Nepal

Starting Price:	$3,815.00
Trip Length:	10 days
Includes airfare allowance from New York

Interests:

Safari
Family

Chitwan National Park

Durbar Square in Kathmandu

Mount Machhapurhhre

Kathmandu with Chitwan National Park and Pokhara

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

This tour offers the best of Nepal viewing the rich culture in Kathmandu, going on safari in the jungles of Chitwan and a few relaxing days surrounded by the serene mountains and lakes of Pokhara. Each area offers a unique experience; you will tour ancient temples and pagodas, track the one-horned rhino and gaze in awe at the dramatic Annapurna Mountains in Pokhara.

An urban center of winding alleyways, Kathmandu is home to many Hindu and Buddhist devotees, thus making it a spiritual center in addition to being the capital of Nepal. As you walk the narrow streets, discover the colorful markets and the beautiful temples and shrines. Also, enjoy a half day in nearby Bhaktapur, a medieval city that is home to some of Nepal’s most intricately designed palaces and temples.

Covering an expanse of 932 square kilometers, Chitwan protects ecosystems of lush forests, water marshes and flowing grasslands, as well as its diverse array of rare animals. The park is renowned as one of the last refuges of the endangered one-horned rhino and sizeable populations of leopards, tigers and the rare Gangetic dolphin. Home to 43 species of mammals, Chitwan also protects populations of gaur (or Indian bison), elephant, four horned antelope, sloth bear, striped hyena, pangolin (a scaly anteater), monitor lizards, pythons and much more. Even more so, the park boasts over 450 species of birds and 45 species of amphibians.

Often known as a popular starting point for trekking and rafting destinations, Pokhara has also become a place for visitors to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of nature. With the serenity of the pristine turquoise lakes and the magnificence of the Annapurna Mountains towering behind them, you are sure to enjoy the ambience of this peaceful and magical place. Because Pokhara offers a smattering of outdoor activities from trekking and paragliding to kayaking and yoga, you may choose to add additional nights onto your trip here.

The best time to visit the Chitwan National Park is during the cooler weather of the winter months between October and February, where the average temperature is 75°F. The spring season begins thereafter in March and is followed by the hot summer days that average 86°F through June. Beginning at the end of June and extending through September, the annual monsoon occurs, thus flooding and closing most of the park’s roads. Travel here is not recommended at this time, and depending on the severity of the monsoon, many hotels will temporarily shut down.

This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 4 star, 5 star and Deluxe hotels.

This tour includes airfare allowance from New York, on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via New York; Yampu will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.

Additional information on this trip:

Days of Week the Trip can Start:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Dates this trip is NOT available for online booking (please submit a regular request):
01 June - 30 September
Visited Cities:
Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara

Day 1

Overnight international flight to Kathmandu.

Day 2

Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Spend the remainder of your day at leisure.

Day 3

Enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu City beginning with Kumari Ghar – home to Nepal’s most important living goddess, and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Then, enjoy a brief visit to Kasthamandap, a medieval temple said to be built from a single piece of wood, which also gives Kathmandu its name. Proceed to the Kal Brairab shrine, a colorful memorial to the Hindu God of destruction, followed by a visit to Taleju Temple, the city’s most magnificent temple.

Afterwards, embark on a sightseeing tour of the Swoyambhunath Stupa. Celebrated as one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world, this majestic structure sits highly on a nearby hilltop overlooking Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon, travel through Patan, the “City of Fine Arts”. Stroll through the famous Durbar Square, where you can see Krishna Mandir, a temple built in honor of Lord Krishna that is considered to be the world’s finest example of stone architecture. As you walk around, you can enjoy the many traditional artists and sculptors throughout the streets.

Note: Yampu recommends an optional one hour mountain flight for unforgettable aerial views of the Himalayas. Experience the thrill of seeing Mount Everest up close, as the plane flies two aeronautical miles in front of the Natural Wonder. Please inquire with a Yampu travel consultant for more details.

Day 4

Morning visit to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s oldest and most holy Hindu temple. Situated upon the banks of the Bagmati River, this is an important ritual and cremation site, as the water flows into the Ganges. Proceed to Boudhanath, one of Asia’s largest stupas that has earned the nickname of “Little Tibet”, as it has become a focal point of Tibetan Buddhism. Standing tall at thirty-six meters (118 ft), this white mandala-shaped structure is a symbol of the universe that facilitates meditation for the local Tibetan Buddhists.

In the afternoon, go on an excursion to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, located about an hour’s drive outside of Kathmandu. In this “City of Devotees”, wander through the winding lanes lined with old homes and temples that date back to the 13th century. Beginning in the city’s Durbar Square, you will be able to marvel at the intricately carved deities and monsters of the richly molded Golden Gate before entering the Palace of 55 Windows that incorporates exquisite wood carvings into its medieval design.

Then, see the Lion’s Gate, with its huge guarding lion statues, before continuing to the Nyatpola Temple, a beautiful five-storied, 17th century pagoda. The last stop of the day will bring you to the splendorous Bhairab Temple, which is dedicated to the Lord Buddha. Before returning to Kathmandu, take some time to watch the skill of the traditional potters as they work at the Pottery Centre and the Dattratraya Temple.

Day 5

Depart Kathmandu, driving approximately 5 hours to Chitwan National Park. After checking into your hotel, enjoy an afternoon of jungle activities. Begin tracking some of the resident wildlife on the back of an elephant for closer viewing or take a leisurely jungle walk with an experienced naturalist to intimately explore the local flora and fauna.

Day 6

Awake for a full day of jungle activities. Today cover more ground on a guided 4x4 Landrover safari that will bring you further into the park for a chance to track more animals. For something a bit different, you may also choose to take a canoe trip for a different perspective. These peaceful canoe trips usually embark upon the Rapti or Narayani rivers and offer better chances to see many of the waterfowl as well as crocodiles and the rarely seen Gangetic dolphin.

Day 7

Awake for a final day of jungle activities. Use today for more wildlife tracking or to try something different, like a cultural walking tour of a local Tharu village. Something of interest here are the traditional stick dance performances put on by the villagers. Moreover, some other must sees in the park include the Elephant Breeding Program and the Gharial Crocodile Breeding Project.

Day 8

Drive approximately 5 hours to Kathmandu airport for your flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival in Pokhara, airport reception and transfer to your hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in this remote mountain paradise.

Day 9

In the morning enjoy a half day excursion to the nearby hillside village of Sarangkot, which offers a visual feast of the Annapurna mountain range to the north and sweeping views of Phewa Laka and the Pokhara Valley to the south and east.

In the afternoon embark on a sightseeing tour of Pokhara city, which includes the Bindyabashini Temple, Seti Gorge, the Bazaar and Devi’s Falls. The Seti River roars through the middle of town, but you won’t see it without looking as it has cut a deep and narrow gorge through the city, which is only a meter across and up to 50 meters (164 ft) deep at some points. Likewise, Devi’s Falls are also another popular attraction, which marks the point at which the Pardi Khola steam plunges dramatically beneath the earth, creating quite a natural spectacle.

Afterwards, continue taking in the natural beauty on a one hour boat ride upon Phewa Lake.

Day 10

Drive approximately 6 hours back to Kathmandu for your flight home or continue with the Yampu Tours add-on of your choice. Although a lengthy drive, it will be an unforgettable one has you make your way through the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, rice fields terraced into the sides of mountains, and pristine rivers flowing with crystal clear water.

Note: This drive may be replaced with a thirty minute flight, as there are daily flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Kathmandu
4-star	Hotel Himalaya - Standard Room or similar
5-star	Hotel Yak & Yeti - Standard Hotel or similar
Deluxe	Hotel Dwarika - Heritage Room or similar
Chitwan
4-star	Maruni Safari Lodge - Standard Room or similar
5-star	Machan Wildlife Resort - Standard Room or similar
Deluxe	Tiger Tops Lodge - Standard Room or similar
Pokhara
4-star	Hotel Trek O Trail - Standard Room or similar
5-star	Pokhara Grande - Standard Room or similar
Deluxe	Fishtail Lodge - Standard Room or similar

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

10 days , from $3815

Occupancy Type	4-Star	5-Star	Deluxe
Double	$3815	$4212	$6148
Single	$5190	$6034	$8874

Prices shown above are per person, in US Dollars ($).

Price Includes:

Round trip international airfare from New York to Kathmandu

All accommodations with continental breakfast

Service of chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicle

One time entrance fees at all monuments/parks

All meals at Chitwan National Park

Services of English speaking local guide for excursions

All currently applicable taxes including service tax

Notes:

Likely Park closings during the monsoon floods between June – September.
All travelers require a passport valid up to six months after their intended stay in India. While in Nepal, passports are also required to have at least two blank pages.
For citizens of most countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and members of the EU, a visa is required for entry into Nepal. Travelers are recommended to purchase visas prior to travel from the Embassy of Nepal, although visas can be purchased upon arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Nepal, the government requires travelers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Besides this, there are no other vaccine requirements, although it is wise to be up to date on your routine inoculations. All travelers should consult their physician or a travel health clinic with plenty of time before their departure date.

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