AM: Sightseeing tour to Old Kathmandu Durbar Square https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathmandu_Durbar_Square & Swayambhunath Stupa (2,000 years old) swayambhu.buddhism-foundation.org/about/. The Old Durbar Square is nicely located at the heart of the Kathmandu city and it used to function as a formal Royal Palace until 1896. Since then, the Royal Palace was shifted to the King’s Way. It is called ‘Narayan Hiti Durbar’ as it is located next to the Narayan Hiti. Still, all the formal royal activities are carried out at the Old Durbar Square. It covers a wide area with innumerable temples and other monuments rich in arts and architecture. Its never-to-miss site is the Kumari Temple with the Living Goddess. Swayambhunath Stupa is beautifully located on a hill top to the west of the Kathmandu city. It is a huge stupa in the form of a white dome with a golden pinnacle and the Buddha’s meditating eyes in its four cardinal points. It is believed to be almost 2,000 years old. The literal meaning of Swayambhu in Sanskrit is ‘self created or self manifested’. It is famous for the bird’s eye view from the hill top. PM: Sightseeing tour to Pashupatinath Temple Complex including the cremation ghats where Hindus are cremated with a special ceremony. Then, we proceed to Boudhnath Stupa, the biggest stupa in Nepal (5th century). Pashupatinath Temple https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Pashupatinath_Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is nicely located about 5 km to the north-east of the Kathmandu city on the bank of holy Bagmati River where on its ghat the Hindu and Buddhist dead bodies are cremated with ceremonies. It is in a pagoda style with golden roof. The literal meaning of Pashupatinath is the Lord of all animals. It is the holiest temple complex for the Hindus in Nepal with more than 520 temples. It covers a huge area of about 265 hectares of land. It dates back to 400 B.C. There are different beliefs and stories behind its origin. Boudhnath Stupa is one of the biggest stupas in Asia. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is believed that the stupa was built during the Lichhabi era in the 5th century. In the early 50’s, the Tibetans who fled away from Tibet preferred to live around the stupa reminding their Jokhang Temple of Lhasa where they could make kora (circumambulation) every morning and evening. The kora is a memorable sight at the Boudhnath worth enjoying every day. As a result, there is a strong settlement of Tibetans with more than 50 beautifully decorated Buddhist monasteries around.

AM: After lunch, we visit Patan Durbar Square including Nepalese Handicraft Centre. Patan Durbar Square is nicely located at the city centre of Patan city (Officially, Lalitpur). Among the 7 World Heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley, it is one of them. It is the master piece showcase of the medieval Newar arts and architecture. Its main attractions are the main old palace building in pagoda style, Krishna Temple in shikhara style (Indian style), Patan Museum inside the palace in its first floor, Bhimsen Temple in pagoda style and so on. Nepalese Handicraft Centre is located at a nearby place at a distance of about 5 minutes drive from Patan Durbar Square. It includes Nepalese carpet weaving factory, handicraft display and Tibetan Refugee Centre. PM: Visit Bungamati & Khokana (typical medieval Newar townships) – Hotel. Bungamati and Khokana are the twin old Newar townships dating back to the 5th and 6th century. It is located in the south-western part of Patan near the Bagmati River. Bungamati is the home (Shikhara style temple in its main courtyard) of Lord Machhidranath (god of rain) who is highly revered as the patron god of the Valley. The Lord resides here for 6 months, while for another 6 months in Patan. His movement from Bungamati to Patan and back every 6 months marks a tall chariot pulling festival. Khokana is another nearby Newar township to Bungamati housing Rudrayani Devi (one of the manifestations of goddess Kali) in a well carved pagoda temple at its centre point. The temple belongs to the Malla period dating around 15th century. The township used to be famous for pressing oil from the mustard through the traditional pressing machine. It is interesting to learn that the locals here do not bring up chickens for food purpose. Your visit to these twin cities will take you back in time reminding the medieval time.

Changu Narayan Temple Complex (#wikipaedia) is historically the oldest temple in Nepal dating back to the 7th century for its origin. It is beautifully located on the hill top of Changu Hill with about 12 km north-east from the Kathmandu city and about 7 km north from Bhaktapur. Officially, it is attached with Manahara River to its northern side foothill in the District of Bhaktapur. The main temple is in 2 tiered pagoda style and dedicated to Lord Vishnu (also popularly known as Narayan). The oldest stone scripture in Pali language (archaic) telling about the origin of the temple is located just in front of the temple. After the visit, take a short hiking from Changu to Telkot along the ridge of the Nagarkot Hill. It is a beautiful walk – short and sweet for about 3 hours. The walk offers a highly scenic view of the various central Himalayas of Nepal including Mt Langtang, Mt Dorje Lakpa, Mt Gosain Kunda, etc. while walking through the well terraced farmland with mustard or millet plantation depending upon the season. En route we could visit various villages belonging to different ethnic groups like Gurungs, Brahmins, Chetris, etc. From Telkot, we take a drive to Nagarkot Hill Top (20 min) located at a height of 2,050 m from where the view of the mighty Himalaya is magnificent (weather permitting) and enjoy lunch overlooking the Himalayas – Evening walk for bird watching or local village exploration can be arranged. Overnight at Hotel/Resort at Nagarkot.

Bhaktapur is another medieval beautiful Newar township still preserving its ancient tradition, culture and heritage. The moment you enter the city, its ancient look take you back in time. It is nicely located on a huge plateau just about 12 km to the east of the Kathmandu city. It is the most beautiful one among the 3 principalities in Kathmandu, it is believed by the artists and architects. There is a good road connection. It is about half an hour drive. On our way back from Nagarkot, we visit Bhaktapur, The major attractions in Bhaktapur are the unforgettable age-old Golden Gate, Nyatapole Temple (a huge pagoda with 5 floors), National Art Gallery, Dattatreya Temple, Potter’s Square, the palace of 55 windows, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and many more. a medieval township still preserving its ancient tradition, culture and heritage. You will be taken back in time.