Nepal is home to the longest, most extravagant festivals in the world. Witness holidays like you have never seen them before! Not only observe, but participate with locals in the country-wide celebrations of Indra Jatra and Dashain. Festivals here in Nepal are on an entirely different scale than most western countries. From colorful parades to massive animal sacrifices, the things you will see on our Festival Tours in Nepal are unlike anything you have ever and probably will ever see. It is an authentic tour into the heart of Nepali culture.
Let’s be honest, anytime you come to Nepal, you are more than likely to be here during one of our dozens of festivals. Anytime of the week, you might see a crowd playing music or carrying an ornately decorated chariot around the streets. However, Indra Jatra and Dashain are two of the biggest and most exciting. They are celebrated all around the country, uniting the Nepalese people. We invite you to come for these so you can see Nepal’s festivities at their best.
Indra Jatra, in September, arrives as the monsoon comes to an end. The festival honors Indra (king of the Vedic gods and the god of rain), while the Kumari makes her way around town on an elevated chariot. Kumari is Kathmandu’s living goddess who comes in the form of a young girl.
We stay in the best spots to be at during Indra Jatra – Basantapur and the surroundings of the ancient royal palace. Ceremonial music is played and rituals are done, including one one that involves beer pouring out of Bhairab’s mouth, giving good fortune to those who manage to get a sip.
Or, Join us for Nepal’s number one biggest, most extravagant festival – Dashain! Happening sometime in September or October, it is the longest and most auspicious festival in the year, bringing Hindus and Buddhists together. Dashain recognizes the victory of truth over evil; it reminds that the evil may be strong for a time but truth and good will always prevail.
Our nearly two-week long tour makes the most of Dashain as we visit temples in Kathmandu and villages on the fringes of the valley, where the real excitement happens. We stay with families and experience the holiday as they experience it.
Dashain transcends most holidays in the west. To celebrate the victory of the goddess Durga over evil, everything closes for two weeks. Animals are sacrificed by the thousand, giant bamboo swings are made, feasts are eaten, and everyone is jolly. Countless rituals involving games, dress, parades, food, and more happening during Dashain. Each day of Dashain is a new adventure.
Come experience this authentic cultural tour with us as we spend time with Nepali families, seeing how Indra Jatra and Dashain are celebrated by typical Nepalese.
Ask us for more details about our Festival Tours in Nepal! Exact dates vary from year to year. Email us and we will give you precise dates and the detailed day to day itinerary.
Dashain Festival Tour In Nepal
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Itinerary
Dashain is a grand festival in Nepal, which is also known as Bijaya Dashami. It is a 15-day festival that signifies the victory of good over evil. People of all religions and ethnic groups celebrate Dashain in a grandiose way. The festival starts with Ghatasthapana, the sowing of Jamara. On this day, a priest worships a Kalash filled with holy water. The other important days of Dashain are the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th. If you want to experience the unique culture, tradition, and rituals of Nepal, then a Grand Dashain Festival Tour is a perfect choice for you.
Our voyage begins in Kathmandu, a city with outstanding architecture dating back to the 16th century. Our team representative will greet you at Tribhuwan International Airport and accompany you to your accommodation. Our agent will assist you with checking into the hotel. You will be welcomed, assisted, and served in a lovely hotel room. The first day of arrival is fully off. In the evening, you can explore local tourist attractions such as Thamel Kathmandu.
The Dashain Festival begins on Ghatasthapana. "Ghata" means a vessel, and "sthapana" means to establish. The jar, or kalash, is filled with holy water and covered with cow dung, which is then decorated with barley grains. Jamara is the name of the plant that grows in 10 days. We go to a local house to see how Ghatasthapana is done. After breakfast, we depart for the valley's UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanathstupa, and Soyanbhunathstupa.
After breakfast, we will visit Changunarayan Temple and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Bhaktapur Durbar Square was previously the imperial palace of the medieval Bhaktapur Kingdom. The square is surrounded by stunning architecture and brilliantly displays the skills of Newari painters and craftspeople.
The Changunarayan Temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and is the oldest temple in Nepal. It is situated on a mountaintop with a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. Amazing sculptures and antique artworks surround the shrine.
We will go to Nagarkot, a picturesque hilltop town about 20 kilometers from Kathmandu, in the afternoon. Nagarkot is famous for its breathtaking views over Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayas.
We get up early in the morning to see the sunrise over the eastern Himalayan mountains, which include Mt Everest (8,848 meters). It is beautiful to see the sunrise as the Sun shines on the mountain peak, displaying the crimson hue. We spend some time admiring the panoramic views of the Himalayas and the magnificent hilly terrain. After breakfast, we head to Kathmandu airport to catch a flight to Pokhara. We will have a great panoramic view of the Alps while on board. Stay in Pokhara for the night.
Pokhara is a world-renowned tourist attraction because of its natural beauty. After breakfast, we travel on a half-day city tour. The city is so beautiful that wherever we go, we can see the stunning mountains to the north. Devi's Waterfall, Tibetan Refugee Settlement, Gupteshwor Cave, International Mountain Museum, Peace Stupa, and Shiva Statue are among the popular sights. The rest of the day is free for personal activities such as boating and shopping. If you want to go to Annapurna Base Camp by helicopter (1-hour tour), please let us know the day before so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
After breakfast, we will drive to Ghandruk Village. Normally it used to be a popular trekking destination but nowadays Ghandruk is easily accessible by road. Ghandruk is a Gurung village at 2,860 meters (9,380 ft) above sea level and encircled by the Annapurna Himal mountain range.
Ghandruk is a renowned hiking location that serves as a base camp for climbs to Annapurna Base Camp and the Poon Hill viewpoint. A variety of Gurung cultural heritage monuments, including the Ghandruk Gompa (monastery) and the Gurung Museum, can also be found in the area.
The population of Ghandruk is mostly Gurung, a Nepalese ethnic group. The Gurung are well-known for their strong sense of community and rich cultural legacy. Ghandruk is a picturesque and calm village that is an excellent site to discover Nepal's natural beauty and cultural legacy.
We will spend a night here in Ghandruk Village.
We go to the hotel terrace as soon as we wake up in the morning to take in the breathtaking views of Mount Fishtail, Annapurna South, and Heuchuli. We take our time and enjoy the beautiful morning scenery. We'll eat breakfast after that. We drive from Ghandruk to Bandipur. We can view the magnificent Marshyangdirivers pouring down from the Himalayas, villages, hilly terrain, and traditional Nepalese residences and stores along the way. After a few hours of driving, we arrive in Bandipur, which has a beautiful stalactite and stalagmite Siddha cave, characteristic Newari huts, arts and architecture, and so on. Overnight at Bandipur at a hotel.
Fulpati Day, the seventh day of Dashain, is today. On this day, Nepalese people bring nine different varieties of flowers inside their houses as a tribute to Durga. We will travel to Gorkha, the birthplace of Nepal's first king, Prithvi Narayan Shah. The Gorakhkali temple, dedicated to Durga, is also located in Gorkha.
We'll go to the temple and watch how the Phulpati is made. Flowers are collected from the nearby hills and forests and placed in an artistic manner. Following that, we will drive to Jeevanpur, where the Phulpati will be transported to Hanumandhoka (the major Dashain Ghar). A person swims across the Budhi Gandaki River carrying the Phulpati. This has been a long-standing tradition.
In the evening, we will return to Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we will go to the Dakshinkali temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Dakshinkali temple is about 22 kilometers from Kathmandu and is a popular Hindu pilgrimage place in Nepal. We drive to Hanumandhoka, commonly known as Kumari Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square, after visiting Dakshinkali. Durbar Square is surrounded by stunning building that eloquently displays the skills of Newar artists and craftsmen spanning centuries. We go to see the MahaAstami event in neighborhood households in the evening.
Vijaya Dashami is the tenth and last day of Nepal's Dashain celebration. It is a day of joy and triumph, commemorating the triumph of good over evil. People attend temples and shrines on this day to pray and obtain blessings. They also pay visits to their elders' homes to get tika, a sacred mark on the forehead, and jamara, a grain garland. People play lingey ping, a traditional bamboo swing, in the afternoon. This is a time for joy and laughter, and it marks the end of the Dashain celebration. There is a cultural dancing program in the evening. This is the time to experience Nepalese traditional music and dancing.
People play lingey ping, a traditional bamboo swing, in the afternoon. This is a time for joy and laughter, and it marks the end of the Dashain celebration.
We'll see Patan Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath Stupa. These are two of Nepal's most important cultural and religious landmarks.
here is a cultural dancing program in the evening. This is the time to experience Nepalese traditional music and dancing. We'll eat at a local restaurant and learn about Nepali culture.
This is your last day in town. You can enjoy shopping and purchasing souvenirs for friends and family. We will drop you off at the airport three hours before your flight. The memories you've shared with us are really valuable.
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