Deusa Village Community Based Homestay

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes, depending on traffic

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International airport, our representative will be awaiting you to cordially welcome you with great hospitality. The representative will be displaying the “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard outside the airport terminal.

You will be then escorted and transferred to the hotel in our private vehicle. Further, you will be given a brief description of the activities that will take place during the upcoming trip and a preliminary briefing on hygiene and safety by our representative.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Tour Duration:  8 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

9:00 AM: After breakfast, you start a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Experience the numerous colors, sounds, and tastes of authentic Kathmandu and its surroundings. Our experienced tour guides will tell you all you need to know and answer all your curiosities regarding those sites.

Local Market Tour

Take a short drive to Ason. Then, start wandering Ason and Indrachowk marketplaces to get a glimpse of traditional Nepalese life. Witness the bustle of the market, see how locals purchase the products and haggle for a bargain. Whilst walking around, enjoy the lively and vibrant atmosphere this local market has to offer. Observe first-hand the local produce people from Nepal actually purchase. You will also take in the sights and smells of the market. Your friendly tour guide will explain in full detail all the products and procedures you will see. There are lots of photo opportunities to capture with your camera.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Next, head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka Durbar. This ancient site used to be the residence of the Nepali royal family and administrators. It incorporates an architecturally extraordinary complex of ancient palaces, temples, courtyards, and shrines dating from the 15th to the 18th century.

The prominent sites of Kathmandu Durbar Square are Kumari Ghar or the house of the living goddess.  Kasthamandap is a huge rest house that is said to have been built with wood from a single tree and is the source of which Kathmandu valley got its name. Other sites around Kathmandu Square are the ferocious Kal Bhairab – the red monkey God- Hanuman, hundreds of erotic carvings, temples, and statues dedicated to different deities.

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath (monkey temple), is the magnificent ancient religious architecture and the center of faith of Hinduism and Buddhism. Its lofty white dome and dazzling golden spire are visible from far and wide. Swayambhunath is the ideal place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. In the shadows of the imposing structure and besides the integrated architecture can be found the daily surge of devotees faithfully offering their prayers to the gods. Upon arriving at the top, you can hear the Buddhist song “Om Mani Padme Hum” resounds everywhere. The candles and the aromatic fragrance of incense that burns constantly create a serene vibe and enormous prayer wheels which encircle the stupa.

PM: Boudhanath

Thereafter, take a short drive towards Boudhanath.  From the moment you step into the sanctuary, you’ll immediately feel the spiritual energy that comes from the place. Boudhanath is one of the biggest stupa in Nepal, built in the 5^th century and listed on the world heritage list by UNESCO in 1979. The surrounding area is a central spiritual hub of Tibetan life and culture in Nepal. Observe a beautiful dome-shaped structure stupa surrounded by brilliant colorful prayer flags. It is believed that prayer flags convey mantras and prayers into the universe while fluttering in the wind. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha.

Witness monks draped in maroon robes rolling the prayer wheels, burning incense, and flickering butter candles. Moreover, it’s fascinating to see the people feeding grains and maize to hundreds of pigeons around stupa areas. The devotees turn the prayer wheels & chant, which is humbling to see such dedication to their beliefs.

Delight in the serenity as you hear the Buddhist mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ being chanted by devotees, alongside the echo of music streaming out from the nearby shops.

Pashupatinath

Moving on, visit Pashupatinath temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the bank of the Bagmati River. The word Pashupati means “the king of animals” and the temple is famous for its monkeys. You will be visiting the Pashupatinath area to indulge in a spiritual journey.

Pashupatinath is more than just a religious destination. It is a combination of religion, art, and culture. The temple, spread across 246 hectares of land, abounds in temples and monuments. Hundreds of rituals are performed here every day. Witness people performing the religious ritual and funeral pyres burning at open-air cremation. Also, see elaborately dressed holy men meditating outside the temple and pilgrims placing offerings at the shrines. After touring around prominent sites, you will be transferred safely back to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: (2,000 m)

Driving duration:  10–13 hrs. Via 4-wheeler, 240 km; Approx.

Accommodation: Community Building

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

This morning we will take a long scenic drive to Deusa village located in the east part of Nepal, about 240 km away from Kathmandu valley. Upon arrival at Deusa village, you will be hosted by the staff of the community research centre. After freshening up, you will be served the scrumptious local meal. Our representative will brief you on the activities of the following day. Stay overnight in the Community building.

Hiking duration: 2 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Community Building

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, we take an hour’s walk to the coffee farm. Visiting a coffee orchard is an eye-opening experience where you can see the farmers cultivating coffee and get a chance to get a hand on experience with local farmers.  During these tours, you are typically shown around the plantation to see the growing coffee in the field. You will learn environment-friendly organic coffee farms practice natural techniques of growing coffee by avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Hiking duration: 2 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Community Building

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, our tour guide will take you to an orange orchard. This Orange Tour takes you along a quiet orchard where you will explore the cultivation of orange trees, the properties of the orange, and the orange blossom. The magnificent trees, the moist soil, and the clean air provide you with some soothing comfort in the lap of nature.

The orange farms of Deusa are the primary means of livelihood for the farming community of the region. The government declared Deusa village as the best fertile zone for orange and gooseberry. By visiting an orange farm you will not only support the local farmers but will also get an opportunity to get deep insights and experience their unique culture. Also, you get to interact with the farmers to learn about their traditional lifestyle and folklore. If you come in harvest season Mid Nov-Feb, then you will get a chance to see orange trees blossom and taste the freshly picked organic oranges from an orange orchard.  During this season the beauty and aroma in the countryside are inexpressible. It is an experience that will connect you with nature, and landscape, as well as enjoy the beauty of its scenery.

After visiting an orange farm, you can learn to cook and prepare the family’s daily meals being part of the typical family helps them to know the way of living. If you are interested in learning how to cook Nepali cuisine, arrangements can be made on request.

Hiking duration: 5-6 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Community Building

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early morning, after breakfast, we set off the hike to Jalan Pokhari and Ranan village. During the hike, we walk through the pleasant trails through the forest, village all the way to Jalem Pokhari. Jalem Pokhari lies right on the top of the village. It is believed to be there for a long period and is considered a sacred place. You can witness several old trees all over the area and places for shrines nearby, including a very big cave. It is said to be very deep but people are not allowed to go into it. Dhami (shamans) come to pay homage to the pond and goddess twice a year with their Dhole (people assisting the Dhami), their family, and relatives.

The time when several dhamis assemble and worship the sound of drums and thaal (bronze dish sounding like a singing bowl) is very much enjoyable and fascinating to hear. If you are visiting during Buddha Jayanti (April/May) and “Bhaduaure Mela” on the day of Janai Purnima (July/August) then you can partake in the festival fair.

After visiting Jalem Pokhari we then hike towards Ranan village. Ranan is a picturesque village where you will get a glimpse of Mera and Kongde peaks. You can experience ecological, social, and cultural diversity with a vast medley of cultures and traditions, unprecedented heterogeneity in landscape, and absolutely beguiling natural surroundings.

Accommodation: Community Building

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Early morning after breakfast, we will visit a local school where you can do a one-day service project including teaching a lesson, running classroom games & experiencing cultural interactions. You can also participate in several meaningful community service projects like painting classrooms, creating a recycling program, constructing a pathway, wall, or toilet/building block, or planting and supporting an organic garden.

Visitors visiting Nepal can collect old books in their home country before the trip to build a library to support an underfunded school. You can also conduct a talk program in communities, and schools, on any topic of interest. For example, if you are a student of art, you can take a class and teach children how to draw, paint and make different crafts. The work can be customized to visitors’ interests and the requirements of the school.

In the evening, witness music, and dance performed by the local people by enjoying the authentic cuisine.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m

Driving duration: 9–10 hrs. Approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, we will take a long scenic drive back to Kathmandu.

Driving Duration HTL-APT: Approx. 30 minutes depending on the traffic

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.