Afternoon
visit the
ancient town of Patan also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty and Fine Art) .It was an important Buddhist
centre, that
flourished under the Malla kings. Patan is an ancient city filled with exotic pagodas, intricate
gateways, fabulous deities, and endless carvings.
Stroll through the city, visiting Durbar
Square with the Old King’s Palace. Visit Krishna
Temple with its depictions of ancient Hindu epics and the Ashoka Stupa,
and the mythological bird Garuda with spread wings on the peak of a
pillar sits. Also visit Taleju Temple (17 century), the 3 storey Bhimsen Temple. Further you see the Shiva Temple with two stone elephants and artistic, erotic stone
cutting work, and the Mahabuddha
Temple (14th century), the temple of 1000 Buddhas, similar to the one in
Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained Nirvana. Next we visit the Tibetan Refugee Settlement.
This is an interesting slice of culture and history contained in a
relatively small area. In 1957 the Chinese invaded Tibet, causing
thousands of Tibetans to flee their country. The Tibetans crossed the
Himalayan Mountains on foot and many settled in Nepal. This camp was
formed with the help of the United Nations and provides a place for the
people of Tibet to work and live self-sufficiently, while they await the
opportunity to return to their homeland.
Overnight
at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day
3 Kathmandu
Today
we visit the second sister city of the capital, Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur),
which means “the City of Devotees”. It is the 3rd largest in
the valley, which has preserved its medieval character, said to have been
founded by King Ananda Deva in the 9th century. The houses with
artistic stone cutting work, as well as the beautiful wood carving date
back to the time of King Bhupatindra Mallas (17th century). The
city was constructed in the shape of a conch shell – an object of
religious significance to Hindus and Buddhist. Visit
Durbar
Square with King Palace
specially its golden gate and 55-Windows-Palace (15th century),
the 5 storey Nyatopala-Temple,
the highest and probably the finest temple in Kathmandu Valley, built by
King Bhupatindra. The 2 storey Bhairabnath-Temple
(18th century) as well as the Dattatraya
Temple dedicated to God Vishnu and the Pujahari
Math with its famous Peacock Window. Apart from the usual temples and
palaces, the added attractions are
the Big Bell, the bell of the Barking Dog, the lion gate, and the
picture gallery.
Afternoon visit Bodhnath.
One of the oldest and the biggest
Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Bodhnath Stupa is an imposing
structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three
level mandala style platform surrounded by colorful private family houses.
This stupa is said to have been built in 5th century AD. At the Pashupatinath
Temple view the most sacred of Nepal’s Shiva shrines, located near
the holy river Bagmati. This Hindu temple’s twin-roofed pagoda is of
gold-gilt-brass; the gateways are silver-plated. Dinner and overnight in
Kathmandu.
Overnight at the hotel in
Kathmandu.
Day
4 Kathmandu/Pokhara
Early
morning, a scenic drive to Pokhara, at an altitude of (819 m) surrounded by huge
mountains like the Annapurna and Machhapuchare. Pokhara lies around 700 m
deeper than than Kathmandu. En route, you see the typical Nepali landscapes
with small villages. The highway passes along a highly picturesque region
between the midland valleys and the Terai belt of the kingdom. It is also
the second most-visited spot in Nepal after Kathmandu. Pokhara is known
for its lovely lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa, which have their source in
the glacial Annapurna Range of the Himalayas. Pokhara also offers splendid views of the fishtailed summit of
Machhapuchhre which rises from behind the Phewa Lake. It is home to thick
forests, gushing rivers and emerald lakes.
Upon arrival check-in to the
hotel. The rest of the day if free for independent activities.
Overnight at the hotel in
Pokhara.
Day
5 Pokhara/Tikhidhunga
Drive
to Nayapul. Start trekking 5 - 6 hours walking to Tikhidunga ( 1577M) via
Birethanti.
Day 6 Tikhidhunga/Ghorepani
(20 kms)
Today
a 6 hrs trek. The trail ascends gradually through enchanting rhododendron
forest to Ghorepani
(horse water). Ghorepani is a popular night stop for the colourful pony
trains that carry goods up and down the Kali Gandaki trail.
Overnight
at Ghorepani (2.835m).
Day
7 Ghorepani
Rest
day. An early morning excursion should be taken to Poon Hill 12,000 ft to see the sunrise on the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains.
Day
8 Ghorepani/Tatopani
(21 km)
After
breakfast begin the steep descent to Tatopani
(1.190m) lying between the two 8000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri 1
situated at the bottom of the Kali
Gandaki gorge which is the world’s deepest gorge. A trek of
7 hrs brings you to Tatopani (hot spring) the site of several
refreshing hot springs.
Overnight
at Tatopani.
Day
9 Tatopani/Ghasa
(21 km)
Today
7 hours trek to Ghasa. As the canyon narrows the trail is forced high up in the
cliff at one point passing through a tunnel carved into the rock. Pass by
the beautiful Rukse Chhara
water fall before reaching Ghasa the first Tibetan style village of the
upper Kali Gandaki where the
stone houses are characterised by the flat roof and narrow covered
alleyways.
Overnight
at Ghasa (2.020m).
Day
10 Ghasa/Larjung
(19 kms)
Today
you trek for 6 hrs. The Kali Gandaki now opens up into a wide gravel bed
as the trail travels through coniferous forest past Kalopani
to Larjung. During the day there are good views of the Dhaulagiri Ice
Falls to the west. On a hill above Larjung lies a Gompa with many old
paintings.
Overnight
at Larjung (2.592m).
Day
11 Larjung/Jomsom
(19 kms)
6
hrs trek through the coniferous forest now gives into Juniper and barren
rocks as the trek enters into the Tibetan Desert region. The route passes
through several Thakali
villages such as Marpha before
reaching Jomsom, the
administrative headquaters of the area.
Overnight
at Jomsom (2.730m).
Day
12 Jomsom/Muktinath
(22 km)
7
hours trail continues ascending up the Kali Gandaki to Kagbeni
at the border of the forbidden Mustang
region. Turning east the route climbs up the side valley to an ancient
Fort at Zarkot: Beyond lies Muktinath
(3.846m).
Overnight
at Muktinath.
Day
13 Muktinath
Today
a long awaited rest day. There are several sacred temples at Muktinath to
make this place sacred for both Hindus and Buddhists. Most holy temple
contains a jet of natural gas issuing from the same fissure as a fresh
water spring. This holy water is then channeled into 108 spouts cast in
the shape of a cow’s head. Nearby a Gompa and a rest house for
pilgrimage travellers.
Overnight
at Muktinath.
Day
14 Muktinath/Jomsom
(22 km)
Leave
for Jomsom and overnight stay in the tents.
Day
15 Jomsom/Pokhara
Transfer
to the airport for flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day free for independent activities.
Overnight
at Pokhara.
Day
16 Pokhara/Kathmandu
Drive
to Pokhara. On arrival in Kathmandu transfer to the hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day
17 Kathmandu/Home
Early
morning departure transfer to the airport for the flight back home.
End of Muktinath Tour...
