Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour – 08 Days

Once you arrive at the Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, our representative will welcome you and drive you to the hotel. You can be refreshed and rest at the hotel.

In the evening, you can roam around the city’s lively areas, Thamel and Durbarmarg.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today, we will start sightseeing in Kathmandu’s top three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Basantapur, Swayambhunath, and Bouddha. In the morning, we will drive to Swayambhunath Stupa.

Swayambhunath is a revered and historic Buddhist stupa atop a hill in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley. As you climb the hill, the sound of spinning prayer wheels, the scent of burning incense, and colorful prayer flags flapping in the breeze will welcome you. You’ll notice the giant stupa with eyes painted in all cardinal directions when you reach the top. Walking around the stupa, you’ll see sculptures, paintings, and carvings made of stone and wood that illustrate many facets of Buddhism and Hinduism. The entire area has an appealing and modest architectural motif. It’s not overly fancy, yet it still captures your attention.

You can be lost in the peace and beauty of the stupa, but be sure to capture it all in the camera. Also, you will witness many monkeys around, and sometimes, they are ready for the camera with their unique and stupid poses. Be aware that these naughty little guys could snatch snacks and run away if you carry them.

After spending quality and peaceful time in Swayambhunath Stupa, we will have breakfast and then drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur. Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the biggest of the three in Kathmandu. The other two are Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur district and Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Bhaktapur district. Kathmandu Durbar Square offers a collection of historic structures with more than 50 temples.  You will be attracted by the square’s unique tapestry of historical artwork, including private courtyards and royal mansions. This Square is also the home to the living Goddess in the world, Kumari. Also, you will witness the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kasthamandap, Vishnu temple, and more. If you are lucky enough, you and your camera will get a glimpse of the Kumari. You can witness and capture all the arts, culture, lifestyles, and more with your camera.

We will then drive to Bouddhanath Stupa, one of the oldest and largest stupas. This stupa is the largest dome-shaped stupa in Asia and one of the world’s holiest Buddhist stupas. This giant Bouddhanath Stupa rises 36 meters above the city, encircled by several monasteries, stores, and prayer wheels. There are shops around where you can witness and buy thangka paintings, murals, handicrafts, and restaurants where you can get Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. The flickering prayer flags, the maroon-clad monks, the giant stupa, the thangka, handicrafts, and daily lifestyle are worth capturing in the camera.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today, we will visit Pashupatinath Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the important sacred temples of Hindus.

Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to Lord Pashupatinath, the incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is spiritually and culturally significant, representing Nepal’s rich heritage. No one is allowed to photograph inside the temple, but one can capture everything outside the temple, like cremation ghats, wood cravings, sadhus, and other various temples around the surroundings. Besides the temple, there are so many to explore around, and you will be just amazed at the beauty of this temple. On the way to the temple, you will pass through various religious markets, which adds a cultural side to the Pashupatinath temple experience, as pilgrims and tourists can buy items used in prayer and souvenirs.

After spending some time there, experiencing the spiritual connection, and capturing the beauty of this temple, we drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This square includes several temples, palaces, and courtyards that all have something to tell, and their beauty will leave you in awe. Outside the square, you will find a couple of lakes that will make you fall in love. This compound has four squares: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square. The main attractions you will witness are the 55-storeyed palace, Vatsala Temple, and Nyatapole. There is much more to explore and capture; each small thing will amaze you. You will love visiting the Pujari Math, now the wood carving museum, where you will see the famous Peacock window.

Later, after exploring Bhaktapur Durbar Square all day, we will travel to Nagarkot in the evening, where we will spend the night.

Overnight at Nagarkot.

Nagarkot, the uphill in Bhaktapur, is important as it is one of the most beautiful places. Here, you can see the mountain ranges and the beautiful sunrise. People visit Nagarkot for the sunrise view; when there is clear weather, you can glimpse around eight majestic mountains.

We will wake up early, reach the viewpoint, and wait for the sunrise. The shifting colors of the snow-capped Himalayas at sunrise will leave you in awe.  Once you are at the viewpoint, there is a tower from where you can see the expansive view of the Himalayas, undulating hills, the greenery of the national park, and the Kathmandu Valley. The scenery view is worth capturing.

After having breakfast, we will drive to Patan. Once we reach Patan, we will visit Patan Durbar Square, also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a fascinating historic landmark renowned for its rich cultural legacy and breathtaking Newari architecture. You can witness the multiple temples, palaces, and courtyards, which resemble the craftmanship. The area has elaborate wood and stone sculptures and a distinctive fusion of Hindu and pagoda-style temples. It is more than simply a historic place; it’s a living museum that captures the creative spirit and customs of the Newar people. Once you start roaming around the durbar, you will witness the Taleju Bhawani Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple, Patan Museum, and many more. You should not miss capturing the scenes and moments around you.

Overnight at Patan.

We will drive to the Dakshin Kali temple early this morning. Dakshinkali generally means “Kali of the South” and is devoted to the formidable deity Kali, who represents power and protection. Devotees worldwide visit and worship Goddess Kali for her blessings and protection. You will also witness the animal sacrifices that symbolize the goddess’s position as a ferocious protector against evil powers. Dense woodlands surround the temple and provide a stunning perspective of the surroundings. If you are here around September or October, you will witness many devotees during the Dashain Festival.

Later, we will drive to Pharping, a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimage. There are several exquisite monasteries, caves, the footsteps of Gorakhnath’s Bajrayogini shrine, and vibrant Tibetan prayer flags. On the route to Pharping, you will witness the amazing view of the Kathmandu Valley. We will visit the Pharping Monastery, which has several structures, stupas, and prayer wheels. There is a meditation cave that will excite you more, as Guru Rinpoche meditated and became enlightened here. The path to this cave is around 30 minutes from the monastery. If time permits, we will also visit the Vajrayogini Temple, which both Hindus and Buddhists visit.

Overnight at Pharping.

After breakfast, we will drive to Khokana, a Newari village famous for its historic mustard oil factory. This place is well-known for producing cold-pressed mustard oil using traditional extraction techniques. On your way back, you will see the oil extraction process. If you want, you can buy organic mustard oil and support the locals. You will also visit the Rudrayani Temple, which is dedicated to the Goddess of Harvest and stands tall in the pagoda style. There is a goat-sacrificing pond directly across from this temple, where residents sacrifice goats as a gift to the deities each year during a festival.

If time permits, we will visit Bungmati too. Bungamati is where Patan’s God, Rato Machhindranath, was born. The Bungmati community is well-known for its centuries-old, traditional Newari homes, which are constructed of wood and brick. During the month-long chariot celebration of the god every year, hundreds of pilgrims flock to the village’s stunning temple dedicated to Rato Machhindranath. There is also a holy pond in the temple that is thought to have therapeutic qualities.

Later, we will drive back to Kathmandu to your hotel.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today, we will explore the crowded and famous Ason Bazaar market and the nearby attraction, Basantapur, known as the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Ason Bazaar, one of Kathmandu’s busiest and oldest marketplaces, has a vivid fusion of hues, sounds, and scents that characterize this famous location. You will experience the authentic Newari culture and connect with the locals. Also, you will explore street snacks, traditional crafts, and spices. Ason Bazaar is the perfect spot for you to buy souvenirs.

Later, we will stroll around Basantapur. As you have already explored Kathmandu Durbar Square earlier, you have more time to explore the area and indulge in the vibe of its surroundings. If you want, you can explore another famous and lively area nearby, Thamel. Thamel is well known for its vibrant environment, including clubs, restaurants, and a market selling arts and crafts.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today is the farewell. We are very careful about departure, so we will drop you off at the airport three hours before departure.

Hope you enjoyed your time with us. Safe journey.

Note: If you want to prolong your stay, we can assist you with further planning for your trip to Nepal.