Day 9  Kathmandu

Kathmandu sits in a small mountain-sheltered valley that is the historical center of Nepal. Kingdoms have risen and fallen, palaces and temples have been built and rebuilt, art and culture has been developed and refined. Kathmandu has a history of being a cultural and racial melting pot, with people coming from the east and west to settle here. The result is the unique Newari culture that has contributed so much to the art and architecture of the area.

This morning, on your tour of the city, you stop at Durbar Square – the heart of Old Kathmandu and site of one of the greatest concentrations of temples, shrines, and old palaces anywhere in the world. One of these buildings displays an outstanding example of the art of intricately carved wood for which the Kathmandu Valley is famous; notice the two peacock windows on the second floor. Some visitors find the resident of this fine house even more interesting; this is the home of the highly regarded Kumari – the "living goddess". You also see the famous Buddhist "Monkey Temple".

This afternoon is yours to explore some of the smaller lanes – to shop for fabrics, wooden carvings, silver jewelry, or to browse in one of the many quaint bookshops. This evening, you have another treat – a traditional Indian and Nepalese dinner, accompanied by folkloric performances at the Naachghar Theater Restaurant which is in a grand, Baroque room with high ceilings, marble, gilt mirrors, and ornate plasterwork; it was once the formal reception room of a palace. (B,D)

Day 10 Kathmandu – Bhaktapur – Kathmandu

After breakfast, you visit Pashupatinath, a most important Hindu temple located on the banks of the Bagmati River that is considered a sacred river because it eventually flows into the holy Ganges River. This temple to the god Shiva, with its two-tiered roof and silver doors, is famous for its superb architecture. You go to Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal, and an important center for Tibetan Buddhist studies. You hear the ringing of the Lamas’ bells and their chanting in the hypnotic murmur of the Tibetan language. One of the monasteries has a golden roof with marvelous Buddha statues, murals, and painted pillars within.

In the afternoon, you travel to the quaint temple town of Bhaktapur, full of medieval art and architecture. Built on a hill in the eastern part of the valley, it is said to have been built in the shape of a conch shell, a sacred symbol of Hinduism. Many of the inhabitants use the old methods of their ancestors in making pottery and woven goods. In the National Art Gallery, you see a fascinating collection of traditional art, including a large collection of Buddhist thangkas – colorful and intricately detailed paintings on canvas that were rolled up and carried by wandering monks to use in religious services. Adjoining the gallery, the magnificent Golden Gate (considered the single most important piece of art in the whole valley) is the entrance to the Palace of 55 Windows.

The National Woodworking Museum has a wealth of woodcarvings both inside and outside the building. You also see the Nyatapola Temple, a magnificent five-roofed pagoda built atop a huge five-tiered pyramid base. Together, the roofs and base display exquisite balance and symmetry. Hundreds of bells, clinking in the wind, hang from the eaves.

This evening, you gather for an extraordinary Newari banquet at Dwarika’s Kathmandu Village Restaurant. The owner, using Nepalese antiques and crafts, has painstakingly renovated this establishment. The skill of Newari woodworkers is seen everywhere, from the carved doors, window frames, arches and balconies, to the furniture in the restaurant. Local chefs prepare a ceremonial nine-course feast for you – with the finest meats, vegetables, grains, and lentils, all blended with aromatic spices, pure oils, and saffron. (B,L,D)

Day 11 Kathmandu – Mt. Everest – Royal Chitwan National Park – Tiger Tops

Early today (weather permitting) you take a flight over the imposing Himalayan range for a very close look at Mount Everest. The surrounding view is absolutely breathtaking.

Then, you continue on your flight southwest from Kathmandu to Meghauly Airfield and then to the Royal Chitwan National Park; this is one of Asia’s richest and most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries. When people think of Nepal, they usually think of soaring snow-clad mountains, not warm sub-tropical plains. Despite this, nearly half the country’s population lives on a narrow strip of flat and fertile land that lies between the Indian border and the mountains; this is called the Terai.

Your destination in this fertile plain is the world-famous Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge – a tree-top hotel constructed on stilts and made from local materials deep in the heart of the jungle. The domed Nepalese style dining room, lounge, and bar with open hearth are straight out of a Kipling novel with thatched roofs, rustic beams, cobblestone walls, and historic photographs. Your guest rooms are simple but comfortable; they are attractively furnished and include solar-heated baths, ceiling fans and lighting. The main reason for stopping here, however, is the magnificent Chitwan Park itself. From the beginning of the 19th century, British and Nepalese aristocrats made the Chitwan Valley a center for their hunting trips. The park contains more than 400 rhinos, and 80 tigers, in addition to 50 other species of mammals and more than 400 different types of birds.

After settling in and having lunch, you start off on your afternoon safari. There are Nepalese and Western dishes served this evening by the candlelight before the fireplace. (B,L,D)

Day 12 Tiger Tops

Today, your guides accompany you on a safari as they introduce you to the incredible array of flora and fauna in the park. Riding on the backs of elephants, you explore the tall grasslands and forests searching for the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild boar, sloth bear, and the elusive, nocturnal Royal Bengal tiger.

There are afternoon excursions by 4-wheel drive vehicle and boat, and a stop at the Lodge’s elephant camp. If you like, you can also help give the eleven Lodge elephants their daily bath! Then unwind back at the Lodge; relax in a comfortable armchair in the lounge and gaze out over the scenery. After dinner, there is a very interesting slide presentation by a noted naturalist. (B,L,D)