Tour Plan
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Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Whatever time you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be welcomed by one of our airport representatives. He will help you get transferred to your Hotel. There are no planned activities for the day, so you may check into your Hotel and get rid of jet lag. Tour plans and programs will be provided to you later.
Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
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Day 02: Sightseeing of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur city
Kathmandu valley Sightseeing tour will start early in the morning. The holy Pashupatinath temple will be our very first visit. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 5th century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here. It lies on the banks of the Bagmati River and is one of the most revered holy sites of the Hindu people. The Pashupatinath is built in the pagoda style architecture and contains many smaller shrines outside the main temple as well. It is also the cremation site of many hindu people and sometimes, it can be observed.
The nest site of the tour is the holy Bouddhanath stupa. The Buddhist stupa of Boudha Stupa dominates the skyline; it is one of the largest unique structure's stupas in the world.The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Gompas (Tibetan convent) around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which 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 Kassapa Buddha.
The next site, in the tour, is the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is known as the Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the royal palace. The Durbar at the Durbar square was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and was where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch, took place. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum are located here. Time and again the temples and the palaces in the square have gone through reconstruction after being damaged by natural causes or neglect. Presently there are less than ten quadrangles in the square. On 25 April 2015, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 hit the region and severely damaged the Square, reducing several buildings to rubble. The oldest temples in the square are those built by King MahendraMalla (1560–1574). They are the temples of Jaggannath, KotilingeswaraMahadev, Mahendreswara and the Taleju Temple. More and more temples and statues were added to the Square under different ruling kings over the time. It is one of the most architecturally intricate showcases of Nepali art and the unique Newa architecture.
Then finally, the last site of the tour will be the Swayambhunath Stupa- an ancient religious architecture at the top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. Swayambhunath is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites especially for Tibetans and followers of the Tibetan Buddhism. We were breathless and sweating as we stumbled up the last steep steps and practically fell upon the biggest vajra (thunderbolt scepter) that I have ever seen. Behind this Vajra was the vast, round, white dome of the stupa, like a full solid skirt, at the top of which were two giant Buddha eyes wisely looking out over the peaceful valley which was just beginning to come alive. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period.
Bhakatpur is an irresistible city with an authentic local lifestyle preserved over centuries of isolation from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. While in the city square, you get to admire the Nyata-Pola Temple, the Golden Gate, water spouts and the 55 Window Palace which merge together to provide an ambience of a magical outdoor theater to its visitors. After visiting each site, we will head back to the Hotel.
Overnights stay at the Hotel in Kathmandu. Breakfast included.
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Day 03: Fly to Nepalgunj
We take an early flight to Nepalgunj first. Nepalgunj is a steaming hot in summer and too cold in winter city located in South Western Nepal, in the lowlands of Terai. Indian is just 8 km away from Nepalgunj. Cycle rickshaw, electic rickshaw and horse carts are the main means of transportation. Bageswari temple is one of Nepal’s most important Hindu temples and is worth to visit.
Overnight at hotel, breakfast included.
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Day 04: Fly from Nepalgunj to Juphal and trek to Dunai(2150m)
We take a 35 minutes flight to Juphal from Nepalgunj and fly over steep mountain ridges with beautiful views of snowcapped mountains. Juphal airport is just a gravel airstrip amidst the mountains, which guarantees a spectacular landing. Stepping out of the plane gives the experience of entering in a completely different world.
We trek by the riverside and pass Roop Ghar with the water mill and finally reach the village named Dunai (2150 m). A village school, police check post and some government offices are located in Dunai. It is also the administrative capital of Dolpo.
Overnight at guest house. full board meals included.
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Day 05: Trek to Chhepka(2670m)
From Dunai, we trek to Chhepka , which has few houses and a lodge.
Overnight at the local lodge. full board meals included.
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Day 06: Trek to Jharana hotel.
We get up early in the morning and after breakfast head towards Jharana hotel. The trail ascends through thick cedar forest and a winter settlement used by the people of Ringmo village. The route climbs up to the elevation of 3370 m high from the sea level. We get an amazing close view of the highest waterfall in Nepal (330m) and Phoksundo Lake which looks far away from the place. We stop for the night at Jharana (means waterfall) Hotel. full board meals included.
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Day 07: Trek to Phoksundo Lake
We head to Phoksundo Lake today. We make a steep descend through birch forests to Phoksundo Khola. We cross it via a bridge and follow a trail north to the ranger station at Phoksundo Lake. We enjoy the beauty of the lake and walk along the shores of the lake to the point where the Phoksundo Khola(river) flows out of the lake. Phoksundo Lake is 4.8 km long, 1.8 km wide and 650 meters deep.
full board meals included.
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Day 08: Phoksundo Lake rest day.
This day is reserved for acclimatization. To some degree, this will help you avoid the feeling of dizziness by adjusting the body to the higher elevations and push off the altitude sickness that might occur in the coming days. We recommend you to stay active even in a rest day as it is better than being idle while on a trekking journey. So we make ourselves busy in Phoksundo Lake, a beautiful lake to watch at. We also explore the area around the magnificent Phoksundo Lake. The lake is famous for its magnificent turquoise color and spectacular scenery. Ringmo village, which is a typical Tibetan village, is scenically nestled in the area. Many beautiful glaciers can be found near and above the lake area. There are many monasteries (Gompas) and Bon-po religious sites at the park and we spend our time visiting some of them. The most famous, Shey Gompa was established in the 11th Century. Thashung Gompa located near Phoksundo Lake was built about 900 years ago. We also explore the wonderful natural sites and enjoy our nature tour.
full board meals included.
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Day 09: Trek to Sangta.
After having breakfast, we trek to Sangta.
Overnight at the hotel. full board meals included.
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Day 10: Trek to Juphal
We trek from Sangta to Juphal.
Overnight at a hotel or lodge. full board meals included.
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Day 11: Flight from Juphal to Nepalgunj and Nepalgunj to Kathmandu.
Early in the morning we fly back to Nepalgunj. Later in the day, we fly back to Kathmandu.
Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.
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Day 12: Transfer to the airport for the final departure
Approximately three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be dropped off at the airport for your departure.
Breakfast included.
12 Days / 11 Night
Max People : 1
Nepalgunj, Dolpo, Juphal, and Phoksundo Lake.
