Book 3 Days Cultural Kathmandu tour exploring UNESCO Heritage sites, temples, Buddhist stupas with ancient heritages, Royal complexes and century old traditions of valley.
You will explore Kathmandu valley visiting major attractions during 3 days Kathmandu tour. Kathmandu is often known as the only living cultural museum in the world. Kathmandu valley is dotted with 7 UNESCO Heritage sites. You will see Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites like Pashupatinath temple, Boudhnath stupa and Swoyambhunath stupa. Kathmandu valley offer excellent platform to witness culture and rituals of both Hindu and Buddhist followers. Similarly this tour also cover heritage highlights such as Patan city and Bhaktapur. There are three ancient Royal complexes inside valley. These heritage sites offer medieval architecture, heritage and atypical wood carvings.
Kathmandu valley is also famous for arts and crafts. Many travelers describe Kathmandu valley as “an enormous treasure house of art and sculpturesâ€. Commencing 3 days Kathmandu tour, you will witness these antique arts and crafts made of wood, stone, metal, and terracotta.
Kathmandu is cosmopolitan city. This Valley is dominated with Newars who are the inhabitant of valley. Due to available facilities and being the capital region of modern Nepal, every year Kathmandu receive influx migration from East to west. Now this valley has mixture of ethnicity and culture. You can find all caste and ethnic background people inside the valley. However places like Patan and Bhaktapur still preserve ancient arts, traditions and culture of Newari people. Moreover the major festivals inside Kathmandu valley are Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra, Dashin, Tihar, Ghode Jatra, Bisket Jatra to name few.
Major sites that you will be visiting while doing 3 days Kathmandu tour are:-
Pashupatinath temple – Holiest Hindu Shrine and Shiva temple located n the bank of Bagmati river with cremation ghats.
Boudhnath stupa – Largest Buddhist stupa and also known as “Mini Tibet†due to Tibetan settlement around the area.
Swoyambhunath stupa – Buddhist stupa located on hill top overlooking Kathmandu valley and Himalayan ranges.
Patan Durbar Square – Ancient Royal complexes and best place to see Newari traditions, arts and architecture.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square – The best preserved ancient city inside Kathmandu valley. Bhaktapur offer excellent opportunity to witness century old heritages, faces of Newari people, rituals and lifestyle.
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
You will arrive in Kathmandu airport. Meet your airport representative outside arrival hall holding sign board of your name. You will get assisted and transferred to your hotel located in city center. Rest of the time you are free on own to stroll around on own pace.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 02: Full-day sightseeing tour
Your sightseeing tours begin after breakfast. Your guide will come at your hotel and meet you at hotel lobby at 0930 am. You will proceed with sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath temple located on the bank of Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and often known as “abode of Shivaâ€. Only Hindus are permitted to enter inside the temple complex for worship however other can go other side of temple to see the rituals of Hindu people and morning activities. You will also witness rare ceremony of funerals as per Hindu traditions at cremation ghats on the bank of holy river Bagmati.
After visit at Pashupatinath temple, you will proceed to Boudhnath stupa located 3 Kilometers away from the temple. Boudhnath stupa is also known as “Mini Tibet†and one of the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. This stupa is surrounded by Tibetan settlements and monasteries. You will witness Buddhist rituals and traditions at Boudhnath area which is en-circle by Buddhist prayer flags and mane.
In the afternoon you will drive to Swoyambhunath stupa located on the hill top overlooking Kathmandu valley. This Buddhist stupa is famous as “Monkey temple: and one of the best place to observe cultural harmony between Hindus and Buddhist in Nepal. Both Hindu and Buddhist pay homage to this site. The view of stupa includes entire Kathmandu valley floor with outstanding views of Central Himalayan ranges.
Continue to Patan Durbar Square another UNESCO site located in Kathmandu. Patan is known as “City of Beauty†and visit to Patan Durbar Square offer excellent opportunity to see local Newari people, ancient Royal complexes and architecture of medieval era. Stroll narrow lanes of Patan visiting Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Mahaboudhi stupa and Golden temple. Patan is also famous for metal works and wood carvings.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 03: Bhaktapur Sightseeing tour & Departure Transfer
Morning after breakfast, your guide will come and meet you at your hotel. You will drive 14 Kilometer east to Kathmandu to visit the best preserved ancient city of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is also called as cultural hub of Newari people. Many of the highly decorated buildings and shrines were destroyed in the 1934 & 2015 earthquake. However, the main square still contains a few temples and other architectural show pieces; the Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Palace of 55 windows, the Bell of the barking dogs, the Nyatapola temple and the replica of Pashupatinath temple. In Bhaktapur you will observe the Newari people with traditional and daily work. Narrow lanes of Bhaktapur offer bargain price for the Thankas “Oil painting on Silk†which you can buy if interested.
After visit, transfer directly to Kathmandu airport in time to board your flight back home.
