Népal – 10j / 9n

Village tour in Nepal (Eco-tourism)

10 jours / 9 nuits

Located between India and Tibet, Nepal offers a fantastic array of attractions for tourists. It is best known as the home of the Mt. Everest but there is much more to the country than just one mountain. Nepal is a fascinating land of ancient history, vibrant cultures and people and scenic grandeur. It is also one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. Nepal has a rich and a most diverse culture because of its unique location between the world’s two largest and ancient civilizations.

Nepal is the holy land of Lord Pashupatinath and Gautam Buddha, where the Hindus and Buddhists have coexisted for centuries in total harmony. Lord Buddha, the ‘light of Asia’, was born in Lumbini in Nepal’s southern plains, which makes Nepal a scared pilgrimage destination for all Buddhists as well. The temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most scared Hindu shrine and one of the four most important sites in the world for Shiva worshippers.

Village tours allow visitors to experience a stay in a typical Nepali village. Stay in home of one of the villagers and during stay, will get delicious local food and drinks and comfortable accommodation provided by host family. One will also get a chance to interact with the villagers and get to know their culture, tradition and way of life first hand. Besides, it is a way to contribute directly to the welfare of the village.

		10 jours / 9 nuits	Village tour in Nepal (Eco-tourism)
Jour	1	Arrival – Kathmandu	Arrival in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the largest city and the capital & heart of Nepal. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is a hub for independent travelers as well as a growing vacation spot catering to all budgets. In the distant dawn of unrecorded time, so legend tells us, the valley of Kathmandu was a turquoise lake with a wondrous lotus flower resting on it. Majushree (Padmasambav), a patriarch saint from China sliced the valley wall with his flaming sword of wisdom at Chovar and let the dry land appear. The lotus flower settled on the valley floor over which Manjushree built the great stupa of Swoyambhunath. The Kathmandu valley comprises the three ancient Royal cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu having their own palaces and ornate palace squares each listed as World Heritage sites. There are cobbled lanes of the palace squares with a fascinating maze of temples, shrines, market places and the life revolving around it. Meeting and assistance at the airport and transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel.
Jour	2	Kathmandu – Balthali (B,L,D)	Morning, sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath stupa. Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in the heart of old city Kathmandu. The founding of the Durbar (Royal Palace) dates back to Licchavi times. With considerable renovations by Malla rulers and later the Ranas, construction was accomplished progressively over many centuries. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity. Visit the 17th Century Durbar complex, Hanuman Dhoka, Paravati temple, great Bell and Drum, Bhairav, Taleju Temple and array of temples grouped around it. A few steps away is the Temple of the Living Goddess, where the clients may catch a glimpse of the Kumari at one of the open windows overlooking the inner courtyard. All around the splendour of historical monuments is the hustle & bustle of the market place. Vegetable vendors, trees of flutes, salesmen with their wares displayed on their person, souvenir hawkers, street shop selling imported goods and tucked away in a quiet corner the glittering bead market for custom made bead necklaces. Atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu stands the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley lake. Swoyambhunath offers a bird’s eye view of the Kathmandu city. This huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhists sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu. The faithful circumambulate of the stupa clockwise, turning the banks of prayer wheels and even prostrating full-length are done in reverence. Drive to Khopasi (36 KM from Kathmandu). Then walk for 30 to 45 min to reach Balthali Village Resort. During the walk you will get a chance to see one of the oldest Hydroelectricity projects of Nepal. Then pass through a holy men village and a terrace fields. On reaching Balthali Village Resort, welcome drinks will be served with a light snacks. In the evening camp firing with snacks and local wine made by the villagers Typical Nepali dinner (Dhindo or Rice) with a local chicken from the village. Overnight at resort.
Jour	3	Balthali (B,L,D)	Breakfast at the resort. Then hike towards a joint river where you will see a water mill and Ladkeshwor Temple situated inside the cave. Then walk forward to Nepane Village (Typical Tamang Village), after exploring the lifestyle of a typical Tamang community, move down to Ladku river and then back to the resort. Lunch at the resort and then stroll around resort. Camp fire and live show of a Jhakri in the evening. Dinner and overnight at resort.
Jour	4	Balthali – Kathmandu – Pokhara (B)	Early morning view of a Sunrise, later, walk towards Khopasi crossing a suspension bridge over a Roshi river. Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to the airport. Fly to Pokhara. Pokhara is a remarkable place of natural beauty. Situated at an altitude of 900m from the sea level and 200km west of Kathmandu valley, the enchanting town has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel in Pokhara. Rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight at Hotel.
Jour	5	Pokhara – Sirubari (B,L,D)	Driving from Pokhara to Sirubari (5/6 hr) via Bhatkhola. Sirubari Village tour takes you to the rural village called Sirubari Village situated in Syangja district south west to the Pokhara. The trail to the village is steep but well made and most people manage to reach the village after a three-hour walk. The village is a totally unspoiled and attractive Gurung settlement set in the hiss at 1700 meters above sea level. The hills above Sirubari village offer panoramic views of Mt. Annapurna massif including Macchapuchare, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, Lamjung and Hiunchuli. The climate is ideal at any time during the September to June season with warm days and cool nights. In the past touring in Nepal has meant either trekking along the trails or staying in specially built resorts. Getting to know the locals and their culture has been difficult. In Sirubari, one can experience a stay in an unspoiled village living as a family member. You will be welcomed into the community and invited to stay in the home of one of the village families. Each night there will be entertainment provided by the community. One evening this will be in the form of traditional Gurung and Nepali dancing and singing. The accommodation is simple but comfortable with clean room with good beds as well as clean toilet facilities (squat toilets). The food is delicious and you will be eating your meals as one of the family. During your stay, you will be able to feel what it is like to live the life of a Nepali villager. Walk with your family while they go about their daily chores, tending animals, tilling the fields, or simply sitting in the sun talking to the neighbors. You can feel free to wander, safely, by yourself and look at all of the developments that the community have supported and funded. And, at the end of the stay, you will be overwhelmed by the farewell that your new family will give you. Even if you never come this way again, the village and its people will remain in your heart forever. Lunch and welcome ceremony at Sirubari and blessing by village lama (priest). Interact with home stay family. Evening dinner with home stay family.
Jour	6	Sirubari (B,L,D)	The day is busy with village tour starting with visit to Panchumul high school. Lunch back with families at home stays interact with home stay families and watch a color show. And home stay in Shirubari.
Jour	7	Sirubari (B,L,D)	Morning, hike to Midian Kharka and Thumro to observe sunrise view. Lunch with families at homes stay. Afternoon, visit at village gompa followed culture program. Dinner with families at home stay.
Jour	8	Sirubari – Pokhara (B)	Morning, farewell with to people at village gompa. Later, drive back to Pokhara via Bhatkhola. Transfer to Hotel in Pokhara. Overnight at the Hotel.
Jour	9	Pokhara – Kathmandu (B,D)	Transfer to the airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu. Evening, farewell dinner at a Nepali Restaurant with cultural show. Enjoy authentic Nepali dinner which is usually served with together with `rakshi’, the Nepali rice-wine. They will also present dances performed by different communities of Nepal like Newars, Sherpas, Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Tharus etc; using typical music instruments and dances mimicking animals and birds such as; Yeti, Yak and Peacock.
Jour	10	Kathmandu – Departure (B)	Morning is free till departure. Later, transfer to international airport to connect the onward flight.

Si vous êtes intéressé par ce programme « vert » au Népal faites-le nous savoir dans les commentaires ci-dessous, nous vous contacterons dans les plus brefs délais afin d’élaborer avec vous votre projet de voyage.