Thursday, February 8 – New Delhi, India – Kathmandu, Nepal
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport in New Delhi for our flight to Kathmandu (2 hours). Snacks will be provided on the flight.
Welcome to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal! You will be met by our Amazing Journeys representative in the Arrivals Lounge and transfer to our group hotel.
Start your Nepalese experience to better understand the religion that is so important to the people of Nepal, with a humble meeting with a Monk, or Lama at the Monastery, located next to famous Bouddhnath Stupa. He will then perform the parikrama (the ritual of moving clockwise around an object of devotion as an indication of reverence) at the Bouddhnath stupa. After, you will visit the Monastery and we will attend a prayer ritual.
The Bouddhnath Stupa – the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world just behind the Pashupatinath Temple is built on various terraces, is painted in pastel and adorned with prayer flags, set in a Mandala design. There are 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels that adorn the base of the huge circular edifice. The settlement of Boudhanath has the largest community of Tibetans – 12,000 in all.
Tonight, enjoy dinner together at our hotel. (B, D)
Friday, February 9 – Kathmandu
After breakfast, we’ll set of on a sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur City, 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.
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 youth of Nepal. One of its 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 the heritage of Bhaktapur. You will get to learn how reconstruction work is taking place. As you join together with the Academy staff for lunch at their Cafeteria, you will get to know even more about the locals in this community. This is a very simple meal but the experience is amazing!
Take a walking tour to experience “Hippie nostalgia”. 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 and friendly Nepal their home and were often found roaming the streets of Kathmandu. They followed a radical and liberal anti-war philosophy along with free-spirited and exploring nature. When you walk by the lanes, you will see lots and lots of small shops hidden along the lanes and alleys.
Dinner tonight will be at Rum Doodle – a wonderful place to dine and experience the thrill of mountaineering as this is the place where most of the mountaineers dine before going on an expedition to discover Mount Everest. (B, L, D)
Saturday, February 10 – Kathmandu
Today we visit Swoyambhunath, one of world’s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and the holiest site Buddhist Chaityas, believed to date back more than 2000 years. Swoyambhunath literally means “the Self-Created or Existent” and is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temples. The main features of Swoyambunath are “The Five Buddhas”. The site is regarded as one of the most auspicious stupas in Nepal as it has a place of honor, overlooking the entire Kathmandu Valley. The locals believe it is the best site to hang prayers flags due to the constant wind in the area and so we will partake. Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to the Gods (that is a common misconception). Tibetans believe that the prayers and mantra are blown by the wind to spread goodwill and compassion into the surrounding area.
After lunch, we drive to the ancient Patan City, also known as Lalitpur, or the “City of Fine Arts.” Visit famous Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city. 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 spires and is made completely of stone.
Visit the Royal Kumari – the living Goddess of Kathmandu. She represents Nepal’s centuries-old institution of a child deity, largely unknown to the outside world. The literal meaning of Kumar is Virgin. A girl between the ages of 6-13 is selected and lives in a temple near Patan Durbar, and is considered as living incarnation of Goddess Taleju. She symbolizes power and protection. After being selected as a Kumari, this girl’s life changes entirely. She leaves her palace only for ceremonial purposes, her family rarely visits and her playmates are from the caretaker’s family. The Kumari always wears red clothes, has her hair in a topknot and the symbol of the “fire-eye” painted on her forehead. You will have an opportunity to be blessed by the Kumari. She won’t smile or talk to you, but her caretaker elder sister will answer any questions you have.
Our last group dinner together will be a special one as we dine at a 150 year-old heritage building at Bhojan Griah while enjoying Nepalese cuisine, folk dance, and music. (B, L, D)
Sunday, February 11 – Kathmandu – Post-Tour Ends
After breakfast, we’ll check-out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for flights home with new friends and amazing memories of our time exploring India and Nepal.
The hotel for this program is:
Night 1-3 Marriott Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal
Please Note:
- Alternate hotels may be utilized.
- Smaller buses, which may not be lavatory equipped, may be used on this program. In this case, frequent stops are made during travel periods.
- This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven grounds and cobblestone streets.
- The itinerary may change due to changed flight schedules or traffic delays.
Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website. All rooms are non-smoking.
Cancellation Policy: From the time of deposit until July 27, 2023, there is a $150 penalty for cancellation. From July 28 – October 16, 2023, the cancellation penalty is the amount of the deposit. From October 17 – December 26, 2023, the cancellation penalty is 50% of the total package price including Nepal package and any reserved extra hotel nights. From December 27, 2023 until the day of travel, the cancellation penalty is 100% of the total package price including Nepal package and any reserved extra hotel nights. Cancellations made on the day of departure and “no-shows” will receive no refund. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the journey. Your decision not to participate on the tour due to State Department advisories, fear of travel, illness, or any other reason will be deemed a cancellation.
Travel Protection: A travel protection plan is recommended for participation in this program. Information will be sent with tour confirmation.
Flights and Transfers: The cost of all flights within India have been included in the cost of the tour. You will be flying into and out of Delhi for the India tour. Those going on to Nepal will fly home from Kathmandu, changing planes in New Delhi. More details will be sent to you with your tour confirmation. Please do not purchase your international flights until you have received a confirmation letter from Amazing Journeys via email. For those arriving and departing on the tour beginning and end dates, we will provide group airport transfers.
Passports & Visas: A valid passport is required. Passports must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. An Indian visa is also required. The cost of the visa for a US citizen is currently $25. There may also be a minimal processing fee. Details will be sent with your tour confirmation. Rates may change at any time. For those who are citizens from countries other than the US, please consult the Embassy of India in your country of residence for visa requirements.
Activity Level – 3 out of 5: A trip to India is always a busy one. For this tour, you like to be on-the-go when you travel. You are happy to be on the move with early mornings, full days and walking tours, sometimes covering 1-2 hours of walking at a time, over a variety of terrain from cobblestone streets to easy pathways. You can navigate hills and uneven ground, and climb into various modes of transportation.
Twin Accommodations: Twin accommodations are available if you and a friend are traveling together. When signing up for twin occupancy, should one of the roommates cancel, the remaining traveling roommate will assume the cost of a single occupancy. Standard cancellation terms apply to any cancellation.
Taxes & Gratuities: All taxes and gratuities have been included in the cost of the tour package. These include baggage handling (one bag per person), tour manager, local guides, drivers and meal servers for included features. We are unable to tip the hotel staff on your behalf and we leave that up to you. Taxes, surcharges, visa fees and government fees are subject to change.
Vaccinations: There may be required vaccines and recommendations necessary in order to travel within India and Nepal. We recommend you visit a travel clinic or see your health professional. Requirements can change at any time. We will have more details in your confirmation email. It is recommended you bring along an official government issued Covid-19 proof of vaccination card as countries and venues along the way may still require it and you may be denied entry without.
Group Size: The India tour must have a minimum of 10 passengers in order to operate and is limited to 25 passengers. In order for the Nepal post-tour to have an Amazing Journeys staff person present, we require a minimum of 10 passengers. Otherwise, it will be conducted by our onsite tour manager.
Fuel Surcharges & Exchange Rate: In the case of currency fluctuations of greater than 3%, we reserve the right to adjust our pricing according in order that we may be able to operate the tour effectively. Should oil costs go above $65 a barrel and our tour operators adjust the rate of the tour, we reserve the right to adjust the cost of the tour accordingly.
Sold Out!
