Nepal Tour Package with Ghandruk

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

“Nepal Tour Package with Ghandruk” by Holidays to Nepal is an ideal way to experience the best of Nepal in a short amount of time.This 6 days tour is the perfect introduction to Nepal’s history, culture, lifestyle, nature and Himalayan scenery – a little of everything that makes Nepal a popular destination among travelers.Within a short period it covers the country's most popular tourist cities, Kathmandu and Pokhara, with an extended visit to the traditional Gurung Village, Ghandruk.As the tour offers comfortable hotels, private transportation and guided sightseeing, the package is suitable for first-time visitors, families and anyone looking for a relaxing Nepal experience.

02 / WHY GO

The memorable moments

Explore the Capital city, KathmanduThe capital city, Kathmandu is the cultural, historical and religious center of the country. During your visit, you will visit ancient temples, sacred stupas, and historic royal squares that signify the rich history and the religious harmony of Nepal. One of the major highlights of your sightseeing in Kathmandu is the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Pashupatinath Temple, which is the most revered Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal dedicated to Lord Shiva; Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world; Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), offering stunning views of Kathmandu Valley; and the old Kathmandu Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square, which are renowned for their exquisite Newari architecture and historic palaces. While walking in the old streets, you will be witnessing daily rituals, traditional markets, and local life, thus getting a close and deep understanding of Nepal's culture and traditions along with its warm hospitality.Apart from this, in the outskirts of the city is Chandragiri hills at an elevation of 2500 m. Taking a picturesque cable car ride, you will be able to arrive at the hilltop from where the best vista of the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayas can be seen on days when the sky is clear. In addition to this, you will be able to see the holy Bhaleshwor Temple at the top, thus making a spiritual and scenic highlight of your visit to Kathmandu. Pokhara City Exploration: Scenic Lakes & Himalayan ViewsNepal's tourist capital, Pokhara, is famous for its peaceful lakes, beautiful nature, and views of the Himalayas. Your exploration of this natural paradise begins with a journey to its iconic hilltop sites, Pumdikot and World Peace Pagoda. Pumdikot boasts a 51-foot Shiva statue, while the World Peace Pagoda gives tranquil looks of the valley and the lakes. The next day, you’ll start your day with the glorious sun rising at Sarangkot, which is a viewpoint just right to see the magnificent Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ranges. Besides the breathtaking spots and peaceful places, you will visit Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. Here, the waterfall flows through the cave formations, letting you see one of the unique aspects of nature. Next, Bindhyabasini Temple, a holy Hindu site, and Taal Barahi Temple, which is in the middle of Phewa Lake, are the religious sites you can make your darshan at during your visit.You can also participate in the optional adventure activities here like paragliding, zip-lining, or kayaking, or simply sit back and watch the beautiful mountains reflection on the surface of the lake. Local Experience at the Gurung Village of GhandrukGhandruk, a charming Gurung settlement, is located in the Annapurna region and holds the title of Nepal's most culturally rich village. The village is set amidst the gorgeous Himalayan peaks, and thus, besides enjoying the magnificent mountain views, one can also experience the rural lifestyle of the locals. By taking a stroll in the village of Ghandruk, you will come across the paved paths made of stones, the traditional houses, and the activities of the villagers going on all around them. The village's warm hospitality and its preserved cultural heritage have made it a popular spot for tourists wishing to get a taste of the real Nepalese mountain culture. The combination of tranquility and the panoramas of the sun rising and setting over Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, and Machhapuchhre turn Ghandruk into an unforgettable tour highlight. The short stay at the village gives you a real Himalayan experience without demanding long or hard trekking.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival In Kathmandu, Welcome To Nepal. — Dinner Included.Your Arrival Time (?) Upon arrival, complete immigration and collect your baggage, which may take one and a half hours. Our representative will meet and greet you at Kathmandu airport and transfer you to your hotel and also give you a short briefing about your tour program.At. 03:00 PM: Today you will visit Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Firstly, stop by Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. As you witness the people circumambulating the stupa, you can feel its significance and serenity. Then you will visit Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. You will wander through the maze of the temple, surrounded by small shrines, each with its own religious significance and also experience the evening Aarti at Pashupatinath.Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world, attracting visitors for its religious and spiritual significance. Around the base of the stupa, you’ll find 108 small niches housing statues of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha, representing the different stages of enlightenment. It is a sacred place for both Tibetan Buddhists and locals.Pashupatinath Temple is the largest and holiest shrine for Hindus. This temple, situated on the bank of Bagmati river was built in the 5th century There are around 492 temples, 15 Shivalayas (shrines of Lord Shiva) and 12 Jyotirlinga (phallic shrines) to explore. No entrance fee is charged for SAARC nationals to enter the temple. Although only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. Day Day 2: Fly To Pokhara, Pokhara Sightseeing. — Breakfast and Dinner Included.At. 10:00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, our vehicle will pick you up at the hotel and drop you off at Kathmandu airport for your flight to Pokhara. As you reach Pokhara, our representative will pick you up from the Pokhara airport and drop you off at your hotel.At. 11:00 AM: Check in, freshen up and you will go for sightseeing to Pumdikot and Peace pagoda. First you’ll be going for an 8 km scenic drive to Pumdikot, home to the 51-foot Shiva statue. A 10-minute walk brings you to the temple premises, where you’ll meet devotees taking photos and videos with Mahadev.On the drive back, we’ll stop at the World Peace Pagoda. Be prepared to climb about 400 steps to reach the stupa. Remember to keep silent and respectful throughout the visit.At. 04:30 PM: You’ll be dropped back at your hotel early this day, giving you time to freshen up and enjoy an evening lakeside walk with a wonderful sunset. Feel free to stay out late, as the lakeside buzz is perfect for self-exploration. Day Day 3: Sarangkot Sunrise, Drive To Ghandruk. — Breakfast and Dinner Included.At. 05:00 AM: Early in the morning, you will drive to Sarangkot viewpoint for a mesmerising sunrise view over the towering mountain peaks. The rays of sunrise painted over the sky while the mountain ranges stand golden will leave your jaw dropping.Enjoy the serene view of the mountain ranges, as well as the most breathtaking sunrise over Pokhara City. Take some shots of the gorgeous Himalayas and sunrise, then return to your hotel for breakfast.At. 09:00 AM: After having your breakfast at the hotel today, you will drive to Ghandruk village, which is about 55 KM and takes 2 hours. Upon reaching you have to walk about 30 minutes from the vehicle reaching point to reach your local lodge. Important Note: You can leave your extra baggage in hotels in Pokhara before your trip starts and as you will return to Pokhara. Doing so will reduce your baggage weight and you don't have to carry it all the way. Your baggage will be safe in the hotel.At. 03:00 PM: Visit the village by walking and enjoy the sunset over the mountains. Day Day 4: Back To Pokhara, Pokhara Sightseeing. — Breakfast and Dinner Included.At. 05:30 AM: Wake up early and view the sunrise from your hotel rooftop.At. 09:00 AM: Have breakfast at your hotel and start driving towards Pokhara.At. 11:00 AM: After you reach Pokhara, check in at your hotel, refresh yourself, and get ready for your sightseeing tour. Today's half day schedule will take you to the most natural and culturally significant landmarks in Pokhara. Your tour begins with a visit to Davis Falls, locally known as Patale Chhango. Witness the powerful force of the fall while soaking yourself in its beauty. Next, you’ll explore the mystical Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, which is a short walk from Davis Falls. You will see the artistic formation of the cave as the beautiful waterfall cascades down and cuts through the cave. Your tour continues with a visit to the Bindhyabasini Temple, a sacred temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Durga. Witness the religious significance as you see the locals as well as Hindu devotees involved in different rituals. As for the last stop today, you’ll be taken to the Taal Barahi Temple located in the middle of the Phewa Lake. To reach the temple you will have to take a boat. Here, You can see the different rituals and pujas done by the devotees around the temple. If you’re on time, you can also witness the evening aarti session of the Barahi Temple. At. 05:00 PM: After your sightseeing, you will be escorted back to your hotel. In the evening, you can explore the city on your own, relax in the lakeside vibe and have a delicious dinner accompanied by the night view of the lake. Davis Falls, also known as Patale Chhango, is an amazing waterfall in Pokhara Valley that is nearly 500 feet long and runs 100 feet below ground level. According to local old people, on July 31, 1961, a Swiss couple named Davi went swimming, but the woman drowned in a pit. From that day on, the place was known as Davis Falls.Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, one of the longest caves in Nepal, is nearly 3 km long. There are some walls dripping water inside the cave, and about 40 metres in, you can see the statue of Lord Shiva. At the end of the cave, you will be mesmerised by the Davis Falls cutting through the cave. Bindhyabasini Temple is situated on a hilltop, 3000m above sea level. This religious place for Hindus living in the Pokhara region is devoted to the goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Durga. Goddess Durga, also known as Kali Mata, is the symbol of a bloodthirsty goddess. Many people come here to worship and sacrifice animals.Phewa Lake is the second-largest lake in Nepal. It covers an area of about 4.43 sq km with an average depth of about 8.6 metres and a maximum water depth of 19 metres. The reflection of Mount Annapurna can be seen on Phewa Lake. Another attraction of this lake is Taal Barahi Temple, a pagoda-style temple on an island in the middle of Phewa Lake. Day Day 5: Fly Back To Kathmandu, Kathmandu Sightseeing. — Breakfast and Lunch Included.At. 09:00 AM: After breakfast, drive to Pokhara airport and fly to Kathmandu. Our vehicle will pick you up from the airport.At. 11:00 AM: Straight from Kathmandu airport you will proceed towards Patan Durbar Square, where you will wander through the former residence of the Malla Kings. There are various cafes and restaurants. You can enjoy your lunch here while enjoying the historic ambience of the place. Then you will proceed to Chandragiri Hills, which is approximately 14 km from Patan to the base station of the hill. You will reach the top of the hill by a 9 minute cable car ride. You will feel the religious significance amidst the serene atmosphere, as the hill features a Hindu temple, the Bhaleshwor temple, at the top. Note: The two way cable car ride to Chandragiri Hills is NPR 1280/INR 840. You can purchase it from the base station of the Chandragiri Hills once you reach there. Once you finish your sightseeing for the day, you will be dropped off at the hotel. You can either rest at the hotel or use your evening time on your own. Chandragiri Hills is a popular hill station located in the Kathmandu valley at an altitude of 2551 metres, offering stunning mountain and valley views. To reach the top, one needs to take a cable car ride for about 9 minutes. The cable car runs over lush green forests, giving an adrenaline rush. Mountains from Annapurna to Everest can be seen from here.At the top is Bhaleshwar Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This site also features cafes, restaurants, local shops, and a kind of playing section. Day Day 6: Kathmandu Sightseeing, Transfer To Airport. — Breakfast Included.Optional Activity: You can also take part in the thrilling Everest Mountain Flight. It is a sightseeing adventure flight that departs at 06:30 AM from Kathmandu airport to Kathmandu airport, a 1 hour flight that takes you to the stunning aerial view of Mt. Everest (8848 m) and several other mountains such as Lhotse (8516 m), Kanchenjunga (8586 m), Shishapangma (8027 m), Nuptse (7881 m), Ganesh (7422 m), and Chamlang (7319 m). At. 12:00 PM: Enjoy some shopping around the Thamel tourist market and check out late. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, famously known as the Monkey Temple, a religious site with Hindu and Buddhist harmony. You must climb certain steps to reach the top of the hill, where the stupa is located. After that, your next exploration will be at Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the three Durbar squares, where you will travel through the historical lane.Believed to be the oldest Buddhist shrine in Nepal, the history of the Swayambhunath Stupa dates back 2500 years. Also known as a Monkey temple, it is a hilltop pilgrimage site surrounded by smaller temples, stupas, and monasteries. This site shows the perfect harmony of Hindu and Buddhist religions with the combination of Buddhist stupas and Hindu shrines. Kathmandu Durbar Square, the ancient site that was once the royal palace of the Malla kings, showcases the city’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. It is surrounded by palaces, temples, courtyards, and statues, with the centerpiece, Hanuman Dhoka, displaying Newari architecture and craftsmanship. Besides that, other heritage sites such as Kumari Ghar (Living Goddess), Kasthamandap, Jagannath Temple, and Taleju Temple make the square attractive. It is also the centre for different festivals celebrated throughout the year, such as Indra Jatra, Ghode Jatra, and Dashain.At. 05:00 PM: After completing the sightseeing, we will drop you at Kathmandu airport 3 hours before your flight time.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE