KATHMANDU – HOME OF GODS

09:00 HRS: After breakfast met by the guide at the hotel lobby and board the waiting vehicle and proceed for the full day’s sightseeing tour of Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple & Kathmandu City. Firstly we will visit Boudhanath Stupa which is approximately 5 kilometers from central Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa, a colossal stupa, just beyond the Pashupatinath Temple. It is an imposing structure standing about 36 meters and is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal. The stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style platforms surrounded by colorful family style houses. The stupa is said to have been built in the 5th Century and is a sight of great veneration. Now the stupa is surrounded by houses of Buddhist from Nepal and Tibet. Many followers from different part of the world come to visit Boudhanath Stupa.

After the sightseeing tour of Boudhanath board the waiting vehicle and drive to Pashupatinath Temple for the sightseeing. Pashupatinath temple is approximately 03 kilometers from Boudhanath. 

Pashupatinath Temple - is the most sacred Hindu Temple in the world and is amongst the five principal pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. On an annual pilgrimage during Shivaratri Festival thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva from all the Hindu communities of the world pay their homage here.

Pashupatinath is the reincarnation of Shiva in his most benevolent form as the shepherd of fertility and so there are no animal sacrifices in this temple, only           fruits, flowers and vermilion are offered. It lies on the banks of the Baghmati River and for the Hindus, to be cremated at Pashupatinath means, a direct passage to heaven.

After the sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath temple proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Ancient Kathmandu Durbar Square with its many beautiful temples and shopping courtyards. As one crosses from the modern area of New Road into the Durbar Square, the onetime Freak Street, one is suddenly in the midst of Kathmandu’s famed medieval architecture.

The major tourist attractions on this tour includes a visit to the Hanuman Dhoka (Hanuman gate) which takes its name from the Monkey God, Hanuman from the epic, Ramayana The palace of the Malla Kings located in the Hanuman Dhoka is of the 14th Century and was a ceremonial palace of the Shah dynasty. Important traditional Royal ceremonies including the coronation of the King of Nepal used to be conducted at Hanuman Dhoka Palace. Near the Hanuman Dhoka is the house of the Living Goddess Kumari - Kumari Bahal. Two painted stone Lions stand guard at the entrance. Visitors may enter the courtyard to see the Living Goddess but are forbidden to take photographs.

After the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city we continue our walk through Asan Bazaar, the heart and soul of Kathmandu up to Thamel.

18:00 Hrs: Board the waiting vehicle and proceed for a Nepali dinner at typical Nepali Restaurant (Bhojan Griha.)

After the dinner, board the waiting vehicle and drive to Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

09:00 HRS: After breakfast met by guide and board the waiting vehicle and proceed for the sightseeing tour of Patan and Syambhunath Stupa.

Ancient Patan city also known as Lalitpur or “The City Of Fine Arts” is about five Kilometers southeast of Kathmandu and has Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. The major tourist attraction of Patan is the Durbar Square situated in the heart of the city and constitutes the focus of the visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar consists of three main chowks or courtyards, the central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Chowk.

The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal Bath called Tushahity. Also visit, Krishna Mandir, built in the seventeenth century and dedicated to Lord Krishna. It holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan and is supposed to be the first specimen of its kind in Nepal having 21 spires and completely made of stone.

Later visit the Hiranya Verna Mahavihar (Golden Temple) located inside Kwabadehal. This Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the twelfth century by King Bhaskar Verma. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel.

After sightseeing tour board, the waiting vehicle and drive to Kritipur for the Newari Theme Lunch.

Lunch: Newari Lunch with Local Rice Wine “Aila”

Newari Lunch, also known as ‘Newari Bhoye’ and ‘Samai Baji’ is an ethnic food of the Newar community. Earlier, Newari khaja was just limited to Newari people, which they would consume during special occasions but the time has changed. The fanbase of this dish is massive all around Nepal now.

Newari Khaja is a combined dish that comprises several items such as baji (beaten rice, Tama, AILA (Rice Wine).

PM: Visit Swayambhunath Stupa - one of the protected monument sites of the Kathmandu Valley. It is situated on the top of the hill lying 4 kilometers west of Kathmandu. More than 2,500 years old, this ancient landmark is connected to the visit of Manjushree who created Kathmandu – a lake than – by draining its waters. The sage saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the top of this hill and sacrificed it. It is an important pilgrimage center as well as the center of art, architecture, religion and culture of Mahayana Buddhism.

The stupa of Swayambhunath is a hemispherical mound of compacted earth, and is built to specific rules, and is replete with symbols. The mound represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind and water. The 13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps of the ladder leading to Nirvana, the final salvation. The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags. The pilgrim’s progress to Swayambhunath holy premises is actually through a sylvan path of 365 steps. The entrance is graced by a huge Vajra (Symbol of thunder bolt). Statues of Buddha adorn the four corners of the stupa. Statues of goddess Ganga and Jamuna guard the eternal flame behind it. There is a Tibetan gompa (monastery) and innumerable Chaityas (small stupas). The balcony of Swayambhunath is ideal for viewing the entire valley spread out below.

After Sightseeing tour, drive back to Hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel

09:00 HRS: After breakfast met by guide and board the waiting vehicle and proceed for the sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur City. Drive for 14 kilometers from Kathamndu to a City of Devotees, Bhaktapur Durbar Square for the sightseeing.

The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur include:

The Durbar Square is the main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla the Picture Galley, the Golden Gate, The Palace of 55 windows, the Bastille temple and the Bell of barking dogs, etc. The statue of Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace. Of the many statues available in Nepal this is considered to be the most magnificent.

The National Art Gallery contains ancient and medieval paintings belonging to Hindu and Buddhist school depicting Tantrics of various period and descriptions.

The Palace of 55 Windows was built in the seventeenth century by King Bhupatindra Malla. Among the brick walls with their gracious settings and sculptural design, is a balcony of 55 windows. This balcony is the masterpiece of wood carving.

The Natyapola Temple is a five storey pagoda built in 1702 A.D. by King Bhupatindra Malla. It stands on a five-terraced platform. On each of the terraces, squat a pair of figures, two famous wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins, Baghiani, Singini – the tiger and the lion goddesses. This is one of the tallest pagodas and is famous for its massive structure and subtle workmanship.

Continue on to the Dattareya Square to visit the old Pujari Math considered one of the oldest maths (dwelling of a priest) in the Kathmandu Valley. It has now been converted into a Woodcarving Museum.

Since the early Licchavi period (300-789 AD), the woodcarvings are present everywhere in the Nepal architecture. Woodcarving is specifically a Newari art and Bhaktapur is one of the most famous for it.  In the Bhaktapur district alone there are some 500 active wood crafters. The peacock window is world famous.

After visiting the Woodcarving Museum we proceed towards the Thanka Painting workshop.

Thangka, also known as tangka, thanka or tanka (Nepali pronunciation:  Nepal Bhasa is a painting on cotton, or silk, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala of some sort. The thangka is not a flat creation like an oil painting or acrylic painting but consists of a picture panel which is painted or embroidered over which a textile is mounted and then over which is laid a cover, usually silk. Generally,  thangkas last a very long time and retain much of their lustre, but because of their delicate nature, they have to be kept in dry places where moisture will not affect the quality of the silk. It is sometimes called a scroll-painting.

These thangka served as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities and bodhisattvas. One popular subject is “The Wheel of Life”, which is a visual representation of the Abhidharma teachings (Art of Enlightenment).

After the sightseeing tour of Thanka Painting workshop we proceed to the Pottery Squares of Bhaktapur.

This age-old craft has survived the calls of modernization and today it enhances Bhaktapur’s value as a city of Heritage. Walking towards Bolachhen/ Talakwa, better known as the town’s Potter’s square, the streets are lined with small shops selling innumerable items produced in baked clay and the pavements are filled with black clay items drying in the strong sunlight. Within the Talakwa pottery square, 2 important temples of a solid- brick Vishnu temple and the double roofed Jeth Ganesh can be seen in a very traditional way. On the northern side of the square a small hillock is topped by a Ganesh shrine and a Shady peepal tree. Like potters all over Nepal, the men of Bhaktapur employ primitive techniques. The heavy old wooden wheels have been for the most part replaced by weighted truck tyres which spin faster. Guided by skilled hands, the cones of wet black mud are shaped and smoothed into yoghurt bowls, washbasins, giant grain storage jars, tiny oil lamps and even ashtrays. With the exception of the planting and harvesting season, the potters of Bhaktapur are always busy shaping the natural clay into any imaginable shape. The craftsmen have passed this technique down from generation to generation and even today, the majority uses traditional techniques.

The next potter’s square is located at Suryamadhi. Walking around this potter’s square, it becomes clear that the “piggy bank” must be the most popular item produced here. In less visited areas, Suryamadhi, south of Dattatraya Square, potters are occupied making the traditional bowls for the famous local curd, ‘Juju Dhau’. All around the square, pots lined up in symmetric patterns dry in the sun, waiting for a final firing in temporary kilns of heaped straw.

After the sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur city board the waiting vehicle and drive to Nagarkot (Hill Top).

Nagarkot is one of the most popular destinations among travelers for its panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. This small hilltop lies on the ridge on the valleys northeast rim overlooking a big chunk of the Western, Central and the Eastern Himalayas, including five of the world’s 10 highest Peaks- Mt. Everest (8848 M), Mt. Lhotse 8516 M), Mt. Cho-Oyu (8201M), Mt. Makalu (8463 M), and Mt. Manaslu (8163 M). 

Beside magnificent views of the Himalayas, Nagarkot also offers one of the best sunrise and sunset over the horizon and it is worthwhile for a sunrise and Sunset excursion to the view tower.

After Lunch and drive to Changunarayan Temple.

Changunarayan Temple: The ancient Hindu temple of Changunarayan is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. The temple is located in Changunarayan VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal. This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. This temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal. Ti is said to hav been built in 323 AD by King Hari Datta Varma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. It is said to be the oldest temple in the valley. 

After the exclusion around Changunarayan, board the waiting vehicle and drive back to Kathmandu.

Overnight at Hotel