WHEN SCHEDULING YOUR FLIGHTS…
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When you book your flight, please keep in mind to the estimated times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
DJOSER MEANS “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
Kathmandu
Day 1 Kathmandu arrival
Day 2 Kathmandu
Day 3 Kathmandu - Patan - Bhaktapur
In the evening of the first day we arrive in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. Our hotel is situated in the busy, but pleasant Thamel district, with dozens of cozy restaurants, cafes and a variety of shops. Kathmandu, is a fascinating city full of stupas, temples, pagodas and shrines. It is a giant, open area museum with something intriguing on every corner.
Around the Durbar Square in the center of the city, are special buildings such as the royal palace, Hanuman Dhoka, the Taleju Temple and the house of Kumari, the living child goddess. If you wait you might catch a glimpse of her. The beautiful and ancient Kasthamandap Temple, is the namesake of the city.
Near the city you will find the Buddhist stupa's Swayambunath and Bodnath. Swayambunath, also known as the 'monkey temple', offers a combination of Buddhist and Hindu culture with a beautiful view over the city and the valley. In the early evening many Tibetans gather here for their daily pilgrimage around the stupa. At the Hindu Pashupathinath complex, on the holy Bagmathi River cremations occur regularly. On the way to Bhaktapur, we visit an old royal city in the Valley: Patan. In the old town of Patan you will find many temples and monasteries. The town is know for the work of its artisans, known to be some of the best in the world.
We stay at the fabulous Bhaktapur one night. This small town with its jumble of narrow alleyways and beautiful courtyards, still breathes the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. One of the nice terraces enables you to observe daily life in Nepal.
Nagarkot, Dhulikhel
Day 4 Bhaktapur - Nagarkot
Day 5 Nagarkot - Walk to Dhulikhel
Day 6 Dhulikhel - Pokhara
In the quiet of the morning, Bhaktapur leaves unforgettable impressions. Especially Durbar Square and pottery square, well worth a visit.. Afterwards, we visit one of the oldest Hindu temples in the country, Changu Narayan,. Then the road winds upwards to Nagarkot. There are routes that you can hike here.
The hotel in Nagarkot has a roof terrace with impressive views of the highest peaks of the Himalayas and the world. It is worth rising early in the morning to see the sunrise over the beautiful mountain ranges. The Kathmandu Valley is the beautiful setting for a day walk. This is where people prepare for the six day trek up the Annapurna peaks. Throughout this area you little villages of scattered houses. Children will you kindly welcome you and may walk a few kilometers with you. Our ultimate goal, the town of Dhulikhel, will offer you a fantastic view of the Himalayas.
The next day brings us on a bus route along the spectacular Trisuli River, westward to the town of Pokhara.
Pokhara, Lumbini
Day 7 Pokhara
Day 8 Pokhara-Lumbini
Day 9 Lumbini
Day 10 Lumbini - Chitwan National Park
Pokhara is a quiet place at the Phewa Lake with excellent opportunities for making trips in the beautiful surroundings. You can, for example, take a hearty hike to the nearby village of Sarangkot. You will pass through villages and rice fields and on you have a good chance for a magnificent view of the Annapurna mountains, with snow-covered mountain peaks over 8000 meters high. In Pokhara you may rent a bike for a ride in the surroundings or to a village where Tibetan refugees have settled. You will most likely have the opportunity to witness an impressive prayer service in one of the monasteries.
Lumbini, a village near the border of India, was the birthplace of Buddha. It is situated at the foot of the Himalayas and is the most important historic site of Nepal. Here iin 563 BC Prince Siddharta Gautama was born and 35 years later would become Buddha. The town receives many pilgrims and has one of the 4 famous pilgrim sites, Kushinagar. Bodh Gaya and Sarnath are dedicated to Buddha and his life. Lumbini is the most important archaeological site of the country where finds were discovered after excavations almost all dating from the 3rd century BC. In the "Sacred Garden" you will find some Buddhist temples, including the Mayadevi temple dedicated to the mother of Buddha. Also you will find a sacred pond, Puskarini where Buddha had his first bath. In 1997 Lumbini secured a place on the Unesco World Heritage list
Chitwan NP
Day 11 Chitwan NP, jungle walk
Day 12 Chitwan NP
Day 13 Chitwan NP - Kathmandu
Day 14 Kathmandu
Day 15 Kathamndu
Those who want to can go white water rafting . You leave rather than from Pokhara and drive to the middle to go rafting. After about three hours fly picks up the rest of the group you again. The cost for this optional excursion is about U.S. $ 25, - per person.
We visit the the Sauraha village, just outside the Chitwan National Park, located can not be made by bus. In this rustic town, the traffic mainly consists of ox-drawn carts and elephants. The Chitwan National Park is the home of several animals such as crocodiles, deer, monkeys, rhinos and tigers. You can explore the rural area by bicycle or by other local transport.
To explore the park in small groups you can register for a jungle walk or canoe trip on the Rapti River. This course is led by an expert guide. Where local conditions permit, you can also take a jeep safari in the park. The best way to see the park is from atop an elephant. You can find the most famous occupant of the national park: the white rhinoceros. Chances are that you will encounter this impressive beast. If you're lucky you might even see a tiger.
In Chitwan we travel with our bus back to Kathmandu. It is a spectacular ride on a path along a wild river, on both sides with high mountain peaks.
In Kathmandu, you have the time to rest or to explore the city's many attractions. This is a perfect place for souvenirs: photos, books, clothing, postcards, and religious objects.
