DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU [1400m]Welcoming the guests is our passion |29.9^oC/3.2^oC*|

Embarking on our journey begins from Kathmandu, the city with the remarkable architecture dated back to 16^th Century. Our team representative will welcome you at the Tribhuwan International Airport and escort you to your designated hotel. Our representative will help you to check in to the hotel. You will be welcomed, facilitated and served with a beautiful hotel room. The first arrival day is entirely a break day. In the evening, our guests can walk around nearby touristic hubs like Thamel and Basantapur Durbar square. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02: OBSERVING KAG TIHAR | Worshipping crows to avert grief and death in the family | SIGHTSEEING IN KATHMANDU |The city of arts and architecture|29.9^oC/3.2^oC*|

According to Hinduismcrows are considered as messengers of Yama, the God of Death. Moreover, it is believed that it also conveys messages like visitor coming to the house. Therefore, to avert grief and death in the family, Hindus worship crows during Kag Tiharoffering foods. We go and witness how Nepalese celebrates KagTihar. After that, we visit Kathmandu including UNESCO Heritage Sites. Kathmandu Valley is the historical and cultural heart of Nepal with a rich artistic and cultural heritage. Kathmandu has been one of the popular destinations for international tourists ever since Nepal opened its doors to visitors. The valley offers a wonderful mix of Hinduism and Buddhism. Therefore, we visit one of the greatest Hindu temple- Pashupatinath, two famous Buddhist Temples- the Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa. Overnight in Kathmandu.

DAY 03: OBSERVING KUKUR (DOG) TIHAR | Dog are revealed to represent the concept of dharma, the path of righteousness|DRIVE TO POKHARA[900m]31.8^oC/7.8^oC*| 5-6hrs |

Nepalese Hinduism is unique in dedicating the second day of the festival, KukurTihar, to the worship of dogs.Dog are revealed to represent the concept of dharma, the path of righteousness. Therefore, we wake up early morning and witness how Nepalese people worship dogs at their homes. After having a breakfast we drive to Pokhara. En route we can see the amazing Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers flowing down from the mountains, hilly landscapes, beautiful villages and shops.Once we reach Pokhara, we stay in a luxurious hotel at the lake side. In the evening we walk along the bank of Phewa Lake which is the most interesting experience we will ever have. Overnight in Pokhara.

DAY 04: OBSERVING COW WORSHIPPING | POKHARA SIGHTSEEING |OBSERVING LAXMI PUJA FESTIVAL IN THE EVENING|Cows act as the surrogate mother providing milk for the rest of the human life |

As a human infant is fed breast milk by its human mother for three years, likewise, according to Hinduism, after weaning, cows act as the surrogate mother providing milk for the rest of the human life- through childhood, adult age and old age. Cows are considered as the sacred animals. Therefore, in the morning we go and witness how Nepalese people worship cows on this special day. Pokhara is a globally renowned tourist destination for its natural beauty. We go for a half day city sightseeing. Firstly, we visit Fewa Lake where we see the reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhre if the weather is clear. The lake also offers beautiful Barahi Temple which is located in the middle of it. Other interesting destinations are Devi’s Waterfall, Tibetan Refugee Settlement, Gupteshwor Cave, International Mountain Museum and Bindabasini Temple. In the evening we go to a local home in order to witness how Laxmi Puja is done. On this day, Most of the houses have their front door decorated with a mandap and have a trail of red mud leading to their Puja room (worship room in the house).Laxmi Puja is performed using flowers, incense, oil lamps, color-powders, bell and money (both notes and coins) at dusk using red mud, and the entire puja is often done by a female in the family.Overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

DAY 05: DRIVE TO A TYPICAL NEPALESE VILLAGE |1-2hr|PLAYING DEUSI TOGETHER | Nepalese sing the songs and dance as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets, food and giving blessings for prosperity|

We wake up early in the morning and witness the view of sunrise and mesmerizing Himalayan view from the hotel terrace. As soon as we are done with breakfast we drive to a typical Nepalese village where we observe Govardan Puja and play Deusi together.Deusi and Bhailo are traditional tihar songs which are sung during the festival of Tihar. Nepalese sing the songs and dance as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets, food and giving blessings for prosperity. Bhailo is generally sung by girls, while Deusi is sung by boys. At the end of these songs, the woman of the house serves foods and gives money to these deusi/bhailo singers and dancers. In return, the Deusi/Bhailo team gives blessings for high income and prosperity.Therefore, we participate with the Deusi team and sing a typical song together. Overnight stay at local home.

DAY 06: BHAITIKA CELEBRATION |VILLAGE EXPLORATION |Sisters pray for their brother’s long life to the Hindu God of Death (Yam Raj)|

The last day of the Tihar festival is Bhai Tika. Tika is of seven colors Yellow, Orange, Blue, White, Green, Red and Purple. Sisters place tika (a colored powder placed on one’s forehead), and put mala (a necklace of flowers) to brothers along with wishes for long life and prosperity. In return brothers offer money to sisters while sisters give a special gift known as Sagun (which is made of dried fruits and nuts, and candies), and a Tihar feast takes place. Sisters pray for their brother’s long life to the Hindu God of Death (Yam Raj). We observe the Bhaitika celebration in the morning. Moreover, we encourage you to join and celebrate this festival together as being a brother/sister**. As soon as we are done with the celebration all the brothers and sisters of the village including you gather up and take several photos for the best memories. We walk around the village and explore it. Overnight stay at local home.

**Note: However, we encourage you to join the great Nepalese festival Bhaitika together with the local community. In order to perform the feast as Nepalese do, you need to take care of certain things which we don’t want you to put in pressure in order to go through it. For instance, you are not allowed to eat anything until the feast ends. The feast takes approximately 1hr. Likewise, One doesn’t necessarily have sister or brother to attend the feast, instead one can make by their own or we can arrange one for you. Therefore, we don’t want you to put in pressure to make a new relation of sister or brother. Similarly, most of the people don’t want to give money as a treat. But in Nepalese culture, on this day, brothers give money to sisters as treats in return brothers get cloths and sweets along with dried fruits and nuts.Please let us know in prior if you wishto be the part of these rituals despite of its strictness.

DAY 07: DRIVE BACK TO KATHMANDU VIA POKHARA[900m]Along Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers|6-7hrs|

We have our breakfast in the morning and we drive back to Kathmandu. En route we can see Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers flowing down from the mountains, breath taking hilly landscapes, beautiful villages, primitive shops and typical Nepalese houses. We drive through Prithvi Highway which is one of the oldest routes to reach many destinations throughout the country. Once we reach Kathmandu we check in to the hotel.In the evening, we can go around Thamel, a central touristic hub of Kathmandu, drink beers in Pubs with English blues and jazz. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08: FINAL DEPARTURE |To know how satisfied our guests are measured not only by how tight the goodbye hugs are but by staying in touch with us forever.

This is the last day of your visit. You can enjoy shopping and buying souvenir to friends and relatives. We will drop you to the airport 3 hrs prior to the departure time. The memories that you have shared with us matter a lot. Waving hands and goodbye hugs are just not enough, we tell our beloved guests to stay in touch with us, and this is how we feel satisfied by our services.

*Note: The figures shown above are the maximum and minimum temperatures in summer and winter respectively | Source: Department of Hydrology & Metrology, Nepal.