Treasures of Eastern Nepal | Experiential Holiday - 16 Days
TREASURES OF EASTERN NEPAL HIGHLIGHTS:
- Unique experiential holiday created by dUS Travel.
- Discover the treasures of Eastern Nepal.
- Get off-the-beaten-track and immerse yourself in an authentic and educational holiday in Nepal that supports local communities.
- Visit Janakpur, birthplace of Sita.
- Experience the life of a tea producer in Nepal and learn about the tea making process (harvesting methods, withering, bruising, oxidizing, heating and drying).
- Escape the crowds and explore the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
- Hike in the foothills of the Himalayas in search of one of the most elusive creatures in the world, the Red Panda.
- Homestay experience in Ilam and Dobato.
- Bird watching paradise with 900 bird species identified in the country.
- Private and small group tours only (maximum 8 people).
Day 01. WELCOME TO NEPAL | PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFING
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. At the hotel, you will receive a detailed pre-departure briefing.
Depending on your time of arrival, you are free to relax or explore the city.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02. CULTURAL TOUR IN KATHMANDU AND BHAKTAPUR
After breakfast, we will take you on a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley.
We will visit Pashupatinath Temple, a holy pilgrimage site for Hindus. Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Lord Shiva. Devotees are regularly taking ritual baths in the holy Bagmati river. You will see a wide range of very interesting cultural activities. We will also meet many Hindu Holy Men (also known as Sadhus).
Then, we will visit Boudhanath Stupa. Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a very important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Walk clockwise around the stupa, enjoy the mystical atmosphere, encounter the Buddhist monks and take lots of pictures under the colorful prayer flags.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Bhaktapur, the city of devotees, located 13 km outside Kathmandu.
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).
Day 03. DRIVE TO JANAKPUR
Overnight in Janakpur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 04. JANAKPUR SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Among other places, we will visit Janaki Mandir and Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir. We will also visit Kuwa, a traditional Maithili village.
Overnight in Janakpur.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 05. DRIVE TO KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE
In the morning, we will drive to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, home to the endangered wild water buffalo and a bird watching paradise.
Village walk and cultural programs in the afternoon.
Day 07. DRIVE TO DHARAN
Overnight in Dharan.
Day 08. DRIVE TO ILAM
Overnight in Barbote.
Day 09. MAI MAJUWA / DOBATO
Drive to Mai Majuwa (or Dobato)*. Meet your host family.
*Dobato and Mai Majuwa are amongst the best places to stay for spotting red pandas. Please do not hesitate to inquire about these 2 places before booking your trip.
Overnight in Mai Majuwa / Dobato.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 10. RED PANDA TRACKING
First day of tracking red pandas. The group will be divided into small groups. Early in the morning, we will hike in the woods and track red pandas with our experienced wildlife tracker and forest guardians.
Overnight in Mai Majuwa / Dobato.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 11. RED PANDA TRACKING
Second day of tracking red pandas. Early in the morning, we will hike in the woods (taking a different itinerary) and track red pandas with our experienced wildlife tracker and forest guardians.
Overnight in Mai Majuwa / Dobato.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 12. BARBOTE
We will drive back to Barbote.
Overnight in Barbote.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 13. MAI POKHARI
Today, we will travel to Mai Pokhari. Explore the wetland of Mai Pokhari.
Overnight in Barbote.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 14. TEA TOUR – TEA PLUCKING & TEA MAKING PROCESS
Overnight in Barbote.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 15. FLIGHT TO KATHMANDU
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 16. DEPARTURE
This package can be extended or customized upon request.
- Outdoor clothing: Natural colors or camouflage patterns will give you a better chance of spotting wildlife.
- Walking boots & sport sandals are ideal.
- Daypack with water bottle for the hikes.
- Flashlight.
- Binoculars.
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Camera.
- Notebook and pen.
- Medicine (in particular, diarrhea medication): Water Purification Tablets/ Isotonic Powder/ Basic First Aid Kit/ Diamox/ Oximeter / Ibuprofen for general aches and pains/ Imodium or Pepto Bismol capsules for upset stomach or diarrhea.
- Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance) & extra passport photos.
- Padlocks.
- Power adapter.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your red panda hikes.
*This list is not exhaustive.
What’s included
- Pre-departure support.
- Airport pick-up & drop-off (private vehicle).
- Experienced and government licensed English-speaking guide.
- All ground transportation (private comfortable vehicle with a private driver).
- Domestic flight: Bhadrapur to Kathmandu.
- Accommodation (15 nights): 3 nights in Kathmandu, 2 nights in Koshi Tappu, 1 night in Dharan, 2 nights in Janakpur, 4 nights in Barbote (Ilam) and 3 nights in Mai Majuwa / Dobato.
- Meals (refer to itinerary for meal plan).
- Sightseeing tours and activities with professional experts as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tracking expert and forest guards during red panda tracking.
- Community forest, Conservation area & Wildlife reserve entrance fees.
- Entrance fees Kathmandu sightseeing.
- First aid kit/s.
- Little trash bags to carry your waste during your red panda hikes.
- Farewell dinner in Kathmandu.
- All government taxes, VAT and service charges.
What’s NOT included
- International flights.
- Excess baggage fees (domestic flight).
- Tips for driver, guides & others.
- Personal expenditures, all bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- Visa fees.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything else not specified in the ‘what’s included’ section above.
Accommodation:
- Kathmandu (3 nights): Carefully selected 3-Star hotel.
- Koshi Tappu (2 nights): Carefully selected Wildlife Camp.
- Dharan (1 night): Carefully selected hotel.
- Janakpur (2 nights): Carefully selected hotel.
- Barbote (4 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
- Mai Majuwa / Dobato (3 nights): Carefully selected Homestay.
Meals:
- Day 1: N/A.
- Day 2: Breakfast.
- Day 3: Breakfast.
- Day 4: Breakfast.
- Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 7: Breakfast.
- Day 8: Breakfast and Dinner.
- Day 9: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 10: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 11: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 12: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 13: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 14: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
- Day 15: Breakfast & Farewell Dinner.
- Day 16: Breakfast.
Red panda tracking guidelines:
- Do not wear perfume or deodorant as the smells will draw animals away from you (plus it will attract mosquitoes).
- Avoid talking during the red panda tracking. Be silent and observe. Try to communicate with signs as much as you can.
- Turn the flash off on your camera.
- Do not wear bright colors. Natural colors or camouflage patterns will give you a better chance of spotting wildlife.
- Do not litter. Bring little trash bags to carry your waste during your hikes.
- Keep your phone in silent mode.
- Always listen to your guide.
- Bring good binoculars with you.
- Do never get too close to wild animals. Keep your distance.
- Do not try to feed animals.
- Bring extra batteries/ memory cards for your camera.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Community forest, Conservation area & Wildlife reserve.
