Take a morning Yoga session with the Yoga instructor early this morning. Later, after breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City.

Kathmandu City: Kasthamandap, the source of the name Kathmandu means „made from the timber of a single tree‟. Also known as Kantipur, the capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's art and culture. It is a place for rest, relaxation and easy-day sightseeing of historic and artistic temples and monuments. Kathmandu Durbar Square with its arrays of temples, Seto Machhindranath and the ancient palace of the former Nepali Royals enriches your experience of the centuries old civilisation

x Said to be around 2000 years old, this Buddhist Stupa sits atop a hill. The main stupa is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle of Copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The hill of Swayambhu is a mosaic of smallChaityas and Pagoda temples. You‟ll get a scenic view of Kathmandu city from there. At the end of the day, you will do a short debrief of the day to recollect how the day went and what to look forward to, on the next day

Kathmandu City: Kathmandu derives its name from the "Kasthamandap" term, which translates as "made ofthe timber of a single tree." Also known as Kantipur, the capital of Nepal is the country‟s capital of art and culture. As you get around, you will spot temples almost everywhere. And that is the reason why the city is often called the “City of Temples”. You will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the UNESCO World Heritage site. Flanking the Royal (Durbar) Palace, itabounds with beautiful temples. Along the way, you will learn about Seto Machhindranath. Considered the god of rain, both Hindu and Buddhist believers worship the deity. Besides admiring religious structures, you will find Kathmandu ideal for relaxing and resting

Swayambhunath: After visiting Kathmandu and its square dating back to the 17th century, head to the Kathmandu Valley. At the top of it, you will find the Swayambhunath, one of the holiest Buddhist structures in Nepal. Considered around 2000 years old, the stupa (a dome-shaped structure) is also known as the "Monkey Temple." From there, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Kathmandu city. The main stupa consists of a lofty conical spire crowned by a pinnacle gilded with copper. On each side of the Swayambhunath you can see all-seeing eyes of Buddha. Furthermore, the hill around the stupa abounds with pagodas and chaityas. After such an enriching day, you will summarize your experiences on a short debrief. Also, you will find outwhat to look forward to on the next day of your Nepal experience. Overnight stay at the accommodation, Kathmandu. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

After breakfast at the accommodation we drive you to Chitwan. It will be approximate 185 Kilometres which takes about 6 hours including a lunch break. Upon arrival a local naturalist will host reception, refreshments, briefing about the programs and the facilities at your accommodation. On the 3rd day of your stay, you will get a chance to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger among other wildlife species roaming Nepal. To that end, we will take you to the Royal Chitwan National Park, which is 185 km/115 mi awayfrom Kathmandu. You will start this 6-hour journey after the delicious breakfast. Along the way, you will have alunch break. Upon the arrival in Chitwan, a local naturalist will welcome you, offer refreshments and brief you about the program of the tour, available facilities and the accommodation.

Royal Chitwan National Park: The Royal Chitwan National Park is situated in the lush valley of Chitwan situated in the foothills of Churia rangeswhich houses the first National Park of the Kingdom. This National Park is famous for its variety of wildlife espe- cially the Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. The Royal Chitwan National Park is a lush valley featuring dense forests accommodating various rare animal species. The foothills of the Churia Range, which flank the park, provide a scenic backdrop for your adventure.Unlike the mountain range that is sparsely populated, the royal national park abounds with life. Besides the elusive Bengal Tiger, the Indian One- horned Rhinoceros is another priced representative of Nepali fauna you may see here.

Jeep Safari: The jeep safari is the best way to get a look deeper Chitwan National Park. For 3-4 hours you can explore a variety of habitats, and get a close look at rhinos, crocodiles, alligators, wild boar and deer. Expect to get out of the jeep and track rhino on foot during the safari. After dinner, we do a short debrief about the day and recount our experiences. For your best experience, we organize the jeep safari of the Royal Chitwan National Park. The jeep allows you to tour many habitats of the unique park and lay eyes on a variety of animal species. The tour guide will take you as close to animals as possible for safe sighting. In some cases, you will join entertaining activities to findout how it is to be a ranger in Chitwan. Tracking down a rhino on foot is one such. Also expect to spot deer, boars, crocodiles and alligators during the tour. Af ter the arr iv al in the camp and dinner, we will do a shor t debr ief. M oreover, you will have a chance to sum - marize your experience with fellow explorers. Overnight stay at the accommodation, Chitwan. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Exploring Chitwan on board a jeep is just one activity you are going to enjoy while you are in the national park.Taking part in a forest walk and boating are other enterprises that allow you to fully appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna of the Royal Chitwan NP.

Jungle Walks: allows one to explore several different wildlife habitat areas, from the flood-plain grassland to thedense Sal forests. There, one gets an opportunity to encounter a variety of animals including the endangered ones. Since walking through the forest disturbs the animals less, you‟ll have a better chance for discovering wildlife. One can also learn useful information about different kinds of plants and herbs in the National park. Floating down Rapti River on a dugout canoe is the best way to discover the habitat of crocodiles in the river (from a safe distance). It is also a relaxing and a better way to watch the different kind of birds and wildlife species drink water on the bank of the serene river. Jungle Walks is an experience conceived to introduce a number of wildlife habitats to you. Along the way, youwill traverse grasslands, verdant and dense forests and other beautiful areas. More so, a walking tour will enable you to close on animals that get easily disturbed by noise. As a result, they don‟t hesitate to put the distance between the source of the noise and themselves. Being able to approach animals quietly on foot, you will have a chance to take a closer look at them. Have your camera at a ready since even rare or endangered species are likely to cross paths with us on this tour. As a bonus, you will be able to examine various plants and herbs while learning the ways of using them. The Rapti River flowing through Chitwan is home to a truly unique type of reptile. While sailing on board a wooden dugout canoe, open your eyes for a creature similar to a crocodile, but with an extremely long snout. Once you notice gharial (gavial), you are looking at the closest relative to dinosaurs that still lives. During the boat tour, you will also get a chance to admire different bird and animal species inhabiting the region around the Rapti. Some birds you are likely to spot are Siberian ducks, egrets and herons. Pay attention to cormorants and how efficient they are while hunting fish.

Elephant Breeding Centre:The elephant breeding centre supports the wild and trained herds of Chitwan elephants by ensuring a steady supply of elephant calves. Expect to see several cow elephants and calves of ages from a few days to a few years old. Expect also to be moved - there are few things in Chitwan so endearing as a baby elephant. The second part of the tour takes you to the elephant breeding center in Sauraha. If you had an opportunity tospot these gentle giants roaming Chitwan, they most likely came from this particular breeding center. Prepare yourself for the encounter with baby elephants and calves, which may be between a few days and a few years old. Interacting with a baby elephant and watching it playing is sure to be a memorable experience for you. Daily debrief about the day. Overnight stay at the accommodation, Chitwan. (Meals: Breakfast, & Dinner)

We leave Chitwan after some Bird watching that The Chitwan National Park is known for because its home to more than 450 species of birds. In other words, some people have commented the park as a heaven of the bird world. Take a guided tour through the forest to hear the colourful birds‟ early morning chirps and watch them fly. Later drive of 5 -6 hours under normal road condition to Pokhara which is approx. 220 kms. Southwest of Kath- mandu Valley at an altitude of 827m from the sea level. A day before, you had an opportunity to take a glimpse into the bird world of Chitwan next to the Rapti River. On the 5th day of your Nepal experience, you will do a more comprehensive birdwatching tour. Around 450 bird species inhabit the national park, including both migratory and non-migratory birds. Only this birdwatching tourwill enable you to comprehend how much Chitwan‟s bird world is really diverse and fascinating. Among other species, you may see colorful parakeets, darters with long chins and hoopoes with “crowns” on their heads. Besides watching birds flying, you are going to like how they sing in the morning. When the time comes, get your bearings to Pokhara, which is around 220 km/135 mi away from the ChitwanNational Park. The road conditions are normal and the journey usually lasts between 5 and 6 hours.

Pokhara: is a remarkable place of natural beauty. At an elevation lower than that of Kathmandu, it has much more tropical feel to it; a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diverse flowers that prosper in this environment. The enchant-ing city with a population of around 95,000 has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Hima- layan peaks. The serenity of the lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. The valleys surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forest, gushing rivers, emerald lakes and of course, the views of world famous Himalayas. The city is also known as the centre of Adventure. Describing Pokhara in a few words is difficult. But, “the Center of Adventure” and “the Place where peace and magic meet” would be a good start. The city sits at the altitude of 827 meters/2715 feet, which is lower than the altitude of Kathmandu. The Himalayan Mountains dominate the skyline around the city. Also, the Annapurna Circuit, a popular Himalayan trail, begins around Pokhara. There are also several beautiful lakes in the area, reflecting the sky and the peaks of the mighty Himalayas on the water surface. Finally, wide expanses covered with flowers will delight you to the core. But, that‟s not everything. The area around Pokhara, which has around 95,000 residents, is rich in verdant forests and gushing rivers. Some entertaining activities the city is famous of are trekking, paragliding, boating and sky diving. Not to mention hiking, pony riding, mountain viewing and mountain biking, of course.

Phewa Lake:Spend a quiet time boating in the ultimate lake where the reflections of Mount Annapurna and Machhapu- chhre range falls. You will also see a variety of fishes while boating. An island temple is located at the middle of the lake. Thick forest lies on the adjoining southern slopes of the lake. It‟s hard to escape the draw of Phewa Lak e and any visitor with even a few spare minutes should endeavour to take a boat out on the water to fully experience the wonderful views of the reflected mountains. You will be requested to share your experiences from the day and briefed on what is coming up on the next day. Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal and a jewel of nature. Flanked by Rani Ban, or Queen‟s Forest, it offers a serene experience unlike any other. Hence, take a boat tour to hear birds singing in the forest, while appreciating the high mountains of Annapurna that domina te the sk yline. Take note of M achhapchhre, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. M ake sure to capture its image against the sky on the water surface. Also allocate time to examine many fish species. The scenic Hindu temple, located on a small island, is sure to mesmerize you. One thing is certain – once you experience Phewa Lake, it will keep calling you back. Share your experiences with other travellers after debriefing and spend the night in Phokara. Overnight stay at the accommodation, Pokhara. (Meals: Breakfast)

Early morning – Drive to Sarangkot for Sunrise View above the high Himalayan Range and stunning view of Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri Range, Machhapuchhre and other snow-capped mountains as well as Pokhara Valley. After the visit drive back to your accommodation and have breakfast. On the 6th day of your stay in Nepal, we take you to enjoy one of the most popular activities around Pokhara – mountain viewing. We start at early morning and go to Sarangot, which is about 5 km/3.1 mi away from Pokhara Lakeside. This viewpoint is 1,592 meters/5,223 feet above the sea level. From there, you‟ll admire spectacular sunr ise view of the Pok hara Valley and sur rounding mountains. Those of the A nnapurna R ange, M achhapuchhre, the Dhaulagiri Range and the Fishtail Mountain are some. Next, we are going back to the accommodation for breakfast. Visit the locally known as Patale Chhango (Hell's fall), Devi's fall (also known as Devin's or David's) is an awesome waterfall lying about 2 km south-west of Pokhara airport on the highway to Tansen. An interesting modern legend says that a foreigner named David was skinny dipping in the Pardi Khola (river) when the floodgates of the dam were opened, sweeping him into an underground passage beneath the fall, never to be seen again.

We will also visit Patale Chhango during this day. It is a waterfall whose name translates as Hell‟s Fall and Underworld Waterfall. Located 2 km/1.25 mi southwest of Pokhara Airport, it is also known as Devi‟s, Devin‟s and David‟s Waterfall. The waterfall consists of a tunnel, which is around 150 meters/500 feet long. Some 30 meters/100 feet of the fall run under the ground level. A story tells of a person named Devi who was swept from the Pardi Khola River into the underground passage once a dam opened. Thus the alternative name of the waterfall. Gupteswar Gupha, a sacred cave, lies 2 km from Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway leading southwestfrom the city.

The entrance is right across from Devi's Fall and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-size rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. This cave holds special value forHindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered. After visiting the waterfall, we take you to Gupteswar Gupha, a cave significant for the worshippers of the Hindu religion. The sacred cave is in the vicinity of Patale Chhango. The corridors of a 3-km/1.85-mi long cave vary in size widely. Sometimes, you will find yourself in a hall of a big size. On other occasions, you will crawl toget to the other side of a narrow passage. Either way, interesting rock formations will be along the way for you to admire. One of the highlights of Gupteswar Gupha is a symbol of the Hindu deity Shiva that resembles a phallus. Our regular daily debrief takes place by the end of the day. Overnight stay at the accommodation, Pokhara. (Meals: Breakfast)

The return journey to Kathmandu takes place after breakfast.

Late afternoon:Tour of Pashupatinath Temple + Boudhanath Stupa. In late afternoon, we take you on a tour of some of the most significant Hindu and Buddhist places of worship in Nepal and Asia.

Pashupatinath Temple:Pashupatinath Temple dating back to 400 A.D. is one of the oldest Hindu Temples dedica ted to Lord Shiv a. It is for the Hindus wha t M ecca is for the M uslims. Situa ted amidst a lush green na tural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in Pagoda Style with gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/-March. You‟ll also be able to see cremation grounds that lie on the bank of Bagmati behind the temple. Located near Kathmandu, the Pashupatinath Temple is a sacred temple devoted to Shiva. Founded in the 5th cen tur y AD, it is the holiest place of worship for the Hindus in the world. W ha t M ecca is for the M uslims, Vatican for the Catholic Christians and Kiev for the Orthodox Christians, this the Pashupatinath Temple is for the Hindu population. The temple accesses the Bagmati River and its architecture features the pagoda style. Pay attentionto the gilded roof of the temple and intricate carvings on silver doors.

Near the Pashupatinath Temple we will find the Guheshwori Temple, devoted to Sati Devi, Shiva‟s consort. Yet,there is much more. It won‟t take long for you to find that the temple complex we tour is the largest in Nepal. The area is especially busy in February or March, when the regular annual pilgrimage takes place. Boudhanath Stupa: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal; Boudhanath is one of the holiest structures imposing a height of 36 meters with three massive level Mandala style platforms. It is surrounded by colourful buildings housing families creating a friendly enclosure. The Stupa is visited every year by tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world

Located at the outskirts of Kathmandu, the Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most graceful Buddhist stupas you will ever see. Besides, it ranks as one of the biggest (it is 36 meters/118 feet high) and the oldest Buddhist structures in Nepal. Being an important place of worship, the stupa is regularly visited by tens of thousands of pilgrims coming from all over the world. The Boudhanath Stupa is well proportioned, overlooking the Kath- mandu city with its giant eyes. Structures painted in different colours surround the stupa. Our regular daily debrief takes place by the end of the day. We conclude the day with the daily debrief and overnight stay at the accommodation inKathmandu. (Meals: Breakfast)

Early morning Yoga session with the Yoga instructor followed by breakfast at the accommodation. After breakfast, an orientation to your volunteering project and visit to your project for starting off the work. After thevolunteering project, you come back to your accommodation. Later, take a cooking class to learn the local cuisines of Nepal with the local cook. The 8th day of your Nepal Experience brings something entirely new. After an early morning yoga session led by a yoga instructor and breakfast, we will get an overview of a volunteering project we are about to take. After volunteering, you return to your accommodation before proceeding to the cooking class. Nepalese cuisine is considered healthier than most other cuisines of South Asia, and you will learn its basics during the workshop. A local chef will assist you during this entertaining and enriching class. After the workshop, we summarize the volunteering activities of the day & plan the volunteering for the next day.

We review the day together and have overnight stay at the accommodation in Kathmandu. (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch)

You will start the day with breakfast and continue your volunteering project during most parts of the day. In the afternoon, we bring you to one of the nearest Buddhist Monastery to learn more about the Buddhist religion and culture. After the breakfast, we continue volunteering for the biggest part of the day. Afterwards, we will be visiting a nearby Buddhist monastery in order to learn more about Buddhism. For now, know that there are several Bud- dhas of the present kalpa (the kalpa is a very long time period lasting around a billion years). Kakusandha, Konag-amana and Kassapa are some past Buddhas of the present kalpa. Gautama, also known as historical Buddha, is the present Buddha and the founder of the Buddhism as we know it.

By the end of the 9th day, we review the experiences of the day. We also prepare for the next day ofvolunteering and activities. (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch)

Continue your volunteering project during the day. Later in the afternoon, after the daily reflection time with your guide, get ready for another experience of the real culture of Nepal by visiting a local family home for dinner. Visiting a local (urban, middle income level) family and seeing their life is one of the best ways to get an up-close-and-personal view of how regular Nepalese people live through observation and We continue the volunteering program until late afternoon. Then, we have another unique experience on the schedule. This one spotlights the authentic culture of Nepal in a quite different way. This time, we go to visit a traditional family that welcomes us for dinner. Our hosts are urban people of the middle class, and they will allow us to experience how their everyday life looks like.

Note about the family mealVisiting a family is a partly observation and partly experience. While we choose our host families based on their English conversation level, not all members of the family may interact with you equally. Go with an open mind, see what a local home looks like and enjoy a “home like” ( mostly vegetarian) meal. Both observation and experience are parts of the visit. While we choose our hosts based on their knowledge of English, not all family members may know conversational English to the same extent. Therefore, be an open-minded and observant guest. Also note that the meal our hosts offer is vegetarian for the most part. (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch) We go over our experiences of the day as to what was interesting, not interesting, surprising or otherwisenoteworthy. Plus we review what is to be done in the volunteering activities in the next day. On our regular debrief, we will summarize experiences of the day and get through recommendations and suggestions. We will also have an overview of the volunteering activities that await us on the following day.

After breakfast, continue your volunteering project during the day as per the activity plan. Today, after the daily reflection time with your guide, we get some “Henna” painting done on you. This traditional art of South Asia is very popular amongst local women, especially during weddings.

After breakfast, you continue planned volunteering activitiesAfter the reflection time with your guide, you will attend a Henna painting class. Prepare yourself to act as a canvas because local artists will show their skills on you. There are many designs available, including floral sym- bols and various intricate patterns. Henna painting is the traditional art of South Asia, especially popular among women that are about to marry. (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch)

Do your volunteering project during the day as per the activity plan. What awaits you after the daily reflectiontime today, we have some fun with dressing you up in local Nepalese attires, making up for a great photo opportunity. After the scheduled volunteering and the regular reflection time, we have something really special for you. Getready to dress yourself in local attire and have a great time while the photographer takes photos of you.

The day ends with the daily debrief as any other day. We will also take a look at what is coming next.(Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch) (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch)

After the volunteering project, we bid farewell to the project and head out for a special experience of observing daily life in rural Nepal. The volunteering project ends with the 13th day of your stay in Nepal. After this day‟s volunteering, we will visit a countryside farm and see how Nepali farmers spend their days. Today, we have a unique experience of visiting a rural family farm where we get a guided tour of their home, their farm, interact with them through your tour guide and conclude the day with a simple local meal that is cooked by the family asper the staple diet for rural people in this part of Nepal. What you also get to observe and notice is the difference in the attires, the living standards and daily routines of a rural family.

Life on a Nepali farm is different in many ways than life in a city. You will notice differences wherever you look, from attiresto what people do to living standards. After you tour the farm and befriend with the locals, you will share a simple, local meal with them. We conclude the day with a slightly longer debrief about the entire trip, the various experiences & the volunteering. (Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch)

We have kept today‟s day to be free for you to explore the city of Kathmandu on your own because by now, you are familiar with Nepal and Kathmandu. Feel free to take advice from our tour leader and make plans other travelers to have some flexible time on your own.

You are well familiar with the Nepali routine and Kathmandu by now. Hence, we leave it to you to decide how to spend the penultimate day of your Nepal Experience. Of course, feel free to consult with your tour leader or other travelers about anything you need. (Meals: Breakfast)

We come to the end of your trip in Nepal. We will drive you to the airport in time for your flight back home. Also, we look forward to welcoming you on some other adventure with us. (Meals: Breakfast)