Dashain Festival Nepal

Dashain Festival Nepal

Dashain, or Bada Dashain, also referred to as Vijaya Dashami in Sanskrit, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal. It is also observed by Nepali Hindu communities around the world, including the Lhotshampa of Bhutan and the Burmese Gurkhas of Myanmar.

Overview

Dashain, or Bada Dashain, also referred to as Vijaya Dashami in Sanskrit, is a major Hindu festival celebrated in Nepal and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal. It is also observed by Nepali Hindu communities around the world, including the Lhotshampa of Bhutan and the Burmese Gurkhas of Myanmar.

Dashain commemorates the victory of the gods over evil demons. One of the most popular stories associated with this victory comes from the Ramayana, in which Lord Rama, after a great struggle, defeated Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. It is believed that Lord Rama succeeded in the battle only after invoking the blessings of Goddess Durga. The festival primarily celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is symbolized by Goddess Durga slaying the powerful demon Mahishasura, who terrorized the earth in the form of a fierce buffalo.

The first nine days of Dashain represent the fierce battle between Goddess

Trip Facts

Fact

5 days

Group Size

Min 01

Maximum Elevation

1360m

Location

Kathmandu, Nepal

Accommodation

Hotel

Transportation

Private Transport

Major Trip Attraction
- Celebration of the Victory of Good over Evil

Dashain commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.

- Ghatasthapana

The festival begins with Ghatasthapana, when sacred barley seeds are planted in a holy vessel. The yellow shoots that grow, known as Jamara, are used for blessings during the festival.

- Fulpati Procession

On the seventh day, sacred offerings including Jamara, banana stalks, sugarcane, and a holy vessel are brought in a traditional procession known as Fulpati.

- Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami

These are the most important days of worship, during which devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga. Many temples hold special ceremonies and sacrifices.

- Vijaya Dashami (Tika Day)

The tenth day is the most significant day of Dashain. Elders apply Tika (a mixture of rice, yogurt, and vermilion) and Jamara to the foreheads of younger family members, blessing them with prosperity, health, and long life.

- Family Reunions

Families gather from different parts of Nepal and abroad to celebrate together, making Dashain a time of reunion, love, and strengthening family bonds.

- Dakshina and Gifts

Elders give Dakshina (money or gifts) along with their blessings, while family members exchange gifts and good wishes.

- Traditional Food and Feasting/Extended Celebration

Families prepare special meals and enjoy festive feasts featuring traditional Nepali dishes. Children and adults enjoy flying kites and playing on traditional bamboo swings (Ping), which are iconic symbols of Dashain. The festival continues for several days after Vijaya Dashami, allowing relatives and friends to visit one another and receive Tika and blessings.

Itinerary
Day1
Arrive in Kathmandu, overnight in hotel.
Day2
Celebrate the Maha-Asthami.
Day3
Celebrate Maha-nuwami.
Day4
Celebrate the Tika day.
Day5
Departure from Nepal or Next trekking or climbing trip.
Route map
Route Map
Inclusion
Service cost Includes

Land Transport / Domestic Air ticket:

  • Pick up and drop to airport.
  • Sightseeing by private transport as itinerary.

Accommodation and Meals:

  • Hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast as itinerary 3 star hotel or as your choose.

Permits and Entry fees:

  • Entry fees in Temple and durbar Squire in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur as itinerary.

Staffs: Tour Guide:

  • Tour Guide: A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder professional equipped English-speaking Tour guide.

Souvenir / document:

  • Tour Map /Itinerary: Asian Hiking Team provides free a copy of tour map /Tour Itinerary to our client.
  • T-short: Asian Hiking Team provide the company T-short for a souvenir.
  • Certificate: Asian Hiking Team provide Tour success certificate for your memory and awardees.

Additional features:

  • First Aid: First aid is the immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or ill until professional medical help is available. Its goal is to preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. Asian Hiking Team staff carry the basic first aid. You need to bring your own personal medicine with you.
Exclusion
Cost Excludes

Additional Accommodation and Meals:

  • Accommodation: If you stay an additional day, you need to pay an extra cost.
  • Meals: Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu,

Personal Natural Expensive:

  • Personal tour gears & clothing (some of the equipment is possible to rent in Kathmandu): please check in check list for equipment list
  • Internet / Wi-Fi/Telephone: There are almost all tour area are internet/ Wi-Fi service. It is also possible to buy the NCAL or NTC Sim card for telephone or use data.
  • Insurance: Medical evacuation in case of emergency, expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. in such case extra will be charged as per actual.
  • Hot, cold drinks and snacks: Pack energy bars, nuts, chocolate, or local chyura (beaten rice) for quick energy boosts between meals.

Tips/donation:

  • The tips for Tour guide or hotel/home stay: It's a way to show appreciation for good service and is often left as a small present or in addition. Tips are a common practice in many cultures and are often expected for services. It is not fix amount, so you can own decide. If you want to donation to school or Charities.

Additional language:

  • If you are looking your own language tour guide, yes it is possible but you need to pay extra so add on option cost.
Fixed Dates
Oct 17, 2026
Oct 21, 2026
Open
5 days
4
Need a custom date? Enquire us for customized package.
Essential Information
Tailored Add-ons & Options

Tailored add-ons in Nepal trips refer to customizable essentials that enhance and personalize your travel experience, allowing you to align your journey with specific interests, preferences, and schedules. These add-ons can be combined into various types of trips, including trekking, expedition, climbing, cultural tours, wildlife safaris, and adventure activities.

Customized Accommodations: Choose from a range of lodging options, from luxury hotels to homestays, to match your comfort and budget preferences. Upgrade your stay accommodation featuring attached bathrooms during your trek. Enjoy additional comfort at select stops (start extra cost US$30/night during the tour).

Helicopter: Flight in mountain areas depends on weather so you can choose by Helicopter, the cost depends on number of members etc.

Adventure Activities: Incorporate thrilling experiences such as paragliding in Pokhara, bungee jumping over the Bhote Koshi River, zip-lining, mountain biking, or white-water rafting, trekking in Manaslu or Annapurna, peak climbing, expedition.

Spiritual Journeys: Add visits to sacred...

Accommodation and Meals

We provide 3-4 star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast. If you want more luxuary or home stay please lets us know.

Transportation

Kathmandu

Kathmandu city tours typically use private vehicles such as cars, vans, or jeeps depending on group size, ensuring comfort and flexibility. For solo travelers or couples, air-conditioned cars are common, while larger groups use spacious tourist vans or minibuses. The driver and licensed city guide accompany you throughout, allowing easy access to major heritage sites like Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Roads can be narrow and busy, especially in old town areas, but experienced drivers navigate efficiently. Some short walking is involved around temples and markets. Transportation is included in most guided day tour packages, with hotel pick-up and drop-off. This tour is by private transport and private guide so that we pick up from your hotel all the tour and drop to hotel.

Permit

Tour entry fees in major city

Kathmandu Durbar Square Foreigners: NPR 1,000

SAARC Nationals: NPR 150

Patan Durbar Square

Foreigners: NPR 1,000 SAARC Nationals: NPR 250

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Foreigners: NPR 1,800 Chinese Tourists: NPR 500 SAARC Nationals: NPR 500

Boudhanath Stupa

Foreigners: NPR 400 SAARC Nationals: NPR 100

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)

Foreigners: NPR 200 SAARC Nationals: NPR 50

Pashupatinath Temple

Foreigners NPR 1,000 Free for Indian nationals and Nepali citizens.

Tour/Trek Guide

Asian Hiking Team’s tour Guides are professionals with recognized records of honesty and personal integrity, committed to environmentally responsible trekking practices that minimize ecological impact. Asian Hiking team tour guide has licensed by the Government of Nepal through the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and Nepal Mountain Academic. They have several years of experience in the field, especially in cultural, religion, heritage, and adventure tours. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals. Experts in UNESCO sites (e.g., Kathmandu, Bhaktapur), fluent in history, architecture, and local customs. All certified guides speak fluent English and additional languages as your request. Friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Our guide is friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Trained in customer service, problem-solving, and group handling. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals.

We provide to all tour guide:

Insurance: Mandatory coverage for...

Climate and Weather

Nepal has four main seasons, but the best times for trekking and climbing are autumn and spring.

  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Best season. Clear skies, stable weather, and excellent mountain views. Warm days and cold nights.
  • Spring (Mar-May): Second best season. Warmer weather, blooming rhododendrons. Can be hazy at lower elevations.
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Cold and snowy. High passes are often closed. Suitable for lower-altitude treks.
  • Monsoon (Jun-Aug): Rainy and challenging. Best for treks in rain-shadow areas like Upper Mustang.
Internet/Phone

Phone:

Landline and mobile phone services are available in Nepal. The network covers Kathmandu, major cities and towns and most of Nepal, except some rural Himalayan places. The Nepal Telecommunications Corporation is the national service supplier. There are also private service suppliers such as Hotels and private communication centers also provide long distance telephone, internet and fax facilities. You can get SIM card either NTC or N Cell with data to use the internet. The price for SIM card US$ 1, and you need to recharge as you require. You can buy a SIM card inside the airport or anywhere in Kathmandu or major cities. You need to bring a passport copy with Nepali visa and one passport size picture or online take on photo by SIM card provider. To call from outside, the country code for Nepal is “977” and the area code for Kathmandu is “1”. To call Nepal...

Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this expedition. Your policy must cover:

  • Emergency Air Ambulance/Helicopter Rescue
  • Medical Expenses
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption You must provide proof of insurance before the trip begins.
Responsible Tourism

We are committed to responsible tourism. Our policies include:

  • Environmental: Minimizing waste, using gas for cooking, and leaving no trace.
  • Cultural: Respecting local customs, asking permission for photos, and supporting local economies.
  • Community: Donating a portion of profits to community projects and ensuring fair treatment and wages for all staff and porters.
Checklist

Daypack or backpack : (suitcase for all gears) : A small backpack for daily essentials during sightseeing.

Comfortable walking shoes : Shoes suitable for walking around the city and light excursions.

Light jacket or sweater : For cooler evenings or early mornings.

Some pair of T-shirts and Shirts : For daily wear.

Bathing clothes : If you plan to swim in the lakes.

Sun hat or cap : To protect from the sun.

Lightweight scarf or shawl (for temple visits) : For respectful visits to temples and religious sites.

Sunglasses with UV protection : Essential for sunny days.

Neutral-colored clothing (avoid red/bright) : If you are planning to do jungle safari trip.

Comfortable sandal : For relaxing at the hotel or walking short distances.

Sunscreen and lip balm : To protect your skin from the sun.

Water bottle (refillable) : To stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste.

Travel umbrella or raincoat : (if travel in monsoon) : If traveling during the monsoon season (June-August).

Power bank and adapters : (Nepal uses 230V, Type C/D/M plugs) : Nepal uses 230V, Type C/D/M plugs.

Travel documents : passeport, permit, insurance, visa/master car etc. : Passport, permit, insurance, visa/master card etc.

Personal medications and first aid kit : For any personal health needs.

Camera or phone with charger : To capture memories.

Small notebook and pen : For notes or journaling.

Hand sanitizer and face mask : For hygiene.

USD
BEST DEAL
$499
$712.86Save $213.86
per person
30% OFF
Duration
5 Days
Guaranteed Departures
All-Inclusive Pricing
Customizable Itineraries
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