With the launch of VP2007, many travel companies should now be offering you special travel packages, one of which many are keen to see is the Golden Triangle which has been some what publicized by our tourism board.

Although this triangle is nothing new, is the most used by tourists, and is offered by nearly all travel companies, we should expect this sort of package with a nice price tag and additional features - what will they be ?

The Triangle (Click on the image to view it)

Each point of the triangle has an image showing the major attraction.

Another Triangle or Just a Rectangle ?

Your journey to Pokhara, really begins by arriving at the International Airport of Nepal which is located in Kathmandu. You will surely be using your first few days to rest, relax and for easy-day sightseeing of the city, and then only will you be going to Pokhara to begin your golden triangle. Hence the golden triangle can also have the reference of golden Square or if not, golden Rectangle. See image below.

Or Golden Square

An image showing the rectangle and attractions

What will be the Itinerary ?
8 Nights / 9 Days is considered to be the ideal itinerary of the golden Triangle. But you can add a few more days to enjoy it to the max..

• Day 01: Arrive at KTM airport, pick up by Hotel Agents, Transfer to Hotel, perform your leisure activities; rest - relax or easy walks to the streets. Dine in typical Nepalese Restaurant.
• Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur with a guide who speaks your language. Check in your hotel in the evening.
• Day 03: After breakfast fly to Pokhara (a 30 minutes flight). Upon arrival in Pokhara airport, transfer to your hotel, evening dinner in a restaurant of your choice
• Day 4 : Early morning sunrise excursion to Annapurna mountain, then to Sarangkot hill, which will take about 3 hours. Return back to hotel. Evening dinner and shopping in the lakeside bazaar.
• Day 5 : Spend one more day in Pokhara for your own spontaneous activities - Boating, sun bathing or just enjoy reading a book in the center of Himalayas! Remember, every moment in Pokhara is a moment to cherish for a lifetime.
• Day 6 : Early morning drive to Chitwan by a tourist bus (coach) or take a flight. Full day jungle safari activities, bird watching, and walks to thaur villages to learn about thaur culture. Overnight at Chitwan || From Pokhara, you could fly to Lumbini instead of going to Chitwan first - the option is with you or with your travel agent so check on that item.
• Day 07: After Breakfast drive to Lumbini by private coach (tourist bus). During the trip visit the “Little Buddha Boy” who is meditating under a tree and making headlines all over the world. Then continue to drive Lumbini, upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest of time free leisure activities.
• Day 08: After breakfast, see Lumbini for about 3 to 4 hours, then transfer to airport, fly back to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel for evening activities.
• Day 09 : Transfer to Kathmandu airport for your onward flight.

What will be the cost ?

The cost for above package depends on many factors such as number of travelers, your choice of hotel, mode of transportation, travel insurance and food. For example, traveling in groups such as a family of seven will be cheaper than traveling alone. Also even if traveling alone but choosing the budget accommodation and transportation will also be cheaper. It’s all up to you on how much you want save or spend. Below are some estimation of the cost of the triangle.
Average Cost for Single Person for the entire package.

• US$ 1200 to $ 1300 - Includes : Pickup from the airport by private taxi/coach, a 5 Star Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu, Transportation Cost (Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Private Coach from Pokhara to Chitwan and to Lumbini, and Flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu. Sightseeing tour by private coach with a guide. Park and Entrance Fees. Breakfast; coffee and juice will be provided. Food is also included at Chitwan logging.
• What is not included ? Air ticket from to and from your country. Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Extra cost due to unforeseen such as natural disasters, political unrests, and personal illness.

How to make this package cheaper ?

Make your own package. Get a ticket Kathmandu. From there make your own travel package. Stay in a budget hotel. Ride instead flying. Eat Nepali food, but eat well cooked food, avoid eating salads, drink boiled waters or bottled mineral waters. Spend 3 days in Pokhara instead of 1 or 2 days. However, you might feel more secured with travel agents who have the local knowledge, so throw some money at`um if you can afford for your luxurious travel and for peace of mind.

What you should do next ?

Ask for ever more special deals on this golden package with our travel companies. It should be a bargain this year. I hope they offer this package for around US$999.99 or even less and perhaps encourage.

A quick note : If you are not familiar with the points mentioned in the golden triangle just Google`um or visit the travel section of our site.

Hope to C U Soon in Nepal!