On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport our guide and staff will meet you with traditional welcome. After knowing the staff of Himalayan Forever Treks, a short drive to your hotels. Located in the heart of a city within an exciting Thamel area, an interesting place where most good hotels and restaurants situated. Reaching at the hotel, check your lovely rooms, after getting refreshed join in for group briefing. Provided by your guide or Group Leader, offers useful and important information of the tour, hotels. Includes details of the local culture with do’s and don’ts, evening a group welcome dinner in a nice Nepali Restaurants.
Morning after breakfast, our city and cultural guide receives you at the hotel for exciting tour. The drive leads in the heart of Kathmandu city, where interesting historical Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard located. The right spot to observe Nepalese cultures. Tour of ancient monuments listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, next tour takes you to old Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,600 years history. A Buddhist monument situated on a hillock west of Kathmandu city outskirt, the famous landmark of the country. The tour extends heading east of the city to holy temple of Pashupatinath, revered by Hindu followers from all across Nepal and India. The temple with beautiful golden pagoda roof with silver lining around the main temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The tour continues towards Bouddhanath Stupa, a huge dome shaped monuments probably the largest in Asia. An exciting place to visit the monasteries and shrines of strong Tibetan Buddhism culture and custom.
Completing the tour back to hotel, afternoon at leisure and preparation for next exciting tour of other cities.
An exciting full day tour Patan and Bhaktapur cities, morning short drive south of Kathmandu. Enter the Lalitpur district of Patan, located across the Bagmati River, the drive leads in the midst of Patan.
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE:Patan Durbar Square is located amidst the busy colorful market called Mangal Bazaar in the heart of Patan or Lalitpur district. The word Lalitpur means city of fine arts and crafts, which you can witness on this tour of Patan Durbar Square.
The Patan Durbar Square was added to World Heritage Sites in 1979, a place of charm and beauty. The royal courtyard or Durbar Square was established in the 6th century by King Siddhi Narsinga Malla. The square is steeped with ancient places, temples, and shrines a masterpiece for exquisite carvings, and fine artworks.
The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life. Houses a museum treasures an array of bronze statues and religious objects, and beautiful handicrafts and paintings.
Places of great interest to visit are as follows:
Patan Durbar Square houses ancient Newari architecture with three main courtyards in the palace: Mul Chowks, Sundari Chowks, and Keshav Narayan Chowks. Mul Chowk is the oldest one at the center of Patan Durbar Square.
Several multi-sized and multi-styled temple houses the western part of the complex. Main among these are Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, and the Golden Temple of Hiranya.
Krishna Temple:
The temple dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna was built in the 17th century.
Considered the first Shikara architecture ever built, the temple is one of the gems of Durbar Square.
Kumbheshwor:
Just at the rim of Durbar square stands the five-storied pagoda temple of Lord Siva built by King Jayasthiti Malla, inside the temple premises a natural spring, its source the belief is from the famous glacial lake of Gosainkunda around Langtang Himal of Rasuwa district.
The golden work on the temple was added later in 1422 A.D. On the festival of Janai Purnima (month of August), ritual bathing and fair take place.
After an enjoyable tour of Patan / Lalitpur and Durbar or Palace Square, drive leads east of the city to Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur is the third largest city of Kathmandu valley. The city was once the capital of the valley, during Malla Kingdom period from 12th to 15th century.Bhaktapur steeped with traditional art and architecture, pottery and weaving industries, rich local customs and culture.
Places of interest in Bhaktapur:
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: One of the best world heritage sites of Nepal, reflects the city's rich culture, art and architectural design. The golden gate is the entrance to the main courtyard of the Palace of 55 windows; the gate is regarded as the world's most beautiful and richly carved specimens of its kind.
Bhaktapur Nytapola Temple:This temple is 30 meter tall, and is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu valley. It was built by King Bhupindra Malla in 1708 AD. Each of its five terraces holds a pair of figures, starting from bottom wrestlers, elephant, lion, griffins and goddesses.
The Bhaktapur National Art Gallery:Located in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Rare paintings and manuscripts with painted covers and illustrations can be found in this museum. Gallery contains brass, bronze, stone and wooden images; gallery is explored by tourists for medieval art tradition of Nepal.
Bhairavnath Temple of Bhaktapur:Built as a one-story pagoda during the reign of King Jagat Jyoti Malla, later changed into a three-tiers roofed temple in 1718 A.D. by King Bhupindra Malla, this temple now stands for its artistic grandeur. Bhairavnath temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairab - the god of Terror.
Dattatreya Temple:Built in 1427 AD, the temple is said to have been built from a single tree. A Monastery having exquisitely carved peacock windows is located near the temple.
After an exciting day tour of Patan and Bhaktapur cities, drive back to Kathmandu and to your hotels.
Last day in Nepal and at Kathmandu, get ready for final departure as per your international flight time. Himalayan Forever Trek guide and staff transfer you to the airport. Bidding farewell to the guide and staff as you depart for homeward bound flight, after a wonderful experience on Kathmandu Valley Three cities sightseeing tour.
At one time before more than 3,000 years the valley was a huge lake. It is believed saint Manjushree first visited from China / Tibet, using a mighty sword. Manjushree, chopped the southern hills and released the water and made the area fertile and flourishing for people to settle. Geographically it shows the valley was a huge lake, as time went by the southern hills collapsed. Which drained the water and turned into a valley.
Himalayan climate can be unpredictable sometimes, even in good best seasons, where April and May to first week of June will be the best time during spring times, when days are longer with enough sunlight hours.
The next best season is autumn / fall from September to November, but visitors can enjoy the tour during winter times of December to February. Cold morning and night time, but during day time warm and sunny the sunlight hours is much shorter.
The main religions of Nepal is Hinduism about more than 80 %, followed by Buddhism. The two main religions Hindu and Buddhism have their own special interesting culture and custom.
Depending upon group size, 2-3 person in a private car, more of 4-6 in a spacious coach. For bigger group a deluxe standard bus, with expert drive and guide to lead you around the three cities of Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal with its own currencies, known as the Nepalese rupees. It is the official currency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The Nepalese rupee is subdivided into 100 paisa. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Nepal Rastra (National) Bank, the central bank of Nepal.
