Kathmandu Tour - 5 days

As you arrive in Kathmandu, a representative will be waiting outside the airport holding a company placard to help with identification. Upon meeting, the representative will greet you and transfer you to a private vehicle for the drive to your hotel in Thamel. The ride from the airport to Thamel will take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

After you arrive at your hotel, the representative will assist you with check-in. Then you can go to your room and relax for a bit. Later in the evening, you will meet the company owner and discuss how the tour will commence. All your confusion and questions will be answered during the meeting.

When the meeting concludes, you will join our representative for a welcome dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurant. During the dinner, you can taste local Nepali cuisine while enjoying traditional dance and music. As the dinner concludes, you will be transferred to your hotel. There you can rest and prepare for the following day. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, wake up, refresh, and have breakfast in your Kathmandu hotel. Then, prepare for the sightseeing tour. You will visit three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square. So, a private vehicle will pick you up from the hotel lobby at a predetermined time. A tour guide assists you on the tour by sharing some valuable information about the landmarks. Begin your tour with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a royal courtyard featuring ancient Newari architecture. The drive from the hotel to Durbar Square will take about 20 minutes.

Monuments to visit in Kathmandu Darbar Square:

• Hanuman Dhoka Palace: A stone statue of Lord Hanuman stands at the front of Kathmandu Durbar Square, giving it the name Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.
• Kumari Bahal: In the Local language, we call Kumari the Living goddess. Some books mentioned princes for her. Bahal is a local monastery in a quadrangle layout; it is the official residence of a Living Goddess. The Kumari cult is a living harmony of Hinduism and Buddhism. The selection process is similar to that of the Dalai Lama. She is a reincarnation of Goddess Taleju. We select young girls at an early age; usually, they are chosen when they are 3- 5 years old. They get retired after their first menstruation.
• Kalabhairab: The god of justice, in the 17th century, it was used to detect the truth as a lie detector. Now people still pray for good luck.
• Kasthamadap: 12th-century wooden temple constructed from a single giant tree. The name Kathmandu is also derived from this temple. Kathmandu means Wooden temple; this is the wooden temple. Freak Street- in 1960, many hippies came and enjoyed it.
• Shiva Parvati Temple: Shiva and his wife are watching from a window, so we need to do good karma.
• Nasal Chowk: The central ceremonial courtyard of the royal palace. It was last used in 2001 AD.
• Mohan Kali Chowk: Richest artwork on stone, metal, and wood we can observe here.
• Sundari Chowk: Royal bath with snake carving on a single piece of stone.

After the visit to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, continue your tour towards Swayambhunath Stupa. The Swayambhunath stupa, also known as "Monkey Temple," is a hilltop stupa located on the western side of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath showcases both Hinduism and Buddhism and is a living example of how the two religions can coexist harmoniously. The drive from Durbar Square to Swayambhunath will take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. The significant attractions of Swayambhu are as follows:

• Swayambhunath Stupa: It is the main highlight of Swayambhunath. It is a white-domed structure with an all-seeing Buddha's eye and painted eyebrows.
• Harati Temple: It is a two-story pagoda-style temple gilded in gold. It is located on the northwest side of the Swayambhunath temple. The temple is known as the protector of children.
• Anantapur Temple: It is located on the southern side of Swayambhunath, which is named after the queen of Pratap Malla, Anantapriya. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ajima in the form of Parvati.
• Pratappur Temple: It is a three-story brick temple in the Shikhar style, with intricate carvings. It is located on the northern side of Swayambhunath, which is named after King Pratap Malla. The temple is dedicated to God Bhairav in the form of Lord Shiva.
• Statue of Dipankar Buddha: The statue lies in the corner behind the small statues of Swayambhunath. It is made of a single stone that dates back to the 7th century.
• The Vajra: It is a lightning bolt that is placed in front of the Swayambhunath stupa. It is not exactly a lightning bolt, but a depiction that symbolizes hardness, indestructibility, and power.
• Dewa Dharma Monastery: It is situated on the western side of Swayambhunath, which prioritizes meditation practices.
• Amideva Buddha Park: The park has three giant golden Buddha statues and a beautiful garden.
• Word Peace Pond: It lies on the western side of Swayambhunath, where the pond's center features a bronze statue of Siddhartha Gautama. There is a bowl near the statue where visitors can see coins being thrown. It is believed that a wish is granted if the coin falls inside the bowl.

After the visit to Swayambhunath, you will then head toward Lalitpur to visit Patan Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square is another marvelous courtyard that showcases Newari wood carving, stone works, and museums. The major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are as follows:

• King's column: The 1934 earthquake destroyed Pratap Malla's statue atop a pillar, and it was re-erected.
• Krishna Temple: Located in Durbar Square, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. The Shikhara-style monument consists of three tiers, with the first floor enshrining Krishna, the second enshrining Lord Shiva, and the third enshrining Lokeshwor.
• Big Bell: Still active every day at 9 AM, we ring it. It is about 1000 kg, so the person who is employed to ring it gets 1 liter of milk every day.
• Taleju Temple: A 16th-century Pagoda temple, was the tallest building till 1950; other people were not allowed to have higher houses than this temple. The living goddess, Kumari, is a reincarnation of the Taleju goddess.
• Khumbeshwor: It is a small Hindu temple that adds to the square's ethnic richness with its stunning woodcarvings and architecture.
• Rudra Varna Mahavihar: Also known as Uku Bahal, this popular attraction in Patan Durbar Square is a must-see. The area around the Mahavihar contains three courtyards, each with its own features.
• The Ashoka Stupas: The Ashoka stupas at Nepal's Patan Durbar Square are believed to have been constructed by Indian Emperor Ashoka in the third century B.C. These stupas, made of stone and brick, are significant both historically and religiously.

As the Patan Durbar Square tour ends, you can have lunch at any suitable restaurant. After lunch, the vehicle will drop you off at your hotel. Once you reach the hotel, you can relax for a while. In the evening, you can stroll around the streets of Thamel. Then, you can have dinner. After dinner, rest and relax, then spend the night in Kathmandu.

Today, wake up, refresh, and have breakfast in your Kathmandu hotel. After breakfast, get ready to leave the hotel and head towards the sightseeing tour. You will visit three places today: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Nagarkot. So, commence the tour with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The popular attractions of Pashupatinath Temple are as follows:

• Mukhalinga: A sacred stone representing Lord Shiva's face.
• Guhyeshwari Temple: It is a prominent Hindu shrine featuring the "yoni" emblem of goddess Sati. It represents divine feminine energy and spirituality.
• Gorakhnath Temple: Dedicated to Guru Gorakhnath, a respected figure in Hinduism's Nath lineage.
• Western Cremation Ghats: The Hindu cremation ritual is performed here.

After you visit Pashupatinath, you will head to Boudhanath. The drive will take about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Boudhanath is a white-domed structure with an all-seeing Buddha eye that represents wisdom. Likewise, the stupa has a pinnacle that symbolizes Mt. Sumeru, the king of the mountains. The major attractions around the Boudhanath stupa are as follows:

• Ajima Temple: Temple of Goddess Mamo Pusaki, who is known as the protector of the stupa. It is located to the north of the main Boudhanath stupa.
• Historical Pond and Ghyoilisang Peace Park: the pond is located to the northwest of the Boudhanath stupa, and it is also known as Ghyoilisang in the Tamang language.
• Guru Lhakhang Monastery: Believed to be the oldest Nyingma monastery in the area. The main attraction in the monastery is the beautiful statues of Guru Padma Sanbhava, Amitabha Buddha, and Arya Avalokiteshwara.
• Jhamchen Lhakhang Monastery: The monastery has a 32-foot-high statue of Maitreya Buddha. The Jhamchen Lhakhang Monastery is preserving Sakya tradition and ritual practice.
• Samtenling Monastery: This is the oldest and first-ever Tibetan monastery in Boudhanath, located on the east side of the main stupa.
• Dilyak Yebam Monastery: Also known as the Dhapsang Monastery of the Thousand Buddhas. Here, all the Buddhists practice rituals and other religious activities.

Lastly, after you visit Boudhanath, you can have lunch at a nearby restaurant. You can taste local cuisines and relax. Then, you will drive to Nagarkot, a hilltop location for a mesmerizing sunset view. The drive from Boudhanath to Nagarkot will take about an hour, depending on the road conditions. After reaching Nagarkot, you will head towards the hilltop location for the sunset view.

From the hilltop location, you will witness one of the most mesmerizing sunrise views. You can see the golden rays hitting the Annapurna range, the Manaslu range, the Ganesh Himal range, the Langtang range, the Jugal range, the Rolwaling range, and many more. You will also see views of the Kathmandu Valley and Shivapuri National Park. With the fabulous sunset view, you can enjoy a short tea break. Then, head towards your hotel in Nagarkot. Check into your hotel, have dinner, rest, and spend the night in Nagarkot.

Wake up, refresh, and have breakfast at the Nagarkot hotel. Then, pack your bags and get ready to leave Nagarkot. A private vehicle will drive towards Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where you will explore the royal courtyard and its major attractions. The drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square will take about an hour, depending on traffic. After reaching Bhaktapur Durbar Square, commence your tour. The significant attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are as follows:

• 55 Window Palace: With 55 exquisitely carved windows that showcase Newar artistry and historical significance, it is a breathtaking architectural wonder.
• Golden Gate: The Golden Gate at Bhaktapur Durbar Square is dedicated to the Taleju Bhawani Temple. Its exquisitely carved wooden door, adorned with figures from mythology and spirituality and covered in gold, is a famous symbol of Bhaktapur's rich cultural heritage.
• Lions Gate: There are two large, majestic lions placed on either side, along with other ancient buildings and artifacts.
• Mini Pashupati Temple: Located directly south of the Vatsala Durga temple, the Pashupatinath temple is also known as the Yakeshvara temple. The temple is a scaled-down replica of the renowned Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu.
• Vatsala Temple: It is a Shikhar-style temple that is located on the east side of Durbar Square. This temple is dedicated to the Vatsala manifestation of the female deity Durga. The temple is known for its dog-barking bell, which is believed to toll a death knell when rung.
• Nyatapola Temple: One of the most famous temples of the area, it is located in the central part of Bhaktapur. The Nyatapola temple, meaning 'five tires' in Newari, symbolizes the five elements. The temple is dedicated to Siddhilaxmi, the Hindu goddess of supreme power and success.
• Bhairava Nath Temple: Dedicated to the god of terror and death, Bhiravnath.

After completing the tour, head back to Kathmandu. After reaching Kathmandu, settle into an accommodation, have dinner, and stay overnight.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by a tour guide from the hotel and taken to Kritipur.

Kritipur is a Newari ethnic settlement village just 5 kilometers away from the capital city Kathmandu. Kritipur is a beautiful twin hillock with two satellite hamlets to the south, namely Panga and Nagaon.

In about 12 centenary histories of Nepal, it was a separate, powerful state and the trade gateway to Kathmandu Valley. While in the deification by the Gurkha force, it also took three times, which indicates the most powerful state at that time. Remains of the fortified walls and part of the original 12 gates can still be seen. In this tour, even though it is a Newari place, there are more cultural and traditional differences. Besides the village visit, there are also some interesting temples, such as Bag Bhairav and Chlanchu Vihar.

Chobar is famous for its gorge, said to have been cut by the god Manjushri to drain the water from the Kathmandu Valley, which was then a lake. On a hilltop, there is a small pagoda dedicated to Adinath. From this point, one has a superb view of snow-clad mountain peaks. Chobar is located eight kilometers south-west of Kathmandu.

After an excellent lunch at the hillside of Kathmandu, you will proceed towards Khokana and Bungamati. Khokana and Bungamati are also Newari villages, but they are much older than Kritipur. Khokana is well known as a traditional oil production center from ancient times to the present. Apart from that, Bungamati is a famous place for traditional and cultural wood carving and is an authorized village for the ancient history center, away from the city life of Kathmandu. This day can be your perfect day, with its scenery, hilly landscape, and history.

Later in the afternoon, depending on your flight time, we will transfer to the international airport for a farewell. As you reach the airport, your Kathmandu tour with Trekking Planner Nepal Pvt. Ltd. ends. We hope to assist you again for another marvelous adventure. Until then, Best wishes.