Women Tour to Nepal – Teej Special

Today we did sightseeing of major heritage sites of Kathmandu city.

Swayambhunath 

The Swyambhunath Stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and is situated at the mound. From this Stupa you can closely look at the settlement pattern in Kathmandu and have a close look at the Chaityas and Monasteries which circle the main stupa of Swayambhunath. This stupa also relates itself to the history of creation of Kathmandu Valley as how Manjushree, a Buddhist monk, saw a huge lotus emanating bright light at the centre of the lake. So he cut a deep gorge allowing the water to drain from the lake because he wanted to observe and worship the lotus where it is said that Swayambhunath is situated.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square welcomes you to the palaces, courtyards and temples built between 12th to 18th centuries where the then Kings used to live and the coronations of Shah dynasty Kings used to take place. You might be amazed with the number of temples and architectural styles that you see in this courtyard. Moreover, you might also get the glimpse of Kumari, a living goddess, whose residence is within this courtyard.

Kumari Temple

Kumari must be chosen from a Newar community, inhabitants of Kathmandu, with no body marks & injuries who will be replaced by another Kumari after puberty.

Boudhanath

Bouddhanath Stupa not only takes you to the journey to the ancient and world’s biggest Stupa or to Buddhist Pilgrimage sites but also exposes you to the Tibetan communities within Nepal. Along with monasteries and devotees chanting religious hymns and playing prayer wheels you will also get to be close with the young boys and girls devoted to be Buddhist Monk which gives you a different perspective about life.

Nepal Teej festival is a great festival to dance and celebrate together with Nepalese women of all ages. On the first day of the festival, which is today, they dress up in beautiful traditional saris with bright and colorful patterns. There were lots of bangles and ‘pote’. These ‘pote’ are necklaces that are made of strands of glass beads and generally worn on a regular basis as a symbol of marriage. It fulfills the same function as a ring in the Western world. Sometimes a gold pendant is added to the necklace and then it’s called a tilhari. No better way to celebrate Teej than by dressing up in Nepali style yourself. We will dress in saree and learn the draping skills and techniques of the sari. We will provide a Nepali Makeup artist who will doll you up like a Nepali woman for the occasion. You can politely decline the makeup if you don’t want it.

After you got dressed up in a Nepalese sari, you head onto the streets in your new attire. Locals will react warmly to your effort to engage and experience authentic Nepali culture! You’ll feel like a VIP, be prepared to be photographed a lot by Nepalese. In a nearby park, you can interact with the local women and celebrate together by dancing! Dinner at local restaurant.

Drive from Kathmandu to Panauti. Sightseeing in Panaut. Panauti is still regarded as one of the oldest in the Kathmandu Valley. Panauti can be visited in a single day out.IT is regarded as a land of history and culture with Newari Community. he place got recently nominated to become a Unesco World Heritage site.You have time to visit the Indreshwar Mahadev Temple, in honour of Lord Shiva, and some other small temples.Walk from Panauti (1500m) to Balthali (1730m) – 2 hours walking.Here we have options to take the ride if one is not interested in the hike. Dinner and overnight stay in Balthali Mountain Resort in Balthali.

We walk from Balthali to Namobuddha monastery known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Visit the  monastery guided by german tour guide who will explain the history and help travelers to interpret all the symbols which will take us to a good understanding of most of the fundamentals of tibetan buddhism like the Four Noble Truths, the Six perfections and the Five Buddha families. We will also visit secret temples to finish in the stunning Main Shrine whose mandalas and gigantic frescoes represented in ancient tanghas will inspire us to get the essence of Buddhism philosophy. In the afternoon, you go for a walk to the picturesque village of Namobuddha, with a small little white stupa on the town square.

You walk around the premises of the monastery and you can attend a prayer ceremony (puja-this takes place always but sometimes not possible) in the evening. After the puja you walk back to the resort for a good night’s rest.

We then drive to Bhaktapur which is one of the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu valley.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

This durbar square will mesmerize you with the beauty of different temples and palaces. You will not only be able to see the spectacular view of 15th century architecture but also will be acquainted with the palaces and the courtyard of the ancient times. The golden gates, wooden palace studded with 55 windows, Batsala temple, Shiva temple and the National Art Gallery are the major attractions of this square. Moreover, you might not want to miss out the five storied Nyatapola Temple built in 17th century; adding on to its structure are the pair of two wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and goddess’s tigress & lioness in each storey making it the most tallest pagoda style temple exhibiting the immense creativity and craftsmanship of Nepali in those centuries.

It is one of the most beautiful villages of different ethnic groups, mostly Newars, with a beautiful view of Himalaya and walking around the village. After breakfast, I drove to Bandipur. A very scenic drive lasts for nearly about 5 hrs through the beautiful riverbanks & gorges. After reaching to Bandipur, Rest at Hotel or walk leisurely around Beautiful Bandipur town & local market. Bandipur is one of old Newari settlements located at Hill station close to Prithvi Highway. The old town is able to preserve and maintain its cultural look and beauty. We will explore the town by walking because vehicles are prohibited to maintain its beauty. Bandipur also offers nice mountain view if weather permits.

Today after breakfast we drive to Pokhara from Bandipur. Upon reaching the hotel we check in and freshen up and then drive to World Peace pagoda. World Peace pagoda:- we drive further to Peace stupa, Peace stupa will offer a majestic mountain view in Clear weather and Bird eye view of Pokhara city and Fewa Lake. Short walk around the peace stupa then drive back to Pokhara city.

Beautiful sunrise view with Himalayas. Please note the sunrise view is mostly visible but Himalayas are rarely visible (during August and September). Come Back to the hotel and after breakfast Boat ride in Phewa lake and visit Barahi Temple. Rest of the day free for walking in Lake area

It’s a rather long driving day today, but don’t worry, we promise you that you won’t get bored. There is a lot to see along the Nepali roads We drive from Pokhara to Chitwan today.

A little bit further on the road, in Muglin the road splits up and you continue towards Chitwan. You will notice that slowly the mountains make place for hills and finally nearly flat.

The South of Nepal is a subtropical region, where the temperature is higher and there are large, flat planes. Exploration of the Tharu villages around Sauraha You arrive in Sauraha around noon. Sauraha is a small village located just next to the Chitwan National Park.

After a lovely lunch, with a view of the elephants that roam around freely in the grasslands behind the lodge, the guide takes you for a walk in the surroundings of the lodge.

Nearby the lodge there is a small women’s cooperative that you could visit. They make beautiful handmade souvenirs, in the local Tharu style.

This part of Nepal is inhabited by the ethnic group of the Tharu. They build their traditional houses with dung and mud. During your walk you will see locals that are engaged in their daily activities, like fishing, preparing food or working on the field

Along the river you see animals bathing or drinking from the river, people washing their clothes, and a variety of birds.It’s great to end the day on a small terrace with a drink, while enjoying the beautiful sunset above the river. Lunch & dinner at the lodge.

Sapana Village Lodge in Sauraha

Sunrise Elephant Bush Walk

This is an ethical activity with elephants that lasts about an hour and a half and takes place in the large grassland behind the lodge. This grassland has been specially created as a natural habitat for the lodge’s elephants.You will join a nature guide and the elephants (at least 1, often 2) and their mahouts on a morning walk. You walk behind them for a short while, at a safe distance. The elephants graze and play in the grassland. The guide tells you about the elephants, their natural way of life and other stories.In the middle of the grassland you will enjoy a cup of coffee and observe the elephants further.Afterwards you return along the river to the lodge. What a view! The elephants play with the water and the sand of the river banks.This excursion is not private – there may be other participants. Canoe trip and jungle walk in Chitwan National Park.In a wooden canoe you go up the river and enter the National Park. Along the river you’ll see resting crocodiles and many different species of birds.

With some luck you can also spot other animals that are drinking along the river (rhino, elephant, deer,…). After this you walk through the jungle on the lookout for wildlife, like monkeys, deers and rhinos. The park guide knows where to find them.

Included: park guide, packed lunch & entrance ticket for 1 day Chitwan National Park are included.This excursion is not a private excursion, but done in an international group.

Lunch at the lodge.

Jeepsafari in Chitwan National Park.

After lunch, you will enter Chitwan National Park by jeep.

This way you can go further into the park and see other parts of the park. You will stop at watchtowers, watering places and at the riverbank.

This jeep safari is in a shared jeep, so there can be other participants.

Included: jeep, entrance tickets Chitwan National Park, nature guide.

Dinner at the lodge.

Sapana Village Lodge in Sauraha.

September 4 marks the return journey from Chitwan to Kathmandu, offering scenic views along the way. Upon arrival, travelers settle in Patan, known for its rich Newari heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant local culture. The evening is free to explore Patan Durbar Square, enjoy local delicacies, or relax before the next day’s adventures.

Half day sightseeing of Bungmati, Khokana

We drive 25-30  minutes to The Agriculture Newari town Bungamati is the birthplace of Rato Machindranath (the God of Rain), regarded as the patron of the valley, and the large shikhara-style temples in the center of the village square are his home for six months of the year.Drive to Khokana around 28 minutes drive. Sightseeing  of Khokana Village another traditional village, Popular for its traditional mustard oil production process

Drive to cooking class at Jhamsikhel (approx. 30 minutes depending on the traffic). We learn and cook traditional Nepali cuisine together for 2 hour and eat lunch at 2 pm. After Lunch around (2:45-3pm) we drive for 5 minutes to Patan for sightseeing

Patan :

The interesting old town has the shape of a rectangle bordered by four Buddhist stupas. On the Durbar Square we see again beautiful examples of medieval Nepalese architecture. We visited the royal palace and Krishna Mandir, one of the most beautiful temples in Nepal, the only one completely built in stone.
Visit to a female (nature) priest / shaman

If your clients are interested, we can arrange a visit to a female healer or shaman, which performs animistic rituals. In Nepal religions are always intertwined, so there could be some elements of Buddhism or Hinduism in her rituals. Nepalese people go to these women if they have a health problem or they need praying and good energy sent their way. Sometimes these women are also fortune tellers.

Farewell dinner we suggest continental dinner in one good restaurant

September 6 marks the departure day, signaling the beginning of an exciting journey. Travelers finalize their packing, check travel documents, and head to the airport with anticipation. Goodbyes are exchanged, and as the plane takes off, a new adventure begins, filled with opportunities to explore, experience, and create lasting memories.