Explore the Natural Beauty of Nepal
- 5 Days
- People : 1
- Wifi Available
Description
Nepal lies between China and India in South Asia. The country is slightly larger than the state of Arkansas. Nepal has the greatest altitude change of any location on Earth. The lowlands are at sea level and the mountains of the Himalaya are the tallest in the world. Mount Everest rises to 29,035 feet (8,850 meters) and is the world’s highest peak. The Himalaya formed 10–15 million years ago when India collided with the continent of Asia and pushed the land into high mountains. Eight of the world’s ten highest mountain peaks are in Nepal.
Most people practice Hinduism, but some people practice both Hinduism and Buddhism. The caste system has been outlawed by the government but it still makes up the social structure of everyday lives. Nepalese are from four main groups: the Hindu caste, the Bhotes, the hill tribes, and the Newar. The Hindus originally came from India and continue to follow the caste system. Hill people include the Sherpas and other tribes.
Sherpas are born way up in the mountains at elevations above 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) and are known for their ability to guide tourists in high altitude climbs. They teach visitors about Sherpa culture and Buddhism's love of the land. The Bhotes live in mountains in the north and are originally from Tibet. The Newar are the original native people of the Kathmandu Valley.
Most Nepalese live in the central, hilly region, which embraces the Kathmandu Valley, and in the southern plain known as the Terai. The Ganges River floods this area and makes the land very fertile for growing crops. About 10 percent live in the mountains over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and are traders, farmers, and herders.
Nepal Tour Itinerary (5 days)
Nepal ranges from very high mountains to jungle-filled plains—which means that, despite being a geographically small country, hopping quickly around the country can be a challenge. With five days, you’ll have time to see the cultural highlights of Kathmandu and Pokhara, or get a taste of the adventures Nepal is famous for with short treks and whitewater rafting. You can even visit Everest Base Camp
Day 1 - Kathmandu and Pokhara Sightseeing
Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna Himalaya, and while you won’t have time for a long trek, you can spend day four enjoying the outdoors. Drive or hike up to the Shanti Stupa overlooking the town, for amazing views of the mountains and lake. Have a go at paragliding from Sarangkot Hill, one of the best places in the world to try the sport because of the amazing views and stable thermals. Alternatively, there are short half-day or day hikes you can do around Pokhara.
Day 2 - Balthali Village Trek
After arriving in Kathmandu, be driven out to Dhulikhel, a town high on a ridge just outside the Kathmandu Valley. You can choose between very high-end accommodation here, or something more basic and cozy. This is a great place to watch the sunset (and sunrise) over the Himalaya. Prepare to walk on day two. Head to Namo Buddha, a sacred Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site. You’ll walk for about three hours. Arriving at your hotel in the mid-afternoon you can relax and enjoy the views or head to a lookout to catch the sunset.
Start day three by visiting the famous Namo Buddha stupa, believed to be the place where an incarnation of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha offered his body to a hungry tigress. Continue walking to the village of Balthali, from where there are more beautiful views of mountains, farmland, and villages.
Day 3 - Nagarkot Trek and Kathmandu Tour
After your arrival in Kathmandu, depending on the time of day, visit a nearby attraction or two. A conveniently located attraction is the Kathmandu Durbar Square, with its eclectic mix of architectural styles. The next morning, start a full day of touring Kathmandu’s highlights, such as Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Patan Durbar Square. These places will give you a thorough overview of the Buddhist and Hindu traditions of Nepal.
On day three, drive to the village of Sankhu, from where you’ll begin your hike to Nagarkot. The hike takes around 4-5 hours and passes through villages and jungle. Nagarkot is on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley and is famous for its sunset and sunrise views across the Himalaya.
Day 4 - Central Nepal Multi-Sport Adventure
You’ll be met at the airport on arrival in Kathmandu. Depending on your time of arrival, spend the evening exploring the Thamel neighborhood and having your first dal bhat for dinner. After breakfast on day two, depart Kathmandu for Pokhara. The journey follows the Trishuli River for much of the way, and after driving for a couple of hours you’ll stop for some white-water rafting fun. The Trishuli has some good medium-sized rapids, so is suitable for beginners, but there’s the option not to raft if you’d rather relax at a riverside resort. Continue on to Pokhara, and enjoy the sunset from Lakeside.
More adventures await on day three. In the morning you’ll be driven up to Sarangkot Hill, where is the jumping-off point (literally!) for paragliding above Pokhara. Enjoy the incredible mountain and lake views on a tandem flight with an instructor. In the afternoon, drive to Kande, where you’ll start your trek to the Australian Camp. You’ll have great views of the Annapurna Himalaya along the way. On day four, trek from the Australian Camp to the village of Dhampus, and then on to Phedi. Your driver will be waiting for you at Phedi. Return to Pokhara and have the rest of the day to explore: you can get a post-trek massage, or paddle a boat on the lake.
Day 5 - Best of Chitwan National Park
After your arrival in Kathmandu, depending on how much time you have, check out a couple of the city’s cultural attractions. The Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupa are good options, as they’re located quite centrally. Fly to Chitwan on day two (or, more precisely, to Bharatpur, which is about an hour’s drive from the Chitwan National Park). Settle into your comfortable accommodation with views over the Rapti River. In the company of an expert naturalist, embark on a day of safari activities on day three. By touring the park in a Jeep and on foot, you have a strong chance of seeing rhinoceros, deer, gharial crocodiles, and a variety of birdlife.
On day 5, enjoy a peaceful boat ride down the Rapti and Narayani Rivers to the Tiger Tops Tharu Lodge, in a different part of Chitwan. Relax at the resort or take a walk to the Tharu village to learn about the local way of life. Take a bullock cart ride in the cool of the evening, if you wish.
Depart Kathmandu on day five, with some incredible memories from your whistle-stop five-day tour.
