Breakfast: In the Hotel

AM: Half day sightseeing tour of Swayambhunath and Kathmandu City followed by Rickshaw ride in Thamel

PM: Half day sightseeing tour of Bouddhanath with Lama Interaction and Pashupatinath Temple + interaction with Sadhu and enjoy the evening Aarti at Pashupatinath

Swayambhunath: 

The most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees. 

Kathmandu Durbar Square: 

Kathmandu’s number one tourist attraction swarms with life. Though a few of the square’s 50-plus monuments date from the 12th century, most are from the time of the Malla Kings. Probably the most famous building here is the KumariBahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, a manifestation of the great goddess Durga. Nearby the former Royal Palace is a Mall Dynasty dwelling, once considerably more extensive than today. Within, the courtyard Nassal Chowk, originally hosted dramatic dance performances, now it is the coronation site of the Shah kings and contains some of the finest wood carvings you will see anywhere in the kingdom.

Rickshaw Ride at Thamel: 

Discover Kathmandu like a local as you explore the city on an evening rickshaw ride. Start the tour from Kathmandu Durbar Square and pass buzzing bazaars and market squares as you head to the colorful tourist hub Thamel, where you’ll spend time exploring by the different angels of Nepalese lifestyle, markets and many more. Sit back, relax and be enchanted as you take in views of the sunset, silhouetted temples and Kathmandu’s lively evening.

Later transfer for sightseeing tour of Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath

Bouddhanath: 

This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the Stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All Stupas contain holy relics and Bouddha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Bouddha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths. Boudhanath has now been fully restored and consecrated following the earthquake of 2015.

Visit Monastery for interaction with Lama in Bouddhanath. The Blessing includes the following:

• House/Land Blessing – This is a blessing to promote the health, peacefulness, and productivity of house and land.
• Blessing of Children-This is a blessing that promotes the safety, health and auspicious development of children.
• Anniversary Blessing – This is a blessing to commemorate an event or special occasion.
• Pet Blessing – This a blessing for the sentient beings that people adopt as a loving part of their lives.

Pashupatinath: 

This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva linga enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation Ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.

Sadhus in Hinduism are wandering holy men or monks revered for being good. Many Sadhus are also Yogis who are practitioners of meditation. They have chosen a life away from or at least on the edges of normal society to focus on their own spiritual practice. Talking with a Sadhu is said to either be wildly confusing or deeply insightful. Either way being able to speak Hindi is a huge advantage in deciphering what they are saying. However a few Sadhus do understand more English than you might at first have guessed. Sadhu’s are peaceful and do not have any possessions.

Later enjoy the beautiful Aarti ceremony at the bank of Bagmati.

Pashupatinath Temple is regarded as one of the holiest shrines of Hindus across the world. Priests and devotees perform daily ritual worships and offer prayers at the temple in the morning, day and evening time. The evening ‘Aarti’ at the banks of Bagmati River on the eastern side of the temple draws people in hordes. This evening ritual with a band singing hymns in praise of god, playing of classical instruments, chanting of Vedic mantras, ringing of bells, burning of incense, and lighting of oil lamps, keep the people spellbound throughout. The ritual makes the evening environment dazzling. The Aarti is performed at 6 pm every day. The attendees experience a blissful moment. 

Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu 

Breakfast: In the hotel

After breakfast we drive to Jomsom by 4wd vehicle via Beni, Tatopani, Lete, Marpha and Tukuche.

First we take a  scenic drive to Nayapul and then to the busy town of Beni.From here we start the real adventure with an overland journey on the old Trans-himalayan Salt Trade Route to Tibet.The drive follows the Kaligandaki River most of the way passing through picturesque and traditional Gurung, Magar, Thakali villages of Tatopani, Ghasa and Kalopani with views of waterfalls close by and of stunning views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range of mountains that form the world’s deepest gorge of Kaligandaki River.After Kalopani and Lete village we leave the thickly forested area of lower Mustang and proceed to the windswept, barren river valley of Kali Gandaki reaching the charming Thakali tribal villages of Tukuche, Kobang, Marpha and on to Jomsom for our overnight stop.

Lunch at Local restaurant on the way to Jomsom

Upon arrival at Jomsom transfer to Hotel

Jomsom:

North of the Mighty Himalayas lies Jomsom, a mirage on the stark Tibetan plateaus, at 2713 meters.It is the capital and administrative headquarters for Mustang district, which stretches south from the Tibetan border to Ghasa along the Kali Gandaki River. The river cuts deep ridges as it flows between Mt. Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, creating the deepest gorge in the world. This is a land of mystique -where the rugged mountain peaks, like the Annapurna, Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri, gaze down in their awesome splendour at weathered landscapes which contrast with deep river ravines over noisy river beds. Life in Jomsom is a mixture of hard work, social frivolity tempered by culture founded on deep religious traditions. Such close proximity to some of the world’s highest peaks is destined to ingrain a sense of awe about the natural and supernatural. Jomsom is the perfect base from which to make short treks to Kagbeni, Muktinath, and Marpha and also longer treks to the forbidden city of Lo Manthang and of course the popular trek around the Annapurna region.

Dinner and Overnight at Hotel in Jomsom