Experience Nepal Holiday Tour

Our exciting tour involves scenic flight to Pokhara valley a picturesque spot of warm climate facing massive Annapurna Himalaya and towering peak Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ where it reflects on pristine Phewa lake.

Pokhara a famous touristic place blessed with nature of rolling green and mountains, where our tour leads to view stunning sunrise views over array of peaks from Dhaulagiri-Annapurna- Lamjung to Manaslu range.

Tour leads to fascinating areas of Pokhara visiting places of great interest and then concluding our marvelous Experience Nepal Holiday tour at Chitwan National Park, regarded as Asia’s number one park.

In Chitwan with various jungle activities and elephant safari on the lookout for wild-life like the rare Royal Bengal Tiger, rhinoceros, many types of deer, crocodile with other animals including more 700 species of exotic bird life.

Finally our Experience Nepal Holiday completes with an interesting drive back to Kathmandu after a most enjoyable and memorable moment and great services and guidance of Life Himalaya Trekking.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

1-2 hrs of interesting tour

An exciting place to be, where you can get overwhelmed by uncountable historical sites and monuments around Kathmandu Durbar Square, visit of Living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), the vicious Kal Bhairab, the red monkey god (Hanuman), hundreds of erotic carvings are a few examples of the sights around Kathmandu Durbar Square. The buildings here are of greatest achievements built by Malla dynasty, which resulted great rivalry between the three palaces of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.

The Valley was divided among the children of Yaksya Malla, for visitors today, and for the Nepalese, it was unanticipated that later the off-springs, began an artistic warfare trying to outdo each other in impressive constructions. Kings copied everything their neighbors built in an even grand style. Visit around the Square with a round temple of pagoda architectural style, the temple of Goddess Taleju (legend has it that She played dice with King Jaya Prakash Malla), and an image of Shiva and Parbati sitting together among the many monuments.

The Square is lively with colorful life with street vendors selling vegetables, curios, flutes, and other handi0crafts around Kastamandap rest house. This rest house is said to have been constructed from the wood of a single tree and the name Kathmandu was derived from the name Kastmandap. Nearby are great drums which were beaten to announce royal decree. All woodcarvings, statues, and architecture in this area are remarkably fine, and Kathmandu Durbar Square is among the most important sights for travelers to observe. The complex also houses the Tribhuvan Museum that carries the mementoes of different Shah Kings and its dynasty from early 17 th Century to present.

Akash Bhairab Temple

Also known as Blue Bhairab, a 3 tier temple near the main market of Indra Chowk, the divine image of Akash Bhairab is displayed outside for a week-long period, during great festival of Indra Jatra. The celebration of Indra Jatra honors Indra- the King of Heaven and the God of Rain.

Hanuman Dhoka

An ancestral historic seat of past royalty, mainly belonging to Malla dynasty, Durbar Square, itself an old Royal Palace Complex dedicated to Malla royal sovereigns, today listed as World Heritage Site. The age-old temples and palaces symbolize religious and cultural life-style of the early day people. The interesting sites includes Taleju Temple built by late King Mahindra Malla in 1549 A.D., a gigantic stone figure exposing fearful appearance of Black Bhairab which the Hindus regard as God of Destruction, the tall stone pillar on the pedestal-top sits late King Pratap Malla with his four children at the four small corners, the colossal image of the White Bhairab the lattice, removed for a week during Kumari Yatra festival, the 9 th storeyed Basantapur Palace (literally meaning the spring season palace), the Great Bell and the Great Drums. The main golden-gate is guarded by a Monkey-God known as Hanuman.

He is the king of the Monkeys and faithful devotee of Lord Ram-the Hero of the Epic “Ramayan.” Being guarded by a sole protector, the gate itself has come to be known as Hanuman Gate. With a commercial umbrella suspended above his head and wrapped in a scarlet cloak, sits on a stone piller respected by hundreds of Hindus.

Temple of Kumari

Temple of Kumari with holy quadrangle houses a Buddhist Stupa in the center, this place a residential quarter of Chaste Virgin ‘Living Goddess’ called KUMARI. The traditional building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. The non-Buddhist and non-Hindu visitors may enter the courtyard called ‘bahal’ but not allowed beyond upstairs. The KUMARI welcomes and greets visitors from the middle window of the balcony particularly saved for her only and taking photos is strictly prohibited.

Kastha Mandap

Situated near the Temple of Kumari, a unique type of wooden temple also named Maru Satal. It was built in 1596 A.D. by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The story mentions timber used for its relevant building was sawed out of a single tree. It is also believed that the capital of Kathmandu derived its name from this very ‘Kastha Mandap as Kathmandu’ Today it houses a Hindu God Gorakh-Nath.

Pashupatinath Temple

Located east some 5 k.m. from the main city, a holy Hindu Temple of pagoda style with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva close to holy Bagmati River. One of the most sacred sites of entire Hindu world, Pashupatinath Temple is the nerve center of pilgrimage for millions of Hindu on auspicious day of Shivaratri. The area with great temple known as Debpatan, where only Hindus are permitted to enter the main courtyard of the temple, non Hindu tourists can observe the temple from the east side of the Bagmati River.

Bouddhanath Stupa

This large Stupa, situated close to Pashupatinath Temple, stands as the largest Buddhist shrine of South Asia. The ancient colossal chortens built in 6 th century A.D. by King Man Deb. It’s rests on a series of three terraces looking from bird’s eye view it’s a relevant shape of a lotus flower which indeed remains a very holy object for all world-wide Buddhists devout. The Stupa known as chortens in native Tibetan Buddhism language surrounded by a circular market popularly known as ‘Little Tibet’, The Stupa with four pairs of Buddha’s eyes giving a stunning flash around four cardinal directions, as a diligent watch over the people and their commitments. The Stupa embraces authentic philosophy of Mahayana faith of Buddhism which is known as Lamaism in Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

A mystical and ancient monument land mark of Kathmandu, believed to be more than 25 centuries old stands as one of the world’s oldest Buddhist Stupa / Chaitya. The Great Stupa of Swayambhunath, a wonder that was Nepal and the glory that was Nepal. It is listed as World Heritage for Site, serving as the nerve center of faithful worship for all Bajrayan devout philosophy, particular honoring Lord Adi Buddha. It is dedicated to the self – originating flame God, the Stupa forms as most important structure, well composed of a solid hemisphere of terra – cotta bricks and soil supporting a cornice of copper and gilt with paints on four-sided of the spiral where the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, keeps an eternal watch over the valley distinguishing between vice and virtue.

It is 6 k.m. West of Kathmandu cities, across Bishnumati River, perched on top of a hillock it is about 500 feet above the level of the Valley. The whole hill is a mosaic of small Chaitya and pagoda temples treasured with great five Mahayana (Lamaism) and one Hinayana (Therbadista). Behind this hill located another important Buddhist shrine; called Manjushree a Chinese Buddha known as God of Knowledge.

Picutursque Pokhara

Pokhara an amazing valley, one of the most popular touristic in all Himalayan range, nature has certainly gifted Pokhara with awesome natural surrounding with pristine lakes, rolling green hills dotted with traditional villages in the shade of towering Annapurna Himalaya range of mountains with ever present stunning Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ which reflects on its beautiful Phewa and Begnas Tal (lake). Unlike busy Kathmandu, Pokhara city is spread out with perfect ambiance environment, a unique sub-tropical valley in the Himalaya and probably in the world, where one can marvel the beauty of the Himalayan landscape s. Pokhara situated in the mid west Nepal, linked by the main highway of 220 km driving distance from Kathmandu, and by air 30 minutes flight with a sweeping panorama of mid east to western Himalayan ranges.

Pokhara offers variety of outdoor sports beside its cultural typical country traditional villages with outstanding scenery of the landscapes, snow capped mountains, moderate tropical climate, and beautiful pristine lakes of Begnas, Rupa and Phewa. Pokhara with its natural beauty is also a starting point of Nepal’s most popular adventure destinations. Most of the trekking, mountaineering expeditions begins from this remarkable place and it’s a also an ideal spot for all types of holiday makers at present Paragliding and Ultra light flight among popular activities on air with alluring views of snow capped peaks and aerial look of Pokhara valley.

Places of interest around Pokhara City

Mountain Views

While in Pokhara it hard to miss the stunning Annapurna range which forms its backdrop. Annapurna massif includes A I (worlds 10 th highest at 8,091m / 26,545ft) Annapurna South (7,219m-23,693ft), Gangapurna (7,455m-24,457ft) and Annapurna III (7,555m-24,787ft) ever present Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish-Tail’ (6,997 m) and beyond east worlds 8 th highest Mt. Manaslu (8,163m). All these views can be seen in the comfort of your hotel rooms for more views one can take a mountain flight form 45 mins to an hour, Ultra Light flight or more sporty adventure taking a paragliding from the hills of Sarankot.

Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake 2 nd largest lake of Nepal, the main attraction in Pokhara adding another natural jewels to its beauty, morning time where you can view the reflection on the lakes, an hour of boating will serenade you with amazing scenery and visit the nearby island Barahi Temple or visit the shoreline and enjoy the green Raniban (forest) surrounding with exotic birdlife. Other lakes within Pokhara valley are Begnas and Rupa Tal an hour drive east one can see while on flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara also.

Barahi Temple

One of the most important monument in Pokhara, located in the centre of Phewa Lake on a small island in a peaceful environment 2 storied pagoda temple dedicated to the boar manifestation Ajima, the protector deity of Hindu mythology representing female Shakti (power) large number of Devotees can be seen on Saturday with fowl and goats sacrifice to the deity.

Seti Gorge

Pokhara’ natural wonder view of Seti gorge as Seti River flowing right through the city, theboisterous river running underground at places, amazing to watch as it hides in some areas with just 2 meters wide, with 20 m depth which beyond imagination, there are two areas one can see the depth of Seti Gorge, just from the centre of local bazaar at Mahendra Pul (bridge) and just little further at KN Sing Pul (bridge) with lovely park and garden.

Devi’s Fall

Another attractions of Pokhara is the cascading beautiful waterfalls popularly known as Devi’s Fall, locally called as Patale Chhago (Hell’s Fall) located just 2 k.m. south west of the city on the Siddhartha Highway a nice pleasant area with views of tremendous waterfalls, monsoon and mid September time raging volumes of waters makes this place more interesting and impressive.

Caves of Pokhara

There are two main caves for visiting or explore another nature wonders’ in Pokhara is the Mahindra Gufa (cave) people calls it a House of Bats, a 2 hr hike and short of 45 minutes to the north of Pokhara (torch / flash lights recommended while visiting caves) enter for some time and view the large limestone, stalactites and stalagmites as well the bats hanging. Another cave in Pokhara is Gufteswor Gufa just walking distance from Devis’ Fall across the street the entrance is wide with down steps with a shrine of Shiva one can head further down to view the raging Seti River entering a channel into the cave.

The Old Bazaar

It will be wonderful to observe the local life visiting the old areas of Pokhara with traditional bazaar and ethnical diverse traders. In its temples reflects the Newari architecture of Kathmandu valley, although Pokhara majority are of hill people the Gurung and some Magar, Tamang with Hindu Brahmins, Chettries and Dalits. The local bazaar has important and interesting shrines called Bindhayabasini Mandir (temple), this white dome shaped dominates a spacious stone paved courtyard on a shady hill top with excellent views of the bazaar and the Annapurna mountains.

Buddhist Peace / Shanti Stupa

An excellent next view point a short hike a drive near to the top ridge of Pokhara at Shanti or Peace Stupa, located south of Phewa Lake on a ridge top. Peace / Shanti Stupa, a Buddhist Pagoda on a hilltop, also known as Ananda hill. Built by a Japanese monk, Shanti means Peace. This beautiful spot offers tremendous views of Pokhara valley and of the snow capped peaks towards north.

Sarankot Hill

One of the highest hill top around Pokhara Valley offers grandeur vista of Annapurna range of mountains with Mt. Machhapuchare and Mt. Manaslu, Lamjung Himal as far to Dhaulagiri peaks towards west, including awesome valley landscapes with Lake Phewa below, a short drive from the hotel in Pokhara lake side, this hill top offers striking sunrise and a platform for Paragliding also.

International Mountain Museum

Another recently added in Pokhara is the Mountain Museum the first of its kind in Nepal, established and built by Mountaineering Association (NMA), on 1 st Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective for its establishment was made to record, document and chronicle the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular. The foundation stone of IMM was laid on 1 Dec, 1995. The soft opening of IMM took place on 29 May, 2002 where it was officially opened on 5 Feb, 2004. An interesting place to gather knowledge of the mountains, expeditions, flora / fauna, geography, history of Nepal mountaineering and more, located just near the main local area of Pokhara.

Chitwan National Park (Area 932 sq.kms.)

One of the oldest and most popular National Parks in Nepal is situated within the inner subtropical Terai lowlands of Southern-Central Nepal. The park was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. The Park covers a pristine area with a unique eco-system of significant value to the world. It contains the Churia hills, ox-bow lakes and flood plains of the rivers Rapti, Reu and Narayani. Approximately 70 % of the park vegetation is covered by Sal forests. The remaining vegetation types include 20 % of grassland, 7 % of riverine forest and 3% of sal with chirpine. The latter are found in the Churia (Siwalik) range. Which are the low hills after the Terai flatlands? The riverine forests mainly consist of khair, sisso and simal or kapok (the silk cotton tree). The grasslands are a diverse and complex community with over 50 species. The Saccharun species, popularly known as elephant grass, can reach 8 m in height. The shorter grasses such as Imperata are used by the locals for thatch roofs.

There are more than 43 species of mammals in the park. The Park is famous for the endangered and elusive “Royal Bengal Tiger”. The park is home to the one horned Indian Rhinoceros, fresh water ghariel crocodile along with many other common species such as gaur (Asian bison) wild elephants, four horned antelopes, striped hyenas, pangolins, Gangetic dolphins, monitor lizards and pythons. Other animals found in the park include sambars, chitals (spotted deer) barking deer, sloth bear, palm civets, langurs and rhesus monkeys. The park is also famous for over 450 species of birds. Among the endangered birds are theBengal florican, the Giant Hornbill, the Lesser Florican, the Black Stork and White Stork. Common birds seen in the park includes Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, and different species of Egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers.

The best time for bird watching is around March and December. More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded in the park, some of which are the Marsh mugger Crocodile, cobras Green Pit Viper and various species of frogs and tortoises. Chitwan National Park is also an educational field for botanists and zoologists alike. The park is actively engaged in scientific studies and research concerning several species of wild fauna and flora. Chitwan National Park has many lodges and tented camps inside and outside as well. The park can be reached via a 190 km road, a drive of approximately 5-6 hours, and by air about a 20 minute flight to Megauli or to Bharatpur including a short ride by elephant or by a four wheel drive. It may also be reached by the ultimate way with a surge of adrenaline and scenic floats Rafting on the Trisuli River.