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If you are an active family with inquisitive minds the Hiking and Sightseeing Tour combines both the cultural and natural beauty Nepal is renowned for. It is a congenial journey that provides the enthusiast with the ancient heritage of this medieval country whilst all the while keeping in close proximity to the awe-inspiring nature Nepal is also known for. During your trek in the valley visit picturesque hamlets surrounded by typical Nepali countryside with terraced rice fields and ochre thatched farmhouses. We stay overnight at the beautiful small settlement of Balthali village to learn more about the lifestyles of the valley inhabitants in these areas, lives heavily influenced by their age-old traditions.
The tour begins with visits to all the major historical sites in Kathmandu before a five-day walking tour within the valley. We visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath (all of which are enlisted as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO) in Kathmandu. Whilst on the trail, we take in the historical content of the surrounding valley. Including Bhaktapur, Changunarayan Panauti and Namma Buddha.
- Visit the major sites of historical and cultural interest in Kathmandu
- Spend time in medieval Bhaktapur
- Discover ancient Panauti trek to beautiful Balthali
- Trek to Namma Buddha Monastery.
- Discover rural Nepal.
You will be met on your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport by our representative for the transfer to your hotel. After you have settled in there will be a tour briefing in the hotel’s lobby.Time to ask questions and meet your guides. The rest of the day is free to explore the bustling markets.
A full day sightseeing around Kathmandu It includes visits to Swayanbunath a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site,the Hanuman Dhoka- an ancient durbar (palace) with its numerous old palaces, temples and pagodas, the Temple of Living Goddess “Kumari”.In addition we also visit the Boudhanath Stupa – an ancient colossal stupa and center of Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu followed by a visit to the cremation site Pashupatinath Temple – the Temple of Lord Shiva situated on the banks of the Holy Bagmati River.
After breakfast today we drive to medievil Bhaktapur,Among the three major cities of the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur remains the living representation of how the entire Kathmandu Valley would have looked like during medieval times. The city is celebrated for its glorious architecture; with temples built in pagoda style -it is also known for its fine clay pottery, and massive royal courtyards whose existence date back to the 12th century. Bhaktapur has its own unique flavour where devotees still celebrate their historic festivals with gusto and passion. Ovenight hotel.
We leave the hotel for the dirve (one hour) to the small town of Panauti. Panauti is a living museum with 40 ancient temples with 28 major festivals every year. It is a listed World Heritage Site.We spend time visiting the ancient temples before trekking on to the beautiful village of Balthali. Balthali village sits on a plateau with rice terraced fields all around with glimpses of the Himalayas. The trail leads through rural hamlets, green forests and past Buddhist temples.
Overnight Hotel.
The day begins with a lovely walk following the dirt road along the river, passing the town’s Hindu temple. For the next two hours we walk up throgh a broad green valley past small villages and rice fields.The locals plant crops and, harvest rice dependent on the season.Its a great way to gain insight into the rural village life in Nepal. Tea shops along the way invite us to rest and have a refreshing cup of tea. As we get closer to Namma Buddha we have breathtaking views of the monastery and the stupa where thousands of prayer flags flutter on golden roof of the monastery that sparkles in the sun.The place is very quiet and pure. Its environment is very clean, with no pollution, and the natural air is so fresh, cool and healthy. It is also the right place for meditation and practice. In the morning when you wake up, you can see a beautiful sunrise. In the evening you can see a wonderful sunset. You can enjoy snow-covered Himalayan ranges which look so amazing and pure.
From the Buddhist point of view, Namo Buddha is one of the most important religious sites in Nepal. There are three major Buddhist pilgrimage sites: Boudha Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa and Namo Buddha.
After spending time around the monastery Our car is waiting for the journey back to hotel Kathmandu’
Overnight Hotel.
Includes
- A full day visiting the major historical sites in Kathmandu.
- All transport as described in the itinerary.
- Himalaya Heart valley guide.
- Four nights hotel accommodation
- Insurance and accommodation for Himalaya heart staff.
Excludes
- Meals other than mentioned.
- Personal travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Soft/alcoholic drinks or other.
- Entrance Fees to sites.
When’s the best time to visit Nepal?
The main seasons for trekking are the spring (Mar to May) and autumn (Sep to Nov) when you’ll have clear skies and superb mountain views. The winter (Dec to Feb) is also a great time to visit— these months offer a unique experience and fewer crowds but lower altitude treks are better at this time of year as its cold at night.
What is it like during the monsoon season?
(Jun to Aug), Most of Nepal experiences heavy rain for a few hours each day. It’s humid, wet, and the trails in the lower regions (Ghorepani, Ghandruk, Langtang, etc) can be quite muddy. If you don’t mind the rain you’ll have the trails to yourself, the skies often clear up in the morning, and certain treks offer stone-paved trails that drain the rain and make for easy trekking. Also, certain regions, like Mustang and the upper reaches of Everest, lie in the rainshadow of the Himalaya and receive little rain but views however are still likely to be restricted.
showers.
Is Wi-Fi available on treks:
The main trekking regions of Everest / Annapurna / Langtang have Wi Fi facilities on the major trekking routes. There will be times when trekking in remote areas when it is not available.
Money and payment in Nepal.
Payment in Nepal:
Payment in hotels, trekking/travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Most of the International Cards including Visa Card, Master Card, JCB, Maestro, Americal Express etc. are widely accepted by hotels, restaurants and leading travel/trekking agents. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM and Debit cards are widely in use in major cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and others.
Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. One rupee equals 100 paise. The rate regularly fluctuates and is fixed and published by Nepal Rastra Bank every other day.
What’s the difference between private and group tours?
Private tours are tailor-made itineraries built by us around your travel dates and personal interests, whereas group trips are pre-packaged and depart on specific dates. Group trips are also open for others to join, whereas private trips are just for you. You will find a list of fixed departure dates on our website.
How do I get my visa for Nepal?
For most nationalities, visa can be obtained on arrival in Kathmandu. It takes around 45 minutes and is the most convenient way to get your visa you will need passport size photos.. You can also apply for a visa in advance from a local Nepali consulate in your country if you’d like to have everything arranged in advance. Cost15 Days – 25 USD / 30 Days – 40 USD / 90 Days – 100 USD
How much luggage can I take on domestic flights?
For mountain flights, you’re allowed 5 kg. carry-on to the plane and 10 kg. for checked-in luggage. For non-mountain sector flights, the check-in allowance increases to 20-25 kg.
Are hotels included in the tour price?
Himalaya Heart organise complete tours, meaning everything is taken care of from the moment you arrive in Nepal to the moment you leave, including all of your accommodation in a three star Hotel. If you require better accommodation please let us know and we can arrange this and adjust the tour cost accordingly. Each of our tour pages shows clearly what is and what is not included in the tour price.
Are there any extra expenses not included in my tour price?
Personal expenses (tips, soft drinks, bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, donations, and extra snacks, etc) are not included in your tour price. When checking a particular trek page on our website we have clearly stated what is and what is not included. If you’re going trekking, the only things you’ll need to pay for out of pocket are wifi and battery charging (when available), extra meals outside of what’s included, alcohol, and soft drinks and perhaps hot
Himalaya Heart provides total support to you all the way. Our mountain guides have spent many years leading groups at high altitude and are well able to deal with any problems. Our teams are always well prepared, we provide our porters and support staff with excellent equipment for travel into the mountains. Your trip leader will be paying careful attention to all clients and staff, making sure everyone stays as comfortable as possible and has the best chance of attaining their goals and completing the trip successfully.
