Overview

The Kathmandu Valley contains three royal cities - Kathmandu; Patan and Bhaktapur. Kirtipur and Thimi are two other smaller municipalities. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Valley.
The Valley was once a lake. According to legend, a Buddhist saint named Manjushree drained out the waters by slashing a passage through the hills and peopled it with his followers. Over the millenniums, a refined urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Commerce and crafts flourished. Its religious Newar inhabitants built fabulous cities and artistic temples that are unmatched in the Himalayan region.
Thamel-As you browse through the shops of Thamel, you will marvel at the different assortment of goods being sold. Whenever you look, you see on display different kinds of wood and metal works, attractive masks, antiques, "rice papers" calendars, etc. A wide selection of garments, from stylish coats to light summer dresses are also exhibited for the shopper and items variety doesn't stop here. Many tailoring shops sell T-shirts with embroidered dragon motifs, the Third eye, Tin Tin in Tibet, the Yeti and other interesting characters as well as outlandish slogans. If you have your own logo or design then you can make special order. Numerous curios sell strange trinkets? and beautifully painted boxes and antiques and jewelry shops have precious gems for sale. Hand woven carpets are eye-catchers and you can purchase delicately painted thankas as wall hangings to adorn your living room back home.
Boudhanath- This colossal stupa, one of the biggest in the world, is situated eight kilometres east of the capital. Like Swayambhu, the stupa is inset on four sides with the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha gazing in each direction. Built on a huge octagonal base, the stupa is also inset with prayer wheels. It is common to see dozens of worshippers constantly perambulating the stupa while taking care to spin each of the sacred prayer wheels. Around the stupa are various smaller shrines and the houses of important Lamas (Buddhist priests). The stupa takes an added importance at all the Buddhist festivals when Buddhists come from all over the country to take part in the sacred rituals.
Pashupatinath- This is the holiest of all the Shiva shrines in Nepal and is the abode of lord Pashupatinath, the guardian God of Nepal. The temple of Pashupatinath is a large double-roofed pagoda of gold-gilt and brass; the gateway are plated with silver. It stands on the western bank of the Bagrnati, about five kilometres north-east of Kathmandu and contains the sacred lingam of Pashupatinath. The whole place is a mosaic of other temples and shrines dominated by the big gilted figure of Nandi, the mount of Shiva; this is seated on a stone pedestal opposite the main gate, flanked by a golden trident. There is a crematorium outside the temple by the side of the wide but shallow river. On the occasion of the annual festival of Shivaratri (February/March), the temple is thronged by thousands of devotees, including a large number of pilgrims from India. The temple is also the site of a number of other different festivals and rituals taking place throughout the year.
Guheshwari- About a quarter kilometre beyond Pashupatinath temple, on the left bank of the river Bagmati, the temple of goddess Sati, Lord Shiva's consort, stands in the middle of a paved courtyard surrounded by rows of rest houses. This temple has the usual arched construction of tubular metal work covering the main building. Towards the top, it transforms itself into four gilded snakes which support the crowning piece of the roof. The whole structure of the temple is designed after the tantric yantra or geometric triangle, signifying the female principle of procreation.
Swayambhu- Swayambhu is said to be two thousand years old, making it one of the world's oldest and most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. The Chaitya (Stupa) which forms the main structure, is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four-sided base of the spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. The temple is situated three kilometres west of Kathmandu city, and stands on the Valley. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and pagoda temples.
Kathmandu Durbar Square- The Square teems with life as vendor’s children tourists and other crowed around the temple of the Living Goddess Kumari Goddess Taleju and the Kastamandap Resthouse. Many pay homage to the monuments of Kal Bhairab Lord Hanuman and to the images of Shiva and Parbati. The buildings here are the greatest achievement of the Malla dynasty and they resulted from the great rivalry between the three palaces of kathmandu Patan and Bhakatpur. Most wood carvings statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine. Kathmandu became the seat of Valley’s royalty when King Jayasthiti Malla unified the valley in the 14th century (although it was divided later by his descendants). The Malla kings’ royal palace was located at Hanuman Dhoka, and it is still retained as the ceremonial palace of the present Shah dynasty. Although the present King Birendra does not reside there, important traditional royal ceremonies including the crowning of the king are still conducted at Hanuman Dhoka.
Patan Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of Patan city, also known as Lalitpur, houses the residence of the former Patan royal family. Patan Square and its surroundings are good specimen of ancient Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards in the palace: Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk, the oldest one, is at the centre of Patan square. Several multi-sized and multi-styled temples occupy the western part of the complex. Main among these are Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple and the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna
Bhaktapur City, or Bhadgaon as the city is also known, is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda consecrated to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell, one of the emblems of the god Vishnu, and was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 A.D. The altitude of the city is 1,402 metres above sea level. Pottery and weaving are its major traditional industries. The city lies fifteen kilometres to the east of Kathmandu, and is linked by a highway. Some of Bhaktapur's important sightseeing places are as follows:  Durbar Square-Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. The golden effigies of the kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place - struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways and windows all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony. The main items of interest in the Durbar Square are:

Nagarkot- Nagarkot is situated 32 krns east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above sea level. Nagarkot is a popular tourist spot of Nepal. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest-if weather permits), can be seen from here). The Himalayan peaks Like Manaslu (8463 in). Ganesh Hinial (7111 in), Langtang(7246 in), Choba Bhanre(60l6 in), Gaurishanker (7134 m) and number (6957 in), are also clearly seen from Nagarkot).  Overnight at Hotel in Nagarkot.

Short Itinerary

Day 01:Home-Kathmandu ( Dep:  Arr )
Day 02:Full Day tour of Patan & Bhaktapur .
Day 03:Nagarkot-Kathmandu - Sightseeing ( 9 Am to 5 Pm)(B)
Day 04: Mountain Flight & Departure

Itinerary Detail

Day 01:Home-Kathmandu ( Dep:  Arr )
Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to hotel. After check in sightseeing tours.

Boudha Nath Temple- the worlds largest stupa; a sight of great reneration to the Buddhist., Boudhanath is a colossal stupa north east of Pashupatinath and lies a further two 2 kilometers by road. The origin of this stupa is rather obscure. A legend says that a woman named Kangma was banished from heaven by Indra for stealing flowers and was reborn on earth as a swineherd’s daughter. Rearing and selling geese, Kangma accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. One day, she went to request the king for a plot of land to build a temple dedicated to the Buddha Amitabha. She asked that she be given land the size which a buffalo’s hide would cover. The king agreed to what he thought was a harmless request, but Kangma very shrewdly cut the hide making it into one very long strip of leather. Stretching it out to form a very large circle, she asked for and was given this huge plot where Boudhanath stands today.

If time dose not permit after check in in the early evening visit THAMEl which is touristy place. In this case we will include above place in other days. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2:Full Day tour of Patan & Bhaktapur .
Sightseeing tour of the Patan- A city of architecture and fine arts. Visit Tibetan Handicraft center at Jawalakhel to watch carpet weaving. Bhaktapur city- Kathmandu valleys most medieval city also known as Bhadgaon and was one of the three Kingdoms of Mallas. It is famous for Lion gate, the picture gallery, the Golden gate and palace of 55 windows. Lunch break in Bhaktapur before sightseeing and finally transfer to NAGARKOT – Nagarkot is situated 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above sea level. Nagarkot is a popular tourist spot of Nepal. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest-if weather permits), can be seen from here). The Himalayan peaks Like Manaslu (8463 in). Ganesh Hinial (7111 in), Langtang(7246 in), Choba Bhanre(60l6 in), Gaurishanker (7134 m) and number (6957 in), are also clearly seen from Nagarkot).  Overnight at Hotel in Nagarkot. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 03:Nagarkot-Kathmandu - Sightseeing ( 9 Am to 5 Pm)(B)
Morning enjoy sunrise and Mountain View. After breakfast drive to Kathmandu.
After check in sightseeing tours
Sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple- the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicaed to lord Shiva, first established in 5th century. The holiest Hindu pilgrimage place in Nepal pashupati has received the attention of worshippers for at least fifteen hundred years. Dedicated to shiva the lord of Destruction the temple is situated on the banks of the Bagmati river. A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth century statue of the Buddha an eighth century statue of Brahma the Creator freshly painted skeletal images guarding temple gates, and other magnificent temples dedicates to various deities in the complex.
Swayambhunath temple - the oldest Buddhist shrine. Looking east from here, one can see the entire Kathmandu valley spread out below. and lunch break in Kathmandu durbar square. Swayambhunath is a best place to observe religious harmony between Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus.  The stupa is one of the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers come from diverse ethical backgrounds. Situated on the top of a hill. It provides an excellent view of the Katmandu Valley. Huge prayer wheels and fine Buddhist paintings are displayed in the monasteries as well as the largest Buddha statue in the country. Special butter lamps can be ilt after monetary gifts are offered to the images.
Kathmandu Durbar Square– the temple of the Living Goddess and the old Royal Palace. Finally, visit Kasthamandup – a temple built from a single tree from which the Kathmandu derives its name.And then transfer to Hotel.
The Square teems with life as vendor’s children tourists and other crowed around the temple of the Living Goddess Kumari. Goddess Taleju and the Kastamandap Resthouse. Many pay homage to the monuments of Kal Bhairab Lord Hanuman and to the images of Shiva and Parbati. The buildings here are the greatest achievement of the Malla dynasty and they resulted from the great rivalry between the three palaces of kathmandu Patan and Bhakatpur. Most wood carvings statues and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine.
Kathmandu became the seat of Valley’s royalty when King Jayasthiti Malla unified the valley in the 14th century (although it was divided later by his descendants). The Malla kings’ royal palace was located at Hanuman Dhoka, and it is still retained as the ceremonial palace of the present Shah dynasty. Although the present King Birendra does not reside there, important traditional royal ceremonies including the crowning of the king are still conducted at Hanuman Dhoka.

Hanuman Dhoka (literally, Hanuman Gate) takes its name from the monkey god Hanuman, whose idol lies at the entrance of the palace. Kneeling in his usual posture on a pedestal, Hanuman is a hero from the Hindu epic Ramayana, who endows military success to his devotees - the reason why he has been placed there.

Day 04: Mountain Flight & Departure
Early morning before breakfast drive to domestic airport. Mountain flight and back to hotel. This one hour flight takes you to high Mountains. Then drive to Hotel. Breakfats and drivew to international airport for flight to home.

Mountain flight is optional and cost extra. 

Date And Cost

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

Cost Includes

1. Arrival/Departure transfers
2. Private transport throughout the tour
3. English speaking guide throughout the trip
4. Accommodation in below hotels on plan and on twin share basis
5. All entrance fee for mentioned places.
6. One dinner with cultural show
7. All applicable hotel taxes
   

Cost Excludes

1. Lunch and dinner 
2. Tips, personal expenses such as bottled drinks,laundry etc
3. Any insurance
4. Air ticket Home-Kathmandu-Home

Equipment List

Normal clothing fine

Altitude Sickness

Easy tours