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Nepal Cultural Tour with Chitwan National Park

Nepal Nepal

Trekking Map

The cultural trip through Nepal offers you the opportunity to get to know the most beautiful and interesting religious and cultural sights, as well as the species rich nature of Nepal.

On this tour you will visit many Buddhist and Hindu shrines, monasteries and temples and be impressed by the beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains.
The tour starts in the vibrant capital Kathmandu and continues through Bandipur, Pokhara, Bhaktapur and Lumbini (birthplace of Buddha). Following this tour, you will visit Chitwan National Park, which is about 190 km in the southwest of Kathmandu. This covers 932 square kilometers of subtropical lowlands and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. Chitwan is a fantastic bird area with over 300 registered species. Other notable animals are tigers, leopards, gavials, sloth bears, and the Indian bison.

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu – Introduction and welcome dinner
Arrival in Kathmandu. You will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. In the late afternoon we will explain the details of the trip with you, and in the evening you are invited to a welcome dinner. Overnight in Hotel Tibet or similar category (D).

Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and preparation for the tour
Today we explore Kathmandu with a local guide. This day can be designed flexibly according to your wishes. The most popular places and most impressive sights include Pashupatinath – a Hindu temple with cremation places, Swayambhunath – also known as the monkey temple -, Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square and Thamel – the tourist center of Kathmandu. Overnight in Hotel Tibet or similar category, (B).

Day 3: Drive to Bandipur, village walk in the afternoon. About 4 hours drive
After breakfast we drive to Bandipur. This small village is located on a ridge above Kathmandu on the road to Pokhara and offers beautiful views of the Himalayan peaks to the north (Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal). Bandipur has been carefully adapted to tourism. Compared to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, Bandipur is a very peaceful and rather quiet place, as vehicles are not allowed in the town center. Overnight at the Hotel Kaushi Inn or similar category, (B).

Day 4: Drive to Pokhara, about 2 hours
After breakfast we will continue the drive to Pokhara. The Lake District is indeed one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. A “must” for tourists. The enchanting valley contains countless lakes with breath-taking views of the broad and mighty Annapurna massif in the background. The tourist area, also known as “Lakeside”, is located next to Lake Phewa, which is famous for leisurely boat trips and is a great place to relax after a trekking tour. Pokhara is ideal for activities such as trekking in the Annapurna region, rafting, paragliding, bird watching, micro light flights and mountain biking. Pokhara includes the three lakes Phewa, Bagnas and Rupa, the mountain museum, the Barahi temple, Mahendra Gupha, Devin’s waterfall, World Peace Pogoda and the old Pokhara Bazaar. The locals in this area are mainly from the Gurung and Magar people. Pokhara is very mild and warmer than Kathmandu during the winter months. The best time to visit is between October and April. Overnight at Hotel Mt. Kailash Resort or similar category, (B).

Day 5: Boat trip around Phewa Lake and / or short walk near Pokhara
It is worth getting up early and enjoying the mountain panorama. The mountains shine at their most beautiful early in the morning. After breakfast we take a boat trip on Phewa Lake or take a short walk. Overnight at Hotel Mt. Kailash Resort or similar category, (B).

Day 6: Drive over the Kaligandaki River to Tansen – 4 hours
Today we will drive to Tansen – an attractive trading town in a hilly area called the Lesser Himalaya. Tansen was originally a Newari Bazaar on the important trade route between India and Tibet. It crosses the Kaligandaki River and the Mustang. Tansen was also the capital of the Magar Kingdom of Tanahun. Today the village consists of many narrow and windy streets lined with Newari shops, houses and temples. The native Newaris are known for their traditional metalwork and the production of Dhaka textiles, which are used for traditional jackets and topis (headgear). The most important landmark is the octagonal pavilion in the middle of Sitalpati – the main market square. Overnight in the hotel, (B).

Day 7: Drive to Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace) – 3 hours drive
Today’s destination is Lumbini, in the south of Nepal, near the border with India. In 1997 Lumbini was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and traditional birthplace of Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 6th or 7th century BC. According to Buddhist tradition, Maya Devi gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parents’ home in Devadaha in 642 BC. Monasteries and temples were built in Lumbini until the 9th century, but Buddhism was supplanted in the area due to the spread of Islam and later Hinduism. The site was rediscovered in 1895 when a German archaeologist came across Ashoka’s stake, identified as such by its inscription. Overnight at the Hotel New Crystal or similar, (B).

Day 8: Drive to Chitwan National Park – 4 hours drive
From Lumbini we continue to the Chitwan National Park, which was declared a World Natural Site by UNESCO in 1984. There are more than 500 Asian Indian rhinos in the park, which roam the overgrown grass in the surrounding wetlands. A stable population of Bengal tigers hunts their prey in the density of the jungle – excitement is guaranteed here! After lunch we visit a village of the Tharu ethnic group, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight at the Hotel Make Wildlife Resort (B | D).

Day 9: In Chitwan National Park
During a boat trip on one of the calmly flowing watercourses, our guide will repeatedly draw attention to colourful birds or crocodiles, and exceptional photo opportunities are always guaranteed. A ride on the back of an elephant is of course the absolute highlight! Later in the day we visit the elephant breeding station. Overnight at the Hotel Make Wildlife Resort, (B|L|D).

Day 10: Drive Chitwan National Park – Bhaktapur (approx. 7 hours drive)
Before returning to Kathmandu, we go to the national park again for a bird watching tour. The variety and colours of the birds is really a dream – over 540 different species have been counted here.
The trip to Bhaktapur is very interesting due to the variety of landscapes, but if someone prefers a flight, we are happy to arrange this (optional). Overnight at the Hotel Bhaktapur Heritage House or similar category, (B).

Day 11: Bhaktapur sightseeing and back to Kathmandu – afternoon free time
Bhaktapur is located at 1,401 m, approx. 14 km east of Kathmandu and covers an area of four square kilometres. Bhaktapur, also known as the City of the Pious, has retained its medieval charm and visitors to this ancient royal city will be surprised by countless cultural and artistic secrets. The palace courtyard (Durbar Square) bears witness to the past glory of the Malla dynasty. Pottery and weaving are the two traditional crafts in Bhaktapur. In addition, Bhaktapur is famous for wood carvings and the Bhadgaolen hat or the Bhadgaolen cap (the old name of Bhaktapur is Bhadgaolen). Overnight in Hotel Tibet or similar category, (B).

Day 12: Flight back home
Farewell and transfer to Kathmandu Airport. End of the journey, (B).

We reserve the right to make program changes due to special events, force majeure or weather reasons.

F = Breakfast | M = Lunch | A = Dinner

German guided tour
English guided tour

This trekking tour can also be booked for individual travelers (one person alone) at an additional cost or at the same price for a group at dates other than shown here.

Costs: € 1.790
Group size: min. 2 Persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of only two persons)
€ 380 for single room supplement

What’s included:

  • Airport transfers
  • All relevant surface transfer
  • All hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • All meals on safari lodge (Chitwan)
  • Sightseeing with entrance fees, guide and vehicle
  • Permit, National Park Entrance/Conservation Fees, staff insurance on trek
  • Guide & Driver
  • Quality service and trek equipment

Not Included:

  • Additional tours and meals that are not mentioned
  • Beverages
  • Personal bills
  • Visas
  • Excess baggage charge (beyond 15 Kg each) and airport tax
  • Insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
  • Tips

Visa
Your visa can be issued on arrival at a counter at Kathmandu airport. Visa costs on arriving in Kathmandu amount to US $ 50 (stay of up to 30 days) and US $ 125 (stay of up to 90 days).
The fees can also be paid in euros, which are converted by the bank at the airport in accordance with the dollar exchange rate. Two passport size photographs must be provided for the visa. At the time of the trip your passport must be valid for at least a further six months and have at least one blank page.

These visa and passport regulations apply to EU countries, Switzerland and the USA. Other nationals should check with the relevant consular authorities.

Insurance
Travel health insurance (with recovery costs) is essential for your own safety and a precondition for participation in our trips. In the event of an accident in the mountains which requires a helicopter rescue, the helicopter will not take off before the responsibility for the cost is clarified.
The conclusion of travel cancellation insurance is highly recommended. In the case of bargain price flights in particular, changes or cancellations generally can’t be made free of charge. In Nepal complications with the weather or with your health could make it necessary to break off your journey.
We have requested ERGO (Reiseversicherung) to create various service packages for you. You can book travel health insurance at www.reiseversicherung.de.

Please note: ERGO insurance can be booked by residents of Germany and Austria. Those living in other countries are requested to book their travel insurance through an insurance provider in their own country.

It should be noted that geoDiscovery Tours advises its customers to book their travel insurance via ERGO as a recommendation only, and accepts no responsibility for the contractual content between the customer and the travel insurance provider. Customers can book their travel insurance via ERGO or another provider at their own discretion.

The hotels and lodges booked by us
In Kathmandu and Pokhara the hotels we book are good and correspond to medium-level Western standards. Sanitary facilities are clean and functional; the hotel cuisine is adapted to Western eating habits and the food is safe to enjoy. There may sometimes be power cuts, or no hot water may be available for a while. The hotel staff is generally very friendly and looks after the welfare of guests. The hotels booked by us are as follows:

Kathmandu: Hotel Tibet/Manaslu ***+
Pokhara: Mount Kailash Resort, Lake side retreat ***
Palpa/Tansen: Hotel Srinagar **
Lumbini: Hotel New Crystal ***
Chitwan: Jungle Villa Resort
Nagarkot: Nagarkot Farmhouse

During the trek and in the interior of the country conditions are very varied, and travelers must sometimes expect basic sanitation facilities. For standard treks and tours you will stay overnight in typical “lodges” (teahouses). These usually offer very small single rooms or double rooms (some with no running water and no private shower / toilet).
In general, during the trekking tour you can select what you wish to eat from the menu. However, at altitudes of 4,000 meters it can happen that on some routes the choice of food is not very extensive. Typical Nepalese cuisine is mostly vegetarian, but very tasty, filling and wholesome. Travelers need to be adaptable, however.

Flying in Nepal
The domestic flights booked by us are with Tara Air, Yeti Air, Sita Air, Summit Air or Buddha Air.

Tour program
The travel program for all of our recommended tours is carefully planned. It can happen, however, that roads are closed without advance notice or are impassable, that there are waiting times of several hours because of traffic congestion or fuel shortages and that specific tourist attractions are closed for various reasons. Other restrictions such as flight delays or even cancellations due to bad weather, strikes, the health of participants or unfavorable conditions while trekking may also make the implementation of the travel program more difficult or at worst make it impossible. However, our local guides are prepared for such situations and will make every effort to achieve every aspect of the program to your satisfaction. As a result the inconvenience can normally be kept to a reasonable level. Nevertheless, it must be pointed out at this juncture that for the above reasons program changes are possible at any time and cannot be influenced by the organizers. The resulting costs are borne by the traveler. We ask for your understanding.

Trip Details

  • Duration: 12 days
  • Holiday Type: Hotel Accommodation
  • Best trekking period: Oct/Nov/Dec/Feb/Mar/Apr/May
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Max Altitude: 1.300m
  • Group size: Min. 2 persons (all the tour dates are guaranteed with a minimum group size of only two persons)
  • Tour guide: English speaking, trained Nepalese mountain guide
  • Difficulty:
  • Fitness:
  • Price: 1.790,00 €
  • Single room supplement: 380,00 €
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