Best of Nepal with Ayodhya & Varanasi Tours

Tour Itinerary

Duration: (08 Nights / 09 Days)
Destinations Covered: Kathmandu – Pokhara – Manokamana Temple – Chitan – Lumbini – Ayodhaya – Lucknow

• DAY
  1

  Arrive Kathmandu Airport – Transfer to Hotel

  

  Arrive in Kathmandu - upon arrival our airport representative will meet, assist and transfer to Hotel. Welcome drink at hotel and proceed for briefing regarding the program. Rest of the day at leisure.
  
  Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

• DAY
  2

  Kathmandu – Full Day Sightseeing

  After breakfast and early morning activities proceed for full-day sightseeing tours. Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath Stupa, BoudhnathStupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
  
  Kathmandu City: Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal’s traditional culture and arts. This is the place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments, and mountain views. Kastamandap the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka, , a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples built back to as early as the Lichchhavi period in the third century.
  
  Swayambhunath Stupa: SwayambhunathStupa is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. Historical records found on a stone inscription give evidence that the stupa was already an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination by the 5th century AD. Swayambhunathstupa is also called the `Monkey Temple”; because of the many hundreds of monkeys who scamper about the temple at night after the pilgrims and priests have departed.
  
  Boudhnath Stupa: Boudhanath is the largest spherical stupa in Nepal, located in Boudha, in eastern about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu. Boudha was name after the establishment of Boudhanathstupa. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhunath, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area. Surrounded by hills, BoudhanathStupa is a jewel point in the center of a natural mandala, a store of scared energy. It is the center of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu and rich in Buddhist symbolism.
  
  Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is the temple of Lord Shiva and one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva spread across 246 hectors of land. Pashupati means lord of all the animals which was also the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is on the bank of Bagmati River stretching on both sides of Bagmati. The main temple of Lord Shiva is of pagoda style with a golden spire, two stored roofs (Made with copper and covered with gold), four sides of silver, and exclusive wood carvings. The inner area of the main temple is guarded by the golden statue of Nandi (Shiva’s bull). Pashupatinath Temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  
  Overnight stay at Hotel in Kathmandu.

• DAY
  3

  Kathmandu – Pokhara (250kms) via Manakamana temple

  After breakfast drive to Pokhara. Enroute visit Manakamana temple.
  
  MANAKAMANA TEMPLE: The Manakamana Temple is located 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) above the sea level in the Kafakdanda Hill which sits in the confluence between Trishuli and Marsyangdi in the SahidLakhan Rural Municipality in Gorkha, Gandaki Province, Nepal. It is approximately 106 kilometres west of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and about 94 kilometres from the west of Pokhara. Many mountains can be seen from the hill including the Annapurna II, LamjungHimal, and Baudha which is part of Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. By hiking from AnbuKhaireni Rural Municipality it takes about three hours to reach Manakamana which is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) away. Alternatively, pilgrims can take the Manakamana Cable Car (at own cost) which was built in 1998.
  
  POKHARA: Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal, after Kathmandu. The town is about 200 kilometres away from Kathmandu, to the west. It rests at the foot of the Annapurna range and is a favourite trekking starting point. The city of Pokhara can be divided in two - the charming Lakeside Pokhara, and the Old City. The Lakeside part offers many tourist attractions and beautiful views, while the Old City is the commercial hub of Pokhara. You can choose to stay in either location, although we recommend Lakeside. The Lakeside is further divided into the North and the Southside. Lakeside is named so, as it surrounds the Phewa Lake or the Phewa Tal, a gorgeous freshwater lake which is eerily similar to a mirror! The lake gained popularity for its breathtaking reflection of the blue skies and the towering Mt. Machhapuchhre of the Annapurna range.
  
  Overnight stay at Hotel in Pokhara.

• DAY
  4

  Pokhara – Sightseeing

  Early morning drive to Sarangkot approx. 13 km [30 mins] to enjoy sunrise view with magnificent mountains ranges.
  
  SARANGKOT: Sarangkot is known for panoramic Himalayan views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu. It also provides an expansive view of the city of Pokhara, from the extreme north to the south in cluding the Phewa Lake. Tourists drive up the hill to watch the sunrise from the view tower at the top.
  
  Drive back to hotel and after breakfast proceed for half-day sightseeing tour in Pokhara
  
  DEVI’S FALL: Locally known as PataleChhango which means underground falls, Devi’s Fall is a popular landmark in Pokhara. A rather unusual fall, this natural phenomenon marks the point where the PardiKhola stream vanishes underground all of a sudden! During the monsoon season, one can clearly hear the thundering sound of water splashing against the rocks of the gorge underneath.
  
  The association of a legend of a drowned Swiss couple adds more mystic charm to the fall. Named David, that unfortunate traveller tumbled into the sinkhole taking his female partner down with him. Many believe that the fall was originally called David’s fall which got a local reference and became Devi’s Fall!
  
  GUPTESWOR MAHADEV: GupteshworMahadev Cave (known in the local tongue as BhaluDulo) is recognized as one of the longest caves in Nepal with a length that exceeds 2,000 meters. The cave sits across Davi's fall, and inside the cave, one can hear the thundering sound of water. As per the local beliefs, the cave was said to be discovered in the 16th century. During those times, there wasn’t any sort of modern-day decorations that you see today.
  
  The main entrance of the cave was only constructed in 1991 AD.The exterior of the cave is furnished with a huge brown arch, and as you enter it, there are numerous souvenir shops if you are interested to shop some something, you see a statue of Lord Vishnu in a sleeping position, and right in front of the ticket counter, there is a concrete balcony and a spiral staircase. As you head down, you can see plastered artworks, which some say tend to go on the erotic side. This is derived from the other paintings that are portrayed in the Kathmandu valley.
  
  BINDEBASINI TEMPLE: The Bindabasini Temple is one of the tourist destinations of Pokhara. This sacred landmark is the ideal spot to embrace calmness in the bustling region. The temple is nest led on a hilltop at an elevation of 3000 feet along the Machapuchare and Annapurna Ranges. It is dedicated to Ma Durga, who is often regarded as the guardian deity of Pokhara. She is worshipped here in the form of Bhagwati, the fierce goddess. In order to appease her, animal sacrifices take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is believed, that the pagoda-style temple was built by King Khadag Bum Malla after Devi Durga instructed him to do so. The central shrine is a Saligram that symbolises the goddess.
  
  SETI GORGE: Seti River is famous for its deceptive river course and its milky white water. The water cuts a deep gorge right across the mighty Mahabharata range and then runs a deep chasm in the middle of the town. The gorge can be seen from a park in the Old pokhara close to the Gorkha Museum.
  
  Overnight stay at Hotel in Pokhara

• DAY
  5

  Pokhara– Depart to Bhirwana

  

  Post breakfast at hotel spend time at leisure until depart to Bhairhawa. On reaching check into hotel.
  
  Overnight stay in Bhairhawa

• DAY
  6

  Bhirhawa / Lumbini– Ayodhyaya (250Kms, 5 Hrs drive)

  

  Post breakfast check out and proceed for Lumbini Sightseeing including Bodhi Tree, Ashokan Piller, Maya Devi Temple, World Peach Pagoa etc.
  
  Later depart for Ayodhaya is a city located near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is identified with the legendary city of Ayodhya, and as such, is believed to be the birthplace of Rama and setting of the epic Ramayana. Upon arrival check into hotel. Post fresh up Hanuman Garhi Fort, Nageshwarnath Temple, Ramkot, Chakravarti Mahraj Dashrath Mahal, Tulsi Smarak Bhawan and Brahma Kund etc. Later in the afternoon depart for Varanasi. On arrival check into hotel. Overnight stay in Hotel.

• DAY
  7

  Ayodhya – Allahabad - Varanasi (250Kms, 5 Hrs drive)

  

  Post breakfast at hotel depart for Varanasi via Allahabad. On reaching visit the Triveni Sangam; confluence of the three Rivers – the Ganges, Yamuna and invisible River Saraswati. Take the holy dip in the river which is supposed to flush away all sins of the devotees and make the way to heaven. Later visit Allahabad Fort drive past Allahabad Court & University Khusro Bagh and Kumbha Venue etc. Rest of time free at leisure / own activities until drive to Varanasi. Late night arrive Varanasi and check into hotel.
  
  Overnight at Hotel.

• DAY
  8

  Varanasi - Sightseeing

  

  Early morning visit the banks of the River Ganges to take boat ride with sunrise. Back to hotel for breakfast. After fresh up proceed for city tour of Varanasi including Vishawanath Nath Temple, kaal bahirav temple, Tulsi Manas temple, Durga temple, Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Temple etc.
  
  In the afternoon visit Sarnath where lord Buddha given his first sermon after getting enlightened at Bodhgaya. Visit Dhamekh Stupa, ruins of Deer Park, Mahabodhi Mahavihar & Sarnath Museum etc. Rest of time free for shopping . In the evening visit the Ghat of the River Ganges to view the world famous Ganges Aarti. Back to Hotel.
  
  Overnight stay in hotel.

• DAY
  9

  Varanasi – Airport Departure

  

  Take breakfast at hotel and spend time at leisure until scheduled transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward destination.
  
  Tour ends with happy memories.