Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. If you are lucky and there is a bright sunshine on your arrival day, you can witness the wide range of soaring Himalayan Peaks to the north, it is such a magnificent view. As you complete the immigration formalities of the airport and make your way out from the arrivals terminal, Access Nepal Tours would offer you a warm Nepalese welcome and transfer you to your hotel in Thamel in a private vehicle.
At the hotel, you will have a very easy check-in procedure. Let the flight exhaustion go off in the cozy hotel room. In the evening, Access Nepal Tours will offer you a welcome dinner in one of the finest cultural restaurants in the city.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing tour
Kathmandu is the main cultural hub of Nepal. A city of temples and monasteries not only holds the nation’s most religious shrines, it is also a sacred valley where the living gods and goddess live with the mortals till the date. On this day, you will have a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with the best tour guide of the town.
After the breakfast, you will be escorted to Pashupatinath, the largest Hindu temple of Nepal in a private vehicle. The temple dedicated to supreme Hindu God, Shiva banks Bagmati River. At Pashupatinath, you will get to see exceptionally carved statues and idols of Hindu deities, a long row of Shiva-Lingas, series of small temples, and the golden hood at the top of the main temple is truly fascinating.
Moreover, an opportunity to witness the Hindu death ritual at Aryaghat Pashupatinath is an offbeat cultural experience. After the exploration of Pashupatinath, you will walk along the busy streets of Kathmandu to Boudhanath. A large domed shaped Buddhist stupa, Boudhanath holds huge religious significance among the Tibetan Buddhists of Nepal.
A major shrine on ancient Indo-China trade route Boudhanath offered blessings to traders and scholars for a safe journey through the high Himalayan passes to Tibet. Saffron-robed monks circumambulating Boudhanath, colorful prayer flags touching the skyline from the dome pinnacle to the base of the large monument and the outlets selling Tibetan souvenirs makes this place a true Tibet outside Tibet.
On post lunch, the sightseeing tour continues to Kathmandu Durbar Square. The exemplary wooden and stone craftsmanship at the site makes a place the prominent attraction for tourists. The stone paved streets, pagoda style religious monuments inclusive of different Hindu deities are the cultural delights of ancient and medieval Nepal at Kathmandu Durbar Square.
For this day, your final destination for a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu takes you to Swayambhunath. A self-emerged Buddhist stupa lies on a hilltop overlooking Kathmandu with its watchful eyes. You will get to experience more about Tibetan Buddhism at Swayambhunath. After the full day sightseeing tour, a private vehicle will escort you to your hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Chitwan and half day safari
After the breakfast, you will drive to Chitwan in a tourist coach. The drive will surely be wonderful. On a serpentine highway above rushing Himalayan River Trishuli, the ride allows you to capture mid-hill landscapes and experience the glimpse of a rural lifestyle. On your arrival at Chitwan, you will be transferred to your resort and straight away, you will begin your safari activity at the park.
Chitwan National Park has protected forests that comprise sal trees, marshlands, and rippling grasslands and cover the total area of 932 square kilometers. One of the few last habitats for endangered one-horned rhino, royal Bengal tiger, and Gangetic dolphin, the park offers one of the best wildlife safaris on a back of giant Asian elephant.
During the safari, you will penetrate the community jungles trying to sight the wildlife in the wilds. After the safari, you will ride back to your resort. During the evening, you will have a chance to observe a local dance performed by native Tharus people of the region. There is a sunset view from the riverbank. Evening dinner will be at the resort and slide-show on the wildlife. You will stay overnight at Chitwan.
Day 4: Full day safari activities in Chitwan
A full day safari activity in Chitwan National Park offers several activities. Early morning as you wake up after the wake-up call, you will go for the nature walk with the local wildlife expert. Nature walk allows you to sight the birding activities in full swing on the banks of Rapti River. The park also houses several hundred species of residential and migratory birds.
After the nature walk, you will return to the resort and enjoy the breakfast. Post breakfast, you will go for the canoeing in Rapti River. Canoeing at Rapti is a wonderful way to observe bird’s species and aquatic life, which include the possible sighting of Gangetic dolphin. The final jungle activity includes jungle safari to the jungle, elephant bathing session, and visit elephant breeding center at park’s neighborhood.
The whole day’s activity is full of fun, thrill, and great wildlife experiences. In the evening a slide show presentation on wildlife at Chitwan National Park will be shown.
Day 5: Half day safari and drive to Lumbini
After tea or coffee you will go for a short nature walk which is also a perfect time to spot bird's activities. After bird watching tour or nature walk, you will enjoy the breakfast at Chitwan and resume the road journey to Lumbini. Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Lumbini lies in the lowland Terai of Nepal, close to Indian border.
On your arrival at Lumbini, you will be transferred to your hotel, have lunch and set out to explore landmarks associated with Buddha and his family.
Amidst the beautiful Lumbini Garden, famous Mayadevi Temple (Temple dedicated to mother of Buddha), Pukalani Pond (the pond where Buddha took his first ritual dip), famous Ashoka Pillars (pillars erected by great Emperor Ashoka in 269 B.C.), remains of Buddhist viharas and stupas from third century B.C. to 15th century A.D. and modern Monastic zone (several monasteries built by the government of different countries) are worthwhile sites to explore in Lumbini. After day’s exploration, you will drive back to your hotel.
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Tilaurakot and Devdaha
On this day, you will explore the vicinity Buddha preferred to spend for 29 years. You will begin with Tilaurakot. Ten kilometers north of Lumbini lies Tilaurakot which has the remains of Buddha’s home and garden. The place is an important archeological site. Explore around and resume the drive closely located Devdaha.
A small town in the Eastern Rupandehi District of the maternal home of Buddha, Devdaha lies. Devdaha is the birthplace of both Buddha’s mothers (Mayadevi and Prajapati).
Large historical tree Pakari Brikshya that has the circumference of almost 20 meters, beautiful park with the seven feet tall Buddha’s statue, a gold-coated statue of Sariputra, floral species including Bodhi Bricha and an ancient pagoda are important sites to explore at Devdaha.
Buddha preferred Devdaha during his childhood and he preached to many scholars at Devdaha on various topics. Even after enlightenment, he visited the place. Hence, Devdaha has huge religious and historical significance. After the exploration of Devdaha, you will drive back to your hotel in Lumbini.
Day 7: Drive from Lumbini to Bardia
After breakfast at Lumbini, you will drive to Bardia. Six hours of road journey on the stretch of Mahendra Highway would bring you to Bardia National park. On your arrival, you will be transferred to the resort in the park and enjoy your lunch. After the lunch, you will set out to explore the villages in the vicinity.
You will visit the temple area, enter in a real typical Tharu house and see the local life. You will also visit Bardia National Park visitor center with its crocodile farm. On the evening, you will enjoy dinner at the resort and stay overnight at Bardia.
Day 8: Full day safari at Bardia National Park
After the breakfast, you will drive for an hour to Chisapani, over the Karnali Bridge where you will have a typical lunch (with local fish) in a typical restaurant. After lunch, you will begin the floating safari (on the raft). There are no big rapids on the river and this excursion offers good opportunities for magnificent landscapes and birdlife among other animals.
In the evening, you will pitch the tents on a sandy beach and go in a very remote and authentic Tharu village for cultural dances and dinner. Stay overnight at a resort in Bardia.
Day 9: Full day wildlife safari at Bardia National Park
After an early picnic breakfast, you will cross Babbai river that penetrates the park from the center and walk into the national park to begin the nature walk for the day with a naturalist guide and a porter. There are good possibilities to see one-horned rhino, wild Asian elephants or Bengal tiger among other animals. Evening dinner and overnight stay will be at a resort in Bardia.
Day 10: Drive to Nepalgunj and fly to Kathmandu
After an early cup of tea, you will go on an elephant safari to the jungles of Bardia National Park. Elephants are very adapted to go inside the vegetation and give good possibilities to get close to the rhinos. After elephant safari, you will enjoy the breakfast at the resort. Then, you will drive to Nepalgunj Airport (KEP) from where you will board a plane to Kathmandu.
Once you arrive at Kathmandu, you will rest at the hotel or explore on your own. In the evening time, you will be taken out for a farewell dinner in one of the finest cultural restaurants of the town. Stay overnight at Kathmandu.
Day 11: Depart Kathmandu
This is your last day in Nepal. You may go shopping, buy some souvenirs for your family and friends until your departure transfer to the airport. You will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your flight to your onward destination.
