DISCOVER NEPAL

With Mount Everest straddling its border, rare one-horned rhino roaming its jungles and pagodas studding its valleys, the tiny mountain country of Nepal has an almost mythical prominence. Discover Nepal with the wonders of Kathmandu, stunningly situated in a bowl-shaped valley and encircled by some of the highest peaks in the world. It is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of medieval temple complexes and royal palace squares, plus Buddhist monasteries and religious statues.  Chitwan National Park is defined by river plains and jungle where Bengal tigers and gharial crocodiles live. Take one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world and experience eye-level views of Mount Everest and the highest peaks on Earth. Customs and traditions differ from one part of Nepal to another. The capital city Kathmandu enjoys a rich tapestry of cultures blending to form a national identity. A prominent factor in a Nepali’s everyday life is religion. Adding color to the lives of Nepalis are festivals the year round which they celebrate with much pomp and ceremony. Before returning home relax at Pokhara, situated on Phewa Lake offering stunning views of the snow-capped Annapurna Mountains, spectacular sunrises, and sunsets.

2023 – Sep. 17 to 30, 2024– Sep. 5 to 18, 2025– Aug. 25 to Sep. 7,

2026- Sep. 13 to 26

Experience two of the best festivals of Nepal

INDRA JATRA (YANYA PUNHI) is the largest and most significant of Nepal’s festivals, as it is several festivals rolled into one. The 8-day spectacle is held to propitiate Indra, the god of rain and heaven, and Bhairab, another form of Lord Shiva, as also to hail Kumari, the living goddess. Men dressed as a white elephant (Tanakishi, symbolic of Indra) run around in the crowd. Kumari Jatra, the procession of the resplendent, garland bedecked young girl or the Living Goddess Kumari seated atop a rope drawn chariot, commences as she blesses the crowds with handing out carnations, which is truly a mesmerizing sight to behold. Watch the exciting festival of chariot processions, masked dances, religious enactments, lights, color & Living Goddess Kumari as the center of celebrations.

TEEJ OR HARITALIKA TEEJ FESTIVAL is observed over 3 days and is an occasion for Hindu women to pray for their husbands’ long life, marital bliss, and harmony. Decked up in red sarees and red tika, bangles, women sing and dance to traditional folk songs for days. It is a sight to behold at the Pashupatinath temple, where thousands of women draped in Red and green throng the premises of the temple. Witness women of all age group, young and old, dance for hours.

 DAY BY DAY TOUR PLAN:

DAY 1– ARRIVE KATHMANDU – Dinner

Arrive in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and transfer to hotel. Once known as Kantipur, the city is named after Kasthamandap, an imposing pagoda near Hanuman Dhoka and Old Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure.  This evening witness the celebration sof first day of the Teej festival. Known as “Dar Khane Din” on this day, women dress up and go out into the streets to celebrate. There’s dancing, singing in the stererts in the evening. HOTEL

DAY 2 – KATHMANDU – Teej Festival & City Tour- Breakfast & Lunch

Teej festival is dedicated to the goddess Parvati, who married Lord Shiva. Their union is considered a symbol of ultimate love and devotion, and women use Teej to ask for a marriage just as loving and happy.  Visit Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred Hindu temples in the world, temple is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Nepalese women head to the Pashupatinath temple today to make offerings of fruits and flowers to lord Shiva. They also light an oil lamp, which must be kept on throughout the night as a symbol of good omens and blessings to come.

After Lunch, embark on a city tour, including the Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars and the Royal Residential Palace, and the temple of the Living Goddess Kumari, worshiped as a deity by all devout Nepalese. Bodhnath is the home of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world, and Pashupatinath, is the most sacred of Lord Shiva’s shrines in Nepal on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. This evening explorr Durbar aquare on your own to see the festivities. HOTEL

DAY 3– KATHMANDU – PATAN & BUNGMATI EXCURSION- Breakfast & Lunch

Explore Patan, called the “City of Beauty” for its many palaces and temples embellished with intricately carved gods and goddesses in erotic poses. Visit the sculpture foundry to meet a master sculptor of sacred images. For centuries, the Nepalese have been world- famous for their statue making, and after a visit to the foundry, you’ll know why. Follow your guide for an insider’s tour of the Buddhist temples in Patan.

Continue to the typical Newar village of Bungmati. Founded in the 7^th century, Bungmati is home to one of the most important gods of the Kathmandu Valley: Matsyendranath, the God of Rain and Compassion, worshipped equally by Hindus and Buddhists. He is credited by the local people for the introduction of rice plantations in the valley. The rich heritage and unchanging lifestyle of the Newar people is clear in Bungamati it remains relatively isolated from modern Nepali life. HOTEL

TEEJ FESTIVAL – Last day of the festival, and before the ceremonial baths, a Teej idol representing Parvati is decorated with gold, jewelry and flowers and then taken out through the streets in a procession. Tour today will be adjusted to see and photograph the procession.

Day 4– KATHMANDU – MT. EVEREST FLIGHTSEEING & BHADGAON TOUR- Breakfast & Dinner

Rise early this morning and take a one-hour flightseeing tour of Himalayas including Mt. Everest as the sun rises. (Subject to weather). Return to hotel to fresen up and breakfast. Rest of the morning is free for independent activities. This afternoon enjoy a drive through the terraced rice fields to the primitive city of Bhadgaon. The Durbar Square includes the Big Bell, once rung to usher in curfew; the Bell of the Barking Dogs; the Lion Gate; the Picture Gallery; and the famous Golden Gate. HOTEL

DAY 5– KATHAMNDU / CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK- WILDLIFE SAFARI- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Travel to Asia’s richest and spectacular wildlife sanctuary, home to the great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth deer, wild boar, freshwater dolphin, leopard, marsh mugger, gharial crocodiles, over 450 species of birds and the elusive, nocturnal Royal Bengal Tiger. Embark on your first safari in the park this afternoon. LODGE

DAY 6 & 7- CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy excellent game viewing opportunities included during your stay at Chitwan. Activities include nature walks, game viewing by elephant’s back and land rover, boat trips, jungle treks, bird watching excursions, wildlife viewing and photography from machans (blinds). LODGE

DAY 8- CHITWAN / POKHARA – Breakfast & Lunch

After your early morning safari and breakfast, travel to Pokhara, renowned for its setting rather than its historical or cultural endowments. The scenic valley is an enormous sunlit playground covered by green-forested hills, waterfalls, and terraced fields. Its three lakes – Phew, Begnas and Rupa – further enhance the beauty of the valley. You’ll be swept away by the panoramic views of Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli and the five peaks of Annapurna and Machapuchare. HOTEL

DAY 9– POKHARA TOURING- – Breakfast & Lunch

Rise early to witness the spectacular sunrise over Himalayas. Visit the lakeside, on the shores of Phewa Lake, and the center of all tourist activities in the town. Barahi temple is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built in the middle of Phewa Lake, the two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, the protectress deity representing the female force, Shakti. Visit Begnas Tal and Rupa Tal. Seti Gandaki, flowing right through the city, is the boisterous river that runs completely underground in several places. Mahendra Pul, a small bridge provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by its powerful flow. Devi’s fall, locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell’s fall), is an impressive waterfall. Your last stop is at World Peace Pagoda, a massive Buddhist stupa situated on top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa lake. The shrine provides a great vantage point for spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city. HOTEL

DAY 10 -POKHARA/ KATHMANDU- Breakfast & Dinner

Morning at leisure. This afternoon travel to Kathmandu. Check in at hotel.This evening walk through the Durbar suare to see the preparations for the Indrjatra festival and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. HOTEL

DAY 11 to 13 – KATHMANDU – Indrajatra Festival- Breakfast

Spend three days watching the exciting festival of chariot processions, masked dances, religious enactments, lights, color & Living Goddess Kumari as the center of celebrations.

Nepal is a diverse country made up of communities that celebrate their unique cultures with festivals. Amongst them, the Newar community celebrates the highest number of festivals year-round, and to-date has been able to retain and restore the culture.

Leading you to an amazing journey of knowing, one of the most mesmerizing festivals celebrated in Nepal, initiated by the Newari community, is Indra Jatra. It is a spectacular experience of joy, energy, and stunning exhibition in celebration of gods and goddesses. Continuing for eight days, this festival portrays the dance of deities and human representatives that are carried around the Kathmandu Durbar Square in different chariots of three gods. Bhairav, one of the forms of Lord Shiva, Kumari, the living goddess, and Ganesh, the elephant headed God. Young men and middle-aged men, fueled by local liquor, pull the chariots around the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

During your stay you will also witness various forms of dances:

The Pulu Kisi is disguised by three men inside a huge white get-up of an elephant that dances the way through the Durbar Square coordinated with music played by local instruments. The Pulu Kisi is then accompanied by Lakhey, a disguise of a monster with red hair and an aggressive face. The dance between these two is a great crowd pleaser and invites immense energy.

The “Dash Avatar” dance, which highlights the ten different forms of deities, is performed late at night with an astonishing beauty of the masks and the clothes representing every single avatar (form) of the deities. The remarkable dancers display a short drama through traditional dance and accessories.

The Newars of Kathmandu Valley also celebrate the Yenya Punhi or “Samaya Baji” festival on the third day of the Jatra by lighting up an artistic Diyo (lamp), named Dalucha and worshipping ritualistically by offering Samaya Baji, an authentic traditional dish of the Newar community which is later distributed to the locals that participate in the Jatra.

Every year the Jatra is performed pulling a crowd of thousands, worshipping, celebrating, and enjoying. Creating memories with an energy that cannot be forgotten. The contrast of colors and display of culture is a beautiful chaos to watch and does justice to the hype that has been built over many years.

On last evening witness Nepalese folk dances show followed by farewell dinner.

DAY 14 – DEPART KATHMANDU – Breakfast

Board your flight home with fond memories, sights and sounds of Nepal or extend your stay in India, Bhutan and more.

LAND TOUR PRICE: 2023

TBA

FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 888 605 TOURS (8687) OR 310 373 1001. Email: [email protected]