Nepal Homestay Tour: Culture and Spirituality

Altitude above sea level: 1,302m

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes depends on traffic

Accommodation: Hotel Timila 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: 1,302m

Accommodation: Hotel Timila or similar

Meal: Breakfast 

9:00 AM: After breakfast, you start a guided cultural tour around Patan city also known as the City of Artisans. It is one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu Valley.  The city is rich in Newari arts and sculpture with many masterpiece decorations carved in stones, metals and wood sculpture. Stroll through the palace square and discover a treasure trove of art in stone, wood, and metal. Learn about the centuries of history on display throughout Patan.

PM:

Boudhanath: Experience Boudhanath, a monumental stupa built in the 5th century. Feel the spiritual energy among colorful prayer flags, observe rituals, and hear Buddhist mantras.

Pashupatinath: Explore Pashupatinath temple by the Bagmati River, a blend of religion, art, and culture. Witness rituals, cremations, holy men, and devotees. Your journey ends safely back at your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: 1,504m

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you take a drive to Panauti, a traditional Newari town with its ancient temples and cobbled streets. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from your host, including a garland and vermilion, followed by a briefing. You will then be escorted to the home of a local host family for an authentic cultural experience.

Enjoy a delicious lunch with your host, followed by a guided tour of Panauti’s medieval town to admire its captivating Newari architecture. In the evening, participate in a delightful cooking session with your host and learn about the secrets of local cuisine.

Accommodation: Tharu Community Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Chitwan, known for its rich wildlife and stunning scenery. The park hosts a diverse range of animals, with notable conservation efforts focused on species like the One Horned Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger. Upon arrival, Tharu women will greet you, and the lodge manager will assign activities. Later, cycle to Narayani River, and in the evening, delight in a Tharu Cultural Program followed by a local dinner.

Accommodation: Tharu Community Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Following a hearty breakfast, embark on a thrilling jeep safari through the wilderness to witness vibrant wildlife like the one-horned Rhinoceros and the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.

Afterward, take a leisurely Tharu village stroll with our expert naturalist. Experience the unique culture and social dynamics of the Tharu community, and capture memories with a traditional attire photo session.

Following lunch, join a presentation by a wildlife specialist to discover more about Chitwan National Park’s biodiversity and history. Guests are welcome to ask any questions..

Altitude above sea level: (1,500m) Kalabang

Driving duration: 6-7 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Homestay

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you take a drive to Kalabang Homestay. The area is predominantly populated by Gurungs, with Brahmins and Dalits also residing there. In this region, you can observe traces of a vibrant ancient culture, longstanding traditions, and traditional costumes. You can try their local coffee and enjoy a meal made from their garden. They will also share with you their daily life and traditions

Altitude above sea level: 825m (Pokhara), (1,000m) Peace Stupa

Accommodation: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

Meal: Breakfast

Begin your day with an early morning hike, followed by a delightful local breakfast upon your return to the homestay.

Next, proceed to visit the Mahadev Temple. Following your temple visit, set out on a hike towards the Peace Stupa, allowing you to appreciate the awe-inspiring vistas of the World Peace Pagoda, the nearby mountains, and the panoramic view of Phewa Lake from the hill vantage point. After descending from the stupa, make your way to Phewa Lake, where you will enjoy a scenic boat ride along the lakeside.

Upon completing your adventures around Phewa Lake, head to Pokhara and check in at your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure, allowing you to relax and explore the city at your own pace.

Altitude above sea level: 825m (Pokhara)

Accommodation: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

After a hearty breakfast, you have a leisure time to explore around Pokhara.

Altitude above sea level: 1,030m

Driving duration: 3 hrs. approx. (Kathmandu-Bandipur)

Accommodation: Bandipur Chhen

Meal: Breakfast

After a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Pokhara, we will begin our scenic drive to the charming town of Bandipur. Situated on a hilltop, Bandipur offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and is known for its well-preserved Newari architecture. During drive, you’ll have the chance to soak in the beauty of Nepal’s countryside, with its winding roads, verdant hills, and traditional villages. Upon reaching Bandipur, you’ll check in to your comfortable accommodation and freshen up.

In the afternoon, you can explore the quaint town of Bandipur at your own pace. Take a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets lined with traditional Newari houses, adorned with intricate woodwork and carvings. You can visit the bustling bazaar, browse local handicraft shops, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the town.

Altitude above sea level: 1,569 m (Pharping)

Driving Duration: 6 hrs. approx.

Accommodation: Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery Guest House

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you take a drive to Pharping. Tucked away in the Himalayas of Nepal, amidst

the most scenic area, a Buddhist Monastery is located in a peaceful place. The Neydo Monastery is purposely situated close to the Asura Cave where Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, as he is known affectionately, meditated and achieved the highest realization.

It is the perfect place to indulge in meditation and experience monastic life. This monastery is home to almost 200 monks who study and practice Buddhism. It is worth visiting the monastery and watching the monks & early morning and evening chanting. In the evening, participate in evening chanting and ritual ceremony at the monastery.

Driving duration: 1 hr. approx.

Accommodation: Hotel Nepali Ghar or similar

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, participate in the daily chanting session with monk. You can light the butter lamp and receive blessings from the monk. Furthermore, get an opportunity to interact with monks about spirituality, the monastery ritual, and so forth.

After a hearty breakfast, you take a drive back to Kathmandu. After check-in at hotel, spend your leisure time relaxing or shopping souvenirs for loved ones.

Meals: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. Make sure your each TIA airport on time, as you should check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight. If you wish to stay a few more days, there are still plenty more places to explore around Kathmandu valley.