Experience traditional Nepalese country life with a hike to the mountain hamlet of Astam. See stunning scenery as you climb to Astam on the foothills of the Annapurna Range and breathe in the freshest air the world, surrounded by snowcapped peaks and verdant valleys crammed with colourful flowers.
The fun begins with a 40-minute drive to Hemja, a picturesque village northwest of Pokhara from where the hike starts. Follow the trail through the wilderness to Astam, which takes about two hours. Admire the fantastic flora and fauna that exists at the final staging post before the roof of the world.
The rustic village of Astam was founded three centuries years ago when the Adhikari family settled here. The current inhabitants are the seventh generation of Adhikaris to live here. Astam is located on a small ridge, allowing breathtaking 360-degree panoramas of the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges as well as Pokhara Valley. Imagine what it is like to wake up here every morning and enjoying such views.
Nowadays, Astam is an eco-village where much attention is paid to sustainability. Your lunch is be made from locally grown foods prepared on bio-gas. You can visit the farmlands and participate in any activities that may take place on the land. There’s a good chance of spotting Himalayan birds such as the red vented bulbul and the scarlet minivet as well as beautifully coloured butterflies.
Today start your visit by visiting the most sacred Hindu Shrine “Temple of Lord Pashupatinath” dedicated to subcontinent's great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple's origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that. (Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum).
Continue to Boudhanath, a great stupa and one of Nepal's most important Buddhist site, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa's construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu's Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
One of the best place to enjoy the delicious Nepali food is Krishnarpan Restaurant located at Dwarika's Hotel, east of the centre near the ring road. The atmosphere here is superb and the food served here gets consistent praise from diners. They have a fixed menu 6 course meal served for dinner. Bookings in advance are advisable in order to avoid waiting. On Fridays, there is also a dance show conducted at 6pm, hence an early arrival is requested in case one wishes to witness the performance.
As the sun goes down discover the myriad sights, sounds and smells of nighttime Kathmandu on an evening rickshaw ride through the city. Sit back and relax as your cycle rickshaw is expertly navigated through the buzzing backstreets and atmospheric laneways of this energetic place. Start the adventure in the touristic heart of the city, Thamel.
The streets here are lined with shops selling everything from pastries to pashminas, and your rickshaw seat provides the perfect platform from which to do a spot of window-shopping along the way. Soak up the hive of activity taking place as you zip through this popular part of town. Leaving Thamel behind, head towards Durbar Square. Be sure to keep an eye out en route for many of the bustling local markets including Asan, a vegetable and spice market. This is also the oldest market square in all of Kathmandu.
Continue on to Durbar Square filled with age-old temples, palaces and shrines that are bound to enchant. Why not park yourself in one of the temple squares to witness the world go by? A truly special experience. Or perhaps sip on some local chai, be bold and taste fiery rakshi (local brew) at one of the local stalls or taverns, or simply hang out in one of the hippie era pie shops on Freak Street. It will never be a dull moment here. After the sights and sounds of this magical place have been absorbed, climb up onto your ‘street helicopter’ (cycle rickshaw) for the return ride back to Thamel. By the end of the tour you’ll be sure to agree that getting amongst the city on a rickshaw ride through its backstreets and laneways is one of the best ways to discover authentic Kathmandu. Come and be entranced!
Live the high life in the foothills of the Himalayas with a fascinating hike to Chapakot from Pokhara. Surrounded by verdant valleys, snowcapped peaks, rare flora and fauna and scenic landscapes, the panorama before your eyes gets better and better with each step forward. This is the great outdoors like you’ve never seem them before.
Head west in the morning to the rustic hamlet of Pame, which is about 45 minutes by road from Pokhara. Pame is a typical Nepalese farming community surrounded by many rice and paddy fields. Depending on the season, you can see the villagers working on the land as they water, plant or cut the paddy. It’s a fascinating sight to see the farmers carrying out this backbreaking work, which is one of the few activities that are performed today much like theyr were before the advent of agricultural technology.
From Pame, follow the River Harpan upstream. Most of the farmers depend on the river as they canalise the water to irrigate their fields. The river means life to them. The Harpan flows into the majestic Lake Phewa on which Pokhara is built. Follow the river for a while as you continue along the plains before beginning the hike uphill. The higher you go, the greater the number of small farming villages that you will cross. With every step upward, Pokhara, Lake Phewa Lake and the Himalayan peaks will come into focus on the horizon. Once on the peak, begin the return to Pokhara on the south side of the Lake Phewa.
Disfruta de la sensación de libertad y la grandeza del paisaje a los pies de la cordillera del Himalaya con esta excursión a través de lo más destacado de Pokhara y sus alrededores. Te asombrarás con las montañas y los lagos, puro espectáculo. Vista un templo, una cueva repleta de murciélagos y contempla una maravillosa cascada. Acércate a vivir durante un día en la cima del mundo.
Saldremos de Pokhara hacia Sarangkot y la cordillera del Annapurna, la zona más espectacular de la región. Las vistas son hechizantes, especialmente el parpadeo de la luz cuando sale el sol e ilumina las montañas majestuosas que pueblan el horizonte. Ver cómo sale el sol por encima del monte Annapurna es una experiencia que no te puedes perder. Dirígete al interior de estas montañas y adéntrate en la cueva Mahenda, donde viven murciélagos. Si lo deseas, te puedes saltar esta parte del recorrido. Cerca de allí encontrarás la garganta Seti, de dos metros de ancho y 20 de profundidad. Su recorrido serpenteante se aleja sumergiéndose debajo de la ciudad.
Tómate un respiro y relájate navegando en barca por el lago Phewa, que ofrece una magnífica estampa de las montañas reflejándose en sus aguas. Sigue hacia el templo Tal Barahi, situado en una pequeña isla justo en medio del lago. Cuando vuelvas a tierra, dirígete hacia la cascada Devi. Ésta desemboca en un canal y profundo y, allí, conocerás la leyenda que explica el origen de su nombre. Visita la cueva de Gupteshwor, donde los indígenas veneran a Lord Sihva y luego continúa por los 3 kilómetros de cueva de piedra calcárea.
Zip flyer is the one of attractive adventure activities in Nepal and has been attracting tourists with different opportunities of adventure sports, has ushered in yet another new product for adventure tourism.
With an incline of 56 degree, total length of 1.8 km and a vertical drop of 600 meters, it is the tallest, the longest and the steepest zip line in the whole world. Located in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, no zip line ever made comes even close to this.
Hike the Himalayan foothills to the wonderful World Peace Stupa and enjoy breathtaking views over Lake Phewa, the city of Pokhara and the roof of the world in the horizon. This active full day trip is both a spiritual journey and a sightseeing tour, which takes in other local landmarks such as the Devi waterfall and Gupteshwor Cave as well as a scenic lake cruise. Come along for a magnificent day in the great outdoors.
The adventure begins on a rowing boat, which will cross Lake Phewa to the hike’s starting point at the edge of a forest. Trek for between 60 and 90 minutes through the trees to Ananda Hill, where the pristine white World Peace Stupa – one of 80 around the planet – has been since construction finished in 1999. Take a breath and close your eyes before setting them upon the stunning panorama of the lake and Pokhara framed by the snowcapped Himalaya Range. On a clear day you will see the Himalayas reflecting on the lake’s surface. This is nature at its best. Then, to cap it all off, enjoy lunch here.
Head downhill for about 45 minutes to the Devi waterfall, which flows into a deep and narrow channel, and learn about the legend of how it got its name. Visit Gupteshwor Cave, where locals worship the Lord Shiva, then continue into the 3km-long limestone cave behind it. From the cave, trek back to your hotel through the dam side. The walk back takes about 30 minutes.
Turn yourself into a typical Kathmandu citizen for a day. Early wake-up and head straight to places of worship on foot. First up is Swoyambhunath, follow the path of Hindu and Buddhist devotees, circling the holy stupa and spinning the prayer wheels. The mesmerizing wafts of incense, hypnotic chants of prayers and surreal sound of ringing bells will provide a spiritual high. Spiritually awakened, stroll through the maze of backstreets to Kathmandu Durbar Square, its numerous temples and its market. Pick some fresh vegetables, purchase some aromatic spices and all the other necessary ingredients for a local lunch (it’s your choice and we’ll put all our confidence in you to find the right ingredients!). Well-stocked and well-prepared (at least mentally!), head to meet your host family. Lead the way or lend the hand as your hosts unveils the secrets of Nepalese cooking. Truly Kathmandu Living.
In the morning you will be picked-up at your hotel by our driver and guide. The starting point of our hike is a 35 kilometre drive east of Kathmandu. Depending on the traffic this will take us between one and half and two hours. The starting point of our hike is the ancient Newar town Panauti. From here we hike to a place called Khoapasi. From Dhapasi we follow the uphill trail in north - east direction. The further we go the narrower the trail gets.
After we cross a suspension bridge we will pass through many small villages and huge rice fields which will give you a chance to see how Nepali people plant and harvest the crop, depending on the season. From here we hike steep uphill for about an hour to reach Namoboudha. After lunch continue walk in easy trails to Dhulikhel. Once we reach Dhulikel your driver will be waiting to drop you of at your hotel. Namoboudha is a sacred Buddhist place where Lord Buddha sacrificed his own body to save a starving tiger. At this typical Buddhist Gompa you can watch the rituals and at the same time have a great view over the mountains and deep down, Panauti. (Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours).
Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotel.
Duration: 8 hours.
Start or opening time: 9.00am.
End or closing time: 5.00pm.
Languages: English Speaking Guide.
Others: Child Permission: 0-7 years is unsuitable for the trip.