If you are planning a visit to Nepal, you should consider visiting during the festival season to experience the vibrant and colorful festivities. Our festival and cultural tour Nepal 2023 is the best package to experience festivity. You can choose the date of the tour as per the festival you want to join.
Nepal is a beautiful country that is steeped in rich cultural traditions and vibrant festivals. These festivals are a celebration of the country's diverse ethnic and religious communities. They are a great way to experience the country's vibrant culture and customs. A festival tour in Nepal is an excellent way to immerse oneself in the country's unique culture and learn more about its people.
One of the benefits of visiting Nepal during these festivals is that you will have the opportunity to experience the country's rich culture and traditions firsthand. You can witness traditional dances, taste local delicacies, and learn about the local's beliefs and customs. The festivals in Nepal are a great way to meet new people and make new friends, as everyone is in a festive and welcoming mood.
In addition to the cultural experiences, following our festival and cultural tour package in Nepal, you will also get the chance to explore the country's historical monuments and natural beauty. Nepal is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, including the Himalayan mountain range, lush forests, and pristine lakes and rivers. There are numerous opportunities to go on city tours, hiking, rafting, and wildlife spotting during your festival tour in Nepal.
Festival and cultural tour Nepal itinerary
The festival and cultural tour in Nepal is a 12 days program. During the tour, you will visit Nepal's four most popular tourist cities and also go on a short hike to beautiful Dhampus village. The cultural tour in Nepal begins with your arrival in Kathmandu. Here, you will visit many UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Monkey Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
All these monuments get heavily decorated for the festivals. And you can see the hundreds of locals visiting these sites. The markets are bustling, and you can feel the festivity in the air. From Kathmandu, you will travel to Chitwan, where you will see wildlife like one-horn rhinos, elephants, and other animals & birds. You will also visit a Tharu village and participate in the celebration with the villagers. It will be an unforgettable experience.
The tour then goes to Pokhara, the beautiful city of lakes. We will go on a short hike to Dhampus village, which offers an outstanding landscape and stunning views of Annapurna (8,091 m/26,545 ft) and Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m/22,943 ft). In Pokhara, you will visit Sarangkot, World Peace Pagoda, International Mountain Museum, Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, etc. Pokhara is all about viewpoints, lakes, and caves.
If you have a few days in hand, we highly recommend extending the tour to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. It is a short trek that takes 5 to 7 days to complete depending upon the trekker's pace.
From Pokhara, we continue the tour to Bandipur. Bandipur is a charming hilltop town located in the Tanahun district of Nepal. This place is known for its well-preserved traditional Newari architecture, lush greenery, and stunning views of the Himalayas. Bandipur is a living museum of Newari culture and architecture, and walking through its streets feels like taking a step back in time.
The town's buildings are adorned with intricate wood carvings, and its narrow streets are lined with ancient brick houses that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. You will then drive back to Kathmandu, and the following day, join a food tour with our guide. Learn about Nepali spices, assortments, and delicacies. Try local dishes and indulge in the flavors. And don't forget to do window shopping in Thamel.
Dashain Festival tour in Nepal 2023 (15th October to 24th October)
Dashain, also known as Bijaya Dashami. It is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in Nepal. It is a 10-day long festival that falls in the months of September or October. The dates vary each year based on the Nepali calendar. In 2023, Dashain will begin on October 15th and end on October 24th.
If you want to participate in this 10-day grand celebration in Nepal, then you can book our festival and cultural tour in Nepal around this day. You will be exploring the cities as per our itinerary along with participating in the festivals.
Talking about the Dashain, this festival has great importance to the Nepali people. Dashain celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a time when families and friends come together to celebrate and enjoy good food, music, and festivities. The festival is also an opportunity for people to take a break from their daily routines and spend quality time with their loved ones.
The celebration of Dashain begins with Ghatasthapana, where a pot is filled with holy water and sowed with barley seeds. This pot is kept in a sacred room for 10 days and is worshiped every day. The festival culminates on the day of Vijaya Dashami, where people offer prayers to the goddess Durga and seek her blessings for prosperity and happiness.
Tihar Festival tour in Nepal 2023 (11th November to 15th November)
Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the festival of lights, is a five-day-long festival celebrated in Nepal. The festival falls in October or November, and the dates vary yearly based on the Nepali calendar. In 2023, Tihar will begin on November 11th and end on November 15th.
This is a lovely festival when the entire country gets decorated with millions of lights and garlands. It is the festival of prosperity, bonding, and delicious sweets. To participate in Tihar, book this tour according to the mentioned date above.
Tihar is the second biggest festival in Nepal. It is celebrated to honor various gods and goddesses. Each day of the festival has a different significance and is associated with the worship of different deities. The festival also celebrates the bond between humans and animals, such as cows, dogs, and crows are considered sacred during Tihar.
The first day of Tihar is known as Kaag Tihar, where crows are worshiped by offering food and sweets. The second day is Kukur Tihar, where dogs are worshiped and offered special food. On the third day, people decorate their homes with lights and flowers and worship the goddess of wealth, Laxmi.
The fourth day of Tihar is known as Govardhan Puja or Mha Puja, where people perform a ritual to honor their own self and their ancestors. The final day of Tihar is Bhai Tika, where sisters put tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) on their brothers' foreheads and pray for their well-being.
During the festival, people decorate their homes with colorful lights, flowers, and rangoli patterns. They prepare various traditional dishes such as sel roti, sweets, and meat dishes and share them with their friends and family members.
One of the most unique aspects of Tihar is the tradition of playing Deusi and Bhailo, where groups of young people go from house to house singing traditional songs and playing instruments such as Madals and dhols. In return, they are offered money, sweets, and other treats.
Chhath Festival tour in Nepal 2023 (18th November to 19th November)
Chhath is a four-day-long festival celebrated in Nepal, which is dedicated to the worship of the sun god, Surya. The festival falls in October or November, and the dates vary each year based on the Nepali calendar. In 2023, Chhath will begin on November 18th and end on November 19th.
Chhath is the third important festival in Nepal. It is celebrated by people of all ages and backgrounds. The festival is especially popular in the Terai region of Nepal, where the majority of the population is Hindu. The festival is significant because it is believed that by worshiping the sun god, people can purify their minds, bodies, and souls.
The first day of Chhath is known as Nahay Khay, where devotees take a holy bath and prepare special dishes such as kheer, chura, and sabzi. On the second day, known as Kharna, devotees observe a day-long fast and break it in the evening after offering prayers to the sun god.
The third day of Chhath is the main day of the festival, known as Sandhya Arghya, where devotees offer prayers to the setting sun. They stand in waist-deep water and offer Arghya (water, flowers, and offerings) to the sun while chanting mantras and songs. After this, they light Diyas (oil lamps) and perform aarti (offering light) to the sun.
The final day of Chhath is known as Usha Arghya, where devotees offer prayers to the rising sun. They repeat the same ritual as the previous day, but this time, they offer Arghya to the rising sun.
During the festival, people also decorate their homes with colorful lights and flowers. They prepare various traditional dishes to share with their friends and family members. The festival is a time for people to come together and celebrate the power of the sun god, Surya.
