5 Days Itinerary (Kathmandu Nepal) 

Kathmandu is a hive of activity with a nearly non-stop moment on the streets. In Kathmandu, you will explore the UNESCO listed world heritages sites such as Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath Stupa, and Boudhanath where you will find activity in busy markets, rich historical and cultural heritages, traditional alleyways, beautiful temples and stupas, people and lifestyles.

Highlights of Pashupatinath

 For any tourists visiting the Pashupatinath Complex, it’s important to realize that it is a “complex” and not just a single Temple. 

 The Pashupatinath Ghats for a look at ritual cremations

 The Arya Ghat is where the members of the royal family are cremated.

 A glimpse at the Pashupatinath Temple from the outside looking in.

 Visiting the votive shrines, the Pandra Shivalaya and Ram temple across the Holy River “Bagmati”, along the terraces.

 Converse with one of the mysterious Sadhus that often congregated here.

 Going past Pandra Shivalaya is a quiet forested area, you can walk  though.

 Beware of the monkeys- they steal food, shiny objects and will take things from your hand or bag.

Highlights of Boudhanath Stupa

 Follow the monks paths you circle the giant stupa clockwise while spinning the prayers wheels.

 Visit the Ajima / Harati Shrine

 Enter the stupa and climb up to the white dome for a view of the entire square.

 Visit Boudhanath at night to see hundreds of candles bring lit around it.

 Shop in one of the many stores in the main square for Traditional Tibetan and Buddhists items

Visit one of the many Gompas in the area including Tamang Gompa opposite the Stupa where there’s a giant prayer wheel and a balcony area overlooking the stupa.

 

Highlights of Kathmandu Durbar Square

 

 Kasthamandup ( pavilion of wood) the three-roofed building is one of the oldest in the square and holds rare images of the god Gorakhnath.

Trailokya Mohan Narayan Temple was the tallest in the square and dedicated to Vishnu.

 Kumari Bahal ( House of the Living Goddess) past the entrance way a small square holds intricate wooden carvings that decorate the Kumari’s residence.

 Taleju Temple one of the squares most beautiful temples but one that’s restricted, view from a distance only.

 Shiva-Parvati Temple which is adorned with images of Shiva and his consort Parvati.

 Gaddi Baithak is the white building that dominated the southern portion of the square.

 Visit one of the many street vendors beside the Kumari house in open square selling trinkets, singing bowls and other keep stakes.

 Watch out for the odd colorful Sadhu who will happily pose for a photo.

 Likewise street children looking for handouts tend t gather during the afternoon.

 If you need to chill from the touts, tourists and traffic then nip down Freak Street to the south of Durbar Square.

 

Highlights of Swayambhunath 

 Climb the full 365 steps to the top- take a breather on the way up to enjoy the small stupas and monkeys. 

Circle the stupa at the very top (clockwise).

 Do visit the small temples and shrines around the main stupa.

 Visit one of the many singing bowl stores in the back streets at the top.

 Enjoy the view of Kathmandu from the top.

 If you have time walk down the stairs behind the stupa to the world peace pond.

 There are sometimes some local artisans along these steps.

 To the rear is a Buddha park while to the south is a natural history museum.

 There’s also a monastery near the top behind the peace pond.

Beware of the monkeys- they steal food, shiny objects and will take things from your hand or bag.

 

Highlights of Patan Durbar Square 

 

 Patan Durbar Square: A palace square one home to the ruling kings

 Keshab Narayan Chowk Museum: Small expensive museum

 Golden Temple: Ancient temple covered in gold, silver and bronze ornaments.

 Kumbeshwor Temple: Impressive five-story pagoda temple.

 Rudravarna Mahabihar / Uku Bahal: One of the oldest Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

 Mahabouddha Temple: A stone temple with over 1000 small images of Buddha.

 Machhendranath Temple: Temple of the rain God.

 House of Kumari: Courtyard and house of Patan’s Living Goddess “Kumari”.

 Patan has several festivals throughout the year that are largely Newari based. It can get very crowded due to narrow streets.

A god choice would be to have lunch on a balcony on one of the restaurants around Patan Durbar Square.

This way you avoid the crowds but to look over everything.  

 

Highlights of Bhaktapur Durbar Square

“Bhaktapur” old city is broken up into four main areas. The most famous is Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Followed by Pottery Square and Taumadhi Square. The last is also the oldest. Dyattraya Tole. 

 Bhaktapur Durbar Square: One of the largest ancient squares in Nepal filled to the brim with temples, cultural carvings and buildings.

 Basantapur Chowk: two famous sculptures that cost a man his hands 

 The Palace of Fifty-five Windows: a masterpiece of wood carving 

 The Golden Gate: one of the most intricate and well decorated gates in the world 

 Pashupatinath Temple: impressive wooden temple 

 Vatsala Durga Temple & Taleju Bell: Stone temple with bell built by King Jagat 

 Prakash Malla Siddhi Laxmi Temple: A stone temple built in the 17th-century 

 Pottery Square: Watch Bhaktapur's famous pottery as it's made in this idyllic traditional square filled with potters and their wares. 

 Royal Curd: Take a time out and eat some of Bhaktapur's famous curd 

 Side streets of Bhaktapur: Spend hours wandering off down the side streets of the city enjoying local handicraft stores, artisans, local cafes and countless ancient buildings 

Nyatapola Temple in Taumadhi Square: with a five-tier roof and an ornate exterior stone staircase the Nyatapola Temple is one of the tallest in all Nepal. 

Dattatreya Temple in Dattatreya Square: Smaller but much revered three-tier temple. 

 The Peacock Window: One of Nepal's most precious woodcarvings and national art treasures - there are several craft stores along the same street worth visiting. 

Bhaktapur is a huge ancient city that does not allow normal traffic to go through it. Walking around Bhaktapur is therefore a lot less stressful and enjoyable.

Highlights of Nagarkot

Nagarkot is one of the few places near Kathmandu city (32 km) where clear views of the Himalayan range can still be had. It’s also one of the great remaining green belts in the valley. 

A much needed break from the big cities of the valley are what makes Nagarkot a great choice for a one or two night stay. The hikes are nowhere near trekking levels and can be taken by young and old alike. For those who just want a glimpse of the Himalayas you can either stay on your rooftop hotel or make the predawn 4km trek out to a lookout platform along the main road. 

While Mount Everest is claimed to be visible expect more of a dot than an eyeful. Early morning risers will be rewarded by the best views after this 4km trek through a forest path. There’s a high viewing platform where views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Shisha Pangma, Dorje Lakpa and Gauri Shankar can be seen. 

The panorama stretches from Dhaulagiri to the west, the barely visible dot of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga to the east. The trek takes about 1-2 hours and a predawn start ensures the best views once you arrive. 

Relaxation 

Hikes 

 Sunrise views of the Himalayas 

 Sunset views of the Himalayas 

 Mountain biking (limited) 

 Forest walks and  hikes 

 Mountain views 

 

Day 1: After breakfast sightseeing of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square and Transfer to Hotel

 

Pashupatinath

 

Shiva is one of the three of the main deities of Hinduism. He is regarded as the quintessential destroyer or transformer. As the cycle of destruction and recreation is always in a circle, Shiva’s primary responsibility is maintaining the life cycle. The other two being, Lord Brahma – the creator and lord Vishnu – the Protector.  

Pashupatinath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath, Lord of the Animals, who protect and care for all men. It is also believed that Lord Shiva once roamed as a deer in the forest behind Pashupatinath.

Hindu devotees on this night throng Shiva shrines everywhere, but the grandest of all activities revolve around the 2,000 year old Pashupatinath temple located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.

 

Boudhanath Stupa

 

Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley at about 131ft (40m) high, and one of the largest and most important Buddhist stupas in the world. The all-seeing red, white and blue eyes of Buddha are painted on all four sides of the stupa, similar to Swayambhunath, and surrounded by hundreds of fluttering prayer flags, prayer wheels and small images of Buddha.

 

Kathmandu Durbar Square

 

Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old city and is a complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient kings of Nepal.

 

Kumari Ghar

 

  

 

Kumari, or Kumari Devi or Living Goddess- Nepal, is the tradition of worshipping young pre-pubescent girls as manifestations of the divine female energy or Devi in Hindu religious tradition. In Nepal a Kumari is generally chosen for one day and worshipped accordingly on certain festivals like Navaratri or Durga Puja. In Kathmandu Valley this is a particularly prevalent practice.  In Nepal, a Kumari is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Taleju.

 

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 2: After Breakfast Sightseeing of Patan Durbar Square and transfer to Nagarkot.

 

Patan Durbar Square

 

Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city, is the main tourist attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. One can rummage for treasures and souvenirs in the various shops around the square. The main attractions of the Patan Durbar Square are the ancient Royal palace itself. It consists of three main chowk, or courtyards; the central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Main Keshab Narayan Chowk.

 

 

Transfer to Nagarkot.

NAGARKOT 

Situated 34 km north-east of Kathmandu, Nagarkot is one of the most beautiful sites in Nepal. With an altitude of 2,715 meters, this is an ideal place to watch sunrise over Mt. Everest. There are magnificent sites of other mountain peaks too including Mt. Everest. 

 

 

 

O/N at Hotel.

 

Day 3: Early in the morning sunrise view and sightseeing of Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Visit Bhaktpur Thimi newari village.

Evening free at Thamel.

 

 Bhaktapur Durbar Square

 

The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the Picture Gallery, the Batsala temple, etc. A magnificent statue of King Bhupatindra Malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace. It was listed in UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.

 

And Visit Thimi Village

 

Evening Free at Thamel.

 

Day 4:  Early In the Morning Mountain Flight (Optional) and visit to Chandragiri Hills and sightseeing to Swayambhunath.

 

Chandragiri Hills

 

Chandragiri Hill, seven kilometers from Thankot, lies on the south west of Kathmandu valley and is 2551 meters high from sea level. Soaring peaks and breath taking views of whole Kathmandu Valley covered with lush green blanket of flora makes Chandragiri truly a great bountiful and pristine landscape. The panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley & Himalayan ranges from Annapurna to Everest makes any one feel like seeing the whole Nepal from this Hill. 

Swayambhunath

 

The most ancient and enigmatic of all the Valley's holy shrines lies 2 km west of Kathmandu city, across the Vishnumati River. The golden spire of Swayambhunath stupa crowns a wooded hillock and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu city. On clear days, one can even view a line of Himalayan peaks. The view is splendid at dusk as city lights flicker one by one and even better when a full moon hangs in the sky. 

 

O/N at Hotel.

Day 5:  After breakfast transfer to Tribhuwan International Airport for final Departure.

 

 

COST INCLUDES:   

 Arrival/departure and all transfer (using new Air-conditioned car)

 

 4 nights’ Accommodation on twin sharing basis in above mentioned hotels 

 

 Accompanying professional English speaking Guide

 

 One bottle of mineral water per person per day

 

All Entrance Fee above the Itinerary

 

 One Traditional Nepali Vegan food

 

COST EXCLUDES:   

 Any expenses of personal nature for e.g. tel calls, laundry, porterage, mineral water or any other services not mentioned above

 

 Any optional program or services not mentioned above Itinerary

 

 No refund for un-used tours, rooms, meals and transfer service

 

 Tips For Guide and Driver

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