Quest for Kalinchowk

Arrival at the Tribhuvan International airport in Nepal. You will be transported to your hotel in Thamel where in the evening we invite you to our traditional Nepali welcome dinner.

Early rise for a breakfast in the hotel after which it’s time to visit Pashupatinath, the most venerated Hindu temple of Nepal and Boudanath, the biggest Buddhist stupa of the world. It really impresses all foreign tourists. In the afternoon we visit Durbar Square in the center of Kathmandu with its impressive monuments.

On the second day of the Kathmandu valley sightseeing the trip continues with a visit to the famous, former King cities of Bhaktapur and Patan -the principalities of Kathmandu valley. You will visit old royal palaces, temples, stupas, and monasteries and will see lots of nice intricate wood and stone works. All entree fees included! In the late afternoon we return to your hotel in Kathmandu. o/n in hotel, +B

So we get ready for our Quest for finding heaven on earth, as many Nepali people themselves love to trek to Kalinchowk. It is a profound place that takes you to one of the most unexplored areas for tourists. Early morning after breakfast,  we drive in about 5/6hrs by private transport all the way to the High Pass of Kharidhunga (2.540m), which also holds one of the largest magnesium mines of Nepal and the world. This surrealistic site is also our trekking start point for Kalinchowk. On the way from Kathmandu we stay long time on the famous Araniko Highway that leads to Tibet, crossing the Indrawoti river at Dolalghat and then we turn east and cross the Bhotekosi river at Khadichaur. The more spectacular and scenic routes starts now on a mountainous road up to 2.600 m, providing the spectacular panoramic view of the mountains to the north and east. 

After a nice breakfast, we now have to get on our two feet and start walking toward Kuri. This valley is very beautiful especially in the spring season (March-May) when we can enjoy the many colors of the Rhododendron (Laligurans-National flower) which turns the valley into a rich appearing natural landscape. Surrounded by the sweet sounds of several kinds of birds like the Pheasant (Danfe-National Bird). Most part of the area is also covered by green forests which allows to choose shadowy walking ways.

Today is the highlight of our trek so we leave very early morning after breakfast to Kalinchowk, our final, rarely visited tourist destination.We first walk one hour uphill and reach the ecstatic view of snow capped mountains, snow capped hills and the sky hopefully as clear so the view will be absolutely overwhelming. They call it heaven because the mountains are seemingly parallel to our eyes. An astonishing beautiful panorama of Gaurishankar, Annapurna, Lamjung, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and several other peaks greet us as we stand on this hilltop at 3852 m. There is also a prominent temple of the Hindus called the Kalinchowk Bhagawati (Kali) temple. Afterwards we will walk back down to Kuri with spectacular views of the Numbur Himal and the Gauri Shankar mountain range. Till our arrival at Kuri, the village that is known for its many colors of rhododendron (Laligurans, Chimal flowers). After our lunch we look around Kuri Valley (3.200m), it is a great place to just hang out and also the cuisine is delicious. The view of the valley and steep slopes on either side is dizzying: it’s an abrupt and almost one-kilometer descend that cannot be made on foot! 

After breakfast we will drive to Charikot. It is a bit an adventureous  drive, thrilling on a bumpy road which sometimes seems to be narrower than the breadth of the Jeep.  Charikot is the headquarter of Dolakha district, and provides a spectacular mountain view of Gaurishankar Himal, famous Hanumante & Sailung hills as well as Tamakoshi River. There is a little Stupa and Buddhist temple near the hotel that offers a giant panorama to both sides of the Dolakha mountain district.

Today we drive to Dhulikhel (1.550m), famous for one of Nepal’s most enchanting views on the Himalaya. Dhulikhel is a stage of immense beauty and really worth the exploring the ancient parts of this exceptional city. Dhulikhel has for many centuries been an important trading centre on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. The oldest area of the town, the southern end, is an assembly of fine old Newari houses, often occupied by 20 or more members of the local extended families. They may not all have glazed windows, hot water or modern furniture, but they have dignity and a friendly atmosphere. Their most valuable assets are the beautifully carved windows and doors, fine examples of traditional Newari craftsmanship. As one wanders down the traffic free narrow streets, one passes through a medieval city inhabited for at least five centuries and may have a feeling that he is in the garden of cultural theme park.

Namobuddha is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Valley, a scared Buddhist place where Lord Buddha saved the life of a tiger dying from hunger. Particularly significant to Tibetan Buddhists. It is associated with one of the Jataka Tales, which recount the previous lives of the Buddha. Colourful prayer flags and pilgrims surround the white stupa and a carved stone slab recounts the tale. The 3 hours walk through fields, plantations and small villages is extremely pleasant and offers an excellent glimpse of rural life, you can have a breath-taking view of mountains valley and hills and touch of Newari culture. We will overnight in a Tibetan monastary where we optionally can join the monks in their meditation and prayers! o/n in monastery +B/L/D

After breakfast continue walk to the Typical Newari village of Panauti. This traditional Newar settlement has a particularly rural character and a variety of farm products are offered for sale throughout the town. Panauti boasts a large number of fascinating temples. This village is connected to our religion. According to a historical myth it is believed that the entire valley of Panauti rests in a single stone underneath. There are also several years old temples to see. In the afternoon we drive back to Kathmandu.

Today you have a free day in Thamel, which is the tourist district of Kathmandu. Thamel has been the centre of the tourist industry in Kathmandu for over four decades starting from the hippie movement when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. Even though Thamel has been referred to as the “ghetto” by some, most low-budget travellers consider it a tourist heaven, also for buying souvenirs.

Depending on your flight time we will timely bring you to the airport.