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 Kathmandu
Altitude: 1,350m
Population: Ten million
Best Season: Autumn and Spring
Wandering through the cobbled streets and alleys of Kathmandu is like going back and forth in time. It was in the 1950s that the government of Nepal decided to open its borders to foreigners. The sudden influx of modernity and tourists has made for some interesting and eye-catching contrasts in this Himalayan Shangri-La. Kathmandu Valley is dotted with countless shrines, temples, palace squares, charming old bazaars and ageless sculptures. Very much the abode of Lord Shiva and Guatama Buddha, a patron saint of the Sikhs has also walked here. Not to mention the Living Goddess, Kumari, who is venerated by all
Kathmandu is a magically romantic place where, fact entwines with fiction, myth with legend, religion with mysticism, adventure with meditation and modern-day governance with tradition. It is also a pulsating tourist center with a mind-blowingly hectic nightlife. The area around the Kathmandu Guest House has mutated into quite a throbbing little quarter in the evenings, with dueling nightclub sound systems blaring across the alleyways, noisy bands of revellers looking for action, and the cops and the rikshawallahs waiting outside for closing time. The Thamel and Freak Street bars attract many budget travelers. They serve beer, improvised cocktails and music, often continuing into the early hours behind locked doors. The fancier nightclubs outside Thamel attract a more diverse clientele: Nepali men and women, expatriates. All in All, Kathmandu will unfold to you whichever aspect you are looking for : religious, adventurous, meditative, mystic or entertaining.
Kathmandu is the arrival point for most of the visitors in Nepal. This small mountain sheltered valley is the historic center and the Capital of Nepal. This is the place where kingdoms rose and fell, palaces and temples are built and rebuilt, art and cultures are refined and protected. Kathmandu city is the largest in Nepal and is surrounded by green hills all over. Scattered around the valley are hundreds of temples and shrines, traditional villages and agriculture scenes of timeless beauty. You can see all these places by taxi, cycle, bus and by foot.
History:The Newars are regarded as the original inhabitants of this majestic valley, but their origins are shrouded in mystery. They speak Newari language and their physical features range from distinctively Mongoloid. Kathmandu Valley has long been a cultural and racial melting pot with people coming from both east and west. This fusion has resulted in the unique Newari culture that is responsible for the valley's superb art and architecture. Kathmandu was once run and ruled by Malla Kings during 1600s and 1700s. The unification of Nepal in 1768 by Gorkhas King Prithivi Narayan Shah singled the end of the Kathmandu Valleys fragmentation. Nepali language spoken by the Khas of western Nepal, replaced Newari as the country's language of administration.
Geography:Surrounded by the green hills, Kathmandu Valley is about 25 km from east to west and 20km from north to south. It lies at the height of 1300m. You can see Kathmandu Valley clearly while you are fly in. This valley is specially known for growing rice corn, wheat and vegetables. However, nowadays this valley is increasingly dependent on imported food and fuels. All the rivers drain towards the center of the valley and join the Bagmati river. Geologist have confirmed ancient myths that claim the valley once lay under water
Climate:The Kathmandu Valley has the pleasant climate most of the year. Although there are forests, snow is unheard of and the monsoons are nowhere near. Between October and March it can become quite cold at night and the days become short, although its sunny and warm between mid-morning and afternoon. In April things start to heat up and there are often storm in the afternoon.
People:Still today, Newars form the largest single group in the valley as well as in smaller towns and villages. Bahuns, Tamangs and Chettris live on the surrounding hills. People living in Kathmandu Valley are mostly Hindus and Buddhist and they are very much related to each others religion. People living here speak Newari and Nepali mostly.
Religion:In Kathmandu Valley majority of people are Hindu and Buddhist fall under a caste system, although there are still second majority of Buddhists. This valley is full of temples, shrines and stupas where both Buddhists and Hindus go for their regular praying. Nepal is the only country where people worship Gods of all religion. |
KATHMANDU VALLEY
DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU AND TRANSFER TO HOTEL
DAY 02: Departure from Hotel around 9.30 a.m., and drive to
SWAYAMBU NATH TEMPLE: This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometers of Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock about 77m.above the level of the Kathmandu valley. We will visit here about 2 hours.
B UDDHA NATH: This Stupa of Buddhanath lies eight kilometers east of Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient Stupa is one of the biggest in the world. We can visit here 1 hour.
PASHUPATI TEMPLE: Situated five kilometers east Kathmandu. The temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath with two tied golden roof and easily see the temple and the activities preformed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. We can visit here 1hour.
DURBAR SQURE: It is historic seat of royalty. The durbar square, with it's old temples and places, epitomizes the religious and culture life of the people. We will visit here around 2 hours and after that we will back to hotel and enjoy evening dinner.
DAY 03: BHAKTAPUR (BHADGAON)
Situated at an altitude of 1,401m.Bhaktapur covers area of 4 square miles. Shaped like a couch-shell. Bhaktapur means the city of devoees. Pottery and weaving are it's traditional industries. The city lies about 14 kilometers East of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport and by trolley buses. The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur include: DURBAR SQURE: The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the picture Gallery, the golden Gate, the 55 windows, the Batsala temple and the Bell of Barking dogs, etc. The statue of the king Bhupatendra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a colum facing the palace. Of the many statues available in Nepal this is considered to be the most magnificent. Main point we will visit here above places.
1. THE NATIONAL ART GALLERY
2.THE GOLDEN GATE.
3.THE PALACE OF 55 WINDOWS
4.THE STONE TEMPLE OF BATSALA DEVI
5.NAYTAPOL TEMPLE
6.BHAIRABNATH TEMPLE
We can visit here 3 hours, as you like. After that we will drive to Patan Durbar Square.
DURBAR SQUARE OF PATAN:
Situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar square consists of three main Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in the center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Rayal bath called Tushshity. KRISHNA MANDIR. Built in the seventeenth century, the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple having 21 spires and is completely. Hear main point we are going to see:
1.PATAN DURBAR SQUARE,
2. KRISHNA MANDIR,
3. MAHABOUDHA TEMPLE,
4. HIRANYA VERNA MAHAVIHAR.
And many more temples we will see from this place. This two old city visits after that we will back to hotel to enjoy evening dinner.
DAY 04 DAKSHINKALI:
Canopied by four gilded serpents spiraling up to make up the pinnacle, this open shrine is dedicated to the ferocious Hindu female deity, Dakahinkali. It is one of the Valley's many Kali shrines, and devotees and picnickers through this place, particularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, to offer blood sacrifice to the goddess. Its location in the mist of a soothing jungle makes it a perfect get way from the city bustles, just 20km away the north.
KRITIPUR
Situated atop a strategic hillock 10km southwest of Kathmandu, Kartiour (local name Kipu) indeed embodies courage and bravery. Though this township went into backwater following its final defeat in 1768 at the hand of the Gurkhas, it still retains its old glory in art and culture. So those, who enjoy basking in antiquity, should never miss to go around this historic place to have closed-up views of the typical lifestyle of its Newar inhabitants and their much admired skills in producing textile and other handicraft items. The height of Kritipur also makes it a favored place for viewing the Kathmandu valley as well as the Himalayas in the distant north. And for those, who wish blending their cultural trip with a touch of spiritual salvation, there are the Buddhist Chilamchu Stupa, Shiva Parvati temple and many other remarkable mountains. Its gem, however, lies in the three-storied Bagh Bhairav temple, which is adorned with, among others, the weaponry the warriors of Kritipur had taken away from the Gurkha Soldiers.
DAY 05: NAGARKOT:
Today we will have half day rest in Kathmandu and after noon we will drive to Nagarkot. Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. It is situated 32km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 m. above the sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) can be seen sun seat Morning & sun rising. And we will back from here after the Sun Rising
DAY 06: this is the shopping day.
DAY 07: Depart to Airport your onward destination.
| Duration |
:7 Days |
Trip Grade |
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Strenuous |
Best Season |
:Autumn-Spring |
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Note: The itinerary can be customized according to your duration of holiday. Similarly hotel can be upgraded or downgraded depend on your budget.
Our Service included:-
- Airport pick up and drop
- All the ground transportation
- All the meal during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Trek Permit & National Park Fee
- All camping equipment like tent, Sleeping Bag, Kitchen Equipment, Jacket etc.
- An experience guide (trained by Ministry of tourism), necessary
- Trekking staff (Cook, Sherpa and helper, porter) and theirmeal/accommodation/transportation/salary/insurance/equipments.
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