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Nepal Cultural Tour: Discover Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lumbini

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$ 2,385.00

Embark on an incredible journey to explore the heart of Nepal’s vibrant cultural tapestry with a tour that will take you through the ancient streets of Kathmandu, the serene beauty of Pokhara, and the spiritual tranquility of Lumbini. This is not just a regular tour in Nepal; it’s an exciting adventure into a longstanding heritage, a testament to human faith, and a chance to experience the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Himalayas.

Kathmandu – The City of Temples

Kathmandu, the capital city, is a fascinating blend of the old and the new, where historical heritage coexists harmoniously with the contemporary hustle and bustle. Here are some key experiences that you simply can’t miss:

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)

Explore one of the most ancient and mysterious holy shrines in Kathmandu with breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pay a visit to this sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on the banks of the Bagmati River.

Boudhanath Stupa

Marvel at one of the largest stupas in the world and soak in the spiritual atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.

Taking a stroll through the winding alleyways of Thamel, the commercial hub, will give you a wonderful glimpse into the modern life of Nepalis. Along the tour in Nepal, you’ll encounter numerous talented artisans and craftsmen who continue to preserve the city’s rich artistic legacy.

Pokhara – The Lake City

From Kathmandu, embark on a journey to Pokhara, the adventure capital of Nepal. Known for its peaceful ambiance and stunning views of the majestic Annapurna Range, Pokhara offers plenty of highlights to enjoy:

Phewa Lake

Indulge in a delightful boat ride across the calm waters or simply relax and take in the picturesque lakeside scenery while enjoying the vibrant cafes.

Peace Pagoda: Ascend to this magnificent monument atop a hill and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Davis Falls

Witness the awe-inspiring power of nature as water cascades into a deep gorge.Moreover, Pokhara serves as the gateway to numerous treks in the Annapurna region, making it the perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure seekers.

Lumbini – The Birthplace of Buddha

A pilgrimage to Lumbini, the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a truly serene and spiritually profound experience. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will discover:

Maya Devi Temple

Visit the hallowed spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha.

Ashoka Pillar

Admire the historical inscription that commemorates Emperor Ashoka’s visit to Lumbini and signifies the garden’s significance as the birthplace of the Buddha.

Monastic Zone

Take a leisurely walk through the peaceful grounds where more than 25 international monasteries have been built, showcasing Buddhist architecture from around the world.

Cultural Insights and Enrichment

Throughout the tour, immerse yourself in the local community and gain insights into the traditions and customs that are integral to the Nepalese way of life. Engage in workshops, indulge in the delectable local cuisine, and be enthralled by the captivating folk music and dances that tell stories of the Nepalese ancestors. A cultural tour in Nepal is an enriching experience that will connect you with the country’s history, spirituality, and awe-inspiring landscapes. The harmonious blend of Hinduism and Buddhism, set against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas, combined with the warm hospitality of the Nepali people, ensures that this exploration of one of the world’s most enchanting destinations will be truly unforgettable.

Embark on this incredible cultural journey and explore the essence of Nepal. If you want more details and want to book your trip, feel free to visit our website and start organizing your adventure to the captivating land of mystery and majestic mountains. Discover the hidden treasures of Kathmandu, immerse yourself in the tranquility of Pokhara, and follow in the footsteps of the Buddha in Lumbini. The thrill of this incredible cultural tour in Nepal awaits you. So, why wait any longer? Prepare your belongings and get ready to embark on a remarkable cultural expedition in Nepal! Cherish every moment and create everlasting memories.
Greetings! Contact for more information.

  • Reviews 0 Reviews
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  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    Culture, Family, Guided Tours
  • Activity Level Leisurely
    1/8
  • Group Size Medium Group
    Private

Tour Highlights:

  • Feel the cultural significance by exploring the stories of Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara.
  • Live and witness the Nepalese culture up close at the first community-based local homestay at Sirubari
  • Discover the vibrant religious sites of the above-mentioned cities. Walk through the history of Patan. 
  • Explore the outskirts of Kathmandu that spray a traditional aura even to this day.
  • Immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist-influenced culture of Lumbini. 
  • Get to know Pokhara in a way most don’t – by its cultural radiation.

Why this tour?

Quality: To us, quality isn’t just about luxury but a sense of interconnectedness with society. We can guarantee you this interconnectedness. Thus, we have designed this tour in such a way that you won’t just be walking through different cultural sites but making memories with us and the locality. We will interact with the locals, take pictures, have food with them, and make ourselves home.

Giving back to the community: We consider acknowledgment to be one of the stronger aspects of contributing to society. Nepal, regardless of globalization, has been brought into the mainstream but still is unexplored. Alongside mountains, Nepal is proud of its people, history, and origin which we Nepalese acknowledge by celebrating our cultures and traditions. With this tour, we will make you a part of acknowledging Nepal for its culture and people. Even by listening to the stories of the locals, or traveling to the remote sites where ethnic significance glares over anything, you would be acknowledging the existence of people and their culture that go unexplored by the world. 

 

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Pick up and transfer to the booked accommodation by Elite Explorer representative from Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu. (please look for your full name card outside the arrival hall, +977 985 115 5251 arrival assistance WhatsApp call or message)
  • Twin or Double sharing bedroom with buffet breakfast in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lumbini, and Pokhara.
  • Twin or Double sharing room with local breakfast, local Lunch, and local dinner at the Sirubari homestay including a cultural program.
  • Private vehicle with driver for ground transportation.
  • English-speaking government-licensed tour guide at your service (language guide of your preference can be arranged upon request)
  • Government Entrée fees at the monuments and heritage sites as per the itinerary
  • Three liters of bottled water for each individual each day.
  • Local delights tasting (Juju Dhau; King of Yoghurt in Bhaktapur, Mo: Mo either one Veg or Non-veg and butter tea at Boudha subject to availability)
  • Kathmandu- Bhairahawa domestic flight
  • Pokhara- Kathmandu domestic flight
  • Transfer to the airport on the day of departure.
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Travel/Medical insurance
  • Drinks and meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Any personal expenses such as laundry, sim cards, data, other tours and services not within the itinerary.
  1. Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu

    Kathmandu has always been the focal point of cultural rendezvous. So, when you arrive in Kathmandu, you’re not simply arriving in the capital city of the country but a place where numerous cultures stay under the same roof. Kathmandu is filled with historical footprints that narrate cultural glory and arriving here itself marks your journey of exploring the culture of the beautiful country Nepal.

  2. Day 2 Walking tour around Kathmandu Durbar Square

    Our first day is a walking tour around Kathmandu Durbar Square. When we say a walking tour, we mean a compilation of adventures and explorations. We won’t just be traveling to the highlights of Durbar Square like Basantapur Square, Hanuman Dhoka Museum, and Freak Street but places like Pyaphal Tole, Ason, Bangemuda, and Tahiti Tole where the people of the Newar community reflect their cultural essence through everything they do. From little shops to restaurants, culture is the essence of these places and Kathmandu city can be reflected by this day itself.

  3. Day 3 Gokarna Mahadev- Boudha- Shechen Gompas and Tsering Art School Shop- Pashupatinath temple, Kopan, Budhanilkantha Overnight at Patan

    Today we will visit a temple that holds immense cultural and religious value to Nepalese. To get there before anyone, we will leave as the sun rises and arrive at another historic temple of Lord Shiva, Gokarna Mahadev Temple. Standing tall from the 16th century, this temple represents the faith Nepalese have in their religion and culture. Thereafter, we will leave for Boudha and head to the main Boudhanath Stupa. We know you will be most attracted by the giant prayer wheels of the stupa and we will fully enjoy the moment of serenity there. We can feel Buddhist culture pouring down on us as we enter the Shechen Monastery. We won’t stay there for long, but we will spend some insightful moments with the monks there. Located near the monastery is an art school called “Tsering Art School Shop” where we will get a brief orientation on Buddhist Thangka Paintings by professional artists.

    By this moment, we would already have seen the vast depth of art and culture of Kathmandu, and to make it vivid, we will travel to one of the most important temples of Hindus, Pashupatinath Temple. From the main temple to its surroundings, everything smells of rich culture and history. The environment itself is an art! We will spend some time there, learning about the place and a river that flows in between the temple, and the Bagmati river, and thereafter, we will visit the Kopan monastery. Kopan monastery is one of the centers for Buddhist monks and it holds great value to people in Kathmandu. Near this place, Buddhanilkantha is situated. Budhanilkantha is where a floating statue of Lord Bishnu is located. We will go there, offer our prayers and hop in our vehicle to reach our destination for the next day, Patan.

  4. Day 4 Patan Durbar Square, Mul Chowk, and Sundari Chowk courtyard- Dakshinkali Temple- Kirtipur – Namo Buddha – Overnight at Namo Buddha Monastery

    Patan will be waiting for us to wake up. And, from the moment we open our eyes, exploration starts. All of our destinations in Patan come under or near Patan Durbar Square. First, we will visit the palace of Patan Durbar. Thereafter, the two most historic courtyards of Patan, Mul Chowk, and Sundari Chowk will be our destinations. As we come to the end of our exploration, we will visit the Patan museum to get a clear idea of what has been shaping Patan over the years. From Patan, by boarding a vehicle, we will leave for Dakshinkali Temple, spend some time there looking at the devotion of people there and leave for Kirtipur. Exploring Kirtipur requires days, however, we will only go to a few important places like Chilancho Stupa, Lohan Dega, Bagh Bhairab Temple, Narayan Temple, and the Suspension Bridge.

    From there, for our next day’s destination, we will leave for Namo Buddha, which is located on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley. We will spend our night there.

  5. Day 5 Namo Buddha morning Chanting- Banepa Chandeshwori Temple- Changu Narayan- Overnight in Bhaktapur

    Namo Buddha’s culture is its faith in the Almighty. You will wake up to the sounds of religious chanting and we will join the monks and people doing the chanting. By the end of the chanting, we would be feeling divine and light in our hearts, and to keep up with it, we will visit the Chandeshwori Temple of Banepa. As the sun starts to rest, we will enter the valley again and visit the Changu Narayan Temple of Bhaktapur. The temple has a magnificent golden gate with intricate carvings of Garuda, Goddess Laxmi, and Lord Vishnu. This temple is popular amongst Buddhist pilgrims because the temple also houses Hariharihari Vahana Lokeshvara, the primary deity of Buddhists.

    Under the cultural radiance of Bhaktapur, we will spend our night.

  6. Day 6 Bhaktapur Durbar Square Juju Dhau tasting and Shopping- Swayambhu, Dallu, Dollu Neyudo Tashi Choling Ichangu Narayan- Buddha Hotel Thamel

    Bhaktapur’s major highlights are the four squares, the Changu Narayan Temple, and Juju Dhau. While the squares and the temple reflect the culture of the place, Juju Dhau acts as the mirror that lets us see ourselves merging with the culture of Bhaktapur. Juju Dhau is a special type of curd made by the locals of Bhaktapur, and we will devour it. Moreover, every alley of Bhaktapur is special for the food it cooks and the products it sells – from toys to paintings to clothes, everything about Bhaktapur is culture and tradition.

    Thereafter, we will travel to Swayambhu, climb the 365 stone stairs and visit the Buddhist Museum. Other places that we will cover before it gets dark are Dallu and Dollu Neyudo Choling Ichangu Narayan. Both of these places are epitomes of Kathmandu’s culture and religious faith. Later to rest and prepare for the flight on the next day.

  7. Day 7 Kathmandu- fly to Bhairahawa- Visit Lumbini

    We will take the earliest flight to Bhairahawa, and begin our cultural exploration shortly. After giving our bodies some rest after the travel exhaustion, we will ride to Lumbini. We will start by exploring some monasteries like the German and Vietnam monastery. Later as it gets chilled outside, we will set off to explore the rural side of Lumbini. We will ride Rickshaws, talk to the locals, and know how culturally rich Lumbini is. 



  8. Day 8 Explore Lumbini ( In Lumbini includes places like Tilaurakot etc

    Today we will discover the reason that backs Lumbini’s rich cultural enigma. By visiting Maya Devi Temple, we will start the day. The first thing we will do is meditate under the Bodhi Tree that is located inside the temple’s periphery. From there, we will go to Tilaurakot. As magnificent its archeology is, the richer its historic significance is. We will talk to the people nearby and know more about Lumbini which will allow us to connect the dots of religious and cultural dominance in the city. 



  9. Day 9 Lumbini- Pokhara by flight- Free day

    Early in the morning, we drive to Bhairahawa and take off to Pokhara from there. The rest of the day you will rest and prepare for the exploration that awaits in the coming days. Later in the evening, you will get an ayurvedic massage that will cleanse your body and mind thoroughly. 



  10. Day 10 Early morning Sunrise view from Sarangkot- Visit Jangchub Choeling Gompa- Visit the Peace Pagoda- Tibetan Refugee camp, Temples (look for the cultural places in Pokhara)

    Before sunrise, we will hike up to Sarangkot and witness one of the most majestic scenarios one can experience in Nepal. As the sun rises, Sarangkot blazes in joy and getting to witness this moment adds the cherry on top of the cake of our trip to Pokhara. Later, we will explore different sites that hold cultural and religious values like Choeling Gompa, Peace Pagoda, Shree Bindhyabasini Temple, Tal Barahi, and Matepani Gumpa. 

     



  11. Day 11 Pokhara – Sirubaru Homestay

    Exploring culture isn’t complete without merging with the locals, therefore, today we will begin our journey to know what has been keeping Pokhara alive. We will travel to Sirubari, explore the nearby places and stay in a local’s place. Eating the food they prepare, knowing about them as we eat, this day will let you witness the gorgeous history of the place.

  12. Day 12 Sirubaru homestay

    Today too, we will explore Sirubari and know the stories of the locals. We will explore their culture, wear their traditional dresses and feel their faith flowing inside of us. We will contribute to the community by participating in local activities and spending the day as a local. 



  13. Day 13 Sirubaru- Pokhara

    After having lunch, we will ride back to Pokhara. In the evening, we will visit some museums and monasteries and rest at the Lakeside to prepare for the flight the next day.

  14. Day 14 Pokhara- Kathmandu by flight

    We will depart for Kathmandu, and do some last-minute shopping. You can stroll around the streets of Thamel, and visit Kathmandu Durbar Square for sightseeing. Later, to mark your wonderful journey, we will offer you a farewell dinne

  15. Day 15 Departure

    With tons of memories and an eagerness to explore more, we will bid you goodbye. 



BaberMahal Villas
Kathmandu-BaberMahal Villas

Pahan Chhen
Pahan Chhen

Namo Buddha Resort
Namo Buddha Resort

Shiva Guest House
The Shiva Guest House

Buddha Maya Garden, Lumbini
Lumbini- Buddha Maya Garden

Sirubari Homestay
Sirubari Homestay

Temple Tree Resort and Spa
Pokhara- Temple Tree Resort and Spa

Can I customize my tour?

The tour displayed on the Elite Explorer website can be booked by clicking the Book Now button or can be fully customized as per your preferences. For customization simply click Customize link fill out and submit the form. Team Elite will get back to you with the itinerary within 24 hours.

Can I stay more days with the local family?

Yes. We can arrange as many days as you want. It would be easy if you mention it beforehand.

Is it safe to travel around Nepal?

It is very safe to travel around Nepal. The crime rate is low and people are extremely hospitable here. Even world-renowned vloggers like Sam Chui, Harald Baldr among others have visited Nepal and have talked highly about the safety of the country.

Are accommodations safe, can I choose my own?

Elite Explorer chooses its accommodation based on its high safety record and service quality. However, if you wish to choose your own accommodation you can simply let us know, and our team will access such accommodation from various sources and advise you accordingly.

I am asthmatic, and can’t climb high, where can I tour?

It is best to consult your home physician first. However, the major places of interest in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Chitwan, Pokhara, and Sarangkot lie below 3000 meters, and are accessible by vehicles, so it is possible to tour around major places of interest.

How far I can tour since I have limited mobility?

Most of the tour destinations are accessible by vehicles and for such travelers, special care, as well as walking pace, will be taken care of by our own experienced guides. We do not recommend long and continuous walks and recommend short one instead. Still, we recommend you know your limit and consult your physician.

Are jungle safaris safe for children?

Yes, our safaris are safe and you can take your children. Before heading to the wild you are briefed about the program. Still, when you are in the wild, your way is often crossed by wild animals but our experienced local nature guides will advise accordingly.

Are there good clinics and hospitals?

Absolutely, there are good hospitals and dedicated travelers clinics in Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara. Should you need medical attention in rural areas, priority will be given to the closest health facilities, and will be referred to further treatment in well-equipped facilities depending on the cases.

Are flights and road transport safe?

Yes, it is safe. Further, we only use the best airlines in the country for the services. Our drivers on the roads are tourist vehicle drivers and have years and years of experience driving on the mountain road and Terai plains. 

Do POS and ATMs easily available?

ATMs are widely available in major cities and towns however, while traveling to rural areas we recommend carrying Nepalese currency. Currencies of a different kinds can be exchanged at money changers, hotels, or banks.

Does Nepal have good internet?

Free wifi is available at major places, including hotels, tea houses, cafes, and restaurants. In case you need it frequently, you can easily request Elite Explorer Team for the local sim card with data, please make sure your phone is not factory locked and supports a local sim card.

Can I decide to stay and do more activities apart from my booked itineraries?

Absolutely, you can. If you need any help or suggestion please feel free. Furthermore, we will provide you with one departure vehicle to the airport if you are in central Kathmandu.

Is your guide licensed? Will it be the same guide for all destinations?

Yes, Elite Explorer uses all government-licensed guides who are highly trained in their field. It depends on your preferences. Can be fully guided but once the guide is done for the day, you will have your private time to spend. A cultural tour guide may have skills in culture and history but may lack the knowledge of deep jungles, and the nature guide may not have the skills to lead your walk or hike in the mountains. Thus, there may be different guides for different kinds of tours.

Choosing a local company is hard, are you a registered company?

Yes, Elite Explorer is registered Private Limited Company at the Company Registrar Office Tripureshwor Registration number 289833/78/79 registered at Inland Revenue Department Koteshwor for taxation, Nepal Government Tourism Department Valley Tourism Office Hattiban Lalitpur for Tour and Trekking license, Kathmandu Metropolitan 32 ward Office local government, Small and Cottage Industry Tripureshwor under Ministry of Industry and Nepal Central Bank Baluwatar

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