Tour : Kathmandu
KATHMANDU VALLEY
The crossroads of Culture
The Kathmandu Valley is the cultural and artistic heart of Nepal, and contains some of
the oldest and best preserved cities in the world: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The
historical, cultural and artistic importance is so immense that UNESCO has designated no
less than seven World Heritage Sites here, all of which our guests may enjoy at their
leisure. Our guides can provide the most curious guest with a thousand fascinating facts
of history, architecture and religion.
ENTERTAINMENT AND DINING
As well as sightseeing and shopping, the Kathmandu valley offers a wide variety of
entertainment. A favorite of every visitor are the cultural shows, presenting music and
dance from the county’s many cultures. Kathmandu is known to have the widest variety
of restaurants in all of South Asia. For those who want late night entertainment,
Kathmandu’s four casinos are open 24 hours.
FESTIVALS
For the visitor, there is no escaping in the wonderful festivals of Nepal. Almost every
visit, long or short, coincides with days of colorful masked dances, chariot processions
and musical entertainment. Fortunate guests may witness the procession of the Living
Goddess Kumari, the towering chariot of Machhendranath or the delightful antics of
costumed children during Gai Jatra.
A SHOPPER’S PARADISE
For more than a thousand years, the Kathmandu Valley has been famed for its craftsmen,
who once traveled abroad to create fine objects for the royal courts of China, Tibet and
India. Everywhere, our guests are presented with an array of finely-made gifts: hand-woven
carpets, bronze statues, scroll paintings, fine silks, hand-carved wood decorations and
village textiles, among many others. If our guests fancy and object bigger than their
suitcases, our cargo staff will help them send their treasures home safely and
economically.
SITES TO SEE IN THE KATHMANDU VALLEY
The elaborate palaces, courtyards and temples built by the Malla kings more than 500
years ago are gathered in the central Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
Guests can wander in the old, cobbled lanes, visiting the shops of craftsmen who have kept
their artistic traditions alive for hundreds of years.
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE – Lying on the banks of
the sacred Bagmati River, this is the country’s most important Hindu temple,
dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath temple, built in 1696, lies in a place of sanctity
more than 3000 years old. Tiny shrines and ancient statues are scattered along the river
and up into the surrounding forest.
BOUDDHANATH STUPA – One of the largest
Buddhist Shrines in the world, dating from before the birth of Christ, this imposing
monument lies in "Tibetan town", filled with elaborate monasteries and
fascinating craft shops.
SWYAMBHUNATH STUPA – Decorated with the famous
"Buddha eyes", this ancient Stupa is surrounded by temples and Tibetan
monasteries. I sits atop a quiet, wooded hill, a sacred place for more than 2500 years,
which is filled with mischievous monkeys, hence its popular name: "Monkey
Temple". The hilltop setting affords one of the best panoramic views of the Kathmandu
Valley.
CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE – On a hill overlooking
the Kathmandu valley, Changu Narayan is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple and
the surrounding courtyard contain some of the world’s most exquisite bronze and stone
sculptures, dating back to the fifth century A.D.
AND A THOUSAND MORE …… The Kathmandu
Valley has enough fascinating sites to satisfy anyone for a decade, and all are available
to our guests. Accompanied by our experienced guides, guests may visit ancient villages
such as Lele, Tika Bhairav, Thecho and Bungmati. These villages are renowned for their
native crafts, and are places that other visitors never hear about. Everywhere,
fascinating venues of traditional artistry abound, such as the colossal Reclining Vishnu
statue of Budhanilkantha and the Balaju Water Garden, with its ponds and 22 ornately
carved water spouts.
Tour : Pokhara
Half an hour by air or a
scenic excursion by car or coach, the resort town of Pokhara sits in a breathtaking
setting. It is nestled around lovely Lake Phewa in a quiet mountain valley, with the
stunning Fishtail Mountain, called Machhapuchhre, standing sentinel overhead. This lake
town is Nepal’s favorite mid-country destination: a place for slow days of boating,
sightseeing and restaurant dining. It is also the trailhead for some of the country’s
most delightful treks: from rugged mountain adventures to the splendid Royal Trek, taken
by Prince Charles, which takes guests through pristine rhododendron forests under a
skyline filled with the stunning white Annapurna massif.
SUGGESTED SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Tour
No: EE-PKR01 / 2 Nights 3 Days
Day 01:
Fly or drive from Kathmandu or continue from your trip to Chitwan (refer
Chitwan Page).
Afternoon: Free for individual
activities.
Day 02:
Early Morning: Early morning hike to Sarangkot
hill to view beautiful sunrise over Annapurna massif with majestic Fishtail Mountain.
Afternoon: Half day sightseeing of
Pokhara visiting Bindyabasini temple dedicated to goddess Kali, Mahendra Pool –
bridge over Seti River gorge, Bazaar area, Davis falls and Tibetan resettlement camp
followed by one hour boating on Phewa Lake.
Overnight in a hotel.
Day 03:
Fly or drive back to Kathmandu or continue with your Chitwan or with trek.
While driving to or from Pokhara the following options can be added:
- Rafting trip on Trishuli River or Seti River spanning from half a day to several days.
- Cable car ride to famous Manakamana Temple. (approximately 1 ½ hours).
- A detour of Gorkha (approximately 3 hours).
The above is a sample itinerary. The tours can be elongated inclusion of other
activities in and around Pokhara or you can proceed for a trek around Annapurna region
(Please refer to Annapurna Area Trek Itineraries in our trek page).
Please refer to the pages of other destinations such as
Chitwan, Trek, Rafting for addition of activities in other places.
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION AND DETAILS
