Essence of the Kathmandu Valley
This tour is designed for those who have limited time but appreciate a quality experience. The Kathmandu Valley is home to 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and while your time may be limited, we will ensure that you experience the best of the Kathmandu Valley - the heritage, the sights, the sounds and, of course, the incredible mountain views!
- Starts In: Kathmandu
- Duration: 4 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Easy
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival and Patan Heritage
We will welcome you at the international airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu’s narrow, winding streets to get you settled into your hotel.
In the afternoon (depending on your arrival time) we can take you on a bazaar walk exploring the secret alleys and courtyards of old Patan that most visitors don’t get to experience. (Note: this is a walking tour). Your knowledgeable local guide will take you through the ancient courtyards where Newar artisans live, where we will learn about about the design and unique culture of this ancient city and gain rare insights into the lives of artisans and their craft. We will meet and learn about the highly skilled metalwork artisans who make the stunning brass statues we see on display, as well as learning about the ancient skill of thangka painting by meeting the artists themselves. We will gain appreciation of the work and significance of skills such as woodcarving and stonecarving to the heritage and daily life of this fascinating city as well as the design and planning of the city structure and how this is inseparable from the daily life and truly unique culture of the Newar people.
Accommodation: Swotha
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu - Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath, Drive to Lakuri Bhanjyang
After breakfast, today, get set for an unforgettable day being chauffeured to the must-see sites of the Kathmandu Valley.
First, we make our way to the Swoyambhunath Temple. Also known as the Monkey Temple for the many resident monkeys that scamper around the myriad of small shrines and temples, this ancient Buddhist Stupa is perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley and is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.
From here we drive through Kathmandu and across it to the Boudhanath Stupa, 8 km east of Kathmandu City, is one of the biggest in the world. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal directions keeping watch for righteous behaviour and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa was built by King Man Deva on the advice of the Goddess Mani Jogini. Boudanath is part of the shared history of Nepal and Tibet, with Tibet having held ruling privileges over the site until the last century. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels and the stupa is ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests, monasteries and shops.
Your last exploration takes you to Pashupatinath temple, one of the holiest temples in the Hindu religion. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the three main gods in Hinduism, as his birthplace. Situated on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, Pashupatinath is the main cremation site for Hindus in the Kathmandu Valley, with cremation ghats lining the Bagmati River below the temple. It is such an important pilgrimage site that any Hindu should visit it once in their life and there is a constant stream of sadhus coming and going from Nepal and India.
From here you continue on to Lakuri Bhanjyang a beautiful spot overlooking the entire Kathmandu valley. Here we will stay at The Terraces a modern resort where we can enjoy being back close to Kathmandu.
Accommodation: The Terrace Resort & Spa
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 03: Morning Hike and Bhaktapur Sightseeing
This morning after breakfast your guide will meet you and we will walk along the ridge towards Bhaktapur. This is a great way to get a feel for the Kathmandu valley rim, the lungs of Kathmandu. Up hear in the forest above the city it is a completely different world than down in the chaos of the city. At Ranikot still high above the valley floor we will meet our car and drive 10 min down to Bhaktapur, one of the three ancient cities within the Kathmandu Valley. It is also known as Bhadgaun, meaning the city of devotees and is the home of true medieval art and architecture in the Valley. Lying 14 km east of Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell. Not only because of its famous carved peacock windows but also due to its museum, Bhaktapur is the centre of traditional Nepalese wood carving. Compared to other royal cities in Patan and Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is the most original and is without a doubt the most historically authentic as it is literally a living museum where farmers dry their harvest, potters turn their wheel and people go about live as they have done for so long. We will have lunch here overlooking a classic ancient town square and then continue our exploring.
Note: For those who like mountain biking, it is an option to mountain biking along the valley rim and ends up in Bhaktapur instead of the walk. Talk to us if you would like to plan this option instead of walking.
Another Note: It is also possible to have a helicopter pick you up at the hotel for a sightseeing flight up over Everest BC and have breakfast at the famous Everest View Hotel before returning to Kathmandu.er Note: It is also possible to have a helicopter pick you up at the hotel for a sightseeing flight up over Everest BC and have breakfast at the famous Everest View Hotel before returning to Kathman
Accommodation: Milla Guest House
Meals included:
Breakfast
Day 04: Morning in Bhaktapur and then Depart
Enjoy your last moments in Bhaktapur with breakfast in a café, a city stroll, and/or souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It’s good to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.
From Bhaktapur, the drive back to Kathmandu is approximately half an hour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Gallery
Included In Price
- Hotel nights in the hotels specified in the itinerary; based on standard rooms on twin share with bed and breakfast plan
- Transfers as per the itinerary include private transport
- Your city guide for sightseeing days including private transport, all entrance fees to the sites listed
- Everest Mountain flights including transfers and taxes
Not Included In Price
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy – please ask us if you would like any advice about gear to bring/buy/rent
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
- Any excess baggage charges
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover)
- Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itineraries above
Single supplement - Personal expenses (eg mineral water/soft drinks/bar bills, entrance/photography fees at monasteries, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra snacks, etc)
- Any extra charge that tea house owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms, or hot showers (if these facilities are available) and charging of batteries
- Tips for your trekking crew, city guide, drivers, hotels, restaurants, etc (please ask if you would like guidance about appropriate tips)
- Costs incurred due to changes in programs and reservations due to unforeseen events (eg landslides, strikes, fuel shortages, etc)
