Gai Jatra Festival Tour

Participate in the Gaijatra Carnivals

PRICE FROM:
USD 1200 per 2 pax

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TRIP DETAILS

  • Dates: Daily
  • Best Season: August
  • Duration: 9 Days
  • Trekking Days: 0 Days
  • Grade: Easy
  • Commences At: Bhaktapur Durbar Square
  • Ends At: Dattatraya
  • Code: NPGFT

Gai Jatra is a festive carnival celebrated in Kathmandu Valley. As the most important part of the festival, the Newari people make a procession to commemorate their family member,relatives and friends who deceased in the year. The procession is led by a real cow or people decorated as a cow. The procession is often acompanied by dance and music. Beside it, there are several other attractions of this festival like: Stick Dance (Ghentang Gisi), Mask Dance (Devi nach), Dog dance ( kicha Pyakhang), Street Dramas and people disguised in hilarious dress up. This day is also considered as the day to throw sarcastic gestures at evil part of society, politics and government. 

The Festival continues for nine days with similar activities.

Day 1 - Participate in Bhaktapur Gai Jatra (cow festival)
Day 2 - Hike to Sundari jal
Day 3 - hike form Chisopani
Day 4 - hike to Dhulikhel
Day 5 - hike to Namobuddha
Day 6 - Hike to Rani kot.
Day 7 - Back to Bhaktapur city
Day 8 - Departure
Day 1 - Participate in Bhaktapur Gai Jatra (cow festival) :

Today is the first day of festival that runs for nine days. Today we join the procession that goes dancing and singing with traditional music. You can feel the strength of that music that will forces you to jump and sing together with the local people for about 3 hours. For lunch, sample local Newari festival cuisines and rice wine or rice beer. Tonight at Bhadgaon Guesthouse.

Day 2 - Hike to Sundari jal :

This morning, we drive about 25 kilometer to Buddhanilkantha, to the west of Bhaktapur from where we start our hike. We walk around 5 hours before we stop at Sundarijal teahouse. overnight at teahouse. Pack lunch on the way.

Day 3 - hike form Chisopani :

After breakfast, we plan to start walking at around 8 am. It is going to be 7 hours walk today to Nagarkot. Nagarkot is a popular dentination for sun rise and sunset with the back drop of snow capped mountain range. We stop at Hotel Country Villa.

Day 4 - hike to Dhulikhel :

This another scintillating walk through forested trail. We stop at Kashi bhanjyang for lunch. it is an ideal place for lunch before we start an ascend. (7hours walk) Tonight, we stay at hotel himalayan horizen.

Day 5 - hike to Namobuddha :

We walk through a small historic Newari village and then count 1000 steps up to Kali Mandir before we finally descend and follow the path across cultivated field and small villages. (6 hours walk) Tonight, we stay at Thrangu Monastery. It gives us an opportunity to learn about Buddhist monastic life.

Day 6 - Hike to Rani kot. :

After participating in regular puja in the monastery, we have brreakfast. we plan to move at around 8 am . Walking down hill to the ancient Newari city, we explore its heritage sites and life solitary life. We stop here for lunch. Then we continue to Ranikot. It is mostly uphill now and we stop when we arrive the top. ( nearly 2000 m). Over night in guesthouse. ( 6 hours walk)

Day 7 - Back to Bhaktapur city :

We can already have a bird's eye view on Bhaktapur city. It is going to be an hour walk now down to the city. We will have lunch in the city. Get refreshed and leisure in the evening. After, the sun goes down, we explore Bhaktapur city once again and check out what is remained after the blasting festivals. Obviously, we still can see many happenings. We will go to a square where the municipality evaluate the Gai jatra festival performer. Here, we have chance to see several local dances and music.

Day 8 - Departure :

We have come to end of 8 Days festival tours around Bhaktapur city. The hotel check out time is 11 am. After check out, we transfer you to the airport or further journey.

The Trek Cost Includes:
-- 2 nights Accommodation in Bhaktapur guesthouse
-- Accommodation during hikes in the proposed hotel, guesthouse and teahouse.
-- an English speaking guide for 8 Days
-- 7 breakfast,7 lunch and 7 Dinner.
-- Bhaktapur heritage city entrance
-- 1 Newari festive food and complimentary local whisky/beer
-- Transportation to and from the trekking point as designated in the itinerary
The Trek Cost excludes:
-- Porter during the hike
-- National park entrance and other entrance during the hike.
-- bottled beverages
-- gratuities to the guide.
-- travel insurance
-- any extra other than mentioned in the itinerary.
-- Single Supplementary applies

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