Positive India Journey
Sacred Travel Atelier
Positive India Journey
Sacred Travel Atelier
"The mystical Himalayan kingdom of gods and Buddhas"
Nepal — a small Himalayan kingdom that holds within it some of the world's greatest natural and spiritual treasures — eight of the world's fourteen 8,000-meter peaks, the birthplace of Buddha, some of the most magnificent Hindu and Buddhist temples in Asia, and a culture of extraordinary richness and warmth. This 7-day journey takes you from the ancient temple-filled city of Kathmandu to the lakeside paradise of Pokhara, the sacred birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini, and the jungles of Chitwan with their resident one-horned rhinoceroses and Bengal tigers.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon walk through Thamel — Kathmandu's famous traveler district with its maze of shops, cafes and temples. Visit the ancient Rani Pokhari pond and Indra Chowk. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Full day of Kathmandu's most sacred sites. Morning: Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River — Nepal's holiest Hindu temple, a UNESCO site where sadhus meditate and the ancient cremation ghats line the riverbank. Continue to Boudhanath Stupa — one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, a place of intense spiritual atmosphere with Tibetan pilgrims circumambulating clockwise. Afternoon: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) with its all-seeing eyes of Buddha painted on the four sides. Kathmandu Durbar Square — the ancient royal plaza. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Optional early morning Everest Mountain Flight (1 hour, dawn — highly recommended for views of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu). Then drive to Patan (Lalitpur) — its Durbar Square is a masterpiece of Newari architecture. Visit the Krishna Mandir, the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), and the Tibet Museum. Afternoon: Bhaktapur — the 'City of Devotees', the best-preserved medieval city in Nepal, famous for its clay pottery and extraordinary temple architecture. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Drive or fly (30 minutes) to Pokhara, Nepal's most beautiful city. Pokhara sits beside the mirror-like Phewa Lake, with the entire Annapurna Range — including Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail), Annapurna I, II, III and IV — perfectly reflected in its surface. Boat ride on Phewa Lake to the Tal Barahi Temple on an island. Visit the International Mountain Museum — a comprehensive tribute to Himalayan climbing history. Overnight in Pokhara.
Pre-dawn drive to Sarangkot Hill for an extraordinary sunrise over the Annapurna Range — the mountains turn gold, then orange, then brilliant white as the sun rises. Return to Pokhara, then drive south to Lumbini (4 hours) — the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the sacred Maya Devi Temple, the Ashoka Pillar (249 BC), and walk through the Sacred Garden. Explore the international monastery zone with its Buddhist monasteries from over 20 countries. Overnight in Lumbini.
Morning: More time in Lumbini's Sacred Garden for contemplation and meditation. Drive to Chitwan (3 hours). Chitwan National Park is one of Asia's best wildlife parks — home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, sloth bear and over 500 species of birds. Afternoon: Elephant-back jungle safari or Jeep safari into the park in search of rhinos. Overnight in jungle lodge.
Morning canoe ride on the Rapti River and jungle walk to observe birds and wildlife. Drive or fly back to Kathmandu. Transfer to airport for your international departure. Nepal — the land where gods and humans share the same mountains — will remain within you as a quiet, living presence.