Cultural Heritage and Himalayan view Tour

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,600 ft)

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our representative from Namaste Nepal Trekking & Research Hub will pick you up from the airport. He will be displaying a NNTR sideboard outside the airport terminal. Transfer to the selected hotel. In the afternoon the pre-trip meeting will be holding at our office/ Your Hotel. During this meeting we will introduce your trek and or tour leader/guide, so please make sure that you ask all the questions and concerns. Then head out and visit one of Kathmandu's cultural highlights. In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley(1,400m / 4,600 ft)

After breakfast, your sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley will start. You will have a professional tour guide with a private vehicle. Today you will visit the following cultural wonders of Kathmandu valley:

Swambhunath Stupa/Monkey Temple:

Is an ancient religious architecture atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath is among the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The Swayambhunath consists of a stupa and a variety of shrines and temples. A Tibetan monastery, museum, and library are more recent additions. And we can see a 360-degree view of Kathmandu valley. This will be a good way to start your day with

Pashupatinath Temple:

 Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important and significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world. Located on the bank of the Holy  Bagmati River near the airport. The major temple is strictly for Hindus only even though you are not allowed to go inside the main temple you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the other bank of the river. 

Boudhanath Stupa:

Another UNESCO World Heritage site;  Boudhanath another holiest site of Kathmandu valley. It was built in the 5th century with pairs of eyes in all 4 directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

After finished sightseeing in Boudhanath on the way to your hotel, our driver will drop you at Kathmandu Durbar Square from where you can walk back to Thamel through the narrow and oldest open street market of Asan. In Kathmandu durbar square you can see the following: 

• Pagoda style temples which were made twelve to eighteen centuries
• An ancient royal palace with a museum
• Kashthamandap (which named the city as Kathmandu)
• Living Goddess Kumari
• Black Bhairava (God of death)

Sightseeing tour of Patan, Bhaktapur and drive to Nagarkot (2,175m 7,135 ft)

After breakfast, your sightseeing tour of Patan and Bhaktapur will start. You will again have a professional tour guide with a private vehicle. Today you will visit the following cultural wonders of Kathmandu valley:

Patan durbar square:

City of Fine Arts Patan; The ancient royal palace of Patan faces on to magnificent Durbar Square. This concentrated mass of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning display of Newari architecture to be seen in Nepal. The historic monument which describes the oldest architecture of Nepal is Patan durbar square, Temple construction in the square went into overdrive during the Malla period (14th to 18th centuries),

Changunarayan Temple: 

The temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu valley, about 12 km to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It is one of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture built in 323 AD by King Hari Dutta Verma. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings, and its position above the Kathmandu valley affords a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. 

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: 

The city of devotees, one of the most beautiful and historical city of Kathmandu valley. Bhaktapur Durbar Square stands for peace and harmony. As you walk in, you will feel a sense of inner harmony. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagoda and shikhara–style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the Lion Gate, the Golden gate, the Palace of fifty-five windows, art galleries, and the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.

Later in the evening, we will drive to Nagarkot which takes about one hour from Bhaktapur.

Nagarkot:

Nagarkot is a popular location for tourists and a favorite weekend getaway among those seeking mountain views in comfort and quiet. The overwhelming panorama of the major peaks of eastern Nepal’s Himalayas including Mount Everest, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Choba Bhamre, Gauri Shankar, and Numbur Himal can be seen from here. At sunrise, the Himalayan range, stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west all the way past Everest to Kanchenjunga in the east, emerges from the darkness to greet the happy visitors with its awe-inspiring majesty & beauty.

Drive to Pokhara (822m / 2,697 ft)

We wake up early today to catch a glimpse of the spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas. Endless Mountain appears in the north, while the Kathmandu valley can be clearly seen to the west, what a wonderful Morning! 

After the warm breakfast, we will start our journey to the wonderful Lake city Pokhara. On the way catch the great view of the Himalayas, the countryside of Nepal, cross a lot of alpine forests, many green hills, and riverside. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, Annapurna, and Lamjung Himal. In the evening boating in the Fewa lake and hike up to world peace Stupa for Sunset view over the Pokhara valley and the beautiful Annapurna massif.

A perfect ending for your day!

Sightseeing tour of Pokhara valley (822m / 2,697 ft)

Visit Sarangkot for Sunrise.

You wake up early in the morning and head to Sarangkot. About 45 minutes drive brings us to the viewpoint of Sarangkot at an elevation of 1592m, which is probably the most popular short excursion from Pokhara. The panoramic views include a glimpse of Annapurna South, Himchuli, Annapurna I, II, III, IV,  Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchre /Fishtail, Lamgung Himal, Manaslu, and many more including views of the beautiful Pokhara Valley and Phewa lake on another side. Sarangkot is one of the best Mountain View spot in the entire Pokhara reason. After the beautiful sunrise view, you will drive back to your hotel via the Bindhabasini temple for breakfast. 

Bindhabasini Temple

It lies in the center of an old bazaar. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park grounds offer a fine picnic and relaxing area.

Later in the day we visit:

Davis Falls

Locally known as Patale Chango and in the southern flank of the Pokhara valley is where the stream flowing from Phewa Lake collapses and surges down the rock into a deep gorge, leaping through several potholes. This is hugely popular with tourists and locals alike.

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

The revered Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is situated 2 km from Pokhara airport. The entrance is right across from Davis Falls and the cave is almost 3 km long. It has some big hall-sized rooms and some passages where you have to crawl on all fours. This cave holds special value to Hindus since a phallic symbol of Lord Shiva is preserved here in the condition it was discovered.

Phewa Lake and Barahi Temple

Situated at an altitude of 800m above sea level, it is the second-largest lake in Nepal. With the Barahi Island Temple in the middle of the lake, it is the most important religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the female force Shakti. The reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhare and Annapurna can be seen in its serene water. Thick forest lies on the adjoining southern slopes of the lake.

Seti River Gorge

Carved by Seti-Gandaki, the gorge is one of the natural wonders of Pokhara. K.I. Singh bridge at Bagar, Mahendrapool & Prithivi highway Bridge near bus park, provides a perfect view of the river’s dreadful rush and the deep gorge made by the turbulent flow of white water.

Tibetan Refugee Camp

The Tibetan village Tashiling in the south and the Tashi Palkhel village in the north of Pokhara are renowned for the production and trade of woolen carpets and other handicrafts. The original Tibetan settlers in this region migrated to Nepal in the ‘50s.

Drive to Kathmandu (1,400m / 4,600 ft)

Today We will drive back to Kathmandu. If you have time and interested in extending the trip, White water rafting, Chitwan jungle safari, visit Lumbini: Birthplace of Lord Buddha, and many more

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, Transfer to the selected hotel. In the evening to celebrate the successful completion of our journey, the farewell dinner will be served in a traditional Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.

Final departure

Your Tour to Nepal comes to the end today! It’s time to say goodbye to Nepal until the Next Time! Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu, a city stroll, and or souvenir shopping. NNTR representative will meet you at your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. On the way to your home, you have plenty of time to plan your bigger adventure in the wonderful land of the mystic Himalayas.