Nepal Cultural Tour – Lumbini, Bantipur and Chitwan National Park (15 Days)
Nepal Cultural Tour – Lumbini, Bantipur and Chitwan National Park (15 Days)
This tour is specifically designed for those who want to visit Nepal and don't want to trek, climb or camp! You will have first hand experience of the local culture, be around local people and visit the birthplace of Buddha.
Fitness grading: Not Required
Climate: See Climate for likely weather conditions
Duration: 15 Days
Price 1-7 people: £1400
Price 8 or more : £1250
Deposit: £300
Dates: Please contact us for dates
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON THIS TRIP PLEASE CHOOSE THE ‘BOOK NOW’ OPTION BELOW AND COMPLETE YOUR BOOKING FORM BEFORE PAYING YOUR DEPOSIT.
Additional Information
You will see from the day by day itinerary that this tour is a mixture of site seeing in Kathmandu, Chitwan, Bantipur, Lumbini and Pokhara, including visiting the birthplace of Buddha. This is a rare opportunity and a trip that will remain in your memory for your lifetime. You will stay in locally run accommodation, of a lovely standard, so you will feel well looked after during your stay.
What’s included:
All hotels and breakfast
Chitwan full board
Chitwan activities in the programme
All transport in the programme except Pokhara flight
Lumbini monasteries tour & guide
Entrance and monument fees
Airport transfers
Guide throughout
What’s not included:
International flights
Pokhara flight
Lunch and dinner except in Chitwan
Personal Insurance
Visa fee (currently $50) on arrival in to Kathmandu
Other meals – lunch and dinner – except in Chitwan
Personal expenses – wifi, laundry etc
Alcoholic and bottled drinks
Optional guides’ bonus
Other visits added to the programme
Click to see Detailed Itinerary
Nepal Cultural Tour – Lumbini, Bantipur and Chitwan National Park
Day 1: Depart home country
Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met at the airport then drive for about 30 minutes to your hotel in Boudhanath, Kathmandu. The rest of the day can then be spent relaxing and seeing the sights of Kathmandu. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 3: Kathmandu
Today is an opportunity to sight see - visits include Boudhanath, The Monkey Temple and Pashupatinath. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 4: Arrive Pokhara
Fly early morning to Pokhara the second capital of Nepal. Pokhara itself is very pretty, situated beside a huge lake with cafes restaurants and a number of new lodges. (Lodge accommodation).
Day 5: Pokhara to Lumbini
Today you will travel from Pokhara in a private vehicle to Lumbini. It is an interesting drive, scenic and a lovely way to see this part of Nepal. There will be a stop along the way and time to take in the views of farm land, hills and valleys and the local villages. Free evening to relax. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 6 / 7: Lumbini
Time to explore Lumbini. This is a World Heritage Site and the birth place of Buddha. There are a considerable number of temples as well as museums and monuments to see here. This is a Buddhist pilgrimage site that many people from around the world travel to, for the spiritual experience of being in this holy place. Here visitors study Buddhism, meditation and visit Buddha's birthplace within the sacred Mayadevi Gardens. There are beautiful monasteries built by different Buddhist countries like China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Germany where you can observe the different architecture and prayer areas. If you wish you can practice yoga and meditation at the Panditarama Vipassana Center and interact with the monks who live in the vicinity of the monasteries and devote their time to balancing the environment with religious worship. The Lumbini Garden covers an area of 2.56 sq km or 1 x 3 sq miles and encompasses three zones each covering one square mile connected with walkways and a canal. (Hotel accommodation)
Day 8: Lumbini to Chitwan
After breakfast you will travel by private car to Chitwan – it takes about 5 hours. Chitwan National Park is also a World Heritage Site and recognised by UNESCO for its bio-diversity and the rare species of animals living here. Included today is a Jungle & Village walk with a nature guide. (Hotel accommodation with lunch and dinner included).
Day 9: Chitwan
After breakfast is a canoe ride to see the crocodiles and aquatic birds. After lunch a short rest before visiting the national park for a safari. The evening includes a Tharu Culture dance program. (Hotel accommodation with lunch and dinner included).
Day 10 / 11: Chitwan to Bantipur
After breakfast you will drive to Bantipur which is a lovely Newari cultural village; the houses built in the Newari culture date back to the 18th century. Here are local traders and farmers and the lack of motor vehicles preserves its traditional culture. Suggestions while you are here include a silk worm farm, a short walk to enjoy the views of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal, the temples and the local cafes. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 12: Bantipur to Kathmandu
After breakfast you will drive to Kathmandu which takes about 5 hours. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 13: Kathmandu
Today is a day of sight-seeing in Kathmandu – it is worth getting up early and visiting the monastery in Boudhanath while the monks are there for their early morning prayers. After breakfast a visit to Pashupatinath is fascinating and it well worth spending time there. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 14: Kathmandu
Today we recommend a half day tour of Bhaktapur and this can be altered if there are other ideas you wish to explore. (Hotel accommodation).
Day 15: Depart Kathmandu
Depending on your international flight timings there may be time to stroll into Boudhanath before heading off to the airport about 30 minutes from the hotel.