Kathmandu Heritage Tour

Upon arrival you will be greeted with a flower garland by our office staff, who will escort you to your hotel. In the evening there will be a trip briefing about the programme.

In the morning we take you on a walking tour of Kathmandu Durbar square. We walk through Asan, Hanuman Dhoka, the temple of living Goddess, and Kastha- Mandap. You go through medieval wonders that have given Kathmandu much of its mystery and atmosphere. The city itself is a labyrinth of streets and markets, crowded with exotic products and a bewildering mix of people. One can see Tibetan women in their stripped aprons, traders from India and Sadhus-Hindu holy men, who are perhaps on pilgrimage to one of the countless shrines and temples spread in the valley. As you wander, your tour guide will explain the intricacies of Nepal’s distinct blend of Hinduism and Buddhism.

In the morning we visit Patan. The tour of Patan includes Durbar Square, Hiranya Varma Mahavihar, Mahaboudha, and Tibetan Handicraft-Center. Patan Darbar Square, like in Kathmandu is an enchanting mixed of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples; however, it has a distinctively different style. Patan is listed on the World Heritage Site. The former royal palace complex of Patan is the centre for religious and social life. The small museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One of the remarkable monuments in Patan Durbar square is a 17th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna. The temple is built entirely on stone. Visit inner bahal and courtyard gives you a wonderful experience to see the daily life of its habitants.

For another full day tour we take you to the city of Bhaktapur, and a small village at Thimi and one of the oldest temple in the valley at Changunarayan. Bhaktapur is known in the past as Bhadgaon. Here we visit Durbar square of Bhaktapur, Nyatapola Temple, and Dattaraya Temple. From Kathmandu, it is about 16 km. It takes about half an hour to drive during traffic time. This city lies on the old trade route to Tibet. This city is famous for its museum of medieval arts and architecture with many fine examples of sculptures, and woodcarving. Pottery, and mask making, and weaving are its traditional work. The Durbar Square has many temples built in pagoda style. Most impressive is a five-storied Nyatapola temple built in 1702 AD. Dattatreya temple was built in 1427 AD. The intricately carved peacock window and numerous fountains inside the palace exhibit its rich culture in the past. The architecture of the period in the Malla dynasty is particularly very impressive. Still today many old people of the city cannot speak Nepali and continue to use their ethnic Newari tongue. The city is dependent on agriculture. You can easily figure this out because of its rural atmosphere that pervades the streets and bazaars. It is usual to see people carrying enormous loads of vegetables and sacks of grain in their traditional way despite modern transportation.

Another day excursion outside the city. We take you to Bungamati and Khokana villages. These are ancient villages located about 15 km from the city centre outskirt of Kathmandu. Tourists normally do not visit these places. These are typical Newari villages. It provides a sneak preview of life back 100 years ago. The temple of Machhendranath is a prominent local deity that is worshipped every year in Patan during Machendranath Jatra (festival). The temple was fully destroyed during the 2015 earthquake but now it is fully restored. The lifestyle of the village is still very traditional. On the way, it is possible to encounter local craft-men in their work. The guide can take you to their workplace. The visit offers a great view of the countryside and a vast stretch of land with cultivated mustered (Feb / Mar). In the backdrop, you can see the gleaming Himalayan range. Across Bungamati is Khokana, another traditional village still is living in the past. The gravity of poor living condition appears in sharp contrast to the rich cultural heritage they still preserved here.

Our office staff will transfer you to the airport. Take your flight to an onward destination.