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KATHMANDU VALLEY: Kathmandu Durbar Square
complex of palaces, courtyards and temples,
built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used
to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of
Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th
century stone inscription set into the wall of
the palace with writings in 15 languages. The
Durbar Square, protected as a UNESCo as a world
heritage site, is the social, religious and
urban focal point of the city. There are also
museums inside the palace building.
SWAYAMBHUNATH: It is said to be 2000 years old.
The Chaitya which forms the main structure is
made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay
supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a
pinnacle of copper, gilt. Painted on the four
sides of the spire bases are the never sleeping
eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometers west
form Kathmandu city, and is situated on a
hillock about 77m. Above the level of the
Valley. The hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas
and pagoda temple.
PASHUPATINATH: A Hindu temple dedicated to lord
Shiva is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in
the world. It lies 5km east from the city on the
bank of Bagmati River. Entrance of Pashupatinath
precinct is permitted to the Hindus only.
However visitors can clearly see the temple and
the activities performed in the temple premises
from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.
BOUDDHANATH STUPA: It is one of the biggest
Stupa in the world, which is built by Lichchhavi
king of Mana Dev in the 5th century A.D. it is
situated 8km east of Kathmandu. The colossal and
ancient Stupa of Buddha is 36m high also a world
heritage site. It is also known as Khasti or dew
drops as it is said that the builders had to use
dewdrops to mix the mortar because Kathmandu was
suffering from a severe drought during its
construction.
BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE: As you walk in you
cannot but be over come by a feeling of inner
harmony. Such is the art and architecture and
the special layout here. The 15th century palace
of 55 windows, situated to the left as you enter
through the city gate, inspire admiration. The
National Art gallery is also housed inside. The
Palace entrance, the golden gate is a
masterpiece in repose art. In front of the
palace building is a medley of temples of
various designs. The major sightseeing places in
Bhaktapur include Durbar Square, the Golden
Gate, Palace of 55 windows, Bell of the barking
dogs, Nyatapole Temple, Bhairavanath Temple,
Dattatrya Temple, Pujari Math etc;
CHANGU NARAYAN TEMPLE: It is situated on a ridge
overlooking the valley, about 12km to the east
of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu god
Vishnu. One of the oldest specimens of pagoda
architecture, the temple is embellished with
exquisite wood and stone carvings. Entry fee Rs.
50 per person.
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: The ancient city of Patan
is situated on the southern bank of the river
Bagmati and is about 5km. Southeast of
Kathmandu. The city is full of Hindu temples and
Buddhist monuments with bronze gateway, guardian
deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its
craftsmen and metal workers, it is known as the
city of artists. The major sightseeing place in
Patan including, Royal Palace, Bhimsen temple,
Manga Hiti, King Yogaendra Malla’s Statue,
Krishna temple, Taleju temple, 15th century
Golden Temple and Mahaboudha Temple known as
temple of 10,000 Buddha, Kumbeshwar Temple.
Bishwakarma Temple, Uma Maheshwar Temple.
DAKSHINKALI & CHOVAR: The Hindu temple of
Dakshinkali is a very popular place of worship.
Located 22 km from the city on the southern rim
of the valley past Pharping village, the shrine
is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays
when animal sacrifices are offered. On the way
back, stop at Chobhar gorge. The gash in the
hills was made by Manjushree to drain out the
lake, which once covered the valley.
BUDANILKANTHA: About 8km north of Katmandu, at
the base of Shivpuri hill is a remarkable,
colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on the
bed of snakes. This is one of the masterpieces
of stone sculpture of Lichchhavi period. This
fifth century statue is in the middle of a small
pond and seems to float in water. It is a famous
place of pilgrimage for Hindus.
NAGARKOT HILL: Nagarkot is a popular view
mountain of Nepal. It is situated 32km east of
Kathmandu at an altitude of (2175m) above the
sea level. The Panorama of the major peaks of
eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt.Everest
8848m), can be seen from here. The Himalayas
peaks like Manaslu (8463m), Ganesh himal
(7111m), Langtang (7246m), Choba Bhamre (6016m),
Gaurishanker (7134m) and more other white
Himalayan peaks.
DHULIKHEL TOWER: The Dhulikhel resort lies 32 km
to the east of Kathmandu on the Arniko highway
that leads to Tibet. In the old days Dhulikhel
flourished as a trading center handling commerce
between Kathmandu and Lhasa. Today it delights
visitors with its enchanting cultural heritage
and stunning Himalayan views. More than 20
mountain and peaks including Langtang, Ganesh,
and Annapurna etc can be seen in all their
glory. Other activities such as bird watching,
hiking and mountain biking can also be done.
LUMBINI: Lumbini the place where the Buddha was
born in 623 BC is situated in the Terai plains
of Nepal. A stone pillar erected by Indian
Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his
pilgrimage to the sacred spot marks the nativity
site. There are several must visit places such
as Sacred Garden, Myanmar temple, China temple
and many more historical monuments and museums
which also includes several religious research
institutes. Lumbini is situated in the tropical
Terai plains to the south west of Kathmandu.
Access from Kathmandu fly to Gautam Buddha
airport at Bhairawa (45 min) and then drive to
Lumbini (22 km). Overland from Kathmandu to
Bhairava is (282km) i.e. 10 hrs and local
transport available rickshaws, taxis and buses.
The climate absolute extreme temperature 44
degrees Celsius maximum, 7 degrees minimum. The
rainy season lasts June -September.
GORKHA: Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi
Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern
Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy
peaks of the Himalayas is a beautiful old palace
known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive
Temples of Gorakhnath and Kali inside the palace
precinct. Gorkha can be reached in about six
hours by road from Kathmandu and four hours from
Pokhara. A side trip Manakamana temple on the
way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and interesting.
DAMAN: For those seeking the ultimate
pan-Himalayan view, Daman is the place to go.
Located 80-km southwest of the Kathmandu Valley,
Daman (2,400m) offers the only unimpeded view of
the entire Himalayan range. Daman is located on
the Tibhuvan Highway in between Kathmandu and
the town of Birgunj. There is a view tower
fitted with long-range telescopes. Daman can be
reached in four hours from Kathmandu.
MANAKAMANA: The temple of Manakamana lies a top
a 1,302-m hill. The deity is one of the
manifestations of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati who
is believed to have the power to fulfill wishes.
It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites
in Nepal. Manakamana is situated 125 km to the
west of Kathmandu. It is a steep three-hour hike
to the hilltop from Abu Khaireni on the
Kathmandu-Gorkha highway. Or you can take the
cable car at Cheres, 104 km from Kathmandu on
the highway to Pokhara. Package tours are
available, and you can be back the same day.
There are hotels at Manakamana if you want to
stay the night.
JANAKPUR: A great religious place, Janakpur is
famous as the birthplace of Sita, the consort of
Lord Ram. There is an artistic marble temple of
Sita (Janaki), popularly known as Naulakha
Mandir. Religious festivals, trade fairs and
other festivals are held here on Bivaha Panchami
and Ram Nawami. Janakpur is also linked with
Kathmandu by air and road.
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK: Royal Chitwan
National Park (932 Sq Km) is listed as a world
heritage Site and is the most popular safari
destination in Nepal. It covers a unique
ecosystem, containing hills, ox-bow lakes and
flood plans. Dominated by sal forests, the park
has 50 species of grasses. The 43 species of
animals include the endangered one-horned rhino,
Royal Bengal Tiger, gharial crocodile, gaur,
wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped
hyena, pangolin, monitor lizard and pythons.
THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES IN ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL
PARK:
ELEPHANT RIDE: Elephant ride with full security
guaranteed, You will see one horned rhino,
different species of deer’s, tigers and leopards
are just a few of them.
CANOEING: This is carried out in Rapati River
flowing through the park. It provides you with
alternative opportunities of viewing the
innumerable varieties of forest animals & birds.
NATURE WALK: Jungle walk is taken by the trained
and experienced guides for a few hours walk
through the exciting woods vibrating with so
many species of the wildlife. If you are not
willing to return their camps on foot are
provided with vehicular rides as well.
THARU VILLAGE TOUR: This tour takes you through
Tharu community village around the park. You are
also enormously entertained through different
Tharu related cultural program, the stick dance
being quite popular among them
BIRD WATCHING: This bird watching gives you the
opportunity of viewing most of the four hundred
fifty (450) varieties of lovely and world famous
birds. Then we drive to Pokhara and transfer to
hotel. O/N at Pokhara.
POKHARA VALLEY: Pokhara valley, the most popular
tourist destination in Nepal, 200 Km west of
Kathmandu city lies beneath the Annapurna range
of the western Himalayas. Pokhara, base for all
treks to Annapurna region offers many exotic
places of interest such as the Seti River Gorge,
Mahendra Cave, Devi's Falls and the famous Lake
Phewa, its still water displaying stunning
reflections of the majestic Fish Tail and
Annapurna Himalayas are the few.
THE MAJOR PLACE TO VISIT IN POKHARA:
SARANGKOT: This is a hill station situated 32 km
far from Pokhara Valley. It is a very popular
place for the magnificent view of the Himalayas
and the sunrise. Mountains like Annapurna,
Machhapucchre and Dhaulagiri are clearly seen
from here. The whole Pokhara City including all
the lakes. After the magnificent view of the
Himalayas and sunrise we return to the hotel for
breakfast.
FEWA LAKE: After breakfast proceed on Fewa Lake.
The second largest lake in the Kingdom roughly
measuring 1.5 by 4 Km., is the center of all
attractions in Pokhara. It is the largest and
most enchanting of the three lakes that add to
the resplendence of Pokhara. The eastern shore,
popularly known as Lakeside or Baidam, is the
favorite home base for travelers and is where
most of the hotels, restaurants and handicraft
shops are located.
BARAHI TEMPLE: This is the most important
religious monument in Pokhara. Built almost in
the middle of Phewa Lake, this two-storied
pagoda is dedicated to the boar manifestation of
Ajima, the protectors deity representing the
female force shakti. Devotees can be seen,
especially on Saturdays, carrying male animals
and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed to the
deity.
DAVI’S FALL: Locally know as Patale Chhango
(Hell’s Fall),Devi’s Fall is an awesome
waterfall lying about 2km south-west of Pokhara
airport on the highway to Tansen. David was
washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously
disappeared down into an underground passage
beneath the fall.
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