Combination of Nepal & Tibet with EBC 18 Nights/ 19 Days
A journey shaped by the landscapes, people and experiences of Nepal.
Offered by Journey DMC
NEPAL · TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Discover the journey
Nepal boasts eight of the world's tallest mountains and the world's oldest Hindu and Buddhist sites. While Kathmandu Valley is made of three ancient cities filled with enchanting medieval palaces, pagodas, temples, statues, and stupas, the rest of the kingdom offers unparalleled adventure options with an abundance of flora and fauna. As for its people - From the Tharus that share their land with the splendid Asian tuskers in the plains to the brave Yak herders of Dolpo, they are as amazing as the land itself. Here in its tropical jungles the Royal Bengal Tiger prowls, higher up the legend of the Yeti lives on. Although modernization has set in, the quintessence of ancient Nepal remains amongst its people. Tibet Calls it “The Roof of the World”, “The Forbidden City” or the “Third Pole”- so magnetic is its fame that a mere mention conjures up images of grandeur and spirituality amidst a wild and uncompromising landscape. It has the earth's highest ecosystem and is one of its last remaining wildernesses with its lush forests supporting abundant wildlife. Its many mountains feed some of Asia's most revered rivers and Mt. Kailash is the most sacred mountain in the world. Its people are some of the most resilient in the world. Through their richness and deep religious convictions, were built many fascinating monuments - Dalai Lama's summer and winter retreats, the Potala Palace, and Norbulingkha are most prominent. It is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Asia.
The memorable moments
Day Program Accommodation 1 Arrive in Kathmandu Hotel in Kathmandu 2 In Kathmandu Hotel in Kathmandu 3 In Kathmandu Hotel in Kathmandu 4 Drive to Nyalam Hotel in Nyalam 5 Drive to Shegar Hotel in Shegar 6 Drive to Gyantse Hotel in Gyantse 7 Drive to Lhasa Hotel in Lhasa 8 In Lhasa Hotel in Lhasa 9 In Lhasa Hotel in Lhasa 10 In Lhasa Hotel in Lhasa 11 Drive to Drikung Hotel in Drikung 12 In Drikung Hotel in Drikung 13 Drive to Damshung Hotel in Damshung 14 Visit Namtsho Lake & drive back to Shigatse Hotel in Shigatse 15 Drive to Shegar Hotel in Shegar 16 Visit EBC and drive to Tingri Hotel in Tingri 17 Drive to Bhaktapur Hotel in Bhaktapur 18 Drive back to Kathmandu Hotel in Kathmandu 19 Final Departure
Journey at a glance
Day Day1:: Arrive in Kathmandu — Upon arrival meet, assist, and transfer to the hotel as booked. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu Day Day2:: In Kathmandu, Visit Patan, Bungamati & Khokana — Patan also known as Lalitpur, the city of artisans is a paradise of fine arts and one of the three cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Located 5 miles southeast of Kathmandu City, Patan is best known for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures. The city retains much of its old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses, and a multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihar), and monuments. The predominant sound in Patan is that of the tinkering of craftsmen bent over the statuettes they are shaping. As in Kathmandu, Hinduism and Buddhism have co-existed here for ages, influencing each other, and the religious harmony is exemplary. Bungamati is a typical medieval Newari village perched near the Bagmati River, 10 km north of the capital city Kathmandu. Less influenced by modern life and abiding by its old culture and civilization, Bungamati exemplifies true beauty. This village was the origin of the procession of the chariot of Lord Machindranath, the God of Rain and Compassion, one of the most important gods of the Kathmandu Valley, worshipped equally by Hindus and Buddhists. It is one of the most important festivals of the Newari community. A tour through the village of Bungamati gives a clear picture of the primitive lifestyle of the Newari community. The village streets have quite a few woodcarving shops and once on the streets, one can see the local Newari people busy working intricate designs on wood or stone. Most of the people in the village make their living through woodcarving, an art that has been passed down through generations. Khokana is a small Newari village on the southern flank of the Kathmandu valley. Located about 8 km from Kathmandu city, Khokana was established in the 7th century by the mighty Licchhavi rulers of Nepal. A village of its own, Khokana is unique in many ways. Khokana has its history and over the years it is less affected by modern civilization and has managed to retain its own culture and tradition. The village is famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process which to date is done in a traditional way using a heavy wooden beam to crush the mustard seeds to extract the oil. The villagers are mostly involved in farming or spinning wool yarn. Their daily activities include women sitting outside spinning while men are busy crushing seeds. The oil extracted from the seeds can be consumed. The purity of the extraction makes this oil rich in therapeutic benefits. Khokana is the first habitation to be electrified, even before the Kathmandu city. Nominated to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khokana represents itself as a vernacular village and for its industrial heritage of mustard-oil seed. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu Day Day3:: In Kathmandu — Visit Kathmandu durbar square, Swyambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa. Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal, is the political as well as cultural capital of the country. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and events that take to the streets now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities. Swayambhunath Stupa also known as the Monkey Temple is a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. It rests on a hillock 3 km towards the western edge of Kathmandu and is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Bodhisatva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Thus Swayambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa. This stupa is the most ancient and perhaps the most enigmatic of all holy shrines in Kathmandu. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with smaller chaityas, temples, painted images of deities, and numerous other religious objects. There are many small shrines with statues of Tantric and shamanistic deities, prayer wheels for the Tibetan Buddhists, Shiva lingams, and a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Harati, the Goddess of smallpox and other epidemics. The magnificent temple of Pashupatinath with its astonishing architectural beauty is situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple built in pagoda style has a gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. The temple stands as a symbol of faith, region, culture, and tradition. Dedicated to the Hindu God of Destruction, Lord Shiva, this temple is regarded as the most sacred temple of all Lord Shiva temples. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple. Non-Hindu visitors are strictly prohibited to enter the temple however; they are permitted to view the temple from the east banks of the River Bagmati. Pashupatinath is also Nepal's most renowned Hindu cremation site. In the Hindu Culture, after a person is dead, his/her body is wrapped in cloth, placed on a bamboo litter, and brought to the cremation site where the eldest son in the family burns the body. The ashes from the dead body are collected and swept into the River Bagmati which eventually joins the Holy Ganges. Arya Ghat is of special importance because it is where the members of the royal family were cremated. The main cremation site is Bhasmeshvar Ghat, which is the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and is a center of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is built on a massive three-level mandala-style platform and is 36 meters (118 feet) in height. The base of the stupa is adorned with 108 small images of the Dhyani Amitabha Buddha and is inset with prayer wheels. Thousands of pilgrims circle the stupa in a clockwise direction each day spinning the prayer wheels. It is said that each spin of a prayer wheel is the equivalent of reciting the mantra. The stupa’s massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. The ancient stupa is one of the largest in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet that enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner. Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Boudhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Buddhist sage, perhaps parts of the Buddha’s body (bones, teeth), or sacred texts and other ceremonial objects. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu Day Day4:: Drive to Nyalam — Nyalam is a one-street town around 30km before the Nepal border. It has been steadily growing in size and facilities have been improving over the last few years. The travelers coming from Kathmandu stay in Nyalam but most coming from Lhasa stay in Tingri. The closest cultural sight to Nyalam is Nyalam Pelgye Ling, a small temple that is associated with the Cave of Milarepa. The Buddhist's famous mystic, composure of sings had lived in the late 11th and early 12th centuries. Overnight at Hotel in Nyalam Day Day5:: Drive to Shegar — Today we will drive 240 km to Shegar which takes approximately 6 hours. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and get relaxed. Shegar: It’s a good place to spend the night before heading off to Everest Base Camp (whose access road is only 12km further on). Shegar is also a possible last stop before the Nepal border, though most travelers spend the night at Tingri, which provides views of Everest. Overnight at Hotel in Shegar Day Day6:: Drive to Gyantse — Visit Sakya Monastery on the way and drive to Gyantse Shakya Monastery: On the way from Shigatse to Shegar in the city of Sakya is the Shakya Monastery, built in 1073. Sakya means ‘Grey Soil’ in Tibetan, a name given because of the gray soil in the surrounding area. The monastery is divided into Southern and Northern parts. The Northern Monastery is now visible as ruins. There are a lot of historical articles in the monastery, among them are found a lot of the imperial certificates, gold signets, crowns, and costumes bestowed by the Yuan Dynasty emperors. It has over 10,000 volumes of Tibetan books on astronomy, medicine, calligraphy, and history. So the Sakya monastery enjoys the title ‘the second Dun Huang Cave.’ Gyantse: The third most important city Gyantse is one of the least Chinese-influenced towns in Tibet and is worth a visit for this reason alone. Overnight at Hotel in Gyantse Day Day7:: Drive to Lhasa — Visit Phalkhor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa, enroute visit Yamdrok Lake and continue drive to Lhasa. Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90 km to the west of the lake lies the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northeast. According to local mythology, Yamdok Yumtso Lake is the transformation of a goddess. Yamdrok Lake has a power station that was completed and dedicated in 1996 near the small village of Pai-Ti at the lake's western end. This power station is the largest in Tibet. The lake with an area of 621 square kilometers and an unknown depth is fan-shaped, spreading to the South but narrowing up to the North. The mountainous lake has a dozen of islands, the largest of which is about 3,000 square kilometers. The lake freezes up in winter. Like mountains, lakes are considered sacred by the Tibetan people, the principle being that they are the dwelling places of protective deities and therefore invested with special spiritual powers. Located about 100 km east of Shigatse, the unique Palkhor Monastery, also named Palcho Monastery, is very different from other monasteries. It is reputed as the lord of Tibetan stupas and is famous for its architecture, sculpture, and mural painting art. Palkhor Monastery enjoys a high status in Tibetan Buddhism history because it houses three sects, Sakyapa, Kadampa, and Gelugpa together. It was built in collaboration with the Newari architects and Tibetan artists. The spectacular Bodhi stupa, or Kumbum in Tibetan was built in 1412 and completed 10 years later. Deemed as the symbol of the monastery, the spectacular "stupa" consists of hundreds of chapels in layers, housing about a hundred thousand images of various icons. The elegant structure is worth visiting. The famous Kumbum pagoda, built in collaboration with Newari artists from Nepal and Tibetan artists, also stands in the same courtyard with nine stories, 108 doors, and 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and various murals. The Stupa rises over four symmetrical floors and is surmounted by a gold dome. The dome rises like a crown over four sets of eyes that gaze serenely out in the cardinal directions of the compass. Kumbum means 10,000 images. The pagoda is said to have 100,000 images, either sculptured or painted, this is the reason for its name "100,000 Image Pagoda". Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa Day Day8:: In Lhasa — Visit Drepung Monastery & Sera Monastery About 8km to the west of central Lhasa, Drepung is one of the "great three" Gelukpa University monasteries of Tibet. The other two are Ganden and Sera. Seen from afar, Drepung’s grand, white construction gives the monastery the appearance of a heap of rice hence; Drepung means ‘heaps of rice’. The fertility of its fields supported a monastic community that before 1959, ranked as Tibet’s largest monastery with 7,770 monks. Since the 1950s, Drepung Monastery, along with its peers Ganden and Sera have lost much of their independence and spiritual credibility in the eyes of Tibetans since they operate under the close watch of the Chinese security services. For over 500 years Drepung served as the major pillar of the theocratic state, serving as the main political headquarters for the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It also served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas until the Potala Palace was constructed in 1645. Suffering only minor damage during the Cultural Revolution Drepung has plenty of historical relics, Buddhist scriptures, and arts. The Drepung Monastery houses many cultural relics, making it more beautiful and giving it more historical significance. Statues of celebrities in Buddhism are found on the first story of the Coqen Hall, rare sutras on the second story, and a famous conch shell on the third one. All of these add to the mystique of the monastery. 5km North of Lhasa, the Sera Monastery’s setting is one of the prettiest in Lhasa, hugging the ridge that forms the Northern wall of the Kyi Chu Valley. Founded in 1419, Sera Monastery is one of the "great three" Gelukpa university monasteries in Tibet. The other two are Ganden Monastery and Drepung Monastery. The origin of the name 'Sera' is not certain, but it may have come from the wild roses (se ra in Tibetan) surrounding the original site. In its heyday, Sera hosted a huge monastic population and five colleges. Like Drepung, the colleges in Sera specialized in: Sera Me in fundamental precepts of Buddhism, Sera Je in the instruction of itinerant monks, and Sera Ngagpa in Tantric studies. The monastery is magnificent, featuring a unique style quite different from other famous monasteries in Lhasa and covering an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). Its main buildings are Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college), and Kamcun (dormitory). Buddhist Scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloths, and unparalleled murals can be found in these halls. The monastery is a Buddhist think-tank and lively debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa Day Day9:: In Lhasa , Visit Ganden Monastery — Ganden Monastery is located on Wangbur Mountain, on the southern bank of the Lhasa River about 47 km from Lhasa City. It stands at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. It is one of the earliest and largest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Its full name is Ganden Namgyal Ling (dga' ldan rmam rgyal gling). Ganden means ‘joyful’ and is the Tibetan name for Tusita, the heaven where the bodhisattva Maitreya is said to reside. Namgyal Ling means ‘victorious temple’. Founded by Je Tsongkhapa in 1409, Ganden Monastery originally belonged to the Geluk order, and it was traditionally considered to be the seat of Geluk administrative and political power. With the onset of the Cultural Revolution, recognizing its symbolic importance, bombing and shelling destroyed most of it. Its significance as a religious, artistic, political, and cultural relic led to it being preserved by the National Key Cultural Relic Preservation scheme in 1961, and is now known as being one of the 'Three Great Temples', together with the Sera Monastery and the Drepung Monastery. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa Day Day10:: In Lhasa , Visit Potala Palace, Norbulinka, Jokhang, and Barkhor Market. — Potala Palace, the chief residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century has been the focus of travelers for centuries. It is the cardinal landmark and a structure of massive proportion. It symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its role in the traditional administration of Tibet. It is an architectural gem that was built in the colossal monastic style of Central Tibet in the 7th century but rebuilt in the mid-17th century. The Tibetans themselves rarely speak of the sacred place as the "Potala", but rather as "Peak Potala" (Tse Potala), or usually as "The Peak." It stands 300m above the valley floor, atop the hill called Marpo Ri, the ‘Red Hill’. The Potala Palace is an immense structure with an interior space of about 130,000 square meters, it hasthirteen stories of buildings containing 1000 rooms, 1000 shrines, and about 200,000 statues that date from 1645 when the fifth Dalai Lama began erecting a palace that would serve as a sacred and administrative center It served all the succeeding Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama who fled to Dharamshala, India during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. Today, the Potala Palace has been converted into a museum by the Chinese authorities. The Potala Palace is one of Tibet’s most impressive and enduring monuments that was protected by the Chinese Army of Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. As a result, many of its chapels and treasures are intact, virtually unchanged since the 17th century. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Built 100 years after the Potala palace, Norbulingka means ‘Treasure Park’ in Tibetan and is situated in the western suburb of Lhasa City, on the bank of the Kyichu River, about one-kilometer southwest of the Potala Palace. It is the biggest man-made garden in Tibet. The park was built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in 1755 and became the summer residence of the Eighth Dalai Lama. The garden contains an abundance of chapels, gardens, fountains, and pools as well as a variety of beautiful flowers and trees. Norbulingka reflects both the ethnic and religious traits of the Tibetan people and embodies the architectural style of inland China. It is of great cultural value and was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001 as an extension of the Potala Palace. During the Cultural Revolution, the Norbulingka complex suffered extensive damage. However, in 2001, the Central Committee of the Chinese Government in its 4th Tibet Session resolved to restore the complex to its original glory. The garden is a favorite picnic spot and provides a beautiful venue for theatre, dancing, and festivals, particularly the Sho Dun or 'Yoghurt Festival', at the beginning of August, with families camping in the grounds for days surrounded by colorful makeshift windbreaks of rugs and scarves and enjoying the height of summer weather. There is also a zoo at Norbulingka, originally to keep the animals that were given to the Dalai Lama. Heinrich Harrer helped the 14th Dalai Lama build a small movie theatre there in the 1950s. Jokhang meaning ‘House of the Lord’ in Tibetan is located at the center of the old Lhasa and is the oldest and the most revered religious structure in Tibet. Built-in 647 by Songtsen Gampo, it has a history of more than 1,300 years. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China, and Nepal and thus features an intriguing mix of architectural styles. Jokhang Temple also houses many invaluable cultural relics. Every year, the Great Prayer Festival is held here. The rites of Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas' initiation into mamahood are also held in the monastery. Princess Wencheng made use of Chinese astrology to decide that the temple should be built over the pool where the temple is now located. She believed that the pool was a witch's heart and that building the temple over it would purify the area of evil. This pool still exists under the temple. Outside the temple, an old and withered willow tree has survived centuries and is said to be planted by Princess Wencheng herself. Barkhor Street is the oldest street in Lhasa and runs through the center of the old city. It is a circular street where Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts assemble. The word Barkhor refers to the middle of the three concentric holy circuits around the Jokhang. The Barkhor Circuit runs through the heart of the old city where life has changed little down the centuries and it gives you a curious sensation of having slipped through time into a medieval carnival. Tibetans walk clockwise around the Jokhang Temple to pay their respects to Sakyamuni, establishing Barkhor Street as Tibet's "Sacred Way". Each day hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims flow in from every corner of Tibet and across China to make the trek through Barkhor Street. Some merely walk, but some progress by body lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night to worship Sakyamuni. Barkhor will allow you to experience firsthand the religious fervor of Tibet. Overnight at Hotel in Lhasa Day Day11:: Drive to Drikung — After breakfast drive for about 3 hours to Drikung. Above the Drikung monastery is a large sky burial site which we will attempt to visit if we are granted permission. On the way down from the monastery we can pay a short visit to the primary. Overnight at Hotel in Drikung Day Day12:: In Drikung — After breakfast, we will drive to Terdrom and trek up to the nunnery retreat. It will take about 3 to 4 hours up to the Nunnery Retreat called Dhingye Ghang. The trek there is truly a wonderful experience as it is part of the inner Kora of the Drikung Mandala. Then it will take about two hours down to the Terdorm hot springs where, if you like, we will make arrangements to soak in the hot springs (ladies and men have their separate sections). Overnight at Hotel in Drikung Day Day13:: Drive to Damsung — Today we will drive from Drikung to Damsung. Upon arriving in Damsung you will be transferred to the lodge. Overnight at Hotel in Damsung Day Day14:: Visit Namtsho Lake and drive to Shigatse — After breakfast, we will visit Namtsho Lake situated at the foot of the Nyainqentanglha Mountains at an altitude of 4,718 meters. Namtso Lake meaning ‘the Holy Lake’ in Tibetan is located in Nagqu Prefecture, about 260km from Lhasa. The water here is crystal-clear blue. Clear skies join the surface of the lake in the distance, creating an integrated, scenic vista. Rising 4,718 meters above sea level and covering an area of 1,920 square kilometers, the lake has 70 kilometers in length from east to west and 30 kilometers in width from south to north. It is the second-largest saltwater lake in China and the highest saltwater lake in the world. In 2005, Namtso Lake was selected as a famous Tibet sight and one of the five most beautiful lakes in China by Chinese National Geography magazine. Namtso Lake maintains its levels from rainfall and melted snow flowing from the high mountains. Summer is the best time to visit the lake, as the lake is full of life and activity. Wild yaks, blue sheep, Mongolian wild asses, foxes, black bears, water deer, and other wild animals come out into the expansive lakeshores looking for food and enjoying the warmth of the sun. After spending some time in the lake we will continue our journey to Shigatse which is the second largest city in Tibet and the capital of the traditional Tibetan province of Tsang. Overnight at Hotel in Shigatse Day Day15:: Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery and drive to Shegar — Tashilhunpo Monastery is a historic and culturally important monastery in Tibet. It is located on a hill in the center of Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. Tashilhunpo in Tibet means "all fortune and happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory". Founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447, the monastery is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, the second highest-ranking tulku lineage in the Gelukpa tradition. Tashilhunpo in its prime had over 4,000 monks, but after the Tibetan national uprising that took place in 1959, a handful of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery monks along with many thousands of Tibetans escaped into India. Since the early 1980s parts of the Tashilhunpo monastery have been open to the public and it is an important tourist attraction in Tibet today. Overnight at Hotel in Shegar Day Day16:: Visit Everest Base Camp and drive to Tingri — It's just over a two-hour walk each way from Rongbuk Monastery to the Everest Base Camp. Vehicles do the trip in about 15 minutes. Above Rongbuk, the valley expands into a large glacial outwash plain. There is a shortcut from behind the big Chorten at the Monastery, which cuts through a meadow and then past a superbly photogenic complex of ruins called Rong Chung. Until the communist takeover, this was a thriving meditation retreat. The road climbs up through a jumble of boulders and glacial debris favoring the left side of the valley. Passing the recently built Sherab Choling Hermitage (signposted as the Guru Rinpoche Monastery) you may see herds of deer and yak on the hillsides. From here it is only 30 minutes to Everest Base Camp After visiting EBC we will drive back to Tingri Overnight at Hotel in Tingri Day Day17:: Drive to Bhaktapur — Today drive about 8 to 9 hours to Kathmandu via Kodari (Nepal/ China border). Kodari lies at the border point between Nepal and the Tibetan Region of the People’s Republic of China. It is a beautiful drive through the countryside, magnificent river gorges with stunning natural beauty. The road cuts beautiful mountains and natural hot springs. Kodari has an exotic history going back to ancient times as the starting point of the Himalayan Caravan route. Newar merchants bound for Lhasa would head north from Kodari, across the Kuti pass, and turned east to begin the perilous journey over the Tibetan plateau. This border village is still an important trading center between Nepal and Tibet. Overnight at Hotel in Bhaktapur Day Day18:: Drive back to Kathmandu — Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square and drive about 25 minutes back to Kathmandu. Bhaktapur: Perched on a hill at an altitude of 1,401 m, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally the ‘City of Devotees’ is a major tourist destination that takes visitors back in time. Bhaktapur lies 12 km east of Kathmandu city on the Arniko Highway that leads to the Chinese border. Bhaktapur is still untouched by rapid urbanization and has managed to retain its brick-paved roads, charming red brick houses, and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. This ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving amply displayed on the squares and windows respectively. The extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its monuments reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty. The afternoon is free to relax. Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu Day Day19:: Final departure — Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.
Essential trip information
Before you go
Note: All information in this itinerary is accurate to the best of our knowledge but please note that changes to our trips can and do occur. This may be due to our effort to improve our program or logistical reasons such as changes in flight schedules, traffic conditions, weather conditions, or government policies. Dharma Adventures will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes but cannot be held liable for any alterations made to the published itinerary.
Fitness & eligibility
3
Meeting point
Kathmandu
There's more to experience.
Discover another journey, explore local experiences or find a place to stay.