Pilgrim Tours of Nepal

Trip Duration 17 Nights/18 Days
Trip Code NAP-TOR-007
Trip Grade Walkinf/Hiking an easy trail
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Sept – Dec / Feb - May

Overview

Pilgrim Tours of Nepal - Nepal has various Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Each temple and monastery is attached to a legend or belief that glorifies the miraculous powers of its deity. Some well-known pilgrimage sites are in Eastern part of Nepal - Baraha Chhetra which is considered one of the four greatest Hindu pilgrimage sites found in Nepal, Halesi Mahadev, Janakpur which becomes alive during different festivals throughout the year, Pathibhara and Tyangboche which is in the Sagarmatha National Park. From the monastery anyone who can travel here is blessed with magnificent views of Mt. Everest flanked by Lhotse and Nuptse. During the Mani Rimdu festival many pilgrims are found gathering here to celebrate. The pilgrimage site are in Central part of Nepal - Manakamana, Gorkha the hometown of the famous Gurkha soldiers, Lumbini birthplace of Lord Buddha, Muktinath, Gosainkunda in Langtang National Park, Tansen which has a temple dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati who is ferocious and loves blood sacrifices. Tansen is also a good travel destination to be combining with a visit to Lumbini or Chitwan National Park, and of course there are the many sacred pilgrimage sites of the Kathmandu valley and Western part Nepal are Swargadwari & Khaptad Ashram. Nepal is also the Gateway to Kailash Mansarovar, the mythical abode of Lord Shiva. Pilgrimage sites of Nepal like Muktinath and Gosainkunda make popular trekking destinations.

Highlights

  • Explore major attractions around Kathmandu valley
  • Ancient temple and shrines of 3 medrieval Kingdom
  • Pilgrimage site of Kathmandu valley
  • Natural heritage site of Chitwn National park
  • Cultural heritage site of Lumbini
  • Lake valley of Pokhara
  • Explore beautiful Kagbeni village
  • The Pilgrimage town of Muktinath
  • A great photographic site showing whole Annapurna, Dhaulagiri ranges
  • High placed Hindu's pilgrim and the land escape of Nepal's hidden treasure Mustang offers excellent views of Dhawalagiri, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak, Annapurna, Mustang
  • Langtang national park
  • A short destination trek from capital city
  • Visiting the one of the Holy Lake in Gosaikunda
  • Inhabited by Buddhist cultured people

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Walkinf/Hiking an easy trail
Trip Duration 17 Nights/18 Days
Trip code NAP-TOR-007
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude Lake Gosaikunda (4380m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 30 persons in one group.
Accessibillity Pilgrimage site tour, walking, wildlife excursion, trekking
The Route Muktinath (3810m) Lake Gosaikunda (4380m)
Season Sept – Dec / Feb - May
Trip Valid .
Trip Facilities 3+ hotels/Resort in city on B/B and best available teahouse lodge in trekking.

Itinerary

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. Generally there will not any tour activities today unless requested. Depending on your arrival time in Kathmandu, you may explore the touristy area “Thamel”. A pre trip meeting and briefing will held all together with you at hotel about the daily program activities by company representative and your trip Leader/Guide where you can discuss your final questions all together.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.

After breakfast, proceed to Pashupatinath Temple which is situated 5km east of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple of Lord Shiva-Pashupatinath with two tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its supreb architecture. However, entrance to the temple precinct is only permitted to Hindus but, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River, where dead bodies are cremated in bank of this river. Next, visit Boudhnath Stupa that is located 8km east of Kathmandu. The colossal and ancient stupa is one of the biggest in the world and has all the seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is built on an octagonal based inset with prayer wheels.

After that, go on a tour towards Bhaktapur Durban Square, the home of medieval art and architecture. Bhaktapur means the city of devotees and it lies about 14km east of Kathmandu. The main square of the city contains innumerable temple and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Golden Gate, the palace windows, the Batsaka Temple and the Bell of Barking Dogs, the replica of Pashupatinath temple and many more. Lastly we visit Changu Narayan temple, the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley came in existence in 4th century then drive back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast, we travel through the heart of Nepal passing through beautiful mountain and lowland scenery, and picturesque towns and villages before arriving at Chitwan National Park. One of Asia's most famous national parks, the forest & grassland landscape is home to many birds and animals including the majestic Indian elephant and the ever-elusive Bengal Tiger. The park is most famous however for its population of the rare one-horned rhinoceros. We include various activities in and around the park, including a gentle canoe ride down the Rapti River, a half-day jungle walk, jeep and elephant safaris, as well as a local village walk and cultural program.

This day enjoy elephant back safari, canoeing elephant ride and breeding centre visit, bird watching and see wild animals like rhinos, peacocks, crocodiles, deer’s etc. You will visit deep in the national park on elephant back. You will see one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger. After 2-3-hours of elephant safari, you can enjoy canoeing river. Later in the evening, you will enjoy Tharu cultural program. You can have the most thrilling and exciting wildlife experience of your lifetime in Chitwan National Park.

After complete your last visit in Chitwan National Park; we travel overland from Chitwan to the Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, where has been revered as the place of holy pilgrimage. Upon arrival Lumbini, we transfer you to the hotel, check-in and then we go walking through the Sacred Lumbini Garden where the Buddha was born converges on the Ashoka pillar, visit the Maya Devi Temple with its bas-relief sculpture depicting Maya Devi holding on with her right hand to a branch of pipal tree and giving birth to the infant Buddha who stand up on a lotus pedestal.

After breakfast we leave the lowland behind, head back in into the foothill of the Himalayas to Lake city of Pokhara which is popular city after Kathmandu because of its beauty; relaxed atmosphere the lakeside town affords magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Annapurna mountain range. There is plenty to keep you busy in and around the town, including short walks, caves, boat rides and nearby excursions.

Pokhara we fly to Jomsom the district headquarters of Mustang. From Jomsom you cross a small hanging bridge and then walk along the banks of the Kali Gandaki. The trail is quite barren with craggy rocks and sand and is mostly flat, which makes it very easy going. This very easy, enjoyable start is at the same time picturesque, with views of big peaks all around such as Dhaulagiri (26,794ft), Tukuche (22,703ft) and in the west the awesome mountain above Kagbeni, Nilgiri (22,769ft). Over to the south and south-west can be seen the entire Annapurna Massif. Upon reaching Kagbeni there is a taste of scenes to come in Upper Mustang, what with its narrow alleyways and tunnels, irrigation canals, green fields of wheat and barley and a large red Gompa. At the police check-post at the north end of the village there is a sign saying ‘Restricted area, tourists please do not go beyond this point’. Here you will complete your paperwork formalities for you to enter this long-forbidden region of Nepal. ACAP have set up a very interesting information post here with displays of Mustang artifacts and photos.

rek from Kagbeni to Muktinath takes about 4/5 hours. The trail steeply ascends for couple of hundred meters. Gradually walking you can enjoy beautiful deserted landscape, Caves, old Tibetan Style Villages, apple Garden, Yaks Herds, sheep herds and so on. You can look at Thorong-La valley straight up to the Muktinath.

This day you can excursion around the main attraction of Muktinath such as; Kunda:In front of Muktinath temple there are 2 Kunda (Lake), where holy dip is believed it can wash away negative karma, the results of one's past negative actions. Muktidhara: Around the temple is a wall from the temple which there is 108 waterspouts (Dhara). The 108 faucets in the cast in the shape of bulls' heads pour fourth-sacred water closely arranged in a semi-circle with a gap of hardly a foot between the faucets, at a height of seven feet. Pilgrims who visit the temple take a holy bath in each of these spouts. But as the water is ice cold it requires burning desire and courage to take a holy bath here. Hindu devotees take bath under chilled water of 108 waterspouts “Muktidhara” believing that it brings them salvation. It is also believed that the deity was originated from Jumla, far western part of Nepal. It has helped to make this area as center of Tourist attraction. In Janai Purnima Buddhist’s Yar tang Mala celebrated here. Jwalamai Temple: Even more sacred is the water that issues from rock inside the ancient Tibetan style “Jwala Mai Temple” sound of flowing river is situated south and a short distance below the of Muktinath Temple. Inside this Gompa, behind a tattered curtain, are small natural gas jest that produce Continuously burning flame, the Jwala Mai temple has a spring and there are three eternal flames “Holy flame from soil”, “Holy flame from rock” and “Holy flame from water” fed by natural gas. Currently two flames are continuously burning. The Hindu believes that this miracle of fire lighting was offering made by Brahma himself, set water on fire. Hindus worship the fire as Jwala Mai. The Buddhist believes that Padmasambhav, the great Indian master who inducted Tantric Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet, meditated at this place. The Buddhist living will show foot prints which they say are those of the great master. Mharme Lha Khang Gompa: After completing prayer and Puja at the temple a visit to Mharme Lha Khang Gomba is situated to the North of Muktinath Temple. Mharme Lha Khang is translates as thousand holy lamps. As this monastery dedicated to Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) with his huge clay image is placed center of altar along with bon deities: red Trakpo at right side and blue singe Doma at left side. Since Singe doma is lion headed deity, Hindu worships as Narasimha and name of monastry Narsingh Gompa. Gomba Samba, a "Newly Built Monastery". It is believed that founder of this monastery Syandol Lama came from Tibet. Originally this monastery was a big hostel for monks that later collapsed and people of Khinga and Jharkot jointly reconstructed it. The main deities’ monasteries are Sakyamuni, Chingresig and Guru Rimpoche. The monastery is situated at left from entrance gate of Muktinath temple complex, would be worth it. Swaminarayan: One Hindu Guru connected to Muktinath is Lord Shri Swaminarayan, Satguru of Sabij Yoga, the goal of which is the realization of and service to God Supreme. At the end of the 18th century this Satguru practiced severe penance in Muktinath for two and a half months and attained the highest degree of proficiency in Nishkamvrat. In 2003 his followers funded the new wall around Muktinath and raised a small monument for him at Muktinath. Shaligram: Another attraction for the pilgrimage is the River kali Gandaki from where one can collect fossils of the Jurassic park age. One may find a fossil within a few minutes or it may take hours and without success. However, these fossils can be had from the local people at a price. Shaligram, a black stone fossil if found, is considered sacred and is kept in Puja (Prayer) room in the house. It is supposed to be symbol of Lord Vishnu.

Easy day, trail gradually ascends to Eklebhati at Kali Gandaki River valley, walk another two hours along the wide sandy and windy valley. Arrive to Jomsom, celebrate the last day of the trek will in Jomsom with all the trekking staffs.

The flights are available during the morning time. The strong breeze blows during the after and frequent change of the weather prevent the flight being landed and taken off in the afternoon. During the flights in morning, the sky looks very clear which makes you able to enjoy the splendid views of different mountain peaks.

You have breakfast being of the early morning and we drive to Dhunche by regular bus, its takes approximately 7/8 hrs. You see along the driving time good view Himalayas of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang before Rani Pauwa where the most of the local buses stop for the tea break then down to Trisuli via a flat piece of land of Batar stop for Lunch (550m). After lunch we continue drive to Dhunche the head quarter of Rasuwa district where you’ll start to Langtang region trekking. In the evening you will prepare yourself for your hiking trip to Gosaikunda

The trail from Dhunche crosses the river and heads through the forest. The first part of the trails follows slowly all the way through a mineral water industrial unit up to Ghatte Khola. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Ghatte Khola, the trek goes quite uphill until you reach Sing Gompa through dense pine, silver oak and rhododendron forests with marijuana plants. After completing this trail we will reach Sing Gompa where you will explore an old Yak Cheese Factory and visit Monastery.

From Sing Gompa the trail climbs gradually up and reaches Chalang Pati (3650m) where you have a splendid view of Langtang Lirung, Tibetan mountains and the forest filled with beautiful rhododendron and pine. From Chalang pati the route ascends up to a small temple with a statue of Sakyamuni and further climbing you can see good views of Saraswati Kunda after trekking some while you will have excellent views of Bhairav Kunda and climbing gently you will reach to Gosaikund Lake.

In the morning you can take close shots of white Himalayan Mountains then after having breakfast we start our trek back to Dhunche. The trails are downhill through rhododendron and pine forest and flat all the way which is offers you panoramic peaks from Tibet far from your eyes. Get reach to Dhunche then get fresh in the hotel and prepare for your next day drive to Kathamdnu.

Finally, it is back to Kathmandu for one last chance to wander around the city and perhaps do some last minute shopping or a little more sightseeing.

Will have some free time until the time to leave to airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight a representative from Nepal Adventure Point will transfer you to the airport to connect onward destination or join another programs with Nepal Adventure Point!!

Cost Included

  • Fee: ACAP, entrance permit and TIMS Card
  • Activities: Sightseeing, Safari activities, trekking and driving trip as per the itinerary.
  • Accommodation: 5 nights’ hotel in Kathmandu,, 2 night hotel/resort in Chitwan, 1 night hotel in Lumband 1night hotel  in Pokhara on twin sharing bedroom, 8 night teahouse/lodge during the trekking period.
  • Food: 17 breakfast 10/10 lunch and dinner at Chitwan and during the trekking period.
  • Staffs: First hand knowledgeable tour guide in city, naturalist guide at Chitwan, exlierience trekking guide, porter and driver
  • Transportation: Arrival/deliarture transfer, Kathmandu to Chitwan and Lumbini, Lumbini to Pokhara return and surface road-head transportation.
  • Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes and; official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

Cost Excluded

  • Your international and local flight 
  • Travel/Medical insurance
  • Personal travel and trekking equiipments
  • Lunch and dinner while in City
  • Bar bills and beverages
  • Tilis/Gratuities for your crews
  • Monastery and temple entrance fees
  • Olitional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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