupatinath has the largest temple complex in the country and is dedicated to Pashupati, a form of Lord Shiva. The place is revered by Hindus. Cremation ceremonies are performed along the banks of the Bagmati River in this temple. Changu Narayan is situated on a hilltop in Bhaktapur and is considered to be the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal.
After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to Chitwan. Chitwan is a 5 hour drive or a 20 minute flight from Kathmandu. On reaching the town, you can walk outside the National Park and observe the lifestyle of the Tharu group indigenous to this place. There are several Tharu restaurants where you can try unique cuisines. The Tharus also host gatherings and cultural programs to showcase their art and culture. We’ll spend the night at a hotel in Sauraha.
Sauraha is the eastern gateway to Chitwan National Park. In the park, we’ll observe endangered species like the gharial crocodiles, the Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhinoceroses and numerous bird species. Safari options include canoe ride, jeep safari, and elephant safari. On the safari, you’ll pass through lush forests and grasslands of the park to observe the endangered species. The elephant breeding centers is a famous place visited in the park. Balmiki Ashram is a famous Hindu temple located in the park. This is the temple where the Ramayana – the renowned Hindu epic was written. The Bish Hajari Lake in the park is a famous bird watching site that is home to more than 500 species of birds that include endangered species like Bengal florican, Lesser adjutant, Grey-headed fish eagle, and Kashmir flycatcher.
After breakfast, we’ll start our journey to Lumbini. Lumbini is about a 6 hour drive from Chitwan. In the evening, if time remains, we’ll walk around some famous sites at Lumbini like the sacred garden where Lord Buddha was raised. This garden has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can find people of different ethnicities in Lumbini. There is also a variety of restaurants offering diverse cuisines ranging from international cuisines, Tibetan cuisines to local Nepali dishes.
We’ll explore the main temple, Maya Devi Temple where Buddha was born. This temple contains the marker stone to indicate Buddha’s birthplace. The Ashoka Pillar in Lumbini is one of several pillars erected by emperor Ashoka. He did this here to honor the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This pillar contains historically significant inscriptions that identify Lumbini as the birthplace. There are several other attractions in Lumbini like World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Museum, monasteries and meditation centers, and Lumbini Crane Sanctuary.
Some tourists also drive to Tilaurakot which is just a 40 minute drive from Lumbini. Tilaurakot is believed to be where King Suddodhana’s (father of Buddha) palace was located and where Buddha spent 29 years of his life. Archaeological excavation is still going on at this place.
You can choose to drive to Pokhara which takes approximately 6 hours. The nearest airport from Lumbini is Bhairahawa airport from where you can fly to Pokhara. The drive to the airport takes 30 minutes and the flight to Pokhara takes another 20 minutes. Reaching Pokhara early offers you the benefit of a detailed and hassle free tour of the city of Lakes. You can explore Lakeside where you’ll find all kinds of fancy restaurants and cafes offering a variety of cutlery. Lakeside, Pokhara is always filled with tourists and the shops there are super-interesting to look at. They contain the best kinds of souvenirs that you can take to your home country. A walk around Phewa Lake in the evening is a magical experience. There is so much life in Pokhara’s atmosphere at all times of the year.
Sarangkot is a must-visit destination near Pokhara. The place is a village located on a hilltop that offers splendid views of the Annapurna mountain range, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Dhaulagiri, and other peaks. It takes only 30 minutes to reach Sarangkot from Pokhara and the best recommended time to visit the hill is early in the morning just in time to catch a glimpse of the mountain peaks during sunrise. Sarangkot is also a paragliding hub for adventure enthusiasts. The locals of the village are usually Gurungs and Magars and interacting with them offers you a unique cultural experience.
Pokhara offers a wide range of outdoor adventures like bungee jumping, white-water rafting, ultralight flying, mountain biking, hiking, boating, and many more.
After breakfast, we’ll start our journey back to Kathmandu. It takes 7.5 hours to get back if we take the road. The travel time varies according to traffic and road conditions. The alternative is to fly for 30 minutes. If you take the road, stopping at Kurintar allows you a cable car ride to the renowned Manakamana Temple.
Our trip has come to an end. One of our staffs will accompany you on a drive to the airport. It’s important that you get to there at least 2 hours before your departure time. Thank you for touring with us!
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