Nepal
Model Package - Suggested Itineraries
With Eco Trek, your choices
for safe, high quality, low cost adventure travel are limitless.
The model program below details one possible adventure.
Day 01
Well come to Kathmandu! You will be met by representatives
from Eco Trek, who will provide transportation to your hotel
and answer all your questions about the schedule of tours.
No activities are planned for the day. You are free to explore
picturesque down town Kathmandu. A representative from Eco-Trek
will be happy to accompany you, if desired.
Day 02: Boudha, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath
and Kathmandu Durbar square:
Boudha: The base of the stupa
takes the shape of a mandala (symbolising earth): on this
four tiered base sits the dome (symbolising water): then
comes the spire (symbolizing fire): the umbrella (symploising
air); and the pinnacle (symbolising ether). The Buddha's
watchful eyes gaze out in four direction from the square
base of two normal eyes and the 'nose' is not a nose at
all but the Nepali number one, signifying the oneness of
all life. The spire is made up of 13 steps, representing
the 13 stages on the journey to nirvana
Pashupati Nath: The most
important Hindu temple in Nepal. It's one of the most important
Shiva temples on the subcontinent and draws numerous devotees
from all over India, including many colourful sadhus, those
wandering ascetic Hindu holu men. Shiva is the destriyer
and creator of the Hindu Pantheon and appears in many forms.
His 'temple' forms are probably brst known, particularly
his appearances in Nepal as the cruel and destructive Nhairabs,
but he also has peaceful incarantion including those of
Mahadev and Pashupati, the lord of the beasts. As the shepherd
of both animals and humans, Shiva as Pashupati shows tis
most pleasant and creative side.
Swayambunath: The Buddhist
temple of Swayambunath, situated on the top of a hill west
of the city, in one of the most popular and instantly recognizable
symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the
'monkey temple' after the large tribe of handsome monkeys
which guards the hill and amuses visitors and devotees with
tricks, including sliding gracefully down the double banisters
of the main stairway to the temple. Geologists believe that
the Kathmandu valley was once a lake and legends relate
that the hill one which Swaymabhunath stands was an island
in that lake. It is said that emperor Ashoka paid a visit
to the site over 2000 years ago. An inscription indicates
that King Manadeva ordered work done on the site in 460
CE and by the 1200s it was an important Buddhist center.
In 1346 Mughal invaders from Bengal broke open the stupa
to search for gold under the Mallas various improvements
were made and the great stairway to the stupa was construcked
by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century.
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
Durbar in Nepal 'palace' and in Patan and Bhaktapur, as
well as Kathmandu, there are Durbar squares in front of
the old palaces. The King no longer lives in the old Royal
Palace in Kathmandu: the palace was moved north to Narayanhiti
about a century ago. At that time it was on the edge of
the city, now it's close to the popular tourist area of
Thamel. Clustered around the central Durbar Square and the
old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka), numerous interesting temples,
the Kumari Chowka or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living Goddess)
and Kasthamandap (House of wood). It's easy to spend hours
wandering around Durbar Square and the adjoining Basantapur
Square. This is very much the center of old Kathmandu and
watching they would go by from the terraced platforms of
the towering Maju Deval is a wonderful way to get a feel
for the city. Although many of the buildings around the
square are very old, the great earthquake of 1934 caused
a great deal of damage and many were rebuilt, not always
in their original form.
Day 03: Thimi, Changu Narayan,
Bhaktapur:
Thimi: Thimi is the fourth largest town in the
valley outranked only by Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
It's a typical Newari town and its capable people (the name
of the town is derived from this Newari expression) operate
thriving cottage industries producing pottery and paper-made
masks. They also grow vegetables for the markets of Kathmandu.
Changu Narayan: The beautiful
and historic temple of Changu Naraya Stands on a hilltop
at the eastern end of the valley, about four km north of
Bhaktapur. Although the temple dates from 1702, when it
was rebuilt after a fire, its origins go right back to the
4th century and there many important stone images and sculptures
dating from the Lichhavi period.
Bhaktapur: The third of
the valley's ancient cities is another century-long rival
of Kathmandu. It has an impressive number of artistic treasures:
it is rightly called "a living museum" as well
as the most medieval city of the valley.
The oldest part of the town is around Tachupal
Tole (Dattatraya Square), to the east. Bhaktapur was the
capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th centuries
and during that time the focus of the town-shifted west,
to the Durbar Square area. Much of the town's great architecture
dates from the end of the 17th century during the rule of
King Bhupatendra Malla.
Day 04: Patan Durbar Square, Kirtipur,
Chobar
Patan Durbar Square: Patan is separated from Kathmandu
only by the Bagmati River and is the second largest town
in bally. It is sometimes referred to as Lalitpur, which
means 'city of beauty' Patan has a long Buddhist history
and the four comers of the city are marked by stupas said
to have been erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka
around 250 B.C. Later inscriptions refer to palaces in the
5th century B.C. although Patan's great building boom took
place under the Mallas in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Patan's central Durbar Square is absolutely packed with
temples: it's an architectural feast with a far greater
concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathmandu
or Bhaktpur. Numerous other temples of widely diverse style
as well as many bahals (Buddhist monasteries) are scattered
around this fascinating town.
Lunch at Break
Kirtipur: Strung out along
a ridge south- west of Kathmandu, the small town of Kirtipur
is a relatively neglected and timeless backwater despite
its proximity to the capital. At one time it was associated
with Patan and then became a mini- kingdom in its own right.
During the 1768 conquest of the valley by Gorkha's King
Prithivi NarayanShah it was clear that Kirtipur, with its
superbly defensible hilltop Position, Would be the key to
defeating the Mall kingdoms sot it was here the Gorkha king
struck first and hardest. Kirtipur's ridge is actually two
hills, with a lower saddle between them. The Chilanchu Vihara
tops the southern hill and has a central stupa with four
smaller stupas, numerous statues and bells and Buddhist
monastery buildings around it.
Chobar: The picture square
little village of Chobar tops a hill overlooking the Bagmati
River where it flows through the Chobar Gorge. Although
the gorge is a regularly visited attraction, far fewer people
come to Chobar itself. Perhaps they're put off by the steep
hill. The views of Himalaya and town are outstanding.
Day 05: After break fast
drive to Bairani (80 km.) and 2-3 hour trek to Shree ban
Nature camp
Day 06: Today you will visit Nalang Village
around.
Day 07: Early Morning breakfast and trek
3 hour down to Salang ghat, and drive to Chitwan National
Park on the way you will enjoy 2-3 hour Rafting. Overnight
at camp.
Day 08:
5:30 A. M. Wake up call
5:45 Tea/coffee
6:00 Elephant ride/ bird watching
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Canoe ride/ elephant briefing/ swimming and bath
1:00 P.M. Lunch
3:00 Elephant ride/ Nature walk/ canoe ride
7:00 Dinner
Day 09:
5:30 A. M. Wake up call
5:45 Tea/coffee
6:00 Elephant ride/ bird watching
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Canoe ride/ elephant briefing/ swimming and bath
1:00 P.M. Lunch
3:00 Elephant ride/ Jungle drive/ canoe ride
7:00 Dinner
Day 10: Morning free for packing
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Departure from the chitwan and drive to Pokhara over
night hotel
Day 11: Pokhara Sightseeing
Davi's fall: It is also known as Patale
Chango, is an awesome waterfall laying 2 km southwest of
Pokhara. During summer and rainy season, the waterfall takes
its real form, with gushing water splashing and making its
way through the rocks.
Gupteshwor Cave: Just
opposite of Devis's fall, on the other side of the road,
there is Gupteshwor Cave. This cave is popular for the different
natural forms made from limestone deposits. Photography
is strictly prohibited inside the cave.
Mahendra Cave and Minstrel (Gaine)
Village: This limestone cave is named after King
Mahendra and is situated in Bltulechaur, a village in the
northern part of Pokhara valley. Professional minstrels
known as Gaines live in this village.
Day 12: Moning: Boating
at Phewatal Lake. Phewa Lake is the most popular destination
for travelers wanting to indulge in recreational boating.
It is the second largest lake in the kingdom and measureroughly
1.5 by 4 km. it's eastern shore, also known as lakeside
or Baidam, is the center of tourist activity in Pokhara.
Renting a boat for a couple of hours and heading out to
the lake bordering the forested hill, and taking a swim,
can be the highlight of a warm day. Then hike to World Peace
Pagoda: This pagoda is situated on the top of a hill on
the southern shore of Phewa lake. It has four images of
Buddha facing in four directions. The pagoda is an impressive
sight and its hilltop location commands great view. It is
a great vantage point, which offers spectacular views of
the Annapurna range and Pokhara town.
Day 13: Day hikes Naudada and Sarang
kot: Naudada is situated west of Pokhara, High
up on the ridge north of Phewa Lake. From Naudada you can
start walking towards Sarangkot through Kaski kot. In Kaski
kot, you will find ruins of the fort of Kaski kings. From
Sarangkot descent down to Bindebashini Temple and then drive
back to Hotel.
Day 14: This is your easy
day. After having late breakfast you will take flight to
Kathmandu and transfer to hotl.
Day 15: Morning 6:00 o'clock
your driver will be out side of the hotel to take you to
the airport for the Mountain flight and will bring you back
after the trip and free day for the shopping.
Day 16: Dreive to Airport
for your onward journey.
For
More Information: info@ecotrek.com.np
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