Half Day Sightseeing of City & Swayambhunath

Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in the heart of old city Kathmandu. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity. In this tour, we visit the 17th Century Durbar complex, Hanuman Dhoka, Paravati temple, great Bell and Drum, Bhairav and Taleju Temple. A few steps away is the Temple of the Living Goddess, where the you may catch a glimpse of the Kumari at one of the open windows overlooking the inner courtyard. All around the splendour of historical monuments is the hustle & bustle of the market place. Vegetable vendors, trees of flutes, salesmen with their wares displayed on their person, souvenir hawkers, and street shop selling imported goods and tucked away in a quiet corner the glittering bead market for custom made bead necklaces.

Swayambunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. A golden spire crowning a conical wooded hill, Swayambhunath Stupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Katmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spires are visible from many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. It is believed that during ancient times when the Kathmandu valley was a lake the point of the Swoyambhunath was the only object visible and here a Lotus flower grew. Rest of the day remains at leisure.

Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Accommodation at 3 Star Hotel

NEPALGUNJ - JUMLA FLY, TREK TO CHALA CHAUR (2,900 M)

Today, we take a thirty-minute scenic flight from Nepalgunj to Jumla. From Today onwards, we will be heading towards Rara National Park.

(Location. Rara National Park is located in north-west Nepal about 371 km air distance from Kathmandu. Most of the park, including Lake Rara, lies in Mugu District; a small area is within Jumla District of Karnali Zone. This is the smallest park in Nepal, containing the country's biggest lake (10.8 sq kms) at an elevation of 2990 m.

Features. Park elevations range from 1800 m to 4048 m. The park contains mainly coniferous forest. The area around the lake is dominated by blue pine, black juniper, West Himalayan spruce, oak, Himalayan cypress and other associated species. At about 3350 rn, pine and spruce give way to fir, oak and birch. Deciduous tree species like Indian horse- chestnut, walnut and Himalayan popular are also found. A small portion of the park serves as an ideal habitat for musk deer. Other animals found in the park include Himalayan black bear, leopard, ghoral, Himalayan tahr and wild boar. Snow trout is the only fish species recorded in the lake. Resident Gallinaceous birds and migrant waterfowl are of interest to park visitors. The great- crested grebe, black-necked grebe, and red-crested pochard are seen during winter. Other common birds are the snowcock, chukor partridge, Impeyan pheasant, kalij pheasant and blood pheasant).

Upon reaching Jumla, we begin our trekking after lunch. We traverse northwards out of the Jumla Valley. Soon after trekking for an hour, we encounter a small village of Mircha bearing a small walled enclosure and a number of Buddhist stupas.

These stupas were erected at around late 15th century, in the memory of important dignitaries of the region. The trail further leads to rock-strewn path and at last ends at Chala Chaur.

Overnight is at Tented Camp.

TREK VIA SINJA (2,440 M) TO BOTAN (2,600 M)

We walk along the Jaljala Khola (river) through pine forests of and terraced farmland. En route the trail passes the 300 year old Kanaksundari Temple. The temple holds immense religious significance for Hindus. The route further bends along the main river. Crossing a thick plank bridge, we finally descend to reach Sinja village. Sinja village rests upon a small alluvial plain on the west bank of the clear Lah Gad River, also called the Sinja Khola. Sinja was once the ancient capital of the Malla kings. There are stones lying along the trail that foretell the history of Malla dynasty. After lunch, we head to Botan. On the way, we pass through a spectacular gorge and finally reach the village of Botan.

Overnight is at Tented Camp.

TREK TO RARA LAKE (3,062 M)

We walk away from Gorosingha and ascend to the Ghurchi Mara ridge [3710m] for one and half hour. The trail is not as strenuous as it looks. On reaching the crest of the bridge, we get to experience an excellent panorama to the north, flaunting irresistible beauty and charm. As the trail descends, Rara Lake becomes visible on the northeast. The trail further passes through bamboo and birch forests before crossing the Khatyar Khola. We then follow the river upstream to Rara Lake, where we savor the most fascinating trekking experience amid the beauty of nature.

Overnight is at Tented Camp.

TREK VIA JHYARI (2,630) TO RIVER CAMP

We depart front and continue skirting along the target destination. On crossing a ridge, we enter theara de Jari Strolling by the Jhyari Khola, the trail further follows terraced farmlands. As we approach Dhauligar Khola valley, we find a suitable camp site near the river bank. We also get to witness an exotic charisma of nature and outstanding panorama of snow- capped mountain peaks from here.

Overnight is at Tented Camp.

TREK TO THARAMARA (3,280 M)

From Chautha, the trail follows the northern bank of the Sinja Khola past the hotel and health clinic under the massive overhanging rock at Kabra. Silajit, found in this area is the source of the important medicinal mineral which is believed to cure almost anything. The route then passes through the villages of Bumra and Nyawre, before climbing to the pasture at Tharamara.

Overnight is at Tented Camp.

JUMLA - NEPALGUNJ FLY, DRIVE BARDIA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we fly to Nepalgunj and we head towards the Bardiya National Park:

(Location: Bardiya National Park is situated in the mid far western Terai, east of the Karnali River. Features. The park is the largest and most undisturbed wildreness area in the Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal forest with the balanced mixture of grassland, savannah and riverine forest. The approximately 1500 people who used to live in this valley have been resettled elsewhere. Since farming has ceased in the Babai Valley, natural vegetation regenerating, making it an area of prime habitat for wildlife. The park provides excellent habitat for endangered animals like the rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and Sarus crane. More than 30 different mammals, over 200 species of birds, and many snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forest, grassland and river habitats. A good number of resident and migratory birds are found in the park).

Upon arrival, the clients will be met by our Bardia representative and transferred to Karnali Lodge on the edge of Bardia National Park. The two-hour drive along the East West Highway takes you through some fascinating Tharu villages. The representative will brief on the available wildlife activities and a personal programme will be arranged to suit your interests. In the afternoon, Elephant-back Safari Guests will be mounted on elephant back to explore the jungle and wildlife viewing one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, sloth bear, leopard etc. This exciting ride lasts for about 2-3 hours.

Evening: Slide presentation. One of the experts will deliver the lecture on history and Flora and Fauna of Bardia National Park. Dinner at the resort.

Overnight at Resort in Bardia.

Accommodation at 3 Star Resort

Jungle Activities in Bardia National Park

Today we explore more into jungle in Bardia. 

Overnight is at Resort in Bardia.

Accommodation at 3 Star Resort

JUNGLE ACTIVITIES IN CHITWAN

Early in the morning: Elephant-back Safari

Guests will ride on elephant back to explore the jungle and wildlife the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours. Breakfast at the resort.

Morning time is free till lunch. In the afternoon, Canoe ride on the Rapti river to visit Crocodile breeding centre and later jungle walk back to hotel.

Evening: Tharu Tribe dance: Farmers of the nearby villages will show some of their traditional skills and dances.

Overnight is at the Resort in Chitwan.

Accommodation at 3 Star Resort

Depart Kathmandu

Breakfast is at the hotel. Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for departure flight.