UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour – 06 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 is the first day of the tour and we will start with peace. First, we will visit the Bouddhanath Stupa, considered the oldest and most sacred stupa in the area. This stupa is one of the largest in South Asia and the largest in Nepal. The stupa is constructed in a cubic form, ornamented with the Buddha’s all-seeing eyes and a dome at its base. With four pairs of eyes facing each of the four cardinal directions, it watches for moral conduct and the well-being of people. There is a bustling market filled with shops and stalls selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. You will get the best view of the Stupa from the nearby rooftop restaurant, and you can also grab some of the best camera shots.

Then, we will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Deity Shiva, which is one of the largest sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindu devotees with stunning pagoda-style architecture. The temple was built in the fifth century and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The main temple is adorned with intricate wood carvings, silver-coated sides, and a gold-encrusted roof. Hinduism and Nepalese culture place great importance on this temple. If you are not Hindu, you are not allowed to enter the main temple premises, but you can still stroll around. Multiple temples surround the area, and the cremation ghat on the bank of the holy Bagmati River is worth visiting.

Later, we will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, which is embellished with intricate carvings and vibrantly colored paintings. The famous white dome of the stupa is adorned with vibrant prayer flags and a gilded shrine at its summit. All four sides of the stupa are painted with the Buddha’s eyes, which symbolize compassion and wisdom, and serve to protect all living beings. This stupa is not just a stupa, but a blend of Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and it holds a history spanning more than 2500 years. Reaching this stupa is not easy, and you need to climb 365 steps actually to see the grandeur of the stupa.

In the evening, you will be able to witness the breathtaking sunset over the Kathmandu Valley while listening to the soothing bhajans, which heighten the atmosphere of spirituality. Enjoy the evening at the stupa and its surroundings; later, we will head back to the hotel.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

After having a decent breakfast, we will drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Basantapur, which dates back to the 3^rd century in the Licchavi period. This square is home to historic palaces, courtyards, and numerous temples, a home to the living Goddess, Kumari. You will have the opportunity to visit the 17th-century royal palace, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, now a museum that offers insight into its history. You will be amazed by the imposing temples, including Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, Jagannath Temple, Taleju Temple, and more, which are shaped like pagodas. Each step inside the square is a camera moment, and you don’t want to miss capturing them.

Then, we will visit the Patan Durbar Square, which was once the royal residence of the Malla Kings. The square includes the royal palace, multiple courtyards, and pagoda-style temples. The Keshav Narayan Chowk, one of its many courtyards, is restored to a museum dedicated to bronze artifacts. You will also witness the exquisite woodcarvings, as well as stone and metal sculptures in the Sundari Chowk. The most visited and considered the major beauty of the square is the Krishna Temple, which was built entirely of stone in 1637 and features 21 gilded spires. This temple is regarded as Nepal’s first Shikhara-style architecture. Along with the temple, you will also visit the Manga Hiti, a buried stone water spout. You will also see other temples, stupas, and architectural sites around the square, including the Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwor Temple, and others.

Later, we will visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the oldest and largest of the three Durbar Squares (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur), a remarkable architectural complex and a living museum of the medieval era. The square is filled with magnificent pagoda & Shikhara-styled temples dedicated to various deities, intricate wood carvings, and stunning sculptures. There are four squares in the premises, including Durbar Square, Pottery Square, Natapole Square, and Dattatreya Square. The 5-story temple, Natapole, built in 1702 A.D., is in the pagoda style and is one of the tallest temples in the area. You will also witness the most exquisite and intricately carved Golden Gate, which serves as the entry point to the courtyard of the 55-window palace. As the sun sets, the entire square is bathed in golden light.

Overnight at Bhaktapur.

Today, we will visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Changunarayan Temple, dedicated to the Hindu Lord Bishnu, which is located 7 km away from the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. This is the oldest temple in Bhaktapur, built under the rule of Mandev.

This temple is also known as an open museum, featuring stone and wood carvings related to the Hindu epic Mahabharata war, along with other significant spiritual signs and symbols that demonstrate the artistry of ancient Nepalese artisans.

Later, we will take a 3–4-hour scenic hike to Nagarkot, a popular hill station located around Kathmandu, offering the best views of the Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley.

Overnight at Nagarkot.

We will start early today. Our guide will wake you up early in the morning and take you to the viewpoint. From the view tower of Nagarkot, you will witness the astonishing Sunrise and the Himalayas like Mount Everest (8,848m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Mount Manaslu (8,156m), Mount Gaurishankar (7,134m), and more.

After witnessing those incredible views, we then head back to the hotel, have breakfast, and then drive back to Kathmandu.

In Kathmandu, we will visit the famous and bustling Asan Bazaar, located near Basantapur or Thamel. Asan Bazaar is a lively marketplace with narrow streets, and each street leads to different spots, each serving a distinct purpose. Essentially, Asan Bazaar is where everyone can find anything they need for everyday living. You can buy souvenirs, traditional Nepali attire, jewelry, spices, and more at Ason Bazar. Additionally, this place is renowned for its street food, including the Newari Khaja set, momos, samosas, and other popular dishes.

You will get to enjoy every step around the bazaar and plenty of camera-ready shots worth capturing.

Overnight at Kathmandu.

Today is the farewell. We are cautious about departure so that 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.