Arts & Crafts Tour - 15 Days / 14 Nights
Venture into one of the most outstanding countries in the world and be amongst the few to discover one of Nepal’s oldest and most precious treasures: its traditional crafts. Experience real Nepalese culture and get in touch with local artisans who have dedicated their lives to keeping the crafts and traditions of Nepal alive.
Known as “a living cultural museum”, Nepal is blessed with a rich heritage of traditional handicrafts. This tradition has been passed to the current generation by their ancestors.
Our Arts & Crafts Tour is specially designed for travelers who want to immerse themselves in Nepal's artisan culture.
This tour includes: a 1-day woodcarving workshop, a Nepalese Cooking class, a Thangka Painting class, an introduction to Nepali Lokta Paper, a 3-day Machiya making lesson, a pottery lesson, a Jeep Safari, a River Safari and many cultural tours in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan (Lalitpur), Chitwan, Pokhara, Tansen and Lumbini.
Note: This tour gives you a basic understanding of handicrafts in Nepal. For travelers who wish to understand and learn more about the Nepalese handicrafts, we also organize handicrafts workshops run by local experts (1 week to 3 months). Contact us for more details.
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly representative will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name. He will then drive you to your hotel.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. KATHMANDU & PATAN SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. We will visit Pashupatinath, Boudhanath Stupa and Lalitpur:
Cultural tour in Patan in the afternoon
The ancient city of Patan (Lalitpur), also known as the City of Arts, is renowned for its fine arts and amazing architecture. Among other places, we will visit:
- the Krishna Temple,
- the Chyasin Dewal,
- the Golden Temple,
- the Mahabouddha Temple,
- the Patan museum,
- and the Local Markets.
Soak up the atmosphere of Patan and roam around the distinctive buildings and their charming courtyards. You will witness the finest metal and stone sculptures dating back to the 14th century.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 03. WOODCARVING WORKSHOP
Today, we will visit a Woodcarving gallery. You will be welcomed by a specialist who will brief you about the process of woodcarving. He will introduce you to the different tools and techniques for getting started with woodcarving. First, watch and learn from the masters. Then, it’s your turn to try!
Note: Be sure to wear comfortable clothes that allow freedom of movement.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 04. CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK | RIVER SAFARI
In the evening, we will take you to the nearby Tharu Culture Center, where we will watch the native Tharu culture dance show.
Overnight in Chitwan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
In the afternoon, you will go on a Jeep safari inside the National Park, where you might be able to see many wild animals such as deer, boars, Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, rhinos, sloth bears, and so on.
Day 07. CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK: MACHIYA MAKING | DRIVE TO LUMBINI
In the morning, enjoy the last day of your handicrafts workshop. You will be able to take your creation home with you.
Then, we will drive to Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Lord Buddha by private car/van. Check in to the hotel. Relax and soak up the peaceful atmosphere in Lumbini.
Overnight in Lumbini.
Day 08. LUMBINI SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today, we will visit the Maya Devi Temple, where Lord Buddha was born, and the World Peace Pagoda. We will also visit many beautiful Buddhist temples and monasteries built by various countries around the world (Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, India to name but a few).
We will explore the Wetlands and encounter the gorgeous Sarus Cranes.
Day 09. TANSEN
Today, we will drive to Tansen, an unspoiled gem in the Palpa district, by private car/van. The authentic town with its narrow streets is one of the most charming places in Nepal. In the evening, we will hike up to the view tower on the Shreenagar Hill to enjoy the sunset view over the Himalayas. We will spend the night at a local family's home.
Overnight in Tansen.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 10. TANSEN AND RANI MAHAL
In the morning, we will drive to Rani Mahal (Ranighat Palace), also known as the Taj Mahal of Nepal due to its history.
Then, we will spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful town. We will also go for some shopping. Tansen is famous for its Dhaka (a unique Nepali hand woven fabric) and Karuwa (a traditional ritual water vessel).
Overnight in Tansen.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 11. POKHARA
Overnight in Pokhara.
Day 12. DRIVE BACK TO KATHMANDU & INTRODUCTION TO NEPALI LOKTA PAPER
Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 13. POTTERY LESSON & BHAKTAPUR SIGHTSEEING
In the morning, you will visit the Bhaktapur Pottery Square and enjoy a fun hands-on pottery lesson. You will witness the various stages of the ceramics creation process and learn the ancient art of pottery from a local expert (from the processing of clay to spinning the wheel).
In the afternoon, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Bhaktapur. The ancient Newari town is renowned for its fine religious architecture and its traditional handicrafts. Among other places, we will visit:
- the Brass & Bronze Museum (Metal Museum),
- the Woodcarving Museum,
- the 55 Window Palace,
- the Golden Gate,
- and the Five Storeys Temple (Nyatapola Temple).
Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 14. THANGKA PAINTING CLASS
After breakfast, we will visit a Thangka Painting school. Thangka painting is very rich with symbolism and it takes a lifetime to learn and master this Tibetan art. This workshop is designed to introduce students to the Thangka art and provides a deeper look into the art form.
Day 15. DEPARTURE
After a fun-filled trip, our journey ends. We hope you thoroughly enjoyed your trip. We will take you to the Tribhuvan International Airport. If you have time and would like to extend your stay in Nepal, we would be happy to offer our recommendations.
Meals: Breakfast.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off.
- Experienced and government licensed English-speaking guide during the entire trip.
- All ground transportation (private vehicle).
- Sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees.
- All handicrafts workshops and activities with experienced local experts as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Kathmandu (4 nights - 3 Star Hotel), Bhaktapur (2 nights - Guest house), Chitwan (3 nights - Jungle Resort), Lumbini (2 nights - 3 Star Hotel), Pokhara (1 night - 3 Star Hotel) and Tansen (2 nights - Homestay).
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights and domestic flights.
- Tips for guides, driver, artisans & others.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, alcoholic drinks, laundry, shopping, telephone calls.
- Visa fees.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
- Kathmandu (4 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Bhaktapur (2 nights): Carefully selected Guest house.
- Chitwan (3 nights): Carefully selected Jungle Resort.
- Lumbini (2 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Tansen (2 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
- Pokhara (1 night): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
Meals:
- Day 1: N/A.
- Day 2: Breakfast.
- Day 3: Breakfast.
- Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 7: Breakfast.
- Day 8: Breakfast.
- Day 9: Breakfast.
- Day 10: Breakfast.
- Day 11: Breakfast.
- Day 12: Breakfast.
- Day 13: Breakfast.
- Day 14: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
- Day 15: Breakfast.
