8 days tour package with "My Nepal Adventure" company
1/28 - took over 12 hours and transferring in Guang Zhou to reach Kathmandu at 11pm local time. Trip to the hotel was short at least, but in almost complete darkness. Hotel was decent, not luxury for sure.
Hotel Yak & Yeti - Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal
Jungle Safari at Chitwan National Park
1/29 - After a very good breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Chitwan which is only 185km but 4~5 hrs bus ride away. The traffic out of Kathmandu was surprisingly heavy, probably due to lack of proper roads and traffic signs. The long bus ride became more enjoyable after mountains and rivers came into view on the the Nepal-China Friendship highway. Most of our tour group went for a rafting trip at the freezing cold Trishuli River. We arrived in Chitwan lodge near dusk. After dinner, we enjoyed a local dance show.
1/30 - Full day of jungle activities, starting with elephant ride through jungle to look for wild animals, including Rhino, deer, monkeys, ox cart ride to the nearby village, canoe ride in Rapti River to see crocodiles bathing in the sun, trekking in the jungle to the elephant breeding center, and finally view of sunset next to the river.
Enchanting Himalayan Valley
1/31 After a brief morning trip of bird-watch, we started on another long bus ride toward Pokhara which is the 2nd largest city in Nepal. It is often called the enchanting Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures. Arrived at the Hotel Grande in the afternoon. Ian went for a ride in the ultra-light glide while the rest went to the Hindu Bindabasini Temple atop of a hill overlooking Pokhaha. The white pagoda-styled building quietly sits at some 3000 feet above sea level along the renowned Annapurna and Machhpuchhare mountain ranges. Afterward we toured the local bazaar in town.
2/1 Early morning rise for a glimpse of sunrise over Himalayan mountains. After breakfast the whole group had a hike up to the World Peace Tower. Afternoon took boat ride in Phewa Lake, then shopped on the lake side area until dinner time.
Beautiful Nagarkot
2/2 More bus ride toward Nagarkot. After lunch at a Chinese restaurant, we stopped at Bhaktapur Dubar Square. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is home to some of the most beautiful and breathtaking of these creations, complete with wooden carvings, gateways and idols.
Arrived at Nagarkot's hotel after some heart-stopping ride on the treacherous cliff-side roads leading to the summit. "Nagarkot, rising to an elevation of 2099 meters above sea level, is one of the most scenic spots in the Bhaktapur region. Visitors to the surrounding areas often travel here just to get a glimpse of the Himalayas lathed in the most splendid morning sunshine imaginable."
Hotel Country Villa - Naldum Road, Nagarkot, Nepal
Kathmandu temples
2/3 - After enjoying the beautiful sunrise from the hotel room and some walking in the country side, we headed down back to Putan Durbar Square, and then the sacred Hindu Pashupati Temple where cremations were taken place, and finally the largest white temple of Boudhanath Temple which is the center of Tibetan culture in Nepal.
2/4 - Morning airplane ride to see Mt. Everest. After breakfast visited Kathmandu's Durbar Square, then Swayambhunath Temple which was swarmed by monkeys, and shopped at Thamel area in the afternoon. Caught red-eye flight after a dinner show.