The five-day Nepalese Hindu festival of Tihar started this week and the second day is known as Kukur Tihar or “day of the dogs”. Dogs are celebrated and blessed with a Tika – a red mark applied to their forehead. The animals are also given flowers garlands and offered food as part of the festival.
Hindus believe that dog is the messenger of Yamaraj – the God of death – and by keeping the dogs in good humour they will be able to appease Yamaraj himself. The festival, which shares some traditions with Diwali in India, also celebrates cows and crows. It is not just beloved pets who are involved in the celebrations. Stray dogs are honoured on the day too. Treats given to dogs during Kukur Tihar can range from meat, milk, eggs and good quality dog food. Tihar is also called Deepavali or the festival of lights.
Throughout this festival, people in Nepal clean their houses and courtyards; light up lamps and pray to Laxmi – the Goddess of Wealth – urging her to visit their houses and bless them.
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu, meet assist and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Kathmandu
Kaag Tihar/Crow Day, worshiping crows
On the first day of Tihar Festival, people will offer rice to the crows, “the messenger of death”. These crows are busy all year round, and only have this day to rest. It is important to ensure that the crows are happy, otherwise they will inform the bad news, and bad things would happen in the coming year.
Day 03: Kathmandu
Kukur Tihar/Dog Day, thanking dogs
The second day of Tihar Festival is called as Kukur Tihar. On this day, Nepalis will honor dogs for they believe that the dog can guarantee the souls of the dead to get to heaven. People usually wear dogs with Tihar Tika and calendula garlands, and then treat them with a fancy dinner. In Nepal, the dog plays an important role as “the gatekeeper of death”, which is said to lead the deceased across the river of death in the underworld. On Kukur Tihar, Nepalese policemen will present beautiful garlands to the patrol dogs and paint their foreheads in red cinnabar to thank for their contributions in social security.
Day 04: Kathmandu
Gai Tihar and Laxmi Puja, honoring cow and the goddess of wealth
On the third day of Tihar Festival, Nepalese often worship cows and Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. This day is also the most important holiday in the festival. People would get up early and clean the room thoroughly. Hence, they start to thank cows. After a cozy bath, those cows will wear red Tika and beautiful wreaths, with holy strings from the priest tied to their tails.
When the night falls, dazzling candles, oil lamps and bright lights are lit up at the doors, steps, even on the roof. All the Nepalis will make their home as luminous as possible to attract Laximi’s attention. If the day happens to be Saturday, shops and stores won’t follow the traditional practices and keep open to welcome the goddess of wealth. At this moment, Nepalis kids won’t be idle. They come to visit neighbors in small groups and sing Tihar songs like Bhailo and Deusi for blessings. In return, the house owner give them money, fruit and sweets.
Day 05: Kathmandu
Under different cultural background, people will honor different things on the fourth day of Tihar. As ox is an indispensable helper for the farmer, people will perform Goru Puja for ox. Considered as the representative of Govardhan Mountain, cow dung is worshiped in Govardhan Puja. In addition, this day is also seen as the beginning of the new year for Newar community in Kathmandu valley. All the Newarians will reunite for this festival and perform Mha Puja to worship themselves.
On this day, the elder father would draw two geometric figures. One is painted for blessing the whole family and the other is dedicated to the death of Yama and his messenger. Then all the members will have a special family feast and enjoy some lucky food, like boiled eggs, fried fishes, tasty desserts, etc. After the grand banquet, they’ll take turns to worship the death of Yama Panchak and exchange Tihar gifts with each other to pray for good luck in the next year.
Day 06: Kathmandu – Pokhara (By Road) (195 Kms. / 4H 40M appx.)
After breakfast, drive to Pokhara.
On arrival, city tour of Pokhara.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Pokhara is a city on Phewa Lake, in central Nepal. It’s known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trail in the Himalayas. Tal Barahi Temple, a 2-story pagoda, sits on an island in the lake. On the eastern shore, the Lakeside district has yoga centers and restaurants. In the city’s south, the International Mountain Museum has exhibits on the history of mountaineering and the people of the Himalayas.
Day 07: Pokhara
Early morning excursion to Sarangkot.
Return back to Pokhara.
Afternoon: Boat ride at Pehwa Lake.
Free time to stroll local bazaar.
Overnight in Pokhara.
Sarangkot is the most popular tourist destination from where the tourists can enjoy the great view of the Pokhara Valley and the magnificent view of the mountains such as Annapurna Massif, Fishtail Mountain, Dhaulagiri range, and Manaslu. Sarangkot is only 5 km from Lake Side from Pokhara and highest view point at 1592m high for Sunrise and Sunset view over the snowy peaks. Sarangkot can be reached easily by 45 minutes by a car ride to the top from Pokhara and then 45 minutes hike up to the main view point.
Day 08: Pokhara – Chitwan (By Road) (115 Kms. / 3H 30M appx.)
In the morning straight drive to Chitwan, on arrival check in to the resort. After freshen up and relax get ready to visit Chitwan national Park it is one of the famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros, crocodile and Royal Bengal Tiger. Enjoy thrilling Jeep or Canter Safari with a experienced naturalist. Return to resort for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 09: Chitwan
After tea coffee get ready to visit Royal Chitwan National Park where you will have an opportunities to enjoy various jungle activities such as nature walk and bird watching. Chitwan is a paradise for nature lovers and nature walkers. You can enjoy thrilling elephant safari in Chitwan which is also UNESCO world heritage site. During safari you can spot many wildlife species such as Mugger crocodile, Bengal Tiger, one-horned Rhino etc. In the evening proceed to cultural tour to visit Tharu Village and explore the beauty of sun-set at river side. Later have dinner and stay overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Chitwan – Kathmandu (By Flight)
In the early morning after tea coffee, enjoy bird watching with an expert naturalist. Return to resort for breakfast and then drive to Bharatpur airport for flight to Kathmandu.
On arrival, explore Thamel market and cultural dance show with dinner.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Depart Kathmandu
Departure transfer to Kathmandu airport for flight to onward destination.
| Place | Night (s) | 5* Hotels |
| Kathmandu | 05 | Hyatt Regency |
| Pokhara | 02 | Fulbari Resort & Spa |
| Chitwan NP | 02 | Barahi Jungle Lodge |
| Kathmandu |
01 | Hyatt Regency |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport and hotels.
– 10 nights hotel accommodation.
– Daily breakfast and Dinners.
– All meals during the stay in Chitwan National park.
– Bharatpur (Chitwan) – Kathmandu one way air ticket in economy class.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private AC vehicle as per the program.
– Local English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Chinese / Russian speaking guides during city tour, sightseeing and excursions.
– Entrance fees to the monuments as per the program.
– Cultural show in Chitwan.
– Boat ride at Pehwa Lake.
– Cultural dance show with dinner in Kathmandu.
– Enjoy a unique experience beyond your expectations.
– All taxes.
– Tips
– International Air Fare
– Visa Fees
– Travel Insurance
– Personal expenses and drinks.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.