Chitwan is the most popular destination to experience the regions wildlife. In 1984, UNESCO designated the park as a Natural World Heritage Site. We will observe the diverse and abundant wildlife atop elephants on an exhilarating safari ride. The park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the one horned rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger and wild elephants. In addition, we will see many species of birds, fish, butterflies and reptiles in the park.
Pokhara is renowned for its beauty and is the starting place for many treks to the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest. Pokhara is home to the world peace pagoda, a massive Buddhist Stupa, and the beautiful Phewa Lake where we will go boating. We will visit Davis’s Falls and Gupteshwor limestone caverns.
Kathmandu the biggest city in Nepal and one of the oldest cities in the world comprising three historical palaces known as Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Dubar Square. Students will learn about the culture, religion, history and the educational system. We will visits museums, temples, shrines monasteries and Stupas.
Students will be working in a government school and have a chance to interact directly with local teachers and children.
We have a suggested itinerary for extending your trip for 4 more days in Kathmandu but we can be extend and customize any trip anywhere in Nepal for you.
Pokhara Chitwan Tour
Day 1 :
Arrival and pick up- transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 :
Orientation and introduction to Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist tranquility, the city retains a mystical ancient aura that leaves you feeling like you have stepped through the looking glass. Students will partake in a half day seminar on Nepal's history, religion, and architecture followed by a visit to the historic Kathmandu’s Durbar Square that offers magnificent examples of various architectural styles seen in the surrounding temples and shrines. We will also visit the nearby Kumari Temple, where a living goddess resides.
After, we will take a short bus ride to a UNESCO world heritage site, the ancient Buddhist stupa at Swyambhunath, Nepal’s definitive icon; situated on top of a hill, the stylized eyes of the Buddha look out in all directions. Guarding the lower stairs of the stupa is a band of amusing monkeys performing acrobatics. Finally, we will visit Pashupatinath temple situated 5 km east of Kathmandu city, which is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to lord Shiva.
Situated on the sacred Baghmati River, the temple was built in pagoda style with a gilded roof and ornately carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the river’s bank, as entrance into the temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Behind the temple are the cremation grounds where we may witness an ancient Hindu cremation ritual. We will then return to the hotel with the late afternoon and evening free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 :
Travel from Katmandu to Chitwan National Park, and spend the next two days exploring one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife. We will have the opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. This afternoon, we will climb atop an elephant for a safari ride through the golden grasses in search of wild animals. We might be able to see The Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, and 450 types of bird species. This is the best way to explore the jungle without disturbing the animals. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 :
Chitwan. Early morning canoeing in the Rapti River. It is a good experience to see the birds flying to the riverside. We will return for breakfast and then leave for another exhilarating jungle safari ride in case we missed seeing some animals the day before. After lunch, we will visit a local government school where we can observe and interact with the local school children. Before dinner, we will enjoy a traditional evening program by the local Tharu ethnic group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 :
Chitwan/Pokhara: Wake up early morning and go bird watching (Chitwan is home to 450 species of birds). We then return back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we travel to Pokhara by a bus. The Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots in Nepal and is the starting point for most treks in the Annapurna region. The valley offers excellent views of the Annapurna mountain range and the Himalayas. Students will visit David Falls and Gupteswor Limestone Cave, which is considered one of the most amazing and longest caves in Nepal and is home to a variety of bat species. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 :
Full day of trekking in Pokhara. The trails go through forests with clear streams and amazing views of the mountains and rice fields. Pokhara is also home to three other ethnic minority groups that we will see as we trek through the area’s local villages. Stay at hotel.
Day 7 :
Trek up to the World Peace Pagoda followed by a the choice of boating, horseback riding, bicycling, or shopping around Phewa Tal lake before returning to Kathmandu. Stay at hotel.
Day 8 :
Group A starts with a seminar about the government school in Kathmandu. Group A then works in the government school organizing libraries, painting, and teaching a lesson. Group B will start with a seminar on Buddhism and Hinduism followed by a visit to the Patan Museum, where the Malla kings once ruled, lived and worshipped, and now offers magnificent examples of various architectural styles seen in the surrounding temples and shrines. The students will see an outstanding collection of cast iron bronzes and gilt copper works mostly of Hindu and Buddhist deities. Afternoon free for exploring the fascinating shopping streets of Thamel.
Day 9 :
Group B starts with a seminar about the government school in Kathmandu. Group B then works in the government school. Group A learns about Buddhism/Hinduism and visits Patan Museum with the afternoon free for exploring the fascinating shopping streets of Thamel. Both groups will meet for a farewell dinner at a Newari restaurant with the accompaniment of traditional dancers.
Day 10 :
Departure.
Suggested itinerary :
All trips can be adjusted and personalized depending on your group’s interests. This trip can be extended for 4 days to include a trip to Nuwakot, a quaint mountain district with breathtaking valley views, situated 76km northwest of Kathmandu. The district is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups; the largest of which is the Newari. The Newari group is of Tibeto-Burman and Indo-Aryan descent. They have maintained a strong cultural identity, which includes many rituals and festivals with percussion based music, paintings, sculptures, masks, and dance performances. On the way, we will stop at a traditional local Newari village. Once in Nuwakot, students will hike through and experience the breathtaking views of the Trisuli and Tadi valleys, learn about the Newari culture, explore the local bazaar, and visit temples and the Durbar Square to see local examples of architecture.
Arrival and pick up- transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 :
Orientation and introduction to Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist tranquility, the city retains a mystical ancient aura that leaves you feeling like you have stepped through the looking glass. Students will partake in a half day seminar on Nepal's history, religion, and architecture followed by a visit to the historic Kathmandu’s Durbar Square that offers magnificent examples of various architectural styles seen in the surrounding temples and shrines. We will also visit the nearby Kumari Temple, where a living goddess resides.
After, we will take a short bus ride to a UNESCO world heritage site, the ancient Buddhist stupa at Swyambhunath, Nepal’s definitive icon; situated on top of a hill, the stylized eyes of the Buddha look out in all directions. Guarding the lower stairs of the stupa is a band of amusing monkeys performing acrobatics. Finally, we will visit Pashupatinath temple situated 5 km east of Kathmandu city, which is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to lord Shiva.
Situated on the sacred Baghmati River, the temple was built in pagoda style with a gilded roof and ornately carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the river’s bank, as entrance into the temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Behind the temple are the cremation grounds where we may witness an ancient Hindu cremation ritual. We will then return to the hotel with the late afternoon and evening free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 :
Travel from Katmandu to Chitwan National Park, and spend the next two days exploring one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its diverse and abundant wildlife. We will have the opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat. This afternoon, we will climb atop an elephant for a safari ride through the golden grasses in search of wild animals. We might be able to see The Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, one-horned rhinos, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, and 450 types of bird species. This is the best way to explore the jungle without disturbing the animals. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 :
Chitwan. Early morning canoeing in the Rapti River. It is a good experience to see the birds flying to the riverside. We will return for breakfast and then leave for another exhilarating jungle safari ride in case we missed seeing some animals the day before. After lunch, we will visit a local government school where we can observe and interact with the local school children. Before dinner, we will enjoy a traditional evening program by the local Tharu ethnic group. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 :
Chitwan/Pokhara: Wake up early morning and go bird watching (Chitwan is home to 450 species of birds). We then return back to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we travel to Pokhara by a bus. The Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots in Nepal and is the starting point for most treks in the Annapurna region. The valley offers excellent views of the Annapurna mountain range and the Himalayas. Students will visit David Falls and Gupteswor Limestone Cave, which is considered one of the most amazing and longest caves in Nepal and is home to a variety of bat species. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 :
Full day of trekking in Pokhara. The trails go through forests with clear streams and amazing views of the mountains and rice fields. Pokhara is also home to three other ethnic minority groups that we will see as we trek through the area’s local villages. Stay at hotel.
Day 7 :
Trek up to the World Peace Pagoda followed by a the choice of boating, horseback riding, bicycling, or shopping around Phewa Tal lake before returning to Kathmandu. Stay at hotel.
Day 8 :
Group A starts with a seminar about the government school in Kathmandu. Group A then works in the government school organizing libraries, painting, and teaching a lesson. Group B will start with a seminar on Buddhism and Hinduism followed by a visit to the Patan Museum, where the Malla kings once ruled, lived and worshipped, and now offers magnificent examples of various architectural styles seen in the surrounding temples and shrines. The students will see an outstanding collection of cast iron bronzes and gilt copper works mostly of Hindu and Buddhist deities. Afternoon free for exploring the fascinating shopping streets of Thamel.
Day 9 :
Group B starts with a seminar about the government school in Kathmandu. Group B then works in the government school. Group A learns about Buddhism/Hinduism and visits Patan Museum with the afternoon free for exploring the fascinating shopping streets of Thamel. Both groups will meet for a farewell dinner at a Newari restaurant with the accompaniment of traditional dancers.
Day 10 :
Departure.
Suggested itinerary :
All trips can be adjusted and personalized depending on your group’s interests. This trip can be extended for 4 days to include a trip to Nuwakot, a quaint mountain district with breathtaking valley views, situated 76km northwest of Kathmandu. The district is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups; the largest of which is the Newari. The Newari group is of Tibeto-Burman and Indo-Aryan descent. They have maintained a strong cultural identity, which includes many rituals and festivals with percussion based music, paintings, sculptures, masks, and dance performances. On the way, we will stop at a traditional local Newari village. Once in Nuwakot, students will hike through and experience the breathtaking views of the Trisuli and Tadi valleys, learn about the Newari culture, explore the local bazaar, and visit temples and the Durbar Square to see local examples of architecture.