Nepal 2023
Group tour from September 23 to October 04
Associated with the Indra Jatra festival

                                                                                    
From the historic cities of the Kathmandu Valley to the idleness of Pokhara, this varied journey offers us moments of wonder while contemplating the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. This trip combines cultural discovery, participation in a major festival in Nepal, a stroll, and sports activity (mountain biking & rafting optional on a personal basis).

We first immerse ourselves in the Kathmandu Valley:

We dive into the bubbling Kathmandu Valley; the fascinating visits to the stupas of Swayambhunath and Bodnath, the oldest in the valley, then to Pashupatinath, a Hindu site dedicated to Shiva dating from the 12th century, illustrate the two religions which very often become one in Nepalese syncretism. Emotions still in Kathmandu, the beautiful medieval city of the valley and in the south of Nepal where we immersed ourselves in the festivities of dance, mask, and parade of the chariot of the living goddess of "Kumari" which vibrates the heart of the old city of Kathmandu has its rhythm.

The eight-day Indra Jatra festival falls in September and is one of the most exciting and revered festivals of the Newar community in the Kathmandu Valley.

Then on the way to Pokhara and two days of excursion among the villages sheltered by the Macchapuchare!
HIGHLIGHTS
- The UNESCO sites of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Country walks to discover immutable Nepal.
- The views of the Himalayas possible from Luwang and Pokhara
- The local Indra Jatra festival in Kathmandu
- Homestay in Panauti and Luwang

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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Level of Trek: Easy
  • Duration: 12 Days
  • Number of walking days: 0
  • Highest Altitude: 2100 Meters
  • Accomodation: Hotel & Lodge during trek
Leave No Trace

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...

Day
Flight to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel and free time.
- Accommodation: Thamel house on BB basis
- Self meal
Morning drive to Pokhara, the second tourist city of Nepal.  4X4 drive for 45 min to Koramukh and easy walk by the walking flights to the pretty little village of Luwang inhabited by the Gurung ethnic group (the inhabitants of high mountains) at the foothills of the Annapurnas. On a very beautiful clear day seen on Machapuchere, Annapurna south….
- Accommodation: Overnight homestay
Morning in clear weather we will discover a splendid view of the Lamjung Himal, Macchapuchare, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South. Gradual climb to the small Deurali pass. Descent to Tolka then arrival at the Gurung village of Landruk. Beautiful view of Macchapuchare, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna South.
- Walking time: 4h30, + 100m, - 450m.
- Accommodation: Lodge
We descend to the Madi Khola then we cross on a suspension bridge before a steep ascent to the beautiful Gurung village of Ghandruk with its dry stone houses. Beautiful panorama of the chain of Annapurna.
- Walking time: 3h30, + 600m, - 400m.
- Accommodation: Lodge
(Jeep Ghandruk – Nayapul vehicle for Pokhara 35 km 2h)
After breakfast, we take a privatized local jeep to reach Birethanti located on the banks of the Madi River.  Then private vehicle to reach Pokhara.
- Night in Pokhara at the Batika hotel in BB.
- Free lunch and dinner
Drive to Kathmandu, and transfer to Bhaktapur - 15 km from Kathmandu, the most beautiful of the three imperial cities of the valley. Overnight in Bhaktapur to stay when all visitors are gone!!!
- Accommodation: night at Shiva guest house with half board. 
- Lunch self
Day dedicated to visit this ancient authentic city of Bhaktapur.
- Accommodation: night at Shiva guest house with half board.
- Free lunch
Morning visit to the Hindu site of Changunarayan, the oldest temple in the Kathmandu valley, then transfer to Namo Buddha 40 km from Kathmandu, an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. This is where Buddha would have donated his body to a tigress and her hungry cubs. Visit the monastery and the possibility of attending the service.
- Night on-site at Namobodha resort in half board
- self-lunch
Day of hiking to Panauti: through a rural setting, pine forests, suspension bridges, and terraced crops, we reach the beautiful village of Balthali located at a height where we will have lunch.
Short walk to Khopasi and 15 min transfer to the Newar town of Panauti, built at the confluence of two rivers and the site of an important Mela - a pilgrimage taking place every 12 years!
- Activity cooking workshop and dinner with the local family.
- Accommodation: Homestay
-  Lunch self
Morning transfer to Kathmandu and road to Kirtipur stretched on a ridge 5 km from Kathmandu, the town of Kritipur retains a peaceful, timeless atmosphere despite its proximity to the capital. Towering and little-visited times testify to its past glory. From the top of Kirtipur, we discover Kathmandu with the Himalayas in the background.
Pharping: located 19 km south of Kathmandu, remains a prosperous traditional Newar town. The city is famous for its pilgrimage sites whose Hindu origins have been largely recovered by the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, which are now predominant. Afternoon visit Kathmandu durbar square and stay there until the evening (7 p.m.) to enjoy the festival.
- Accommodation: Thamel House in room, breakfast
- Meal self
Visit Pashupatinath: Hindu site dating from the 12th century, a place of cremation dedicated to Shiva where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati river, then midday visit to Patan, one of the three former imperial cities of the valley, mainly Buddhist, known for its craftsmen founding statues. Then transfer to the great Buddhist stupa of Bodhnath surrounded by many monasteries of Tibetans in exile.
- Accommodation: Thamel House in room, breakfast
- Free meal
Free day and transfer to the airport for the return flight.

NOTES

- In Kathmandu we use hotels of good category *** well located in the center of Kathmandu.
- The stay in Kathmandu is always done in B&B to give you a large choice of restaurants that offer you traditional and continental cuisine according to your choices.
- During the trek you will be in full board and accommodation according to the itinerary.



What's included

- Transport by private vehicle according to the itinerary
- 3 nights at Thamel House in BB in Kathmandu
- 2 nights at Shiva guest house on half board in Bhaktapur
- 1 night half board at Koushi in Bandipur
- 1 night in BB in Pokhara Batika in Pokhara
- one night in Namobodha resort with half board in Namobodha
- one night with a local in Panauti with a full board
- 3 days of trek in full board
- ACAP + TIMS trekking permit
- A cultural guide for the whole stay
- visit the sites in Kathmandu according to the itinerary and its entrances to the sites
- Trekking team: 1 porter for 3 and 1 assistant guide for 4 trekkers
- Carrying luggage up to 8 Kg per person during the trek

What's not included

- Unplanned meals and visit and activities/visits in Pokhara
- Flights
- Nepal visa (30 USD for 15 days)
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- tip, sleeping bag, hot shower during the trek, drink including water, beer etc.

Suppliments

Single room supplement option: 310 USD

*the invoice in euros on request will be established according to the dollar-euro exchange rate on the day of invoicing.
Question? Make an inquiry or call (977-1) 451 55 73