ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU -D

Kathmandu - Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A warm welcome awaits as the Going Nepal representative meets and assists with the transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a tour briefing at the hotel. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner at a traditional city restaurant and spend the night at the hotel.

HALF DAY KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING AND FLIGHT TO POKHARA - B

Pashupatinath - Located 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the most revered Hindu shrines globally. The two-tiered pagoda with golden roofs and silver doors houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Historical records suggest the temple existed before 400 A.D. Near the Pashupatinath Temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River, lies Guheswari, where mythology states a part of Sati Devi, Lord Shiva’s consort, fell when a grief-stricken Shiva wandered the earth carrying her body after her self-immolation.

Boudhanath Stupa - Located 8 km east of downtown Kathmandu, Boudhanath is one of the most prominent landmarks in Kathmandu, visible upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley and a center of Tibetan Buddhism.

Pokhara Lakeside - Mountain Views:
Pokhara offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Annapurna range as its backdrop. The stunning Machhapuchhre, also known as Mt. Fishtail, dominates the scenery due to its proximity to the valley and is visible from anywhere in Pokhara. The Annapurna massif stretches from east to west, including Annapurna 1 to IV and Annapurna South. Further away, the giants Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m) can be seen.

Phewa Lake - Phewa Lake:
Pokhara’s charm is enhanced by the enchanting Phewa Lake, with its eastern shore hosting the thriving resort town of Lakeside or Baidam, filled with hotels, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops for travelers to relax and enjoy. Phewa Lake is the largest and most beautiful of the three lakes, attracting many visitors who enjoy boating on its calm waters. Boats can be rented, and many visit the island temple of Barahi in the lake’s center.

FLIGHT TO JOMSOM – DRIVE TO MUKTINATH – KAGBENI

Jomsom - Jomsom is an excellent starting point for trekking. The diverse landscape and culture along this trekking route provide a wonderful insight into the lifestyle of Nepali people from various ethnic groups.

The highlight is trekking through the world’s deepest gorge carved by the Kali Gandaki River, originating from the Tibetan plateau and eventually flowing into the Ganges in India.

The area is ideal for finding fossilized ammonites, known locally as Shaligram, found throughout the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki.

This region of Nepal is inhabited by Gurungs and Magars in the lower regions of the Kali Gandaki, Thakalis around Jomsom, and people with strong Tibetan roots, the Lopa, around Muktinath and up in Mustang.

Muktinath Temple - Not far from Jomsom, Muktinath is a renowned pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. For Hindus, Muktinath is a sacred place of salvation, believed to guarantee salvation after death when bathing in its waters. The Hindu god, Brahma, is said to have lit the eternal flames burning at Muktinath. For Buddhists, Muktinath is where the great sage Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, came to meditate.

Kagbeni - Lo-Manthang – 5/6hr Drive by 4x4 Jeep

Lomanthang - After breakfast, prepare for a drive to Lo-Manthang, packing all belongings. The journey takes about 5-6 hours. Upon arrival in Lo Manthang, check into the hotel and relax with local butter tea. The geography changes noticeably upon reaching Lomanthang. Later in the afternoon or evening, explore the Lo Manthang area. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the guesthouse/hotel. In the evening, local women and men perform special traditional folklore, serving local liquor made from Waa (a type of barley) and special local dishes.
Elevation of Lo Manthang: 3840m
Transportation: Private jeep
Driving distance: 5-6 hours

Kagbeni - Lo-Manthang – 5/6hr Drive by 4x4 Jeep

Lo Manthang - Mustang’s Tibetan origin is evident not only because it was once a special kingdom but also due to its location and culture. Upper Mustang lies north of Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna (8091m), and is nestled between massive 6000m peaks to the west and the Damodar Himal to the east. It was once part of Tibet and remains closely linked to its former motherland.

Until 1992, Upper Mustang was closed to travelers as it was home to Tibetan resistance fighters for many years. Mustang is also the source of the Kali Gandaki River, flowing into India through the world’s deepest gorge and an ancient trade route. The old royal city of Lo Manthang, surrounded by a medieval wall, features old monasteries and the old royal palace. High Mustang offers unique scenery, vibrant ancient Tibetan culture, extremely friendly people, and various diversities.

Trek from Lo-Manthang to Ghami – 7hrs - Drive to Chukshang – 2 hrs

Ghami - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel/lodge, check out, place luggage in the jeep, and carry personal items and a small backpack for the trek to Ghami. Visit an ancient monastery at Lo-Ghekar and have lunch at Ghekar prepared by locals. After lunch, continue to Ghami, explore Ghakar village, and enjoy tea/coffee. The jeep will be waiting to drive to Chuksang village for dinner and an overnight stay.
Elevation of Chuksang: 3040 M
Transportation: Private Jeep /
Trekking Distance: 5/6hrs depending on the situation
Driving distance: 2 Hrs.

TREK TO LUDAK/LABRA- TREK TO JOMSOM for OVERNIGHT

Lukla - It is believed that the Lubra people, who established the village in the late 12th century, have preserved their traditional way of life, including ancient Bon practices. Lubra Village, one of the few fully Bon villages in Nepal, consists of only fourteen households. According to local legends, the Bon Lama Yangdun Tashi Gyaltsen came to Lubra village via Dolpo, subdued the local unruly spirit, and made the area suitable for human habitation. He planted a walnut tree as a divination to determine whether a village would prosper there. This old, knobby walnut tree still stands today.
Elevation of Ludak: 3210 M
Transportation: Private Jeep /
Trekking Distance: 2/3hrs depending on the situation
Driving distance: 1 Hrs.

FLY TO POKHARA AND HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING

Pokhara - After breakfast at the hotel in Jomsom, check out and walk about 10 minutes to Jomsom Airport to catch a flight to Pokhara, which takes around 25 minutes. Upon arrival in Pokhara, drive to the hotel, check in, and proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour around Pokhara City, including Bindabasini Hindu Temple, Davis Fall, Tibetan refugee camp, and Seti Gorge. End the day with an hour of boating on Phewa Lake. The rest of the day is free to explore Lakeside or enjoy hotel facilities, with an overnight stay at the hotel.

Pokhara - Devi’s Fall:
Locally known as Patale Chango, Devi’s Fall is a captivating waterfall located about 2 km southwest of Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway.

Pokhara - Barahi Temple:
Situated in the middle of Phewa Lake, Barahi Temple is one of Pokhara’s most significant monuments. The two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of Ajima, representing the female force, Shakti. Sacrifices occur here, with the largest crowds of devotees seen on Saturdays.

Pokhara - Seti River:
An intriguing aspect of Pokhara is the vanishing Seti River, which goes underground and disappears in many places along its route through the city. At various points, Seti is barely 2 m wide, but its depth reaches an astonishing 20 m! A good spot for observing the river is Mahendra Pul at Bhimsen Chowk, a bridge near the old Mission Hospital. Here, the river can be seen in all its ferocity, gushing down the deep gorge it has carved over millennia.

FLY TO KATHMANDU AND HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING

Kathmandu - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and proceed to fly to Kathmandu. The flight lasts about 25 minutes. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, embark on a half-day sightseeing tour to Swayambhunath Stupa, a Buddhist stupa situated atop a hill offering clear views of the Kathmandu valley below. After spending time at Swayambhunath, drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, located at the center of Kathmandu. The ancient royal palace of the Kantipur Kingdom, Durbar Square houses historical monuments, Hindu and Buddhist temples, and courtyards. The Kasthamandap temple, made from the wood of a single tree, Kumari Ghar, the residence of the virgin goddess Kumari, and a giant stone sculpture of Kal Bhairav, Ganesh temple, are the main attractions of Kathmandu Durbar Square. After completing the tour, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Swayambhunath Temple - SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, it is one of Nepal’s holiest Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created from a primordial lake over 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises.

Kathmandu Durbar Square - KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Located in the heart of old Kathmandu city at Basantapur, Kathmandu Durbar Square never fails to impress first-time visitors with its ensemble of palaces, courtyards, and temples built during the Malla period. The Durbar Square includes the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, the historic seat of royalty; the magnificent Taleju Temple towering over 40 meters; Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari; Ashok Vinayak, also called Kathmandu Ganesh, a temple without a filial; and Kal Bhairav, the God of Wrath. The capital takes its name from the giant pagoda of Kasthamandap, said to have been built from a single tree. Since the time of the Malla kings, Durbar Square has been the city’s social, religious, and political focal point.

FULL DAY CITY TOUR AND LEISURE

Kathmandu - After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a Bhaktapur Durbar Square tour, return to Patan Durbar Square for a visit, and enjoy lunch at a city restaurant. Visit an orphanage and play with children at DOCS Foundation Nepal. The rest of the day is for leisure. Refresh and later in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a city restaurant with traditional folklore music. Overnight at the hotel.

Patan Durbar Square - PATAN DURBAR SQUARE (UNESCO World Heritage Site):
Like its counterpart in Kathmandu, Patan Durbar Square is located in the city’s heart and was once the palace of the kings of Patan. The square is an enchanting blend of palace buildings, artistic courtyards, and graceful pagoda temples – a display of Newari architecture that reached its pinnacle during the reign of the Malla kings. Among its numerous courtyards, the renovated Keshav Narayan Chowk has been converted into a bronze artifact museum. The Sundari Chowk, with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti, showcases exquisite woodcarvings, and stone and metal sculptures. The magnificent Krishna Temple with its 21 gilded spires, built in 1637, and the Manga Hiti, the sunken stone water spout found in the palace complex, are just a few examples of its opulence. The Krishna Temple, built entirely of stone, is said to be the first specimen of Shikhara-style architecture in Nepal.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square - Among the three durbar squares, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the most elegant, with its large open space facing south. The 15th-century Palace of 55 Carved Windows and the palace entrance, the Golden Gate - a masterpiece in repousse art - add splendor to this palace square, which consists of buildings dating from the 13th to the 18th century. The extraordinary Durbar Square, with its remarkable monuments, reflects the glory days of the Malla dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the valley’s three cities. In front of the palace buildings are numerous temples and architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar, and the Batsala Temple. The stone temple of Batsala Devi is full of intricate carvings and is a beautiful example of Shikhara-style architecture.

DEPARTURE

Kathmandu - Enjoy breakfast and drive to Tribhuwan International Airport for the onward journey.

• Three times meal in the trek.
• English speaking Guide
• ACAP and Lo Manthang Special Permits - USD 534.00
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• Twin sharing accommodation on AP during Lo-Manthang visit
• Domestic Airfare sector KTM-PKR-JOM and v.v - USD 388
• Applicable Hotel Taxes
• Monumental areas entrance fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara
• Accommodation as mentioned in the program
• 4 star twin sharing accommodation on BB plan as per itinerary
• Breakfast is provide on hotel

• Nepal Entry Visa Fee
• Travel Insurance with coverage of Covid19
• International Air ticket
• Expenses of Personal Natures i.e. beverages and other services except mentioned in the itinerary

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.