Nepal Experience with Nagarkot 5 Days

Day 01 Kathmandu
Upon arrival warm welcome to our guests, transfer to hotel. After reach hotel free of the day.

Day 02 Kathmandu – Nagarkot
B/ After breakfast drive Bhaktapur, (UNESCO World heritage site in 1979) 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is known as the 'City of Devotees', the 'City of Culture', the 'Living Heritage', and 'Nepal's Cultural Gem'. It is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal and Patan.

Bhaktapur is filled with monuments, most terra-cotta with carved wood columns, palaces and temples with elaborate carvings, gilded roofs, and open courtyards. The city is dotted with pagodas and religious shrines. Bhaktapur is surrounded by mountains and provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas. Sightseeing tour of the most important sites of Bhaktapur city. This city is known as the city of devotees. Bhaktapur Durbar Square in the center of Bhaktapur city. Showcasing architecture that dates back to the Malla period, the square is the most charming, with wide open spaces that are off limits to vehicular traffic. In Bhaktapur you will see some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. Of particular interest are: the Golden Gate, Fifty-five Windows and the beautiful statue of King Bhupatindra Malla mounted on a giant stone pillar. You will see here Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art gallery, statue of King Bhuptindra malla, Fifty five Windowed Malla palace, Nyatpola temple and other historical monuments. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Window Palace. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in 1427 A.D.and was re-modelled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the 17th Century. The Art Gallery has a fascinating collection of ancient manuscripts, thangkas, centuries-old stone sculpture, antique paintings that belong to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods.

The Durbar square is surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries. The royal palace was originally situated at Dattaraya square and was only later moved to the present Durbar square location.

After Bhaktapur we will proceed to see on a hill and visible from miles around, the Changu Narayan temple (UNESCO world heritage site in 1979) stands majestically above the rice fields of Bhaktapur. Dedicated to Vishnu, the Preserver, the temple’s origins go back to the 4th century. A fifth century stone inscription in the temple proclaims it as one of the oldest shrines of the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is a showcase for Newari art and architecture of the early century. The stone, wood, and metal craft found here are exemplary.

After Changu Narayan temple drive to Nagarkot which is at a height of 2300 m above sea level. Its commands a classic panorama of the Himalayan ranges.You can see from here many major peaks of the Himalayas, like Langtang, Langtang-lirung, Chobha bhamre, Amadablam, Dorje Lhakpa, Gaurishankar and many peaks of the Himalaya, including Mt. Everest on a clear day. From here you can catch excellent view of sunset & sunrise.

Day 03 Nagarkot – Kathmandu (B)
Wake up early morning to catch the sunrise and beautiful view of Himalayan panorama. Clients can wish to go to see the beautiful sights of the village of Nagarkot for little time. On the way back to Kathmandu, you will visit Boudhanath stupa. (UNESCO world heritage site in 1979) This is a fantastic Buddhist stupa at a place known as Bauddha, about seven kilometres east of Kathmandu. The largest spherical stupa is held in great veneration both by Lamas of Nepal and Tibet.

You will see the people walking, worshipping, praying and offering around the stupa. You also get a view inside the big Buddha-temples there. On the background you hear the well- known mantra Omi Mani Padme Hum. It's there everywhere. Drive back to hotel in Kathmandu.

After lunch, we will go to Kirtipur for sightseeing tour. Kirtipur is one of the oldest towns in Kathmandu valley. Kirtipur contains few Buddhists sites both old & new. Cilancho Stupa is of historic importance. A Bihar has been made in Kirtipur, which contain the miniature sites representing Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, Boudhgaya where Buddha got enlightenment, Saranath where Buddha gave his first teaching and Kushinagar where Buddha died. Then drive back to hotel.

Day 04 Kathmandu (B)
After breakfast drive to famous Durbar Square of Kathmandu (UNESCO World heritage site in 1979) dominated by Shiva temple where the "Living Goddess" overlooks the square from the south. The square itself is squeezed by the palace into two parts: at the southern end is the Kasthamandap, the ancient building that probably gave Kathmandu its name. Kathmandu Durbar Square is the historic place that was also a politically important site until recently. The Kings of Nepal were crowned and their coronation ceremony was solemnized in this durbar square. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. The temples, monuments, and palaces are believed to have been built by the Malla kings of the Medieval Nepal as well as by Shah kings.

Our next destination is Patan Durbar square. (UNESCO World heritage site in 1979) Patan Durbar Square complex is perhaps the most photographed of the three durbar squares. Located in the heart of Patan city, this was once the palace of the kings of Patan. The square is a display of Newari architecture that had reached its pinnacle during the reign of Malla kings who were great builders and patrons of the arts. The palace has three main courtyards: the central and the oldest is Mul Chowk. To the west of the complex are a dozen free standing temples of various sizes and built in different styles. A masterpiece in stone, the Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, the Golden Temple of Hiranya Varna Mahavira and Sundari Chowk mark the artistic brilliance of the Newar craftsment of that era. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti showcases exquisite woodcarvings, stone and metal sculpture. Like the other palaces, Patan Durbar Square also houses a temple dedicated to Taleju Bhawani. At the last we will be visiting Swoyambhunath Stupa. Swoyambhunath is believed to have been established more than 2,500 years ago. According to translations from an inscription dating back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Manadeva and by the 13th century, Swoyambhunath (UNESCO World heritage site in 1979) had developed into an important centre of Buddhism.

Legend has it that Swoyambhu was born out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of the lake which the Kathmandu valley once was. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal was recently built on the western boundary of Swoyambhu. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjushree or Saraswati - the Goddess of learning. Chaityas, statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities fill the stupa complex. The base of the hill is almost entirely surrounded by prayer wheels that were recently installed. Devotees can be seen circumambulating the stupa at all times.

The stupa sits atop the hill and the exceedingly steep stone steps leading up to the shrine is quite a challenge. However there is also a road going up almost to the top and you can drive up. A large numbers of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swoyambhunath throughout the day. Swoyambhu is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal. Drive back to hotel.

Day 05 Kathmandu-Departure home (B)
Departure - Transfer to airport for your flight back home with lots of memories.

A walk in the clouds - so magical, so majestic and so exotic Nepal! Nepal was my second trip with my girl friends after Kashmir in Mar 06. A lot of people had been telling me that Nepal was one of most beautiful places on earth.