Wake up in your Kathmandu hotel and have breakfast. Later, around 9 A.M., a private vehicle, along with your tour guide, will meet you at the hotel lobby. Then, you will have a full day sightseeing around the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu.
You may begin the tour in any order, visiting Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa.
Swayambhunath Temple: Also known as the Monkey Temple, dates back to 460 A.D. The temple lies on the western side of Kathmandu, a city that blends Buddhism and Hinduism. There are two entrances to the temple, one of which has 365 stone steps, each representing a day of the year. Some attractions of the Swayambhunath stupa are as follows:
- Swayambhunath Stupa: White dome stupa with all-seeing Buddha eye.
- Vajra: A large golden thunderbolt located on the eastern side of the stupa.
- World Peace Pond: A pond located near the flight of steps leading to the main stupa.
- Ajima Temple: Temple dedicated to Harati Devi, who protects children.
- Dewa Dharma Monastery: A monastery known for its bronze Buddha and paintings.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: Also known as Hanumandhoka Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar Square, which is marked by Newari architecture, stone carvings, temples, and wood carvings. Some popular attractions of Kathmandu Durbar Square are as follows:
- Hanuman Dhoka Durbar: It was built by King Prithivi Narayan Shah, is now a museum.
- Taleju Temple: It was built by King Mahendra Malla in 1,549 A.D.
- Kala Bhairav: A Gigantic statue of Kal Bhairav, the god of destruction, which King Pratap Malla discovered.
- Shiva Parvati Temple: The temple features wooden figures of Shiva and Parvati looking out from the central window.
- Kumari Ghar: The Temple of Kumari features wooden balconies built by King Jaya Prakash Malla. The Kumari goddess, also known as the Living Goddess, is replaced upon reaching puberty.
- Nasal Chowk: Coronation platform decorated with wood carving and architecture.
- Mohan Kali Chowk: Statue of Mohan Kali with artistic features.
- Sundari Chowk: Consists of Sunken Bath and Ornate windows.
Pashupatinath Temple: It is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The significant attractions of Pashupatinath Temple are as follows:
- Mukhalinga: Stone representation of Lord Shiva's face.
- Guhyeshwari Temple: Shrine for Goddess Sati's "yoni" representing divine feminine energy and spirituality.
- Gorakhnath Temple: Devoted to Guru Gorakhnath, a respected figure in Hinduism's Nath lineage.
- Western Cremation Ghats: Places where death procedures are held according to the Hindu religion.
Boudhanath Stupa: The Largest Buddhist stupa of Kathmandu. White dome-shaped with a pinnacle on the top. The pinnacle represents Mount Sumeru (King of Mountains). The dome consists of the all-seeing Buddha eye. The significant attractions of Boudhanath Stupa are as follows:
- Ajima Temple: Temple dedicated to Mamo Pusaki, who is the protector of the stupa.
- Historical Pond and Ghyoilisang Peace Park: Located in the northwest part of Boudhanath.
- Guru Lhakhang Monastery: Oldest Nyingma monastery of the area.
- Jhamchen Lhakhang Monastery: Consists of a 32-foot-high statue of Maitreya Buddha.
- Samtenling Monastery: Oldest Tibetan Monastery in Boudhanath.
After the completion of the Kathmandu City tour, you can have lunch in Boudhanath. You can enjoy Tibetan and Nepali cuisine for lunch. Then, return to your hotel. You can have dinner around the streets of Thamel, or you can have it in the hotel. Then, rest, relax, and spend the night in Kathmandu.