15 Days trip to Nepal with Guide
1st Day
Arrival at Tribhuvan International airport in Katmandu
Hotel van will be waiting for us
With popular tourist destinations like Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple just 3 km away, our hotel is conveniently located and offers a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
The property offers luggage storage, car rental, currency exchange and laundry/dry-cleaning facilities. Access facilities for the physically challenged are also present. Guests can approach the tour desk for travel related assistance, avail of the babysitting service or relax in the garden or library.
The property is located 7 km from Tribhuvan International Airport. The Narayanhity Palace Museum is 600 metres. The Garden of Dreams is barely 400 metres away.
Dealing with food nowdays is really an easy matter .In Thamel area (but also around Katmandu ) there are plenty of restaurants for any kind of taste such as European cuisine ,Indian cuisine ,or Nepali cuisine .
There are also numerous coffe shops and bars , many of them with live music , pop rock or local …
Day 2 , visiting Durbar Square
20-30 minutes walking through small busy streets with traditional small shops, with clothes, jewelry and local markets with fruits ,spices, fish ,meat etc.
A colorful concert of scents , people animals , bikes and rickshaws till we arrive Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Darbar Kshetra) in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Several buildings in the Square collapsed due to a major earthquake on 25 April 2015. Durbar Square was surrounded with spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The Royal Palace was originally at Dattaraya square and was later moved to the Durbar square.
Day 3
A vist to Swayambhu / Monkey Temple
Swayambhu is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. The Tibetan name for the site means 'Sublime Trees' for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. For the Buddhist Newars in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice, Swayambhu occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudha.
The Swayambhu complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, the number one (in Devanagari script) is painted in the fashion of a nose. There are also shops, restaurants and hostels. The site has two access points: a long stairway with 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the south-west entrance.
Day 4 Pashupatinath
The Pashupatinath Temple is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Bagmati River 5 kilometres north-east of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern part of Kathmandu,[1] the capital of Nepal. This temple is considered one of the sacred temples of Hindu faith .The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath.This temple complex is on UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list Since 1979.
This "extensive Hindu temple precinct" is a "sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati river" and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO's designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. One of the major Festivals of the temple is Maha Shivaratri on which day over 800,000 devotees visit here.
Day 5 Patan
Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attraction is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.
The Durbar Square is a marvel of Newar architecture. The Square floor is tiled with red bricks.[1] There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace.[2] The entrance of the temples faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment beside the main temples.[3] The Square also holds old Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square built by the Newa People.
The square was heavily damaged on 25 April 2015 by a major earthquake.
Day 6 @ Budhanath
The Buddhist stupa of Boudha dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudha. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhu Mahachaitya, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).[2] Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudha. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.
Day 7 departure to Pokhara
Riding the bus for 6-7 hours , through mountans ,rivers and valleys will get us to Pokhara ,one of the many beutyful places of Nepal ,a city next to Fewa lake and under the Anapurna range. A majestic place with the ultimate view to Himalayas ,a place of tranquility and peace…
There we will stay at the other side of lake ,where the forest touches the water , in a hotel build with love ,and as I like to say in a place that is the definition of Feng Shui .Hopefully the water will permit us to see the mountains ,a picture that will stay in your minds for ever.. Nights are cool , silence is alaround and the sky is full with stars …
In the days to come we will fully relax , boating on the calm surface of Fewa lake , trakking up to the Peace Pagoda where we can have a Himalaya panorama , we will visit Devils Falls and the Shiva temple inside a cave , or for the adrenaline lovers ,it is possible to go for paragliding ,trekking etc.
Pokhara is in the northwestern corner of the Pokhara Valley,which is a widening of the Seti Gandaki valley that lies in the midland region (Pahad) of the Himalayas. In this region the mountains rise very quickly, and within 30 kilometres (19 miles), the elevation rises from 1,000 to 7,500 metres (3,300 to 24,600 feet). As a result of this sharp rise in altitude the area of Pokhara has one of the highest precipitation rates in the country
The municipality of Pokhara spans 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from north to south and 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from east to west but, unlike the capital Kathmandu, it is quite loosely built up and still has much green space. The valley is approximately divided into four to Six parts by the rivers Seti, Bijayapur, Bagadi, Phusre and Hemja. The Seti Gandaki flowing through the city from north to south divides the city roughly in two halves with the business area of Chipledunga in the middle, the old town centre of Bagar in the north and the tourist district of Lakeside (Baidam) to the south all lying on the western side of the river. The gorge through which the river flows is crossed at five places: K.I. Singh Pul, Mahendra Pul and Prithvi Highway Pul from north to south of the city. The floor of the valley is plain, resembles Terai due to its gravel-like surface, and has slanted orientation from northwest to southeast. The city is surrounded by the hills overlooking the entire valley.
Phewa Lake was slightly enlarged by damming which poses a risk of silting up due of the inflow during the monsoonThe outflowing water is partially used for hydropower generation.[40] The dam collapsed in 1974 which resulted in draining of its water and exposing the land leading to illegal land encroachment; since then the dam has been rebuilt.[41] The power plant is about 100 metres (330 feet) below at the bottom of the Phusre Khola gorge. Water from Phewa is diverted for irrigation into the southern Pokhara valley. The eastern Pokhara Valley receives irrigation water through a canal running from a reservoir by the Seti in the north of the city.
World Peace Pagoda
Standing on top of the Ananda hill, Shanti Stupa adds more beauty to Pokhara Valley. It is a perfect holiday place providing a clear view of the Himalayan range, Fewa Lake and Pokhara city. The hilltop provides a splendid view of sunrise and sunset. TripAdvisor has ranked Shanti Stupa as top second attraction in Pokhara. The pagoda is 7 kilometers from Mahendrapool, the major business spot in Pokhara. There are several ways to reach the peace pagoda. There are hiking trails, cycling tracks and the blacked topped road to the Stupa. There are many trails for hiking. One of the popular and adventurous hiking trails is by crossing the Fewa Lake by a local boat and climb uphill through the local villages that takes about an hour to reach the hilltop. There have been cases of mugging in the hiking trails in previous years. The partial black-topped road from Chorepatan to the Stupa takes about 25 minutes, which can be reached by taxi or private cars. There is no public transports yet available to the foothill of the Stupa.
Day 12 Flight back to Katmandu
We will fly back to Katmandu in a small plane side by side to the Himalayan summits
Arivval at the hotel and rest or… clubbing at any of the many bars of Thamel.
Day 13
Free day for everyone to explore the city !!
Day 14 Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, literally translates to Place of devotees. Also known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa it is an ancient Newar city in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, about 8 miles (13 km) from the capital city, Kathmandu. It is located in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. It is administratively divided into 10 wards.
Bhaktapur was the largest of the three Newar kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of Nepal during the great 'Malla Kingdom' until the second half of the 15th century. It has a population of more than 81,728, of which the vast majority are still Newars. Historically more isolated than the other two kingdoms, Kathmandu and Patan, Bhaktapur has a distinctly different form of Nepal Bhasa language.
Bhaktapur has the best-preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks.
Day 15
..unfortunately we have to depart back home …
During our stay in Katmandu we will have at least one "night walk " in the streets of the city , a totally different experience and view of the city , without the noises and the presence of people ...you will see a 100% different Katmandu
Also we will visit some NGO facility ,one of the many that exist there .Each one of them does a great job helping orphan children or molested women/children
For those interested , we have access in travel agencies that organize trekking , or climbing , bungee jumping paragliding etc etc tours , and we will get the best prices in the market .
What is Included :
1)Hotel in Katmandu and Pokhara , in 2 or 3 bed rooms according to availability (With Breakfast in Katmandu )
2) Bus ticket from Katmandu to Pokhara and Flight ticket from Pokhara to Katmandu .
3) Taxi or buses to and from 1) Katmandu Durbar Square , 2) Patan , 3) Big Stupa Budhanath , 4) Bhaktapur , 5) Devils Falls Pokhara , 6) Swayambu Monkey Temple , 7) Pashupatinath
4) Entrance fees to : 1) Katmandu Durbar Square , 2) Patan , 3) Big Stupa Budhanath , 4) Bhaktapur , 5) Devils Falls Pokhara , 6) Swayambu Monkey Temple , 7) Pashupatinath
5) Cost of Visa .
Not Included :
Flight tickets to and from Nepal.
Food (expect 10 -20 euros daily )
Entrance Fee to Museums .
Participation cost to any extreme sports such as Trekking ,Climbing paragliding, Banjee Jumbing etc..
The Guide will be with the group in all visits and destinations of the group ,and is responsible for communicating and assisting in any case needed , so that all the trip will flow fine..
For personal cases , if possible will be there to help ( buying stuff, bargaining obtaining information etc )
In case of departures from countries other than Greece , the Guide will meet the group at Istanbul Airport , or even at Tribhuvan Katmandu airport if necessary ..
I have been for business in Nepal 8 times ( I think I m in love with this place ) , so I believe I can guide you through this wonderful Country , since I also know the right local people to assist us in making this journey an unforgettable experience . I speak good English , and also not bad German and Italian if need .
Cost per person (up to 8 person group ) 700 Euros + Flight tickets ( February-March-April about 700 Euros / October-December aprox 900 euros ( from Greece SKG airport ) )
My Fee is 1400 euros from 1 up to 8 person group, and if more than 8 persons then it will be 1400 euros + 150 euros per person ( of course the difference will be split between the participants ).
There is a revised edition of the trip at :
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByONyyF8PXnIVVBDWUlkeTNJTjA/view?usp=sharing
You can contact us at karagudim@gmail.com for more details ...