Nepal has so many worth seeing places that visiting Nepal in an absolute sense demands really a reasonable span of time. Yet our package under Absolute Nepal is a noble effort to make visitors feel a unique sense of absoluteness as to visiting Nepal. Within a single day in this magical country, visitors opting for realizing absoluteness can fly closely past Everest and its neighbouring summits, pause in the emerald valley of Kathmandu, then descend to the plains and ride elephant tropical jungle and view wild tigers, endangered one-horned and many other wild animals. We have attempted to take you to most of the must-see places of Nepal. Come under our sightseeing programme satisfy your heart with the feeling of completeness.

Places to visit:

Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swyambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square

Pashupatinath Temple: It is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple of lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof & silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to non-Hindus. The best view is from the terrace on the wooded hill across the river. The large gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 AD though 300 years earlier there was a structure on this site. The Bagmati River is lined with Dharmasalas and cremation ghats. There is usually a cremation in progress on one of the platforms by the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges. There are many occasions when the faithful take ritual baths in the river. One of the most colorful festivals is the women's festival Teej when they are dressed in their finest red and gold saris. Hundreds of women are seen laughing and singing on the way to the temple of Lord Pashupatinath. Another great time to be here is the Festival of Shivaratri, the birthday of lord Shiva.

Bouddhanath Stupa: Situated at the distance of 8 km from Kathmandu, Bouddhanath is the biggest stupa in Nepal and the pilgrimage centre for great many Tibetans living in Nepal. Many Tibetan Lamas and Rinpoches reside in surrounding area of the stupa. This colossal Stupa is set on concentric ascending terraces in the powerful pattern of a Mandala. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.

Swayambunath Stupa: About 45 min of walk from city centre, atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu stands the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley Lake. For centuries an important centre of Buddhist learning, the painted eyes of the Buddha gaze out from all four sides of the monument. Constructed to specific rules each with a symbolic meaning, the stupa of Swayambhunath is a model of its kind. The whole is hung with multi-coloured prayer flags of which every flutter releases holy prayers. The faithful circumambulate the stupa clockwise, turning the banks of prayer wheels and even prostrating full-length in reverence. Swoyambhunath commands great view of Kathmandu valley and the Himalayas and a visit around sunset time will be highly enjoyed.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. The square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The preference for the construction of royal palaces at this site dates back to as early as the Licchavi period in the third century. There are very many interesting places to see within Durbar Square premises, to name a few Kumari Ghar – the palace of ‘living Goddess’ kumari, Kastha Mandup – the temple built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree, Maru Ganesh —one of the most famous Lord Ganesh temples of the valley, Big Drums, Shiva Parvati Temple etc.

Patan: Patan Durbar Square, Golden Temple, Mahabaudha, and Red Machhendra Temple

Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna – Krishna Mandir built entirely of stone with rare stone carvings on its walls depicting the epic wars from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Golden Temple: This beautiful and tranquil temple in Patan is an unusual Buddhist monastery known commonly as ‘Hiranya Varna Mahabihar’, ‘Kwa Bahal’ or ‘Suvarna Mahavihara’ and is situated north of Durbar Square. Legend has it that the Golden Temple was founded during the 12th Century. Golden temple described as a ‘jeweled casket’ floating in the amrit (the water of immortality), and believed that should the waters of the philosophy of faith be ingested a promise of life eternal is his alone. The waters of amrit are legendary because of its assumed healing powers, vitality and health given to those who believe. Patan's Golden Temple is simple from the outside and majestic from the inside, with stone gates produced by the silakars whose descendants can still be seen working in the woodcarving industry.

Mahabaudha: Mahabouddha can be reached by walking east from the southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps. This Buddhist monument is an excellent example of terra cotta art form which points to the skill of Patan’s ancient craftsmen with a variety of building styles. The 14th century monument’s obelisk-like design is also unusual in a city of pagoda roofs.

Red Machhendra Nath Temple: South of Durbar Square, on the western side of the road, is the Rato (Red) Machhendranath Temple. Rato Machhendranath, the god of rain and plenty, comes in a variety of incarnations. To Buddhists he is the Tantric edition of Avalokiteshvara, while to Hindus he is a version of Shiva. Standing in a large courtyard, the three-storey temple dates from 1673, although an earlier temple may have existed on the site since 1408. Each year during the Rato Machhendranath Festival celebrations it's paraded around the town on a temple chariot during the valley's most spectacular festival. Machhendranath is considered to have great powers over rain and, since the monsoon is approaching at this time, this festival is an essential plea for good rain.

Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Sidhha Pokhari, Batsala Temple, Dattatraya Square, Survinayak Temple

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.

Sidhha Pokhari: A pond dating back to the Lichhavi period is better known as Ta-Pukhu, meaning big pond is associated with a number of different myths. Though situated right at the bus stop, it provides a serene atmosphere with its sashaying fish and the stone images of different Hindu and Buddhist Gods. From this location a wide range of snow-caped peaks are visible on clear days.

Batsala Temple: This 17th century stone temple, dedicated to a mother goddess, is full of intricate carvings on stone. It is most renowned for its bronze bell, known to local residents as ‘ the bell of barking dogs’, as when it is rung, all dogs in the vicinity start barking and howling! The huge bells was hung by a king of Malla dynasty named Ranjit Malla in 1737 A.D. and was used to give notice of the daily curfew.

Dattatraya Square: Dattatreya Square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Brahma, Bishnu and Shiva. This temple is said to have been built from he trunk of a single tree. It was built in 1427 A.D. during the reign of King Yakchhya Malla and was repaired in 1458 A.D. by King Bishwor Malla. If you want to experience the feel of the traditional urban layout of Bhaktapur, Dattatreya Square is it. Set in a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is famed for its many ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math. The National Woodworking Museum is also housed here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the street. The oldest structure in Bhaktapur was raised during the reign of the last Malla King, Yaksha Malla who ruled the Valley before it was divided into three Kingdoms amongst his three heirs.

Suryavinayak Temple: Suryavinayak is one of the most popular pilgrimage spots of Bhaktapur, 12 kilometers east of the centre. It has been positioned in such a way to catch the first rays of the sun in the morning. Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the trolley bus terminal. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh (the Elephant-headed God) is crowded with devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also one of the favourite picnic spots offering elegant views of Bhaktapur and other attractive landscapes.

Daman: Daman is a village in the central part of Nepal, located in the district of Makwanpur 80km southwest of the Kathmandu valley. It is halfway between Kathmandu and Hetauda. For those seeking the ultimate pan Himalayan view, Daman is the place to visit. It has an unobstructed view of the Himalayan range stretching ahead of it. The Everest Panorama Resort there has facility of a helipad. A viewing tower erected for scenic enthusiasts offers a telescope at a reasonable charge. On the side towards Hetauda, there are some interesting rhododendron forests, which is especially worth seeing during spring. In winter the lucky visitors get opportunity to play in the snow.

Lumbini: Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, is the pilgrimage destination of the world’s millions of Buddhists. The sites described as a beautiful Garden in the Buddha's time still retain its legendary charm and beauty. The main attraction at Lumbini remains the sacred garden spread over 8 sq. km and possessing all the treasures of this historical area. UNESCO lists this site, identified by the Indian Emperor Ashoka’s commemorative pillar as a world heritage site. To the south of the pillar, you find the sacred pond Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi had her bath just before giving birth to the Buddha. Other attractions include the various monasteries and stupas erected by different Buddhist countries. Lumbini Museum, Lumbini International Research Institute, and Kapilvastu Museum (situated 27km west of Lumbini in Tilaurakot) are yet other places to see in this region. The Kapilvastu museum has ruins of ancient capital of Sakya kingdom where the Buddha spent his youth as Prince Siddhartha.

Tansen: Tansen, a small ancient hill town is situated 4300 meters above sea level. It is located on the south Flank of Srinagar hill, between Pokhara and Lumbini. The greatest attractions of this town are its ancient culture, friendly people, excellent mountain views and its serene atmosphere. The weather here makes it a pleasant place to visit in any season. On clear days Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and other peaks unveil for nature lovers. It takes just five hours by car from Pokhara to reach Tansen or just a couple of hours drive from Lumbini. Walking around Tansen town is interesting or short day hike to Ridi can be a rewarding experience.

Dhaka - the most popular hand woven cloth of Nepal comes from this region. The Nepali topi (national cap) is made of Dhaka and you can see the weavers at work on their looms or see a bazaar of Dhakas in Tansen. It is believed that the migrant from Kathmandu valley, especially the Newars played an important role in enriching the architecture and culture of Tansen, and this can be seen today in Tansen. In the center of the town lies a 64-roomed Palace, a representation of arts and crafts of the ancient Palpa. The Tansen Palace is the heart of Palpa, attracting international as well as domestic tourists to this beautiful hill.

Pokhara: Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The valley surrounding Pokhara lake is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes, and the world famous views of Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 827m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley, the city is known as a centre of adventure. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. The city is the starting point for most popular trekking and rafting destinations and also a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. This is the land of Magars and Gurungs, hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

Sightseeing around the Pokhara valley to explore the various places like David Falls, Mountain Museum, Barahi Temple, Bindhabasini Temple and many Caves including Mahendra Cave becomes a lifetime memory for everyone who loves nature, culture and adventure. The atmosphere around the Phewa Lake is one of excited vitality; boating in Fewa Lake viewing the Mt. Fishtail along with the members of Mt. Annapurna is larger than life opportunity. Further 12 km east of Pokhara at the end of a road that turns north from highway to Kathmandu lies the Begnas Lake offering the perfect nature retreat because of its elative seclusion. Splendid hiking, boating and fishing opportunities can be found here. Trekking of different duration can be organised from Pokhara. This city is really blessed with natural jewels and is regarded as a Shangri-La for nature’s lovers.

Bandipur: Bandipur is a picturesque town nestled in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, a land as famous for its natural beauty as for the hospitality of its people. Due to its preserved, old time cultural atmosphere, Bandipur has increasingly been coming to the attention of tourism. Formerly a Magar village, Bandipur today is settled by a variety of Nepali ethnicities with different beliefs: the Bahuns, the Chettris, the Newars, the Damais, Kamis, Sarkis, Kasais, the Magars and Gurungs. Other attractions include the Bindyabashini temple and the library in the village centre, Thani Mai, Tindhara (“Three Taps” washing place at the south-eastern outskirts), Raniban (Queen's Forest), the downhill trek to the Siddha Cave and a hike to Ramkot village. Some villagers out here have picked up growing oranges, which do quite well in the climate of that area. An hour’s walk to the west of Bandipur is a silk farm. On Mukundeswari, the elevation at the western end of the saddle is a little shrine and one has a view of Bandipur itself.

Gorkha: Perched on a high rock this interesting town Gorkha holds an enormous degree of Historical importance. This mid-hill town where the legend of Gurkhas begins is located between Kathmandu and Pokhara and is just 5 hours drive from Kathmandu. Out here the palaces and temples stood as hidden jewels of Nepal are stunningly beautiful. On a clear sky day, you can view Himalayan range including spectacular views of Manaslu and Himalchuli Mountains, and panoramic views of the valleys. Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors who fought with knives against guns. The renowned places for sightseeing in Gorkha are: Gorkha Durbar, Gorkha Nath Temple, Gorakh Kali Temple, etc. Starting point of Trek to Manaslu region. Also view the palace building, one of Nepal's historical landmark, some buildings have interesting woodcarvings portraying various romantic scenes. To give full justice to your scenic tour, view the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali residing on the west side of the palace. To view sunrise from the palace, climb very early in the morning.

Nagarkot: Situated at the distance of about 35km east of Kathmandu city, Nagarkot is famous for excellent Sunrise and Sunset view. The tiny settlement of Nagarkot clings to a hilltop 36 kms east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2100m. Nagarkot is the extraordinary tourist destination to view the entire eastern Himalayan range including the Mount Everest. The sunset and sunrise view over the Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot, too far from the heart of Kathmandu, is a memory of lifetime for many. One can see a fantastic view of the Himalayas from this place with a view tower. Various sorts of hotels with modern amenities are available here. While sun goes down you will see a very beautiful colour on the snow Peak Mountains. It is also possible to do a day hike from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel along the valley rim.

Day to Day Outline Itinerary (13 Nights/ 14 Days Scenic Tour Package)

Day 01.	Arrival in Kathmandu & transfer to hotel Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel for refreshment or rest. Generally there will not be any tour activities today unless requested. Nevertheless, depending on your arrival time in Kathmandu, you may have opportunity to explore the touristy area “Thamel”. Eve: In the evening, you will be welcomed with traditional dinner at a Nepali restaurant featuring cultural programme. Overnight stay will be in a splendid hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02.	Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square a.m.: After breakfast, you will be introduced with your tour guide and then proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city. Today’s tour encompasses visit to most scared places of the city – the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath stupa. Relax and enjoy a delicious lunch in the vicinity of the Boudhhanath Stupa in a friendly Tibetan environment. p.m.: After the lunch, you will be driven to the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square. Go classic for a couple of hours! Observe and feel what the history has left for Nepal. Afterwards, you conclude your day’s excursion being driven up to the Swayambunath stupa, which is situated atop a hill from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire Kathmandu valley. Overnight stay will be at a splendid hotel.
Day 03.	Nagarkot: Approx, 1hour drive from Kathmandu makes you reach at Bhaktapur. For couple of hours you will be loitering around in this city of art and architecture. After the lunch you will be headed to Nagarkot. Nagarkot including a beautiful natural environment offers you a fine Sunset view; feast your eyes on a magnificent view of the sun sinking down the beautiful hill.
Day 04.	Daman: After breakfast, you will be driven for 5 hours to Daman. Around the mid-day you will be stationed at Daman where you have lunch and take some rest. After the lunch there will be sightseeing for couple of hours in the hillside. You will see some interesting rhododendron forests, which is especially worth seeing during spring. In the evening you will enjoy dinner at this hill station.
Day 05.	Lumbini: Today early in the morning you will catch glimpses of the sunrise view from Daman. After the breakfast you will be driven for about 7 hours to get to Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Gautam Buddha. On reaching Lumbini there will be lunch. Take some rest after the lunch and get ready for a fine sunset view from the top of the World Peace Stupa. Enjoy dinner in the evening being at this most scared and tranquil place.
Day 06.	Lumbini: Today you will enjoy full day sightseeing within the sacred Lumbini garden spread over 8 sq. km and possessing all the treasures of this historical area. Visit the interesting, artistic and holy spots like Mayadevi Temple, Pushkarni pond, Myanmar Temple also known as Lokamani Cula Pagoda, Japan temple, Sri Lanka temple, Vietnam temple and many others. There is a ‘Torch of Eternal Peace’ lighting forever.
Day 07.	Tansen: After the breakfast you will be driven for 4 hours to Tansen. On reaching Tansen you will have lunch and thereafter you will go for sightseeing for few hours. The greatest attractions of this town are its ancient culture, friendly people, excellent mountain views and its serene atmosphere. On clear days Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and other peaks unveil for nature lovers. In the evening you will be enjoying dinner at this small place having enormous historical significance.
Day 08.	Pokhara: In the morning after the breakfast you will be driven for 6 hours to Pokhara, city of nature and adventure. On arriving Pokhara you will have lunch and get some time to relax. In the evening you can enjoy views of and around the lakeside of Pokhara. In the evening you will be served with dinner with Nepali cultural programme.
Day 09.	Pokhara: Today you will enjoy full day sightseeing in Pokhara. After breakfast, our city guide leads the tour to Pokhara valley. You’ve sightseeing around the Pokhara valley to explore the various interesting places like David Falls, Mountain Museum, Barahi Temple, Bindhabasini Temple and many interesting Caves including Mahendra Cave. Boating in Fewa Lake viewing the Mt. Fishtail along with the members of Mt. Annapurna is an exciting and fascinating lifetime experience. In the evening, enjoy the dinner with a pride of being in a magical land of nature and adventure.
Day 10.	Bandipur: In the morning after the breakfast, you will leave your hotel heading towards Bandipur village. It takes about 3 hours to get to Bandipur. This picturesque town nestled in the Himalayan foothills is famous for its natural beauty and for the hospitality of its people. After the lunch take a scenic and cultural tour to Bandipur village. The various attractions of this village rich in nature and culture include the Bindyabashini temple, the library in the village centre, Thani Mai, Tindhara (“Three Taps” washing place at the south-eastern outskirts), Raniban (Queen's Forest), the downhill trek to the Siddha Cave and a hike to Ramkot village. Enjoy better a typical Nepali dinner in the evening.
Day 11.	Gorkha: Today early in the morning after the breakfast, you will be driven for 3 hours to Gorkha. Upon arriving at Gorkha have some rest. After the lunch, you will hike up to Gorkha Durbar which is a famous palace holding an enormous historical significance. You will be able to witness what really our history has left us. Catching glimpses of the scenic beauties from the hilltop of the Gorkha Palace makes your heart full of glory.
Day 12.	Kathmandu: Today, after the breakfast you will be driven 5 hours to Kathmandu. 5 hours drive. Along the way you can enjoy attractive nature’s wealth with a great sense of Gorkha’s glory. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu in the late afternoon.
Day 13.	Free Day in Kathmandu: On the onset of the day you will get a nice breakfast and thereafter you will be free so that you can go for shopping and picking up some last minute souvenirs. In the evening, Traditional Nepali Dinner will be awaiting you or your can have dinner of your choice.
Day 14.	Departure: Early in the morning you will have breakfast and after this you will be headed to the destination of your choice. Nepal is a land of beauty and adventure. You can go for outside the valley tour, Jungle Safari, trekking, bungy jumping, mountain flight etc. for giving completeness to your Nepal trip.

Total Trip Cost Per Person: USD 1442

Number of Pax: Minimum Two person

Trip Cost Includes

Trip Cost Excludes