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.

Pokhara,This important industrial and tourist town provides fantastic views of the Annapurna mountains to the north and is the obvious place to organize your Annapurna trek; find travel companions and guides and buy equipment. Once the trek is finished spend a few days resting here as the list of hotels and restaurants is endless. At 780 meters above sea level, April through September can be very hot but one can always cool off in the beautiful Phewa Taal (Phewa Lake) or spend time in one of nearby Sarangkot's hotels (at 1500 m.a.s.l). Most tourist activity takes place around the lake, at Damside (Pardi), the southern-most tip of the lake or at Lakeside (Baidam), further north. These are actually suburbs of Pokhara as the town center itself lies three or four kilometers further northeast. The shops in the main shopping area of Mahendrapul are well stocked and you'll find just about anything you may need here. Unless you are planning some more obscure travel activity, outside of Kathmandu this is the place you'll probably spend most time.

Short Itinerary

Day 01:Home-Kathmandu ( Dep:  Arr )
Day 02:Kathmandu Sightseeing ( 9 Am to 5 Pm)(B)
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara [ 200 Km – 5 Hours ] (B)
Day 04: Pokhara Sightseeing & drive to Kathmandu (BD)
Day 05: Kathmandu – Home(B)

Itinerary Detail

Day 01:Home-Kathmandu ( Dep:  Arr )
Arrive Kathmandu,transfer to hotel. After check in Sightseeing of  Sightseeing of Pashupatinath Temple- the most sacred of the Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to lord Shiva, built in 1696. Boudha Nath Temple- the world’s largest stupa; a sight of great reneration to the Buddhist. Overnight in Hotel.
 
Day 02:Kathmandu Sightseeing ( 9 Am to 5 Pm)(B)
After breakfast sightseeing of 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. – 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.
After lunch in local restaurant sightseeing tour of the Patan- A city of architecture and fine arts. Visit Tibetan Handicraft center at Jawalakhel to watch carpet weaving. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 03 : Kathmandu to Pokhara [ 200 Km – 5 Hours ] (B)
After Breakfast  , Check out from Hotel and drive to Pokhara. Enjoy a five-six hour beautiful drive to Pokhara., Arrive & check-In at Hotel. After check in go for boating in Phewa Lake ( second largest lake in Nepal) for one hour boating. Evening free for personal activities/shopping on the lake side market on own. Overnight Stay In Pokhara.

Day 04 : Pokhara Sightseeing (BD)
Before breakfast drive and hike to Sarangkot-the popular hilltop offering the superb panoramic view of the Annapurn ,Machhapuchhre & Dhaulagiri Himalayas. It's a hike to places within the rim of the Pokhara valley and walks to the surroundings offer captivating glimpses of rural life. Back to Hotel. After breakfast sightseeing of   Bindyabasini temple,International Mountain Museum, Seti River, Devi’s Fall,Gupteshowre Mahadev(Cave) . Later drive back to Kathmandu.Overnight Stay In Kathmandu.. 

Evening dinner with cultural show.

Day 05 : Kathmandu – Home(B)
Morning free. One can go for Mountain flight paying additional cost. Departure transfer to Kathmandu airport

Date And Cost

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

Cost Includes

1. Arrival/Departure transfers
2. Private transport throughout the tour(Ac for 4/5 star package only)
3. English speaking local guide
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. Tips, personal expenses such as bottled drinks,laundry etc
2. Any insurance
3. Air ticket Home-Kathmandu-Home

Equipment List

No special clothing/equipments needed

Altitude Sickness

Easy tours