BETWEEN CITIES, MOUNTAINS & THE BISKET JATRA FESTIVAL

A fascinating journey that combines art and culture of the valley, a trip to a resort town and a trek up in the mountains with astounding views of a snowy peak, starting in Kathmandu valley. Attend a most elaborate festival in the culturally rich city of Bhaktapur, relax in Lakeside Pokhara and head off to the mountains.

KATHMANDU VALLEY, POKHARA TO THE MOUNTAINS & THE BISKET JATRA FESTIVAL

Visit the historic cities of Kathmandu Valley and follow up with a relaxing time in the enchanting lakeside Pokhara. This remarkable journey takes you from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the jungles of the Tarai (plains). The trip combines culture, history, adventure sports (mountain biking & rafting) and takes you back in time to witness a religious festival that has been celebrated for centuries.

Our journey begins with a taste of Kathmandu Valley with all its cultural mix and modernity. The bustling city has some fascinating shrines from the architecturally beautiful Buddhist sites, Swoyambhu and Boudha (the two oldest Buddhist stupas in the valley) to Pashupatinath (12th-century Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva). Discover the harmony that exists between the two religions that have merged seamlessly. Travel to quaint Panauti and learn of the local Newari traditions and overnight at a local homestay. Enjoy a day at the historic city of Bhaktapur, the most well-preserved city in the valley with its red brick paths, artistic palace, and rich culture. Witness one of the most elaborate festivals of this city, the Bisket Jatra. Then, head out to Pokhara and spend two-spirited days hiking up the hills, walking through Gurung villages and gazing at the ever-present snowy peak of Machhapuchhare! Then, we head to Pokhara and have two days of excursion in the villages sheltered by Machhapuchhare!

HIGHLIGHTS
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley
- Country walks to discover the charm of rural Nepal
- Views of the Himalayas from Luwang, Dhulikhel, Pokhara, and Bandipur
- The spectacular Bisket Jatra Festival
- Homestays in Panauti and Luwang


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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Level of Trek: Easy
  • Best Period: April 7th - April 20th 2019
  • Duration: 14 Days
  • Number of walking days: 3
  • Highest Altitude: 0 Meters
  • Flights: Pokhara - Kathmandu
  • Accomodation: Hotel in Kathmandu & lodge/Homestay 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

Airport pick-up, transfer to hotel and check-in. Free time for the rest of the day.
- Accommodation: Nepali Ghar Hotel on B&B Plan
- Meals on your own

We start early in the morning and visit Swoyambhu Stupa perched on a hilltop overlooking the sprawling city below. Then, drive down to busy Kathmandu Durbar Square and the crowded old town.
- Accommodation: Same as previous day.
Visit Patan, one of the three ancient royal cities of the valley. Known for its statues-makers, the inhabitants are mostly Buddhist Newars. Overnight in the city.
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B Plan
- Meals on your own
Today’s tour takes us to the hilltop town of Kirtipur. Occupying a ridge 5 km away from Kathmandu, this small town exudes a peaceful ambiance and feels a bit out of step with Kathmandu only a short distance away. Enjoy the fabulous view of the city below with the Himalayas in the background. Located 19 km south of the capital, Pharping remains a wealthy traditional Newari village although changing with the times. Famous for its pilgrimage sites, the place is full of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries that outnumber the Hindu shrines.
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B Plan.
- Meals on your own
Discover the jewels of the Kathmandu valley. Start with a visit to the giant stupa of Boudha, an important pilgrimage site, surrounded by numerous Buddhist monasteries. Follow up with a visit to the holiest Hindu shrine, Pashupatinath, which dates back to the 12th century. It also serves as the cremation grounds for Hindus. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the shrine attracts hordes of pilgrims who come to bathe in the holy Bagmati River.
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B Plan
- Vehicle +  Cultural Guide
- Meals on your own

Take an early morning drive to Dhulikhel for beautiful panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. Drive further out to historic Namobuddha, a very important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists as it is renowned as the site where a Bodhisatva is said to have offered his own flesh to a starving tigress and her cubs. Visit the Namobuddha monastery/ then an optional walk to Panauti.
- Accommodation: Homestay on full board.

The morning starts with a visit to Panauti, a delightful old Newar town that still maintains ancient traditions. Then transfer to Bhaktapur, (15 km outside Kathmandu), the most beautiful of the three cities of the valley, where the old ways have yet to die out and historic monuments are well preserved. Overnight in the city.
- Accommodation: Family Guest House on half board.
Enjoy the spectacle of Bisket Jatra, one of Bhaktapur’s most elaborate and colorful festivals which ushers in the Nepalese New Year.
-Accommodation: Family Guest House on half board
- Lunch on your own

Drive to Bandipur, a tranquil resort town of Newar traders. Superb views of the Himalayan range. Bandipur is known for its serenity and delightful hikes; we will overnight at a homestay with simple rooms near the residence of our host.
- Duration of drive: 3.5hr
- Accommodation: Hotel on half board

Easy hike from Bandipur to Chirkini with a visit to Ramkot, a traditional  Magar village. Then transfer to Pokhara where we spend the night in a charming and peaceful hotel overlooking Lake Phewa.
- Duration of drive: 2.5hr
- Duration of hike: 3hr
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B basis
The morning begins with a transfer (45 min) to Khoramukh (1000 m.). From the bridge, take a short nature walk on a lot of steep steps to reach the beautiful Gurung village of Luwang (1,460 m.) that specializes in tea culture. Great view of the valley and the surrounding villages. To the north you see a panoramic view of Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhare and Annapurna III. In the afternoon, a warm welcome at a homestay where you spend the night.
- Ascent: + 460 m.
- Duration of hike: 1.5hr
- Accommodation: Homestay
After taking in a beautiful sunrise on the Mardi Himal and Lamjung Himal, we embark on a half-day trek through a rhododendron forest on a hillside to arrive at the Gurung village of  Dhampus. Stop for lunch here and make a steep descent to reach Phedi where our vehicle awaits to take us back to Pokhara. the late afternoon is free.
- Ascent: + 200 m.
- Descent: - 520 m.
- Hours of walking: 3hr
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B basis
In the morning, fly to Kathmandu. Then, transfer to the hotel and free time.
- Accommodation: Hotel on a B&B basis

Transfer to TIA (Kathmandu Airport) for return flight.
End of our services.

What's included

- All transfers by private vehicle according to the program
- 5 nights at Nepali Ghar Hotel on a B&B basis in Kathmandu
- 2 nights at Lake Side Retreat in Pokhara on a B&B basis
- 2 nights at Shiva Guest House half board in Bhaktapur
- 1 night in Panauti Homestay with full board
- 1 night at the Old Inn in Bandipur with half board
- Trek 2 days in lodge full board
- Trekking team: 1 sherpa for a group of 4 or more
- Staff Insurance
- Annapurna National Park Permit (ACAP and TIMS)
- Domestic airport taxes
- Entrance tickets according to Kathmandu visits
- 1 h of boating on Phewa Lake in Pokhara
- Tour guide during the whole trip
- 1 farewell dinner

What's not included

- Meals in Pokhara and Kathmandu
- Visa for Nepal to get at the airport (30$ + Photos)
- Flights
- Compulsory repatriation insurance
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, hot showers, recharging batteries during the trek, etc.

Suppliments

- single room  : $. 330
- Domestic flight Pokhara - Kathmandu: $.120
- Rafting in option in Trisuli river at day 10: ($.35)/person (on the way from Kathmandu to Bandipur)
Question? Make an inquiry or call (977-1) 451 55 73