Kathmandu Valley Highlights Tour

Day 1- Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport

Welcome to Nepal! We will receive you the airport and transport you to hotel.

Day 2 -Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing in Kathmandu (1338m)

After your breakfast we meet at the hotel lobby for a quick pre-trip briefing. You will be introduced to your guide and we provide some general information about the tour. Please bring a copy of your travel insurance document and three passport-size photos.

Sightseeing will start after the meeting and breakfast. The trip includes a tour guide and private tourist vehicle. We will be visiting three World Heritage Sites today:

Swoyambhunath Stupa: Also called the Monkey Temple, Swayambhu is a World Heritage Site, one of the holiest places of Buddhism and also Hinduism. It is perched atop a hillock by the edge of Kathmandu city. The massive stupa is also a famous tourist site for the amazing view of the valley it sports and also the monkeys that flock to the premises, from where it derives its nickname Monkey Temple.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Another World Heritage Site, Kathmandu Durbar Square was built in the 12th/13th century, where Malla King Dynasty ruled over the city. King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha district annexed the city almost 300 years ago. The Durbar has many different exotic architectural design, wood carving in windows and doors. The courtyard, temples, Kumari (a Living Goddess) is the main attraction of Durbar Square. Inside the square, there is a museum that belongs to Kings and reflects of his regime period.

Pashupatinath Temple: One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, which is the opulently decorated pagoda. It is a temple of Lord Shiva and his Linga (Phallic Symbol of Lord). Legend has it that the temple was constructed in 400AD. You will be able to witness cremation of the deceased and holy baths that devotees take in the river Bagmati. Pashupatinath is next to a small protected forest, so you will likely encounter monkeys, deer, and other animals.

Day 3 Sightseeing in Pharping (Daksinkali/ Gorakhnath cave) and Patan Durbar Square

Today we tour around the valley covering historical, natural and religious places.

Pharping: Pharping lies south of Kathmandu and is also known as Shikharpuri Mahanagari. The state is accepted as an independent Newari state; there you can see a typical Newari culture.

Dakshinkali Temple: Dakshinkali is 22kms from Kathmandu city via Pharping. It is a temple of Kali, a form Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). The main goddess of the temple is a Six-armed form of Kali carved on a black stone. Especially on Saturdays and Tuesdays, animal sacrifices are performed here.

Patan Durbar Square: Decorated with artistic courtyard beautiful pagoda temples, Patan Durbar Square is another World Heritage Site that has a noticeable temple built to dedicated to Lord Krishna, made of stone in the 17th century. There is a museum containing bronze statues and religious objects. The trip of Patan also covers the Tibetan Refugee Camp and handicraft center.

Day 4 Guided sightseeing at Boudhanath Stupa, Changunarayan Temple and an evening drive to Nagarkot hillstation

Bouddhanath Stupa: The giant dome monument of Buddha is located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu city. It is a sacred pilgrim destination of Buddhists and draws folks in thousands every day for prayers. The Stupa is 36 meters high and presents a captivating specimen of Stupa design.

Changunarayan Temple (World Heritage Site) Chagunarayan Temple is located in the countryside of Bhaktapur. King Hari Dutta Verma built the temple in 323 AD and the structure is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. The main god of the temple is Lord Vishnu and its architecture is pagoda-style.

Nagarkot: Nagarkot is one of the closest hill stations you can reach from Kathmandu. From here you can see excellent views of snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan Range on the eastern part. Nagarkot is also the best for sunrise view.

Day 5 Drive back to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur Durbar Square after watching the sunrise view from Nagarkot Hill Station.

We wake up early today to witness the sunrise over panoramic views of the Himalayas on the horizon. After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a palace premises with a collection of Shikhara- and Pagoda-style temples and the 55-windows palace made of brick and wood. The main attraction of Bhaktapur is the Lions Gate, Golden Gate, Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla and art galleries among others. After completing the tour, we drive to Kathmandu.

Day 6 Trip conclude

Finally, the entire trip is over.