Overview :
KRISHNASTAMI ( BIRTHDAY OF LORD KRISHNA )
Celebrate life & Legend of Krishna by visiting a Nearby Krishna Temple on this Auspicious night .
The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Krishn Ashtami. Krishna, the dark god revered as manifestation of Lord Vishnu, who taught warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August.
To celebrate the birthday of this popular Hindu god, devotees flock to Krishna temples all over Nepal; Kathmandu Valley’s Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square is also thronged by devotees on this day.
There, men and women from far and wide gather around the 17th century stone temple singing praises of Lord Krishna waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the deity.
Images of Lord Krishna are also carried around the city in processions accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical troupes. Along the lanes of old Kathmandu people display framed pictures of Krishna showing various episodes of his unique life.
This program takes you deep into the Nepalese culture and you may also continue the regular other tours like temple visits , jungle safari , scenic flight , scenic drive .
Brief Itinerary :
Day 1 (31 Aug 2018) : Arrival in Kathmandu (1300 m/4260 ft ) .
Day 2 (1 Sep 2018 ): Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu .
Day 3 (2 Sep 2018) Participation at the Krishna Janmastami Celebration in Patan .
Day 4 (3 Sep 2018 ) : Drive to Chitwan for Jungle safari
Day 5 (4 Sep 2018 ): In Chitwan full day jungle activities .
Day 6 (5 Sep 2018 ) : Chitwan to Pokhara
Day 7(6Sep 2018 ) : IN Pokhara
Day 8 (7Sep 2018 ) Pokhara to Kathmandu by flight .
Day 9 (8 Sep 2018 ) : Departure !
Detail Itinerary :
On Arrival in Tribhuwan International Airport ( TIA ) in Kathmandu you will be met and greeted by Global Asia Tours & Travel’s represenatative and transferred to your centrally located hotel . After brief rest you will be taken for a quick city tours covering Swayambhunath /Monkey temple ( 2000 years) Buddhist stupa . After this we visit (time permiting ) Kathmandu Durbar Square, the cultural center of Kathmandu valley where the world’s only living goddess KUMARI is housed. Evening Typical Nepalese dinner with dance . Overnight at the hotel in Patan
After breakfast at the hotel you will be met by our guide for the full day sightseeing of Kathmandu valley covering PASHUPATINATH, BOUHDANATH & PATAN .
First in the morning we visit to Pashupatinath , the holiest hindu temple situated at the bank of Bagmati river . This is one of the most sacred Hindu temple in the world dedicated to lordg Shiva. This temple exist to 200 years BC . Near the temple we can see the crematoriums in the bank of Bagmati river where local hindus observe the death rituals. From here we continue to tour to Boudhanath which is the largest stupa in the world . It looms 36 m high with 4 paits of eyes facing th four cardinal driections . It was built in 5th Century in an octagonal foundation representing Mandala ( Lotus ) . Thousands of people from Tibetan origin live in this area and there dozens of massive Tibetan Monasteries. From here we visit to Patan , the city of arts and architecture . Enchanting rows of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples makes this city more beautiful. The interesting things to see here are Local Bazaar, Palace square, Krishna temple, Patan museum, stone fountains, Golden temple , Kumbheswar temple, Mahaboudha temple (temple of 9000 Buddhas) . Evening free and overnight at the in patan
Today before and after breakfast we will observe the various acitivities in Patan . It is very convenient as our hotel also situated in Patan only .Krishna Janmaasthami marks the birth of Hindu Lord Krishna who is the eighth incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu . Krishna is the charismatic character who is featured in the longest hindu epic MAHABHARAT. Pilgrims throng to Krishna temples all through out the country and special ceremony is observed in the Patan Krishna temple at Durbar square. Varoius stages of Lord krishna is celebrated and people seen swinging lord krishna with love and care.
Morning after breafkast we drive to Chitwan for Jungle safari. . On arrival in Chitwna check in at the hotel and activity briefing by the camp manager . Lunch will be served . PM : Elephant briefing . Late afternoon village walk /bullock cart ride to the surrounding farmland/viallge . Evening overnight at the resort .
Early morning wake up call and tea , coffee/cookies will be served . Later elephant back safari in the jungle . During this safari there are plenty of opportunity to see one horn rhino, deer, monkeys, wild boar, bears,peacocks , various species of birds and perhaps even a tiger . On return you will have your breakfast at the resort .
In the afternoon depending on the season : Afternoon: depending upon the season, elephant bathing will be held on the Rapti River, and you are welcome to join in giving the elephants a scrub.
PM: After Lunch you will be taken for a traditional dug-out canoe on the Rapti river. On this silent river ride you will get an opportunity to view aquatic birds and see animals on the river banks. And at the end we will visit Gharial (Crocodile) Breeding Centre. From this place nature walk in the jungle and back to the resort . Evening dinner followed by Tharu Cultural Dance . Overnight at the resort .
Time permiting , we go for bird watching to the nearby community forest. Chitwan is the home to over 450 species of birds . Later Drive to Pokhara (165 km) the lake city of Nepal . Tony Hagen, a known Swiss Geologist who has walked over 14000 kilometers in Nepal called it “ one of the most extraoridinary and beautiful places in the whole world” . on arrival sightseeing of Pokhar covering Devi’s fall and Gupteswar cave . Evening visit to Talbarahi temple situated in the middle of the lake . Overnight at the hotel .
Early morning excursion to Sarnagkot for sunrise over the Himlayas . Later sightseeing of Pokhara covering Bindevasini Temple, KI Singh bridge River gorge, Mountain mueseum etc.
Time permiting OPTIONAL hike uphill to Peace Monastery and from here we will enjoy the great view of Pokhara valley, Phewa lake and the long range of Mt . Annapurna . Evening free again to explore lakeside on your own . Overnight at the hotel.
Morning free and later transfer to the aiport in time to connect your flight to Kathmandu . IN the clear day this flight offers incredible views of th Annapurna Himalayas . On arrival in Kathmandu transfer to the hotel . Evenign explore Thamel and some other historical area including Itumbahal , aakash Bhairabh, Bangemudha, Indra chowk and Ason for shopping and individual activities. Evening farewell dinner . Overnight at the hotel .
Transfer to the airport in time to connect your international flight . Warm Farewell .
Services include:
- All the required airport transfers
- Airconditioned vehicle for transfers and sightseeing
- Service of english speaking tour guide
- Twin share accomodations
- Daily breakfast
- Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner in Chitwan
- Kathmandu-Patan- Chitwan –Pokhara drive
- Entrance fees at the places of visit
- National park fee, permits
- All the jungle activities (canoe ride, elephant ride,vilage walk, nature walk etc )
- Sightseeing and excursions as per the program .
- 01 hour boating at Phewa Lake
- Sunrise excursion to Sarangkot .
- Pokhara –Kathmandu flight
- Participation in festivities in Patan during Krishna Janmastami !
- All the government taxes
Compliments :
Fresh flower garland on arrilval, welcome drinks, service of tour officer , farewell dinner , 01 bottle of mineral water every day during sightseeing ) , farewell scarf on departure
Services exclude :
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees /Passort fees
- International flight cost
- Emergency rescue
- Optional tours like Mountain flight , Cable car, rafting .
- Expenses of personal nature like drinks/barbills , internet, laundry, telephone, postage, tipping/gratuities
- Expenses arising from from flight delays, flight cancellations, bad weather , road blockade,landslides, riots,political reasons ,natural calamities, incidents beyond our control.
- Rooms/hotels upgrading
- Services other than included.
- In case suddend change in festival dates and any expense arising from this reason .