Nepali Festivals and Wildlife

Nepal

1,722

autumn

Overview Itinerary Dates & Pricing Gallery Is this tour Right for you

Overview

This journey explores Nepal through its most vibrant moments and wild landscapes. Timed around major Hindu and Newar festivals, it blends ancient cities, Himalayan viewpoints, village life, and jungle safaris. You’ll move from sacred temples and living traditions to tropical lowlands rich with wildlife, meeting communities rarely seen by travelers along the way.

Highlights

Festival Kathmandu. Experience Nepal Sambat and Bhai Tika as the city fills with music, rituals, and celebration.
Himalayan Sunrises. Watch dawn break over Mount Everest from Nagarkot and walk village trails in the hills.
Sacred Janakpur. Witness Chhath Parva at sunrise, one of South Asia’s most powerful Hindu festivals.
Village Encounters. Visit Mithila, Muslim, and Chepang communities to learn about daily life at Nepal’s margins.
Chitwan Wildlife. Track rhinos, deer, crocodiles, and possibly tigers on safari and river canoeing.
Spiritual Nepal. Explore Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, where life, death, and devotion meet openly.

Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Kathmandu

Day 1

Arrival In Kathmandu

Bhaktapur

Day 2

Bhai Tika

Dulikel

Day 3

Sunrise Over Mount Everest

Janakpur

Day 4

Flight to Janakpur

Day 6

Chhath Parva

Jaleshwor Village

Day 5

Jaleshwor Village

Chitwan National Park

Day 7

Chitwan National Park

Kurintar

Day 8

Kurintar

Kurintar (2)

Day 9

The Chepang People

Pashupatinath

Day 10

Back to Kathmandu

Tribhuvan International Airport

Day 11

Departure

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Itinerary

Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.

Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu, the bustling Nepali capital city. From the airport, drive to the city center. Walk around Durbar Square, once the seat of royal families and, today, a magnificent testimony to the city’s glorious past and traditional Newar architecture and engineering. After walking by ancient temples and palaces, continue through the narrow streets to the hotel. Check in, and take some time to recuperate from the long flight. In the evening, drive to Boudanath, the massive Buddhist stupa erected here back in the 6th century to serve traders and pilgrims who took the rigorous journey between Tibet and India, long before Kathmandu was a city of any significance. Enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant overlooking Boudhanath to watch the sunset over this massive stupa. In the evening, join the festivities of Nepal Sambat – the Nepali Lunar New Year, celebrated by the Newar people, the original inhabitants of Kathmandu valley. The Newar people take to the streets dressed in their best attire, playing national music on traditional instruments, and dancing. Together with the Tihar celebrations, this day is one of the most festive days throughout this ancient city. Late in the evening, return to the hotel for the first night in Nepal.

Hotel
Dinner

Bhaktapur

In the morning hours, take a walk again through the streets of Kathmandu to see the special tradition associated with Bhai Tika, the last day of the Tihar festival. This day celebrates the special bond between sisters and brothers. Sisters would put a tika on their brother’s forehead, feed, and pamper them. Around noon, check out of the hotel and drive to Bhaktapur. One of the oldest cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur’s old streets retain the unique atmosphere of ancient times. First, stop by the pottery square, where potters handmake traditional pottery. Then, continue to the fifty-five windows palace, the city’s own Durbar Square, and other monumental sites. In the afternoon, ascend to Nagarkot, a village nestled atop a high ridge overlooking Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Get in time to enjoy the sunset from this high vantage point before settling in the lovely resort for the night.

Resort
Breakfast, Dinner

Dulikel

Wake up very early in the morning with a prayer for a clear sky, and get to the viewing platform, hoping for a good view of the sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, embark on a five-hour hike through rusty villages, rice paddies, and vegetable plots. Pause for a friendly chat or a warm cup of tea with the villagers before reaching Dulikel. After la ate lunch at Dulikel, drive to Bhaktapur. One of the oldest cities in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur’s old streets retain the unique atmosphere of medieval times. Stop by the pottery square, where potters handmake traditional pottery. Continue to the fifty-five windows palace, the city’s own Durbar Square, and other monumental sites. In the evening, check into a hotel in Bhaktapur.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Janakpur

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and head to Kathmandu airport for the thirty-minute flight to Janakpur. Near the Indian border, Janakpur and its inhabitants are quite different from those seen on the streets of Kathmandu. With a near-Indian appearance, the ladies are all dressed in beautiful, colorful saris. On the short ride from Janakpur airport to the hotel, stop in a small bustling market. After lunch, take a walk through the streets of Janakpur as the city prepares for one of the year's most important festivals. Arrive in the afternoon at the big yard in front of the beautiful Janaki Mandir Hindu temple, a gathering place for city dwellers. Wait here for the sunset over the temple before reverting to the hotel for the night.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Again, a very early wake-up call, long before dawn, to take to the streets of Janakpur. The entire city is out on the streets, firecrackers explode on street corners, and families are going to take their places around the two huge ponds right at the heart of the city. Each family brings a wide array of alms to wash in the holy water before sunrise. As the sun rises, hundreds of lady-worshippers pour water out of bronze vessels back into the pond to greet the sun and ask for blessings from Surya, the solar deity. The celebrations wind off soon after the sun rises over Janakpur. Revert to the hotel for breakfast. Then check out the hotel, and board the vehicle for a long drive across the Terai – the stretch of tropical jungles that runs along the Indian border. From time to time, make a stop at a roadside market or by people tending to their fields. In the evening, arrive at a simple hotel in Hetuada and stay the night.

Simple Hotel

Jaleshwor Village

Drive for one hour out of Janakpur to the small village of Jaleshwor. The village is home to two quite distinct ethnic groups. On one side of the village live the Hindu Mithila people. Of a clear Indian origin, the colorful Mithila people retain a very basic lifestyle. The walls of their houses are beautifully decorated with traditional motifs, hand-painted by the women of the community. A sizeable Muslim community inhabits the other side of the village. Spend the entire day walking the small village paths, visiting local homes, engaging in friendly talks, visiting the local school, and hearing about the realities of living on the edge of civilization. In the afternoon, get to the pond by the Mithila side of the village, and watch as families flock in preparation for the oncoming festival. Late in the afternoon, embark on the one-hour drive back to Janakpur.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Chitwan National Park

Continue driving through the Terai, arriving at Chitwan National Park around noon. Chitwan was established in 1973 to protect endangered wildlife species. Up until the 1950s, only the Tharu people, considered to be immune to Malaria, were able to survive in the hot, humid, and malaria-infested jungles of the Terai. In the 1950s, the Nepali government eradicated Malaria, leading to a massive migration from Nepal's hilly regions to the fertile Terai plateaus. Massive deforestation to support the establishment of new villages and fields has led to the loss of habitat for tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, wild elephants, deer, crocodiles, and many other species. In a well-conducted effort, the government's decisive actions have led to an impressive recovery of many of these species, which are now abundant throughout the park. Take an afternoon Safari within the protected area to track some of these elusive species.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Kurintar

After breakfast, board a canoe for a few hours’ cruise down the Rapti River, the primary water source and, thus, a popular place for wildlife gathering in the park. This is another fantastic chance to encounter some of the park’s rich wildlife. After lunch at the hotel, board the vehicle and drive north, leaving the Terai and heading to the hilly region, a stretch of hills and mountains up to 3,000 meters (10,000 ft) above sea level, bordered by the Terai to the south and the Himalayas to the north. Late in the evening, arrive at the resort at Kurintar to spend the night here.

Resort
Breakfast, Lunch

Kurintar (2)

Drive up the hilly region to visit the Chepang people. Located low within the caste system, the Chepang were driven out of the fertile lands of the wide-open valleys and found refuge in the rough lands up the mountains. Living on the verge of constant poverty, with no land, possessions, or stable source of income, the Chepang are in a continuous struggle to survive. Spend a few hours visiting their village, surrounded by beautiful forest overlooking the Manaslu peak in the Himalayas, and then return to Kurintar for a second night.

Resort
Breakfast, Lunch

Pashupatinath

Leave Kurintar and drive to Kathmandu. Once back in the national capital city, head to Pashupatinath, the country’s largest Hindu temple and an important pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over the world. The temple is famous for the cremation ceremonies held outside it on the banks of the Bagmati River. Mourning families say farewell to the earthly form of their loved ones and give them a last blessing on the journey of their soul back to the samsara, the wheel of life. Next, drive to the city center, and enjoy an evening stroll through the cheerful streets of Thamel, the backpacker’s city within a city. Here, travelers from all over the world celebrate the spirit of freedom and travel amid trendy cafes and restaurants of global cuisines. After a farewell dinner, set in the hotel for the last night in Nepal.

Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch

Tribhuvan International Airport

After an early breakfast, drive to Kathmandu airport for the international departing flight out of Nepal.

Breakfast

Dates & Pricing

Festivals and Wildlife in southern Nepal rates are quoted in US Dollars.

Trips@Asia reserves the right to change the Festivals and Wildlife in southern Nepal rates and programs due to changes in flight schedules, airfares, and other local circumstances.

Prices are based on twin share occupancy.

Rates for private groups of 2 travelers and above:
2 travelers- US$2,271/ person
4 travelers- US$1,922/ person

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
24 Oct 2026 - 02 Nov 2026	available	$ 1,722	(For a group of 6 or more) $493 Single Room Supplement

Additional Information

Inclusions

Domestic flight Kathmandu - Janakpur
Accommodation at hotels selected including breakfast
Meals as per program (Half board basis - not including day of arrival and departure)
Private transfers
Entrance fees to all sites and monuments as per program
Bottled drinking water
English Speaking guide

Exclusions

International flights to/from Kathmandu
Nepali tourist visa
Travel/health insurance
PCR/COVID tests, or any tests that might be required for international or domestic travel
Expenses that might incur due to the results of COVID tests before, during or after the tour
Excess luggage (limited to 20 kg on domestic flight)
Gratuities
Expenses of personal nature (food and drinks beyond those provided, laundry, etc.)
Anything not clearly mentioned in the program

Is this trip right for you?

You want to experience Nepal at its most alive. This trip is built around festivals, rituals, and communal gatherings rather than quiet sightseeing.

You’re comfortable with cultural intensity. Crowds, early mornings, noise, and emotion are part of festival days.

You enjoy variety over comfort. Expect simple hotels in rural areas, long drives, and changing conditions.

You’re curious about people and traditions. Much of the journey focuses on local communities, belief systems, and daily life.

You appreciate nature beyond mountains. Jungles, rivers, and wildlife in Chitwan balance the cultural depth of the trip.

You’re open-minded and patient. Schedules can shift during festivals, and flexibility is key to fully enjoying the experience.

Overview

Highlights

Festival Kathmandu. Experience Nepal Sambat and Bhai Tika as the city fills with music, rituals, and celebration.
Himalayan Sunrises. Watch dawn break over Mount Everest from Nagarkot and walk village trails in the hills.
Sacred Janakpur. Witness Chhath Parva at sunrise, one of South Asia’s most powerful Hindu festivals.
Village Encounters. Visit Mithila, Muslim, and Chepang communities to learn about daily life at Nepal’s margins.
Chitwan Wildlife. Track rhinos, deer, crocodiles, and possibly tigers on safari and river canoeing.
Spiritual Nepal. Explore Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, where life, death, and devotion meet openly.

Dates & Pricing

Festivals and Wildlife in southern Nepal rates are quoted in US Dollars.

Trips@Asia reserves the right to change the Festivals and Wildlife in southern Nepal rates and programs due to changes in flight schedules, airfares, and other local circumstances.

Prices are based on twin share occupancy.

Rates for private groups of 2 travelers and above:
2 travelers- US$2,271/ person
4 travelers- US$1,922/ person

Dates	Status	Price	Notes
24 Oct 2026 - 02 Nov 2026	available	$ 1,722	(For a group of 6 or more) $493 Single Room Supplement

Additional Information

Inclusions

Domestic flight Kathmandu - Janakpur
Accommodation at hotels selected including breakfast
Meals as per program (Half board basis - not including day of arrival and departure)
Private transfers
Entrance fees to all sites and monuments as per program
Bottled drinking water
English Speaking guide

Exclusions

International flights to/from Kathmandu
Nepali tourist visa
Travel/health insurance
PCR/COVID tests, or any tests that might be required for international or domestic travel
Expenses that might incur due to the results of COVID tests before, during or after the tour
Excess luggage (limited to 20 kg on domestic flight)
Gratuities
Expenses of personal nature (food and drinks beyond those provided, laundry, etc.)
Anything not clearly mentioned in the program

Is this trip right for you?

You want to experience Nepal at its most alive. This trip is built around festivals, rituals, and communal gatherings rather than quiet sightseeing.

You’re comfortable with cultural intensity. Crowds, early mornings, noise, and emotion are part of festival days.

You enjoy variety over comfort. Expect simple hotels in rural areas, long drives, and changing conditions.

You’re curious about people and traditions. Much of the journey focuses on local communities, belief systems, and daily life.

You appreciate nature beyond mountains. Jungles, rivers, and wildlife in Chitwan balance the cultural depth of the trip.

You’re open-minded and patient. Schedules can shift during festivals, and flexibility is key to fully enjoying the experience.