Gajendra Moksha, Muktinath and Janakpur Tour with Chitwan Pokhara and Nagarkot
per person
Destination Covered: Kathmandu – Nagarkot – Chitwan National Park – Balmiki Aasram – Gajendra Mokhsya – Chitwan- Lumbini – Pokhara – Jomsom – Muktinath – Janakpur
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Departure
Janakpur Kathmandu
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Day 01: Kathmandu
Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. And sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple.
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath, or Pashupati, is a Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km far from Kathmandu. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Shiva called Pashupati (lord of animals). It attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has become well known far beyond the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is barred to non-Hindus, but a good view of the temple can be had from the opposite bank of the river. Overnight stay at hotel.
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Day 02: Sightseeing tour & drive to Nagarkot (38 Kms/1.5 Hrs)
Your sightseeing tours begin after breakfast. Your guide will come at your hotel and meet you at hotel lobby at 0930 am. You will proceed with sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath temple located on the bank of Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and often known as “abode of Shiva”. Only Hindus are permitted to enter inside the temple complex for worship however other can go other side of temple to see the rituals of Hindu people and morning activities. You will also witness rare ceremony of funerals as per Hindu traditions at cremation ghats on the bank of holy river Bagmati.
After visit at Pashupatinath temple, you will proceed to Boudhnath stupa located 3 Kilometers away from the temple. Boudhnath stupa is also known as “Mini Tibet” and one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. This stupa is surrounded by Tibetan settlements and monasteries. You will witness Buddhist rituals and traditions at Boudhnath area which is en-circle by Buddhist prayer flags and mane.
Afternoon, you will drive 14 Kilometer east to Kathmandu to visit the best preserved ancient city of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is also called as cultural hub of Newari people. Many of the highly decorated buildings and shrines were destroyed in the 1934 & 2015 earthquake. However, the main square still contains a few temples and other architectural show pieces; the Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Palace of 55 windows, the Bell of the barking dogs, the Nyatapola temple and the replica of Pashupatinath temple. In Bhaktapur you will observe the Newari people with traditional and daily work. Narrow lanes of Bhaktapur offer bargain price for the Thankas “Oil painting on Silk” which you can buy if interested.
After visit, drive to Nagarkot hill station located on the hill top overlooking Central Himalayan ranges and Kathmandu valley floor. Nagarkot is popular hill station located close to Kathmandu and famous for sunrise and sunset views. If weather is very clear then you can enjoy glimpse of Mount Everest from here. Nagarkot offers one of the longest Himalayan ranges view offering 8 out of 14 ranges inside Nepal. The view stretches from Annapurna in west to Makalu in the east. Free time on own to enjoy sunset view from hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Nagarkot
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Day 03: Breakfast and transfer to Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the most popular destination for tourists wanting to have a good experience of the region’s wildlife. It was declared a National Park in 1973. In 1984, UNESCO designated Royal Chitwan National Park a Natural World Herita ge Site. The Park offers protection to 56 species of mammals including the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Gangetic dolphin and wild bison. There are estimated to be 470 species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, 126 species of fish, 150 species of butterflies and 47 species of reptiles in the park! A recent study also points out that over a third of Nepal’s tigers are in Chitwan. Evening view sunset from Narayani River.
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Day 04: After breakfast drive to Triveni Dham for Balmiki Aasram and Gajendra Mokhsya
Enjoy the lunch as dry picnic carried from Sauraha hotel. Drive back to Sauraha, Chitwan National Park. O/N stay in Sauraha.
Gajendramoksha Divyadham (Triveni): According to Shreemadbhagavata and Baraha Purana, once upon a time there was a war between an elephant kng (Gajaraj) and a crocodile (Graha) that lasted for Hundreds of years. Lord Vishnu heard the prayers from the elephant and described and descended on Garuda to rescue him. As he arrived at the place, one leg of the elephant was already in the mouth of the crocodile. The god safely rescued the elephant from the menancing jaws of the crocodile. This place is situated in Nawalparashi district near the Indian border at the west bank of Narayani River it is known as Muktinath’s feet. It is the point where two rivers: Swornabhandra and Purnabhadra meet Narayani river. There are many temples out of which Laxminarayana Temple and Gajendramokshya Temples are famous.
Devghat Dham: Located at the border of three districts: Tanahu,Chitwan and Nawalparasi. Devghat is the confluence of three main holy rivers; Kali Gandaki, Seti Gandaki, and Trishuli. This is one of Nepal’s most important pilgrimage sites which contain numerous temples and a famous cave. It is believed that one gets the blessings equal to many good deeds. Scholars say that the name originally came from Devghatt.
Balmiki Ashram: It is situated insided Chitwan national park of Chitwan district. It is the Ashram of Rishi Balmiki. According to Hindu myth Balmiki Rishi has written Ramayana inside this Ashram. Two son of mother Sita are Lav and Kusha take born here. It is same place from where mother sita enter Patal (inner part of the earth).
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Day 05: Chitwan jungle activities:
Elephant Safari, Elephant Breeding Centre visit, Bird Watching, Tharu Cultural Village Experience etc. O/N stay in Chitwan
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Day 06: Chitwan
Jungle activities Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Day 07: Chitwan to Lumbini
Breakfast check out and drive to Lumbini and city tour of Monestaries & Ashoka Pillar
Overnight stay at Lumbini
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Day 08: Lumbini to Pokhara
Early morning, after breakfast visit Manakamana Temple by cable car. Drive to Pokhara CHECK inn and Overnight stay in Pokhara
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Day 09: Pokhara to Jomsom –Muktinath
Drop at the airport Board flight to Jomsom Darshan check inn and Same day Muktinath Darshan and back by evening Overnight stay at Jomsom
Please do note that Jomsom is a small village in the Mountains. Only basic accommodation is available here. The clients will have to walk from the airport to the hotel which takes about 2 minutes.Porters are sent to the airport to carry the luggage by the hotel. 15 Kg luggage per adult and 7 kg per child is allowed by the airlines on this sector. The aircraft is a Twin Otter or Doniar - average 15 seats.
Darshan of Muktinath temple.
To visit Muktinath, the clients will have to walk for about 15-20 minutes over the Kali Gandaki River. Here there is no means of transport as on the river there is a narrow bridge - vehicles cannot cross. After crossing the bridge take the Jeep on sharing basis for Muktinath. Originally the route from Jomson to Muktinath was a trekkers route only. Recently the route has been widened and 4x4 vehicles can only drive. The path is a Dirt road. The ride is Bumpy all the way. The drive takes about 1.5 hours one way. Upon arrival at Muktinath it is another 30 minutes’ walk from the base to the Temple.
Darshan on your own of Muktinath & following the same route return to Jomsom.
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Day 10: Jomsom – Gandki tour (Shaligram Tour)
Breakfast and Visit Gandki river for Shaligram Tour back by noon Overnight stay at Jomsom
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Day 11: Jomsom Pokhara Sarangkot Sunrise Tour and Pokhara City tour
Breakfast checkout and fly back to Pokhara. Transfer to the hotel Check inn Breakfast
Excursion to Sarangkot to see Mt. Annapurna, Dhaulagiri massif & Mt. Fishtail. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afternoon, commence on a Pokhara city tour which includes Bindavashini temple, Seti Gorge, Devis fall & Gupteshwor Mahadev cave.Rest of the day is free to relax admiring the beauty. Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara
1D flight to Pokhara City tour Davids Fall, Gupteshwor caves and Bindyabasini Temple and onward to Kathmandu check inn and Overnight stay at Kathmandu
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Day 12: Kathmandu sightseeing:
Budanilakantha, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath etc.
Kathmandu Durbar Square; The square is the complex of palaces, courtyards and temples that are built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient Malla Kings of Nepal. It is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairab (God of Destruction), Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Big Drum and the Jagnnath Temple are some of the interesting things to see in this Square.
Swayambhunath; The most ancient and enigmatic of all the Valley's holy shrines lies 2 km west of Kathmandu city, across the Vishnumati River. The golden spire of Swayambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu city. On clear days, one can even view a line of Himalayan peaks. The view is splendid at dusk as city lights flicker one by one, and even better when a full moon hangs in the sky. And evening free for shopping at Thamel. O/N at hotel.
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Day 13 Kathmandu Janakpur
After breakfast drive to airport for departure flight to Janakpur Arrival Pick up and Sightseeing Jankidham Dhanushdham Overnight stay at Janakpur
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Day 14: Janakpur Kathmandu
Breakfast check out and drop at the airport board flight back to Kathmandu