Our Temples and Tigers package is carefully designed to offer you a wholesome balance of experiencing the major temples of Kathmandu and the natural escape in the Chitwan forests. If you are planning a family or work trip and want to cover the best of both worlds in 5 days, you landed at just the right place. We will begin our adventure by exploring the religious and spiritual epicenters in the Kathmandu Valley, and eventually make our way to the cultural and natural experience Chitwan has in store.

Exploring Timeless Temples of Kathmandu

Once you have landed at the Tribhuwan International Airport, we will make our way to our first stop, that is, the ancient Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to lord Shiva. A religious shrine visited by thousands of people and devotees every day, the Pashupatinath Temple dates back to the 5th century, built during the rise of the Lichhavi era. The main temple is built in pagoda-style architecture, surrounded by temple and statue structures around it. It is truly an out-of-body experience visiting the temple early on in the day, with the holy bells ringing, and the smell of incense throughout. The temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seated just beside the Pashupati temple, we will then visit the age-old Guheshwori Temple to worship Goddess Guheshwori. Locals believe the temple has been in existence ever since the time of Lord Shiva in ancient times according to Hindu Mythology. These myths recite how Shiva’s wife sacrificed herself in the fire. While grieving, lord Shiva held her charred remains around and the Guheshwori Temple resides on the spot where her knee fell as the rest of her body scattered throughout the place. The temple is abundant with intricate wood carvings that narrate the Hindu mythologies.

As the evening will strike after concluding our spiritual immersion, we will then head to the opulent Durbar Hotel & Residence where a comfortable and luxurious stay will kick start the rest of the adventures waiting.

Taking in the Indigenous Tharu Culture

The next day, with an early morning short flight to Bharatpur, the gateway to Chitwan. It is said the best way to start exploring Chitwan is to start with a glimpse of the indigenous Tharu community amidst the lush green jungles and the diverse wildlife. We will step into witnessing and interacting with the unique lifestyle of the culturally rich community. You may have heard the infamous captivating traditional Tharu dance that comes to the top when looking for the best experiences Nepal offers. As the evening strikes, the locals will present their best traditional dance presentation, allowing you to immerse yourself in the artistry and intricacies of the beauty and significance of the dance in their community. Our residence will be booked at the Jungle Safari Lodge amidst the depths of the Chitwan jungle, giving you an insight into the wonders waiting for you tomorrow.

A Mystical Voyage through the Jungles of Chitwan

Rise and shine as we quickly freshen up to drive near the riversides where you will witness the wholesome scene of elephants bathing near the river. We will stop by to admire the moment–a perfect start to a day full of expeditions indeed. Once the elephants have bathed and our hearts are full, we will take a short walk and spot some rare species of birds like the great hornbill or vibrant kingfishers by the river.

As the safari continues, discovering denser, more majestic places inside the forest, brace yourself for the rich biodiversity you will be experiencing. Keep your eye out to spot fun little spotted deer skipping around, langur monkeys, wild boars, and many more. The view of Asian elephants strolling through the long, long grasslands. The adrenaline of admiring the evasive Bengal Tigers lurking at you. If you are lucky, you may get to greet the graceful one-horned rhinos. You may also get to see the popular gharials by the water bodies. If you are seeking to add more adventure, there are canoe ride services in certain areas of the Rapti River.

As you head back to the Lodge, reflecting on everything you witnessed over the breathtaking sunset over the riverbanks will wrap up the magical day you had.

Reminiscing the Golden History that looks out for Kathmandu

The next day, we will board an early flight back to Kathmandu and take a detour through the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square. Located at the heart of the city, the area preserves the ancient architecture, artistry in its build, intricately carved wooden structures, pagoda-style temples, and elegant courtyards, that take you back to the Malla dynasty when the durbar was made as the residence of the Malla Kings. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a hub for various festivals by the local Newari residents in and around the area. We will also observe the fascinating Kumari Ghar, the home to the Living Goddess Kumari. Understanding Kathmandu begins with a deep exploration of the Kathmandu Durbar Square.

We will then make our way to the iconic Monkey Temple that resides up a hill and majestically looks over the Valley. Swambhunath, believed to be more than 2,000 years old, is the epitome of Buddhist spirituality as well as the one place to admire Buddhist architecture at its purest. Colorful prayer flags, lively prayer wheels, and intricate artistry of carvings of Buddhist deities will welcome you to the Stupa. The ginormous Buddha eyes refer to Buddha’s limitless wisdom and compassion. It stands tall as a symbol of enduring eternal harmony, praying for peace to be with the people of the valley.

As you take in the wonders and enjoy an aerial view of the valley, we will then experience the delight of Nepali Thali as we wrap up our adventure and head back to the Hotel. What can be defined as the taste of Nepali Heritage, is a good plate of a culinary masterpiece that includes a rich diversity of flavors as well as all the nutrients needed in a balanced diet. Our trip will wrap up with some mesmerizing cultural dance performances that add to the overall adventure of immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of Nepali heritage.