Kathmandu Tour Package

Kathmandu valley covers an area of 218 sq miles. It is situated at 1310 meter above the sea level. The valley has often been described as an open air art gallery with thousands of sacred shrines in brick, stone, metal and wood scattered through out it. There are three fabulous cities in Kathmandu Valley – Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon). All cities are rich in historic, religious and cultural. Kathmandu valley has a colorful setting. It is surrounded by tier upon tier of green mountain walls above which tower mighty snowcapped peaks. Every town has Durbar Square (old palace) with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people.

TRIP OVERVIEW

ITINERARY

Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu:
Your trip stars with a welcome meeting Kathmandu airport. Our officer will meet you at the airport then transfer to the hotel. A welcome dink will be offered once you arrive at the hotel and we will brief you about your trip. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Full day sightseeing tour:
Morning have a breakfast. After breakfast our guide will pick up you form the hotel and starts sightseeing tour in Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Nagarkot and Swayambhunath. After Sightseeing you will drive to hotel and overnght at hotel.

Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many of them decided to live around Bouddhanath. They established many gompas, and the “Little Tibet” of Nepal was born. This “Little Tibet” is still the best place in the Valley to observe Tibetan lifestyle. Monks walk about in maroon robes. Tibetans walk with prayer wheels in their hands, and the rituals of prostration are presented to the Buddha as worshippers circumambulate the stupa on their hands and knees, bowing down to their lord.

Pashupatinath is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for Shiva devotees. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer, is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. Although the Pashupatinath Temple was only built in the fifth century and later renovated by Malla kings, the holy site is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium.

A gold-plated roof, four silver doors, and wood carvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda temple of Pashupatinath. Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath. Nearby is the temple of Guheshwori dedicated to Shiva’s consort Sati Devi. Behind the temple is the River Bagmati. On the banks of Bagmati are raised platforms used as cremation sites for Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside the Pashupatinath courtyard.

Pashupatinath, in a limited sense, literally means the Lord of the Animals. But animal is also a term that denotes the animal like instincts in human beings. Capable of destroying instantly every evil force either with his trident or the third eye, when it comes to his devotees, the Lord Pashupatinath destroys their ignorance. Be it an issue of material gain or release from the cycle of mortal existence he is the height of compassion, generosity, as well as consciousness.

Shiva has been worshipped in Nepal from the beginning of the Neolithic civilization in the Kathmandu Valley, with scientific archaeological studies and findings around the temple proving that the god Pashupatinath was worshipped here from about the beginning of the Christian era. From about the 7th century onwards it became the first and foremost temple of Nepal, with kings, aristocrats and the rich offering a great deal of wealth and land in trust to the god, making it one of the richest temples in Nepal. Many temples and statues around the temple were added making it a big complex rather than just a temple. The main God or the Lingam of Pashupatinath is carved on a blackish stone, with four faces engraved on four sides of the Linga.

Kathmandu Durbar Square a while browse around Katmandu Durbar Square you will visit Hanuman Dhoka, the old and historic palace of Kathmandu named after monkey God, Hanuman. It is historic seat of royalty. The Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations also held inside the court yard here. There is a statue of King Pratap Mall sitting on the stone pillar in the front and temple of Jagannath from mediaeval period .Within the walking distance you will find the tall temple of Taleju from 1549 AD, the large stone statue of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction,. the Big Bell and Big Drum and Hindu Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati peeping from window. Visit the temple of Kumari, the residence of Living Goddess within the vicinity. Kumari means the virgin girl. The girl is selected from Buddhist family. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screen. Next a very interesting temple is Kasthamandap which is believed to be built from a single tree trunk and the name Katmandu is derived from this temple.

Swayambhunath is one of the most glorious Buddhist stupa. It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire’s base are all seeing eyes of Lord Budha, keeping an eternal watch on the valley distinguishing between vice and virtue. Swoyambhunath is, perhaps, the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and it’s worshippers are diverse from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks and Brahaman Priests to lay Buddhist and Hindus. Swoyambhu is a major landmark of the valley and looks like a beacon below the Nagarjun hill. It provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu valley.

Day 03: Full day sightseeing:
Morning have a breakfast and drive with your guide for sightseeing. Today you will visit Bhaktapur, Patan and Kritipur. After sightseeing you will drive back to hotel. Evening we will offer a dinner in a Nepali restaurant with culture package. After dinner we will drop to the hotel and overnight at hotel.

Bhaktapur – (World Heritage Site) Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the most charming Architectural showpieces of the valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. The Square contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Golden Gate, the palaces of 55 windows, the Batsala temple and the bell of barking dog etc. There are many monuments squares and courtyards of historical significance in this city however the most important are: The lion Gate: this gate has beautiful stone statues of Bhairav and Durga installed on it either sides during the reign of King Bhupatindra Malla in 17 century A.D. Golden Gate: this is main entrance to the famous fifty five window palace and Royal taleju. It was made by Rana jit Malla in 1754 A.D. The statues of king Bhupatindrani Malla: this figure seated on a huge column top in an attitude of prayer to Taleju Bhavachola and artist himself. 55 window palace : This is the central architectural structure dominating the entire Bhadgaon Durbar square. This magnificence edifice was originally built by Yakshe Malla and embellished later by Bhupatindra Malla in 17th century. Vastala temple: This 17th century temple dedicated to a mother goddess is full of intricate works in stone.
Patan Durbar Square is Situated in the center of Patan city this historical site boasts the varied range of unique architecture. Also known as Lalitpur this durbar square consists of ancient palaces, temples and shrines with exquisite carving. The major attractions of this site are Krishna temple with 21 golden pinnacle, Tushaty royal bath, Vishwanath temple and temple of Bhimsen with a striking golden terrace overlooking the square. Other attraction include many temples dedicated to Ganesh( the elephant headed god), Shiva, Narsingh, Taleju and many others. History says that the city was founded in third century by King Veera Dev and since then it is the abode to finest Newar craft. The square is bestowed with art of hundreds of mesmerizing Hindu and Buddhist monuments. Most of the house temples in the area date back to 15th to 17th era which is the golden era of Nepalese art and architecture. There are three main patio in the Palace area they are Mul chowk, Sundari chowk and Kesav narayan chowk among them Mul Chowk is the oldest one and is placed at the centre of the Patan Durbar Square. This traditional city Kathmandu valley is situated just 9km away from the heart of Kathmandu.

The name Kirtipur comes from Kirti (Glory) and pur (city). It is also said that once a queen named ‘Kirti’ ruled over this place so, it might have been named after same queen since ‘pur’ means city, and it states Kirtipur means city of ‘Kirti’. Originally a Newari foundation, Kirtipur is still a centre of Newari culture. It has been merged with surrounding villages to form the municipality of Kirtipur with a population of around 50,000. It consists of many temples, Gumbas and Churches too. Due to the presence of Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur is also popular area for out-of-town students and professors to rent houses and they are major contributors to the local economy. Relationship between the locals and the non-locals is generally harmonious. In 1826 B.S. (Bikram Sambat) it was annexed to the Gorkhali kingdom of Nepal by King Prithvi Narayan Shah on his third attempt, after bribing the doorman of the city. After he did this, to spite the city of Kirtipur, he cut off the noses of all the men in the city. This was the site of an inspirational peaceful demonstration of the people in the 2006 mass uprising that overthrew the powers of the king.

Day 4 : Departure from Nepal:
Morning have a breakfast and pack the baggage. We will drop you at the airport as per your flight time.