Kathmandu Valley Tour

^{4 Days / 3 Nights}

Itinerary (Kathmandu - Pashupatinath - Swayambunath Stupa - Bhaktapur - Nargarkot - Kathmandu)

DAILY DEPARTURES/YEAR ROUND/OCTOBER THROUGH MAY :

Kathmandu Valley’s Highlights :
Welcome to Nepal, the land of adventure! Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal, is situated at 4,423 ft. above sea level. The valley is surrounded by semi-green hills, terraced fields and towering snow-capped peaks in the backgrounds. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are the major towns in the valley. All three are of great historic, cultural and artistic interests. The architectural history of the valley is said to have begun with the Lichhavi and the Malla kings. Today, the ancient monuments and temples are the center of attraction for visitors, particularly the seven World Heritage Sites, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  Not only the ancient temples and monuments that make the valley interesting but also the diverse cultural groups that make their home here. It is the base camp for all visitors to Nepal and a perfect place to explore history and culture of this Himalayan Kingdom.
Nepal being an undeveloped country, its shape and face is changing daily bringing environmental degradation, and is affecting the world heritage sites. The influence of modernization is engulfing the ancient treasures of Nepal. Therefore, we request the visitors to contribute their good ideas on how to save the world heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley by improving its environment. We offer fine quality hotels and resorts in Kathmandu and its surrounding hills when you are on our tour programs. The valley rims, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are perfect places to escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. From these hilltops, you can enjoy striking mountain views, sun set and sun rise over the high Himalayas, and breathe fresh air in the ambience of the tallest mountains in the world.
 We organize treks of various lengths in the surrounding hills to provide you opportunities to visit local villages to explore the local cultures. 

DAY 1 : meet and greet upon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Evening-Nepali dinner and folk cultural show or at leisure.

DAY 2 : Pashupatinath Temple-Bouddha Stupa-Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Square Tour.
7:30 AM pick up at the hotel and drive to Pashupatinath Temple tour to catch some of the glimpse of the morning worshipers. Pashupati Temple, the shrine of Lord Shiva has existed for at least fifteen hundred years in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. Then visit Rajrajeswari Temple built in 1407, Kailash with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Goraknath temple, the courtyard of Biswarup, rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva, the Hindu cremation grounds known as Arya Ghat along the Bagmati River are some of the attractive sites that we visit on this tour. You may encounter cremation along the bank of the river.
Then, drive to tour the Bouddha Stupa to experience the Buddhist stupa and monastic life styles, a very different setting from the Hindu temple. It is one of the largest stupas in Nepal. Monks, nuns and lay people alike walk around the stupa with prayer wheels in their hands, whispering “OM MANE PADME HUN” meaning “hail to the jewel in the lotus” while extreme devotees undergo rituals of prostration to the Lord Buddha. The Bouddha area is a unique place with full of visual attractions. Vividly colored thankas (tantric Buddhist paintings), hand-woven carpets, jewelry, masks, khukri knives, ready made garments of different ethnic groups, and many other modern and antique crafts.

After the stupa tour, we drive to Patan Durbar Square. Patan, the ancient city, also known as “the city of Beauty”, is situated on the southern bank of the Bagmati River about five kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, a city of artists, craftsmen and metal workers. Full of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Patan’s Durbar Square has many famous sites and unique architecture. Krishna Mandir in the Square was built to honor an incarnation of Vishnu and is Nepal’s best example of stone architecture. The best place to see fine metal sculpture is Hiranya Varna Mahabihar, the “Golden Temple”, a Newar monastery, which contains wall paintings, fourteenth century statues, and scriptures. Its facades is mostly covered in bronze.
Lunch break here if the time is appropriate. Otherwise, head to Kathmandu for lunch. Kathmandu Durbar Square is y our last destination for today : The numerous monuments in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square are almost too much for the eye to take in. The fearsome Kal Bhairab, the Red Monkey god, the house of the living Goddess Kumari, not to mention hundreds of erotic carvings-only begin to catalog the square’s cultural imagery ! Visit the fine collections of the Royal Museum inside the old palace of Kasthamandap from which the name Kathmandu was derived. Drive back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

DAY 3 : Swayambunath Stupa-Bhaktapur-Nargarkot
Wake up early, have breakfast and check out from the hotel. 7:30 AM depart to visit Swayambunath Stupa or better known as monkey temple. Swayambu is not only the major landmark of the Valley but also one of the best places to observe the religious harmony of Nepal. Ancient mini stupas and shrines of both Bhudhists and Hindus fill up the stupa complex. This stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse. On a clear day, this hilltop stupa complex offers excellent views of the Kathmandu Valley and the towering snow-capped peaks in the background.
Then, drive to Bhaktapur .Visit to Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees. Walk through the Palace square, visit the palace museum, monuments and the pottery kiln. It is the most enchanting of Kathmandu Valley’s three ethnically Newar cities. Newar art and architecture of the Malla periods from about 12^th to 18^th century are among the best attractions here. Visitors can still observe people making clay sculptures and utilities in the city alleys. Its elaborate ancient monuments and the surrounding valley with beautifuly terraced farmlands make Bhaktapur a unique destination to visitors. Lunch in Bhaktapur. After lunch, drive to Nagarkot: At an elevation of 2,099 meters above sea level, this mountaintop, rural resort town is ideal for viewing spectacular sun rises and sun sets over the high Himalayas. On a clear day, Mt. Everest and many of the other world famous peaks can be seen from here; also beautiful ayout of the Kathmandu Valley below. Overnight

DAY 4 : Departture from Kathmandu
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Kathmandu Airport for departure.