Nepal Grand Circle Tour – 16 Days
  • Duration16 Days
  • Trip DifficultyEasy
  • Best SeasonSpring / Autumn / Winter
  • Arrival CityKathmandu
  • Departure CityKathmandu
  • Altitude maximum2195m (Nagarkot)
  • TransportVehicle / Flight
  • AccomodationHotel
  • HighlightsCulture, History, Religion, Mountain view

Overview

Nepal Grand Circle tour, fairly long, is literally grand. It is designed in such a way that every destination seems grander than the other. Your tour kicks off in Kathmandu, a metropolis touring which you will encounter a temple every few minutes, and hence called the city of temples. Besides temples, it also has a good number of stupas and monasteries. There are a few ancient palatial sites, here known as Durbar Squares that can be understood as royal courtyards, surrounded by temples and partially wooden buildings. There you can see beautifully intricate carvings. The top attractions of the Kathmandu Valley are Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square. These sites have a culturally unique art and architecture.

Nagarkot, the Hill Station of Kathmandu, is one of the finest viewpoints that will offer you the priceless view of Himalayan ranges at sunrise. The region is quite peaceful.

Adding more exciting another destination to Nepal tour, Pokhara is purportedly the capital of tourism. Certainly an ace city for tourism with nifty natural and cultural heritages, like Phewa Lake, Shanti Stupa, Davis Falls, Sarangkot, Gupteshwor Mahadev Temple, International Mountain Museum, Tal Barahi Temple, Seti River Gorge, and so on. The city is also famous for Adventure Sports and more other activities like paragliding, zip flying, mountain flight, rock climbing, and more.

With Lumbini, the birthplace of the Gautam Buddha, you will be in the plain region of Nepal. The climate is hot, and you will be quaintly pleased with the outright distinct way of life. It will be all peace there with your visit to Maya Devi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Mayadevi Pond, Ashoka Pillar, World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Museum, and Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery. There are many different sites and monuments related to Buddha to visit.

Nepal Grand Circle tour finally takes to the same part of the plain region of Nepal, with tropical monsoon climate Chitwan has a different wonder for you. The Chitwan National Park is amazing for viewing wildlife. It is home to leopard, Bengal tiger, sloth bear, deer, over 500 species of birds, many critically endangered species. You will be toured on jeep or elephant to closely view the wild animals. Other important attractions for you will be Bishazari Tal, Tharu Cultural Museum, Tharu village, Sauraha Tharu Culture House, Sauraha Art Gallery, Elephant Breeding Centre, and Crocodile Breeding Centre.

Detailed Itinerary

You will be met by one our representatives at the Kathmandu airport and transfer you to the Hotel. Your lunch will be organized at the restaurant of the hotel.

After our lunch, we will complete the hotel check in process then start our tour with a short drive to the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is about 10 minutes’ drive from our hotel. On our way back from the Kathmandu Durbar Square, we will take a Riksa ride for about 15 minutes to Thamel, a tourist town through the traditional Nepali market followed by a short walk to our hotel.

The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. The square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The preference for the construction of royal palaces at this site dates back to as early as the Licchavi period in the third century. When Kathmandu City became independent under the rule of King Ratna Malla (1484-1520) the palaces in the square became the royal palaces for its Malla kings. When Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Kathmandu Valley in 1769, he also favored the Kathmandu Durbar Square for his palace. Other subsequent Shah Kings continued to rule from the square until 1896 when they moved to the Narayan Hiti Palace.

One of the most visited sites in the square is the house of the Kumari (a living goddess who is the reincarnation of Kali).

Welcome dinner – Nepali dinner (Daal Bhat set with snacks) at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants (Nepali Chulo) in Kathmandu with folk music and dances.
Overnight: Hotel
Elevation: 1334m

Start our tour visiting a magnificent Buddhist stupa, Swoyambunath which is 10 minutes’ drive from Thamel followed by a visit of Patan to witness its incredible architecture from medieval period.

Swoyambunath is one of the oldest stupa of the Kathmandu Valley. It is situated on one of the highest hills in the valley. It watches over the Valley from the top of a hillock on its western side just three kilometers west of the city center. The stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu and is recognized as a World Heritage Site. It is also one of the oldest and most glorious Buddhist shrines in the world which is said to be two thousand years. The four sides of the stupa are painted with the eyes of Lord Buddha.

Patan- the second largest town in the valley is situated to the south of Kathmandu. Patan’s great building boom took place under the Mallas in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Numerous temples of widely diverse styles, as well as many Buddhist monasteries, are scattered around the fascinating town. Patan is famous for its crafts and metal works which are wonderful souvenirs. We visit Patan Museum as well.
Overnight: Hotel

Start our day driving for about an hour to an ancient fort city called Kirtipur.  After exploring this fort city, we will drive to outskirt of Kathmandu valley to visit two traditional Newari villages called Bungamati and Khokana.

Kirtipur Originally a Newari foundation, Kirtipur is still a centre of Newari culture. It has been merged with surrounding villages to form the municipality of Kirtipur. It consists of many temples monasteries. The town which dates from 1099 A.D. straddles two hills and a large pond in between. It is a natural fortress

Bungamati – Situated beyond the southern belt of Ring Road, inside the valley, Bungamati is a small Newari village still abiding its tradition as their significant part of life. Very less influenced by the modern city, Bungamati exemplifies true beauty of the still living age old culture and civilization, your journey to Bungamati, starts with a vantage point where one can behold the entire village of Bungamati and Khokana. Walking down the lanes of Bungamati, you will pass through local Newari people busy working intricate designs in wood or stone on their way to creating many more beautiful artifacts keeping their talents running for the future generations to enjoy. Though, small in size, at least 100 people from the village earn their living through wood carving. The village was earlier, the origin of the precession of the chariot of Machindranath, one of the most important festivals of the Newari community.

Khokana – A traditional and tiny Newari village eight kilometers south of Kathmandu, (on the outskirts of Patan) which has its own history and has retained its tradition and culture. It is a living museum and recalls medieval times. The farming community of Newars who live here are mostly dependent on agriculture and much of their daily activities take place outside of their dwellings.

There are women sitting outside spinning, men crushing seeds, and other daily activities. The village is famous for its unusual mustard oil harvesting process in which a heavy wooden beam is used to crush the mustard seeds in order to extract the oil. It is believed that a share system was used in the past here. This oil can be consumed if desired, but it can also be used for therapeutic massage. This was also the first village, indeed the first habitation, to be electrified, before Kathmandu.
Overnight: Hotel

Today we drive to the oldest parts of the Kathmandu valley. We drive for about 2 hours to visit a traditional Newari village called Panauti, just at the outskirt of the valley then we drive back to the highway and continue to visit an ancient city, Bhaktapur. We will spend the night at this ancient city which gives us more time to explore this fascinating city. This cultural city reminds you the true culture and living style of medieval period.

Panauti is one of the oldest towns in Nepal, consisting of many temples that are still present till this day dating back to the 15th Century or earlier. It has been debated that Panauti was founded by Ananda Malla (1274-1310BC), others believe that there is a golden scripture dated 1385, which is located within the Indreswor temple stating that King Harisingh Dev founded the town

Bhaktapur- Located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the ‘City of Devotees’, the ‘City of Culture’, the ‘Living Heritage’, and ‘Nepal’s Cultural Gem’. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. We will visit four different squares in this city: Durbar Square (palace square), Tamaudi Square (public square), Pottery Square and Dattatrey Square.
Overnight: Hotel

We will take a short detour to visit a temple situated on a high hill called Changu. It is a fascinating place where you can see oldest Manu script found in Nepali history and some magnificent temples. Then, finally we will drive to Nagarkot following a narrow road for about an hour.

Changunarayan – the ancient temple of Changunarayan is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Visnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal.

Nagarkot – One of the most popular hill station / viewpoints close to Kathmandu valley. Several different mountain peaks of different regions including Mt. Shisapangma of Tibet can be seen. We can explore the surrounding villages and observe some local lifestyles.
Overnight: Resort

On our way back from Nagarkot, we visit Pashupatinath and Bouddhnath. In the evening, we participate on Buddhist puja ceremony and blessing by a Buddhist monk at Sheichan Bairoling monastery, Tinchuli. We will walk down to Boudhnath stupa in the evening to witness the Buddhist pilgrims’ Cora; a ritual where hundreds of people walk around the stupa praying with their mala. Then finally, we will drive back to our hotel.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest pilgrimage destinations for all the Hindus of the world. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the trinity and the guardian (patron) deity of Nepal. This is one of the oldest temples, situated on the banks of the Holy Bagmati River. It is a double–roofed golden temple with four triple silver doorways. Pashupatinath covers an area of 281 hectares, which is one of the biggest temple complexes in Nepal.

Bouddhnath Stupa lies about 6 km east of downtown Kathmandu and it is the largest stupa in the Valley and one of the largest in the world. It presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design with hundreds of prayer wheels and 108 small images of Buddha all around. Just like Swoyambhunath, this stupa has four sides with the watchful eyes of Lord Buddha. All the Buddhists throng to this stupa to take part in the sacred rituals during the Buddhist festivals.
Overnight: Hotel

We will have scenic drive for about 7 hours including the detour of Gorkha. We will visit the town of Gorkha including historical Gorkha palace and Gorkha museum. Gorkha palace has been renovated recently as it was struck badly by the earthquake of 2015. Then we drive back to highway and continue our drive to Bandipur which is also situated on a scenic hill.

Gorkha is a scenic hill- town with great historical significance Situated on a small hillock at an attitude of about 1000 m; Gorkha offers panoramic view of snow-fed mountain. Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive Temples of Gorakhnath and Kali inside the palace precinct.

Bandipur is a picturesque town nestled in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, a land as famous for its natural beauty as for the hospitality of its people. Bandipur is situated midway between the capital Kathmandu and Pokhara, another popular tourist destination. Bandipur was once a prosperous trading center, and its charming buildings, with their neoclassical facades and shuttered windows, bespeaks its past glory. Originally a simple Magar village, it was settled in the early nineteenth century by Newars from Bhaktapur, who took advantage of its malaria-free location to develop it into an important stop on the India-Tibet trade route. Along with their trading skills, the Newars brought with them their rich cultural heritage and architecture, which still defines the look and feel of today’s Bandipur.
Overnight: Hotel
Driving Time: 7 hours

We drive back to Prithibi highway and continue our drive to Pokhara then we will change our vehicle into 4×4 and drive for about half an hour to Milan chock followed by another half an hour rough road drive on recently built dirt track to Annapurna Eco Lodge, Astham.

Annapurna Eco Village is family running farm house which offers traditional home stay and farming / gardening. We can participate in farming / gardening with the family members then explore the Astham village and school where we will interact with the locals and students. Astham also offers great view of Annapurna mountain range.
Overnight: Farm House
Driving Time: 4 hours

We will have a short Yoga session early in the morning at the garden of Annapurna Eco Lodge enjoying the view of the Annapurna mountain range. Then after the breakfast, we drive back to Pokhara. After the hotel check in process, we continue our tour visiting Devi’s fall, a water fall that goes into a narrow canal, Gupteswori Cave; a natural cave then we drive for about 20 minutes and hike to World peace stupa which offers you the great view of the Pokhara city and Fewa Lake then we drive to Pumdikot to visit a recently built Mahadev Temple (Shivalaya) situated on a high hill that offers even better view of the Pokhara city and Annapurna mountain range.
Overnight: Hotel

We will have early morning drive for about an hour to Sarangkot; one of the finest viewpoints in Pokhara valley. The view from Sarangkot is majestic; with the magnificent view of the Pokhara city, Fewa Lake and panoramic view of the Himalayas including the peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

Then we drive back to our hotel, and after our breakfast, we continue our tour visiting a Mountain museum that will offer you the history of the Nepal mountaineering and people of the mountains.

After our lunch, we will go for a boating ride on Fewa Lake for about an hour.  You will have free afternoon to explore more of this lake city on your own or simply relax by the Fewa Lake.
Overnight: Hotel

we will have a scenic drive for about 7 hours to Lumbini via Tansen. We will stop for the lunch in Tansen and explore some part of the city as well. Then, we will drive to Lumbini following Siddartha highway.
Overnight: Hotel
Driving Time: 7 hours (165 km)

Start our day early in the morning visiting Lumbini Garden including Maya Devi Temple, exact birth place of Gautam Buddha. Maya Devi temple is built right on the place of his birth. The temple is built in modern design, however inside the temple; they have preserved exact structure of the place/stone where he was born.

According to legend, his mother; queen of Kapilbastu was on her way to her parental house to visit her parents and all of a sudden, she was struck with labor pain and she asked her servants / care takers to take her back to the palace but pain was unbearable so she decided to rest on the shade of the banyan tree nearby, where she gave birth Gautam Buddha.

We also visit some of the temples and stupas built by different nations dedicated to Lord Buddha by an E-Riksa (3 wheeler / electric vehicle)
Overnight: Hotel

Five hour scenic drive to Chitwan. Arrival at the resort and a welcome drink
14:00: Lunch – at the resort, then two hours free time.
16:00: Tour to the Tharu village and museum.
19:00: Dinner – at the resort
Overnight: Hotel 
Driving Time: 4 – 5 hours

07:00: Breakfast, then head out for our canoe rides on the Rapti River, followed by a short jungle walk.
12:00: Lunch – at the resort
13:00: Jeep Safari for about 3 hour: an opportunity to see: four different kind of deer; rhinoceros; wild boars; monkeys; sloth bear etc. You may also encounter many other smaller mammals that have made Chitwan their home.
19:00: Dinner – at the resort
20:00: Tharu culture program
Overnight: Hotel

7:00: Breakfast
7:30: Visit Elephant breeding Centre
9:00: Drive back to Kathmandu: a scenic drive for about 7 hours to Kathmandu.

We will have a scenic drive for about 2 hours to Kurintar then take a short cable car ride to visit one of the holiest places of Hindu called Manakamana temple. After visiting Manakamana temple, we will ride back to highway by the same cable car and continue our drive to Kathmandu.

Manakamana temple situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. The name Manakamana originates from two words, “mana” meaning heart and “kamana” meaning wish. Venerated since the 17th century, it is believed that Goddess Bhagwati grants the wishes of all those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine to worship her.

Manakamana Cable Car is a gondola lift transportation system located in the district of Chitwan, Nepal and runs between Kurintar, Chitwan and Manakamana, Gorkha. The 2772.2 m line has two stations; the bottom station is located on the bank of the Trisuli River at Kurintar and top station is at one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages, Manakamana temple, Gorkha. The commercial operation of the cable car started in November 24, 1998. The ride is about 10 minutes to Manakamana temple from the bottom station.
Overnight: Hotel
Driving Time: 7 – 8 hours

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Tour Price Includes

  • Transfers airport / hotel / airport.
  • Hotels in Kathmandu / Bhaktapur / Nagarkot / Bandipur / Pokhara / Lumbini / Chitwan (Based on double occupancy. If you would like a single room, this can be arranged for an additional fee / single supplement)
  • Accommodation in Astham on a family farm house (standard rooms)
  • Welcome dinner (Nepali meal set) at one of the traditional Nepali restaurants
  • Transport, guided visits and entry of the monuments as mentioned on itinerary
  • Private vehicle for whole tour (Tour bus)
  • A professional English speaking Culture Guide for whole tour
  • Yoga session in Astham
  • Boating in Pokhara
  • E-Riksa ride in Lumbini
  • Cable car ride during Manakamana visit
  • Full Board for whole tour (AP Basis – Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
  • Drinks (Tea / Coffee only)
  • All activities during Chitwan National park Safari
  • All necessary documents and government tax.
  • Insurance for tour staff

Tour Price Does Not Include:

  • International Flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal Entry Tourist Visa ($50 for 30 days, obtained upon arrival)
  • Personal expenses such as snacks, cold drinks, alcoholic drinks, telephone, WiFi/internet access, laundry service, medications or medical care, etc.
  • Travel Insurance (This is required. We strongly advise that your coverage include accidents, repatriation, helicopter evacuation and medical care.)
  • Alternative/additional transportation (flights/vehicles), food and accommodation in case of bad weather, flood, landslide, heavy rain, strike, road blockade, political unrest, flight cancellation etc.

NOTE: The price of the tour will be adjusted according to the group size.

Climate

Climate:
From the eternal snow of the high peaks to the extensive tropical lowlands, Nepal has a wide variety of climates.

Spring: March to late May: In this season, Kathmandu is in full bloom, lots of different types of flowers can be seen at this time of the year.  Temperature is mild, end of the cold winter and approaching warm and hot summer.  Temperatures vary between 10 ° C to 28 ° C but can rise up to 30 ° C.  Between 2000 and 3000m, temperature rarely drop below 0 ° C. However, few frosts or snowfalls are possible in March above 4000 m.

The summer/monsoon period – It interrupts the majority of trekking from late June to late August. Some of the trekking regions “trans-Himalayan”, Dolpo and Mustang, however, remain protected from monsoon prevailing rest of the country. They are the only channels available in Nepal in the summer.

Autumn: mid September – mid December – Perfect temperature and weather for trekking. Brings cooler days, but clear skies. Above 3000 m altitude, temperatures can drop to -10 ° C at night.

In winter: mid-December – mid-February – Nights are generally cold, dry climate, Above 3000m, temperature drop down to 0 ° C to – 15 ° C at night, the days are often sunny.

Equipments

LUGGAGE

  •         Travel Pack / Suit case
  •         Day pack

CLOTHING

  •         Lightweight, low maintenance and versatile clothing
  •         Shirt/t-shirt(s)
  •         Convertible travel trousers
  •         Lightweight fleece
  •         Lightweight waterproof jacket
  •         Comfortable shoes/boots
  •         Sandals
  •         Hat (sun/warm hat)
  •         Warm clothes / Jackets / trousers (If travelling in early Spring / Autumn / Winter)

ACCESSORIES

  •         wallet
  •         Luggage locks
  •         Head light (torch)
  •         Wash bag
  •         Travel towel
  •         All purpose travel soap
  •         Small repair kit (needle and thread)
  •         First aid kit
  •         Accessory bags
  •         Guide book
  •         Electrical adaptor
  •         Insect repellent
  •         Sun cream

DOCUMENT

  •         Valid passport
  •         Print out of Airline tickets
  •         Contact detail of Embassy / Tour agency
  •         Travel insurance