Nepal Culture Tours

Today your arrival in the Kathmandu airport (TIA) you will be greeted by a representative from Yala Adventure. After completing your custom formalities (Visa, etc) pick up your luggage and look for our representative with a Yala Adventure display board at the arrival gate. You will be then transferred to hotel. After check in, you can take a rest, hang around in the city, or visit our office – it all depends upon your interests and condition. In the evening we will organize a Welcome Dinner at an excellent traditional Nepalese Restaurant where you will enjoy a Nepalese cultural program as well as a fine meal. Overnight at hotel.

Today, after breakfast, we start a guided tour to four of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the medieval Kings who ruled over the then Kathmandu Kingdom. Pashupatinath houses a sacred lingum, or the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. The Aryaghat alongside Pashupati and on the banks of the Bagmati River is a famous funeral site for the Hindus. The Buddhists shrine of Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage and tourist destinations in Kathmandu.  The area of Boudhnath is also famous for over 50 Tibetan Gompas or monasteries. Swayambhu meaning the “the self-existent” is popular among the foreigners as the Monkey Temple owing to the large number of monkey population residing in the area. Overnight at hotel.

Today, we take an hour’s Senic “Mountain Flight” in the morning which takes over the Himalayas within camera range of the highest peaks in the world.  After the mountain flight, we start a guided tour of some heritage sites near Kathmandu. Patan is one of the ancient settlements in the Kathmandu Valley about 5 kilometers south-east of Kathmandu. The Patan Durbar Square and the city thoroughfares are full of ancient places, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. Khokana lies about 8 Km south from Kathmandu, and is famous for the vernacular village and its mustard-oil seed industrial heritage. Bungamati, lying 10 kilometers south from Kathmandu, appears somewhat sleepy even this day, with people drying red chillies and garlics from the medieval house windows. Overnight at hotel.

Thimi, about 10km east from Kathmandu, is famous for earthen wares, masks, puppets, hand woven clothes and other handicrafts. The place is also well-known of sweet beaten rice grown on its tradition of field. The town of Bhaktapur, along with the Durbar Square preserves medieval arts, architecture, culture, and lifestyle to this date. One is sure to feel like travelling back into the past while walking along the Bhaktapur thoroughfares, squares and streets. Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the Kathmandu valley, boasts of being the oldest pagoda of Nepal.  The route to Changu Narayan passes through small villages and farmlands with farmers work their fields. Then we head toward Nagarkot lying 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175m (7,136ft) above sea level. We stay overnight at Nagarkot to enjoy the magnificent sunrise and sunset views over the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Mt  Everest. Overnight at hotel.

Early in the morning we can enjoy sunrise views from the hotel. After breakfast, we start a gentle walk for the first hour and go through the pine forest downhill enjoying the Himalayas Afterwards, you walk through paddy field and small villages which provide you information about the lifestyle of villagers in the Balthali village tour. We walk 5/6 hours will take us to Dhulikhel; an ancient town situated 30 km East of Kathmandu. The Newar town of Dhulikhel offers a traditional atmosphere along with spectacular views of the Himalayan range – with views of peaks like Dorje Lakpa (6966m), Gauri Shankar (7145m) and Langtang (7324m). You can have a complete superb view of the snowy ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The old part of this town is an interesting area to wander around with some fine old Nepali houses that have been standing for over a 100 years and we also visit several interesting temples that date back for centuries. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at Dhulikhel, we walk to Namo Buddha, situated on a hill above Panauti. It takes about three hours to reach from Dhulikhel. There is an amazing legend related to the Buddha, which is commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all – seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Later, you walk another three hours and reach the enchanting Balthali village offering excellent mountain views at an altitude of 1730m. We then enjoy our first relaxation day on the Balthali Village tour.

Today we explore villages on our Balthali village tour. We will visit a typical Tamang village, Dada Gaon, where a Buddhist community lives. It is very traditional and secluded from the modern world. Here people and animals live together side by side. You then walk to Pada Gaon at (2100m) from where you can get extremely good views of the whole Himalayan range to the north and beautiful green forest of the Mahabharata. We walk to a natural hamlet of nature and follow the banks of the Ladku River back to Balthali. Overnight at hotel

Today is the 8th day of our Balthali village tour. We take a leisurely walk to the thriving Newari village of Panauti. Panauti is wedged between the Puny Mata and Roshi streams. Panauti forms the shape of a triangle with a serpent idol standing at each of its three corners to protect the little town from floods as the legend goes. There is a massive, three – tiered Indreshwar Mahadev. Some authorities believe this to be the original structure that was raised here in 1294 AD. The shrine area at the sacred confluence called the ‘Khware’ is one of those tranquil spots that can intercept a dreamer for hours. On the way one can get an opportunity to come across lovely temples and interesting old houses, particularly beautiful areas & some 14 century wooden temple struts. After walking for six hours we finally drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Drive to Daman, 80 kilometers south from Kathmandu and about three hours drive deep into the mountains through sparse settlements and Rodhodendron forest. Daman is a popular resort town at an altitude of  about 2400 meters above sea level and known for the wide range of Himalayan views seen from there including Mount Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and Cho Oyu. The view tower at Daman offers the views of an amazingly large section of the Himalayan range stretching from Mt. Everst in the East to Mt. Dhaulagiri in the West. Enjoy hiking around the villages that offers an opportunity to connect with the local life. In the evening, dinner with traditional Nepali cultural program. Overnight at hotel.

Bandipur is located at an elevation of 1030m on a mountain saddle about 145 km to the west of Kathmandu on the way to Pokhara. An 8 km access road links Bandipur with Dumre on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. The hill-top settlement offers a great treat to the urban eyes hungry for nature’s company, especially the panoramic views of the Annapurnas. The town is a living museum of Newari culture with more than 70% of the buildings being Newari style houses – carved wooden windows and overhanging slate roofs. There is also a famous cave called Siddha Cave. Enjoy the great hikes and fantastic views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains and have a nice breakfast out on the back patio of the resort overlooking the corn and rice fields. Walk around admiring the vistas, chat with the friendly local people, and admire their local way of life. Overnight at hotel.

Today, we drive to Pokhara, 76km from Bandipur into the mountains and about 3 hour drive.  Pokhara, also nicknamed as the Lake City, is not only Nepal’s but one of the most beautiful places on earth. The town offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, five peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara owns numerous lakes, known as ‘Tal’ in Nepali, offer fishing, boating and swimming. Pokhara is also the gateway for trekking in the Annapurna Region. Reaching Pokhara, we visit Davis Fall and Gupteshwar Gufa Cave (also called Shiva Gufa). We also make a sightseeing trip to some of Pokhara’s marketplaces, old bazaars, and landmarks. In the evening, explore the surrounding lakeside areas. Overnight at hotel.

View of Sunrise from Sarangkot,we spend a full day to explore Pokhara. Early morning we drive to the Sarangkot Hill to have the sunrise views over the Himalayas. After breakfast, we make a full day sightseeing of Pokhara. Enjoy walking along the bank of Phewa Lake, admiring the stunning reflection of the Fish Tail Peak in the blue Phewa Lake waters. We also take a boat around the Phewa Lake which is the second biggest lake of Nepal. We take the boat across the lake and take an hour’s walk to the World Peace Pagoda. Some of the other places that we visit today include the Seti River Gorge, mountain museum, Bindhabasini Temple the pet God of Pokhara, and many other cultural and natural landscapes. Overnight at hotel.

Today early in the Morning, after having your breakfast, you will transfer to domestic airport. It takes about 25minute flight from pokhara to kathmandu,then you will transfer to hotel. Then you will rest at free, prepare for your final departure flight or if you want other activities tell us our Yala Adventure Team. You can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps shopping and celebrate dinner together with company staffs. Overnight at hotel.

Today your all programmed are ending in Nepal, It saying a good bye, after having your breakfast, you will transfer to International airport appromexly 3hour before, for your final departure flight next destination. You’ll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.