LEARNING JOURNEYS
Itinerary
8 Days / 7 Nights
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu - Drive to Bhaktapur
Welcome to Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu.
While Nepal is a mountainous country straddling the bulk of the Himalayan range, it offers much more than just mountains. In the Kathmandu Valley there are seven of UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites showcasing the intricate geometry, grandeur and majesty of Nepalese art and architecture and the reverent simplicity of the two dominant religions in Nepal-namely Hinduism and Buddhism.
You will be met by the Representative in the arrival lounge. Board the vehicle and drive to Bhaktapur(14 KM/ 30 minutes - Your room is reserved from 1400 hrs onwards.)
Bhaktapur, renowned for its historical and architectural splendor, it is also deeply rooted in Tantrism and spirituality. The city's temples, such as the Dattatreya and Vatsala Temples, are infused with tantric symbols and rituals, creating an atmosphere of profound spiritual energy.
Bhaktapur is a living museum where ancient traditions thrive. The local populace adheres to age-old customs, celebrating festivals. Traditional crafts like pottery, weaving, and wood carving are still practiced, and you can observe and participate in these activities. The city's culinary scene, featuring delicacies like Juju Dhau (Special Yogurt) and Bara (Lentil Bread), offers a taste of its cultural richness.
A visit to Bhaktapur is a journey through history, an encounter with living traditions, and an exploration of profound spirituality.
The town, also known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa, is a historic city located in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. It is one of the three ancient cities in the valley, the other two being Kathmandu and Patan. Bhaktapur is renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions.
Check in at THE NANEE HOTEL (www.thenanee.com )
Late in the afternoon/ evening; walk with the local guide
An evening walking experience in Bhaktapur can be a delightful and immersive way to soak in the town's lively atmosphere and vibrant culture. Bhaktapur often has street performers, musicians, and artists showcasing their talents in the squares and along the streets. Their performances add to the lively atmosphere and provide a unique cultural experience.
The evening is a great time for people-watching. You'll see locals going about their daily routines, children playing, and families enjoying the public spaces. Engaging with the friendly locals can provide insights into their way of life and culture. The soft, warm lighting in Bhaktapur during the evening adds to the town's charm. The atmosphere becomes more intimate, making it a perfect setting for a leisurely walk and exploration.
Dinner and Overnight at Hotel (Meal: D)
Day 2
Bhaktapur
Early morning at 0600 hrs, you will follow a lady in Dress in traditional Newari custom, on her way to the temple. She will carry a small basket with flower incense stick, oil lamp to do her puja. She will take you around Bhaktapur to witness the people making prayers (puja) at Temples. At the Manju baha Temple, you will light up oil lamps and be able to pray for your families and bellowed ones...
On the way back we will buy seasonal vegetable and meats
Breakfast at Hotel
Namobuddha Panauti Trek is a halfway day short trek with Mountain Summiteer. It is an easy and pleasant trek around Kathmandu valley. It is also called a day trek for monastery and temples. to Namobuddha, you will visit the Namobuddha View Point, Namobuddha Monastery and Namobuddha temples and you will trek down to Panauti (1340m) and enjoy the Newari cultures and then we will drive you back to Dhulikhel
Your Guide will come to pick you up with a private vehicle and drive to Namobuddha and hike to Panauti:- This tour is a popular day tour tourist destination situated 35 km east and takes 90 minutes to drive out of Kathmandu.
Namobuddha Panauti day tour offers you a brilliant sunrise view of the majestic Mountains lush green forests, amazing rice terraces, and lovely landscapes. Namobuddha hill station is a legendary place that is related to the pre-incarnation of Lord Buddha, his own story and history.
It is believed that a kind prince at that place offered his body to a hungry tigress and her five cubs up to the last breathe and took re-birth as Lord Buddha. Likewise, Panauti- an old Newari settlement possesses one of them, only two known pre-17th century structures of Indreshwor Mahadev temple.
We will also visit RP Foundation Vocational Training Centre and know more about it and also do some interaction with students.
You will see beautiful terraces filled with golden rice plant dancing in the wind and experience the typical culture of indigenous Newari people. This trip consists of about 5-76hours of day tours out of the busy Kathmandu.
Lunch at Local Restaurant
Drive back to Bhaktapur
Meeting with Spiritual practices
Dinner at beautiful traditional Tusa Restaurant
Overnight at Hotel (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 3
Bhaktapur - Kathmandu
Early in the Morning Yoga and Meditation at Hotel Swimming pool premised with Teacher
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur city which is located about 20 km east of Kathmandu and 30 minute drive away. It’s an ancient town which is rich in culture, traditions and dotted with traditional houses. The Square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal.
The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace which was built in 1427 and was remodeled in the seventeenth century. Bhaktapur's Durbar (Royal) Square was added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1979.
Also visit the highest temple in the entire Kathmandu Valley- the Nyatapola Temple. Walking around the square you can find the centuries old pagoda styled construction like the Nyatapolo and Datta-Traya Temples Sight.
Spend some time at Nepal Vocational Academy - The Rabindra Puri Foundation for Conservation which is a service-based organization that seeks to promote the conservation of tangible and intangible heritage of Nepal. The Foundation offers vocational skill-based employment opportunities to the youths of Nepal. One of it’s primary missions is to produce skilled human resources for building houses using traditional building materials, architecture and techniques. Visit the Academy and meet the students to know more about heritage of Bhaktapur. Specially you will get to know how reconstruction work is taking place.
Join the Academy Staff for lunch at their Cafeteria. This would be a very simple meal, but the experience is Amazing!
Continue drive to Kathmandu
Check in YAK & YETI
Dinner at Chimney Restaurant at Yak and Yeti Hotel
Overnight in Kathmandu (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 4
Kathmandu - Optional: Mountain Flight – an experience to have an amazing view of Mount Everest!
Drive to Patan City, this ancient city is also known as Lalitpur or the city of fine arts. Visit famous Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. Visit Krishna Temple which was built in 17th century and the only temple in Nepal having 21 spire and is completely made of stone.
Visit Maiti Nepal. In Nepali language Maiti means “Woman’s childhood home” and this is the concept this organization is reflecting in deeds. They are working hard for women who were trafficked, exploited, absued or had rights denied.
Head to Tibetan Singing Bowl & Healing Center, a local shop that specializes in sound healing therapy from handmade Tibetan bowls. The vibrations of the bowls are said to cure headaches, back pain, stress and insomnia! The quick sound healing session took less than 5 minutes and was free.
Also, Metal Carving Centre to learn about the Metal craft. Lalitpur is popular for centuries old metal and wood carving. Meet the families who are in this traditional business since many generations. It is their main occupation to make the images of gods and goddess and to make art work on metal sheet with the help of traditional tools.
Lunch menu will be Spanish at El Mediterraneo – known for charming ambience with Spanish menu.
Visit one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal – Pashupatinath Temple is located on both banks of Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu. After the temple, visit the Kathmandu City Old Durbar Square. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a historically and culturally significant site in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Witness Sandhya Aarati at Pashupatinath River Bank
Among a lot of rituals happening in Pashupatinath ‘Sandhya Aarati ‘is the most soothing and amazing one. It happens on the exact opposite side of the Pashupatinath temple at the bank of Bagmati River.
Sandhya Aarati (Evening special worship) begins at around 6:30 in the evening and ends at around 7:30. This 1-hour long ritual has a lot of parts. There are three priests who perform this ritual with a few helpers. It is conducted every day at the same time. This starts with a lot of spiritual songs and Bhajans. This music continues till the end. A lot of people including tourists come and attend this every day.
Dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Kathmandu (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 5
Kathmandu
Early in the Morning Yoga and Mediation at Swoyambhunath with Teacher
After yoga and Meditation, it is the time to visit Swoyambhunath, one of world’s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and the holiest of Buddhist Chaityas, and believed to date back more than 2000 years is situated on a hillock. Swoyambhunath literally means “the Self-Created or Existent” and is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temples. The main features of Swoyambunath in brief are “The Five Buddhas”. The site is regarded as one of the most auspicious stupas in Nepal. The stupa is located on a high hill and overlooks the entire Kathmandu valley. The locals believe it is the best site to hang prayers flags due to the constant wind in the area. We will also hang prayer flags. Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to the Gods, which is a common misconception! Contrary, the Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantra are blown by the wind to spread the goodwill and compassion into the surrounding area.
Back to Hotel for Breakfast
Visit the Royal Kumari – the living Goddess of Kathmandu. It is Nepal’s centuries-old institution of the child deity which is largely unknown to the outside world. The literal meaning of Kumar is Virgin. The girl between 6-13 years age lives in a temple near Patan Durbar and is considered as living incarnation of Goddess Taleju and symbolises power and protection. After being selected as a Kumari, a girl life changes entirely. She leaves her palace only for ceremonial purpose, her family rarely visits on a formal capacity and her playmates are from the caretaker’s family. The Kumari always wears red clothes, hair in a topknot and the fire eye painted on her forehead. Take blessing and Tika from Kumari. It's amazing to go see her and get blessed by her. She won't smile or talk to you, but her caretaker elder sister will answer any questions you have.
Take a walking tour to experience the “Hippie nostalgia” which gave the greatest fame to Nepal after Mount Everest! During the late 1960s, the hippie trail started, and Nepal witnessed an influx of foreigners from the United States and Europe. These foreigners with long hair and beards, mostly aged between 16 and 30, commonly known as Hippies, called peace loving cordial Nepal their home and were roaming the streets of Kathmandu. They followed a radical and liberal anti-war philosophy along with free-spirited and exploring nature. They often experimented with drugs (cannabis/Marijuana), sex and religion.
Let’s walk into these lanes to rediscover Hippies. The trail will explore most of the parts of hippie hang outs although some moderations is done to provide more fun. The streets are narrow, so mind the vehicles and people walking around you and the narrow lanes that follow you all the way to Kathmandu Durbar Square. When you walk by the lanes, you will see small shops all the side of the lanes and alleys
Walk to Thamel through old market. Also visit the Koti Mahadev temple in the old market street. The street slopes down into a wide and quite long courtyard. This is all part of Itum Bahal. Due to its open nature it doesn’t look so impressive at first, but all that will change as we explore it.
Back to hotel and day remains at leisure.
Dinner will be at 150 years old heritage building at Bhojan Griah while enjoying Nepalese cuisines, folk dance, and music.
Overnight in Kathmandu (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 6
Kathmandu – Visit Bouddhnath
Early in the Morning Yoga and Meditation at Boudhanath with Teacher
0600 hrs We drive to visit Budhanilkantha.
After yoga / Mediation
The statue of Harihar in the Budhanilkantha temple on Kathmandu’s northern parts is one of the country’s oldest.
It is also one of the largest statues. Especially Hindus worship Budhanilkantha in the combined form of Mahadev and Narayan i.e. ‘Harihar’.
Every day at 7:30 a.m., the temple is open for worship. Rudri (one of the rituals) teachings, makeups, and other rituals are customarily performed by Batuks (child priests) under the age of 16 which is very interesting to observe.
Back to Hotel
After breakfast, check-out from hotel and drive to Pharping. En route Visit the Great Stupa, universally known as Boudha or Boudhanath, is also called Jharung Khashor. The Great Boudhanath Stupa, built in the 5th century, is one of the most ancient, largest, and magnificent Stupas in the Bouddhnath
Start the experience with a humble meet with a Monk or Lama at the Monastery next to famous Bouddhnath Stupa. He will than take us around for the parikrama of the Bouddhnath stupa. After parikrama visit the Monastery and we will attend a prayer.
Lunch at Tibet International.
Take the alley running northeast from the Bodhnath Stupa, past the small Gelugpa Samtenling Gompa, and turn right to reach the Sakya Tharig Gompa. This sprawling complex includes a large Buddhist school and the prayer hall at the back contains a huge statue of Sakyamuni inlaid with turquoise, red coral, dzibeads and other precious materials.
Check-in at the Neydo Monastery Hotel (The Hotel is run by the monastery for their clients
Overnight at Monastery Hotel. (Meals: B, L, D)
Day 7
Kathmandu
Early in the Morning Yoga and Meditation at Monastery premises Next to Hotel with Teacher
Drive to Dakshinkali Temple (Saturday & Tuesday, sacrifice of animal takes place) around 22 km / 1.5 hrs drive. Dakshin Kali Temple is one of the major Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali. Visit Ganesh and Saraswati Temple as well.
Drive back towards Kathmandu with stop at ASURA CAVE & YANGLESHÖ - THE PLACE OF AWAKENING. This location is widely considered the most profound of all sites connected with the activity of Guru Rinpoché. Here, the Mahaguru spent time in retreat in two caves located in what is now the village of Pharping. During the winter months he practiced at the sunny upper Asura Cave and during the hot summer months he retreated to the lower Yangleshö cave. While at the Asura Cave, through combining the practices of Yangdak Heruka and Vajrakilaya, he attained the ultimate fruition of Mahamudra, the Great Seal.
Lunch and dinner at hotel.
Overnight at Monastery Hotel (Meal: B, L, D)
Paro is also the perfect place to dive into Bhutan’s craft beer mugs, as it’s home to Namgay Artisanal Brewery. This is the only brewery in Bhutan that makes beer from the native red rice. It produces nine types of beer, five of which can only be tried on tap at their facility. Take a tour of the brewery and then enjoy a fantastic set menu meal that consists of ema dashti, pork with gravy, cucumber salad, kewa dashti, spinach soup, red rice, and much more!
Back to hotel. Dinner at hotel.
Overnight in Paro (Meal: B, L, D)
Day 8
Depart Kathmandu
Early in the Morning Yoga and Meditation at Monastery premises Next to Hotel with Teacher
Later, after breakfast, hotel check out and transfer in time to airport for direct flight to New York (via Middle East).
We look forward to welcoming you on another Learning Journeys experience!
Inclusions and additional information:
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Accommodation:
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7 Nights’ accommodation (The Nanee, Yak and Yeti, Neydo Hotel)
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Meals:
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20 Meals: 07 breakfast, 06 lunch and 07 dinner - as per the itinerary
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Meals are inclusive of bottled water / soft drinks (in-house brands)
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Transportation
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Transportation in air conditioned vehicles
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Guide, Sightseeing & Local Assistance
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English speaking local guide in each city.
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All entrance fees to sites and monuments as per the itinerary.
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05 yoga sessions as per the itinerary.
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Learning Journeys Representative for assistance at airport transfers.
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All currently applicable taxes, tolls, parking fees, fuel cost and service tax.
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PROGRAM COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
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International airfare
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Any Insurance and Medical Emergency
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Any gratuities and expense of personal nature like – tipping (to driver / guides/hotel staff), laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic & soft beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expense etc.
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Any services not mentioned in the inclusions