Kathmandu Heritage Tour

Early in the morning, we will have a walking tour of one of the intrigual part of the local community: its market. Asaan Bazaar, a century-old market buzzing with colours, aromas, and the everyday rhythm of locals of Kathmandu.Visitors will have a chance to learn about the trade hub that connected Nepal with Tibet and China, and how it's shaped Kathmandu’s culture, commerce, and cuisine.

Further walking through the market’s alley will lead us to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing exquisite palaces, courtyards, and temples, built by Malla and Shah Kings. Each building is a marvel of traditional craftsmanship and architecture. It's an insight into Nepal’s past, a living museum with cultural significance, a beholder of the stories and myths that keep the divine alive.

The tour ascends to the legendary Swayambhunath Stupa, affectionately known as the Monkey Temple. Overlooking the valley with Buddha’s eyes of wisdom and compassion, the stupa is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage. Buddhist philosophy on living a good and moral life, along with deepening our understanding of Buddhist relics and myths, the Buddhist museum of the vicinity offers visitors a grand tour to Buddhism. 

Our last visit for the day will be Patan Durbar Square, a historical site known for its beauty and cultural preservation. The artistic cradle with temples, stone sculpture, and metal work that showcases Nepalese artwork and intricate designs. Witness and understand how the ancient skills continue to flourish in modern Nepal.

Lastly, we will meet the Living goddess of Nepal - Kumari. A revered figure by Buddhist and Hindus, a child is worshipped as the living embodiment of the divine goddess Taleju. Offering our prayer, we will be belessed by the living goddess which is divine experience in itself. 

Kathmandu Altitude: 1400 m
Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we will drive to the northern part of Kathmandu, leaving the compact metropolitan city and gradually exploring less-crowded, more open farmland.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square – a living museum of medieval art and architecture. Walking through the ancient plaza, one encounters intricately carved palaces, temples, and pagodas that showcase the mastery of Nepalese craftsmanship. Histories and myths surround every corner, while highlights such as 55-window palaces, Batsala Temple, and the Golden Gate tell many stories about traditions and centuries-old engineering. We will also visit Pottery Square and Thangka Painting (Buddhist painting) Shops, where artisans turn every lump of clay into a beautiful masterpiece and every stroke of the brush into art.

Changunarayan Temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking Bhaktapur, is the oldest temple in Nepal. It is considered a masterpiece of Lichavi-era art and iconography. The serene surroundings and the museum enhance the learning experience, enabling us to examine the history and evolution of Hinduism in Nepal.

After the sightseeing, we will continue along the forested road that leads to the hill station of Nagarkot, nestled atop a forested hill in the Kathmandu Valley. We will leave the bustling highway and drive along a quieter road that passes terraced farms, traditional houses, and a rural setting, despite being so close to the city.

Nagarkot Altitude: 2,175 meters
Overnight: Hotel in Nagarkot
Meals Included: Breakfast

We will wake up to a magical view, as the sunrise from Nagarkot is awe-inspiring. As the golden lights begin to touch the majestic snow-capped giants, the mountains turn golden and pinkish, and the valley below wakes up with the sun’s rays. Enjoying the mesmerising view, we will enjoy our breakfast and then proceed back to the cultural hub - Kathmandu.

Enroute we will visit:
Pashupatinath Temple - one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world. Centuries-old shrines, Sadhus (Hindi ascetics), and the legend behind the temple bewilder us. It is believed that the temple stands on the spot where a real body part of Shiva, the destroyer of evil, is buried. A profound understanding of Hindu ritual is evident on the banks of the Bagmati River, which flows beside the temple, where the cremation of departed Hindus occurs and is believed to guide them to the afterlife.

Boudhnath Stupa - also known as little Tibet is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage. In ancient times, traders prayed for safe passage to Tibet at the stupa, and, little by little, the exchange of Tibetan Buddhist culture took place. Small cafes, restaurants, and handicraft shops now surround the stupa while the devotees kora the stupa with prayer beads in their hand, chants of mantras on their lips and devotion in their hearts.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
Meals Included: Breakfast