Nepal’s Cultural Highlights -11 Days
Trip Highlights of Nepal’s Cultural Highlights -11 Days
- Visits to Lumbini’s sacred birthplace of Buddha
- View the Annapurna Himalaya in all its glory from Pokhara.
- Pokhara is one of the best place in the world to go paragliding.
- Visit Kapilvastu, the ancient Shakya kingdom of Prince Siddhartha
- Find out more about the Buddhist and Hindu holy sites in Nepal.
Itinerary of Nepal’s Cultural Highlights -11 Days
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
There could be time to see the Kathmandu Durbar Square after checking into your hotel in the city. It’s roughly a 20-minute walk from Thamel, the main tourist area. From neo-classical Gadi Durbar Palace to sixteenth-century pagoda temples, this public area is home to a diverse array of architectural styles.
Go to Krishnarpan for dinner if you want to enjoy some fine dining. Krishnarpan, which is housed in the opulent Dwarika’s Hotel, offers what is arguably the best dining experience in Kathmandu overall. The food is equally diversified, and the staff wears traditional attire from the numerous ethnic groups of Nepal. An entire cultural experience is had when dining at Krishnarpan. Of course, Kathmandu also offers a wide variety of fantastic restaurants.
Day 2: An introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal
Through two well-known locations, you will learn about Nepal’s two main religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, today. Although Buddhism also has a significant influence on Nepali culture and many individuals follow elements of both religions, the majority of Nepalis are Hindu.
Visit the Boudhanath Stupa in the morning. The vicinity is a center for Tibetan life and culture in Nepal, and this location is regarded as the holiest Tibetan Buddhist place outside of Tibet. The massive white dome is topped with a shining golden top that features the Buddha’s piercing eyes and was reconstructed after being damaged in the 2015 earthquake.
After eating your meal while admiring the stupa, visit the neighboring Pashupatinath Temple. It is the holiest Hindu place in Nepal and consists of a complex of temples, cremation ghats, and occasionally an eccentric sadhu. Visitors are deeply affected by Pashupatinath’s beautiful architecture and solemn yet joyful atmosphere.
Day 3: Manakamana Temple by cable car
Stop at the Manakamana cable-car and temple on the way from Kathmandu to Lumbini to break up the drive. A long and beautiful cable car runs up to Manakamana from the highway town of Kurintar, roughly three hours from Kathmandu along the Trisuli River.
Despite being restored after being destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, the Manakamana temple continues to draw many visitors from all around India and Nepal. The journey up is really beautiful, hanging 700 meters over the river and the terraced rice fields on the hillsides. On a clear day, the town offers views of the Annapurna Himalaya.
A handful of inexpensive camps, including Gorkha Beach and River Fun Beach Resort, are located along this section of the river and cater mostly to white-water rafters. Instead, stay at the Riverside Springs Resort in Kurintar for a more upscale night.
Day 4: Overland to Lumbini
The four-hour trip from Kurintar to Lumbini takes you from Nepal’s high mid-hills to the hotter, flatter plains.
Prince Siddhartha Gautam, often known as Buddha, was born at Lumbini, a town on the plains of Nepal, in 623 BCE. Although the site was lost for years and had fallen into ruin, the hallowed location was marked by a stone pillar built by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE. It is currently classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a place of pilgrimage and a symbol of global peace.
