Patan, the ancient city, once a kingdom in itself, is situated across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. Patan Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu all actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst the loveliest in all Kathmandu.
Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotel.
Duration: 3-4 hrs.
Start or opening time: 09:00am and 2:00pm.
End or closing time: 1:00pm and 6:00pm.
Languages: English speaking guide.
Exclusion: Items of a personal nature, Tipping for driver or guide, Entrance Fees.
1. Kathmandu City: USD 12.05 Per Person.
2. Swyambhunath: USD 03.00 Per Person.
3. Patan: USD 07.05 Per Person.
4. Bhaktapur: USD 14.50 Per Person.
5. Pashupatinath: USD 13.00 Per Person.
6. Boudhanath: USD 2.50 Per Person.
7. Changu: USD 01.50 Per Person.
8. International Museum: USD 04.00 Per Person.
Start your tour by visiting the Dakshinkali Temple, dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali, which is the fearful form of Lord Siva’s consort, Parvati. The main deity in the temple is the black stone, six-armed form of Kali, standing on a prostrated figure. Dakshinkali is at the south end of the valley between two hills and at the confluence of two rivers. Sacrifices are made two times a week at this temple. Saturday is the main day of animal sacrifices and a less important day is Tuesday.
Continue your tour and proceed to Chovar gorge, the only outlet for all the water of the valley. Legend has it that Manjushree, an ancient saint from China, cut the mountain with his magical sword to drain out the water from the Kathmandu Valley Lake to make it habitable. There is a small but picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of the hill with a magnificent view of the snowcapped peaks. Just beyond the gorge is a temple of Lord Ganesh. The main image of the shrine is a massive rock, naturally carved.
The tour ends with the visit of Kirtipur town, perched on twin hillocks and clinging to a saddle about 5 km southwest of Kathmandu. A long flight of steps leads up to Kirtipur from the valley floor & a motor able road goes part way up the hill. Steep paths link brick houses built on terraces are the main attraction here. The villagers dressed in traditional costume working on ancient looms are also sighted. The people here are well known for their strength and valor as many historical battles were fought and won by the inhabitants of Kirtipur. Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.
Spend the day touring a more peaceful side of Kathmandu, with round-trip transportation from your city center hotel. You will be picked up in the morning by your driver and personal guide. We will start exploring Kathmandu by visiting the spectacular Patan Durbar Square, also known as Lalitpur Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square is home to the former Patan Royal Family. The most photographed of Kathmandu’s 3 Durbar Squares, it features a remarkable display of Newari architecture and its main attractions include the Krishna Temple, with its 21 golden pinnacles; Rudra Varna Mahavihar; the Buddhist Monastery, which houses the local treasures; and the central courtyard of Mul Chowk.
From Patan, we drive southeast to the countryside village of Lhubu. Translated as “Golden Plate,” Lhubu is a small village that boasts a rich cultural history. Explore the village and meet the local people, renowned for their weaving skills. Walking through the village, you will see some of them at work, before passing the Maha Laxmi Temple, said to house the mother of the Goddess Maha Laxmi. From Lubhu, continue to Godawari.
On the way you will stop at a restaurant to enjoy lunch in a lovely rural setting. Located at the foothills of the 9,154-foot (2,791-meter) Pulchowki Hill, the highest hill of the Kathmandu Valley lies the lush green Botanical Garden. Home to various types of landscapes and plants, visit the Desert House, Tropical House, Rock Garden and many more stunning areas, providing a perfect final break from the bustling streets of Kathmandu. (This tour does not operate on Mondays).
Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotel.
Duration: 8 hours.
Start or opening time: 9.00am.
End or closing time: 5.00pm.
Languages: English Speaking Guide.
In the morning you will be picked-up at your hotel by our driver and guide. The starting point of our hike is a 35 kilometre drive east of Kathmandu. Depending on the traffic this will take us between one and half and two hours. The starting point of our hike is the ancient Newar town Panauti. From here we hike to a place called Khoapasi. From Dhapasi we follow the uphill trail in north - east direction. The further we go the narrower the trail gets.
After we cross a suspension bridge we will pass through many small villages and huge rice fields which will give you a chance to see how Nepali people plant and harvest the crop, depending on the season. From here we hike steep uphill for about an hour to reach Namoboudha. After lunch continue walk in easy trails to Dhulikhel. Once we reach Dhulikel your driver will be waiting to drop you of at your hotel. Namoboudha is a sacred Buddhist place where Lord Buddha sacrificed his own body to save a starving tiger. At this typical Buddhist Gompa you can watch the rituals and at the same time have a great view over the mountains and deep down, Panauti. (Hiking Time: 5 - 6 hours).
Meeting/ Pick up point: Hotel.
Duration: 8 hours.
Start or opening time: 9.00am.
End or closing time: 5.00pm.
Languages: English Speaking Guide.
Others: Child Permission: 0-7 years is unsuitable for the trip.
As the sun goes down discover the myriad sights, sounds and smells of nighttime Kathmandu on an evening rickshaw ride through the city. Sit back and relax as your cycle rickshaw is expertly navigated through the buzzing backstreets and atmospheric laneways of this energetic place. Start the adventure in the touristic heart of the city, Thamel.
The streets here are lined with shops selling everything from pastries to pashminas, and your rickshaw seat provides the perfect platform from which to do a spot of window-shopping along the way. Soak up the hive of activity taking place as you zip through this popular part of town. Leaving Thamel behind, head towards Durbar Square. Be sure to keep an eye out en route for many of the bustling local markets including Asan, a vegetable and spice market. This is also the oldest market square in all of Kathmandu.
Continue on to Durbar Square filled with age-old temples, palaces and shrines that are bound to enchant. Why not park yourself in one of the temple squares to witness the world go by? A truly special experience. Or perhaps sip on some local chai, be bold and taste fiery rakshi (local brew) at one of the local stalls or taverns, or simply hang out in one of the hippie era pie shops on Freak Street. It will never be a dull moment here. After the sights and sounds of this magical place have been absorbed, climb up onto your ‘street helicopter’ (cycle rickshaw) for the return ride back to Thamel. By the end of the tour you’ll be sure to agree that getting amongst the city on a rickshaw ride through its backstreets and laneways is one of the best ways to discover authentic Kathmandu. Come and be entranced!
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repose art. In front of the palace, building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Later sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath & Bouddhanath
Pashupatinath: This is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.
Bouddhanath: This great stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Boudha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Boudha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
Changunarayan Temple, The ancient temple of Changu Narayana is located on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri. The temple is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village. The temple is located in Changu VDC of Bhaktapur District, Nepal.
This hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Visnu and held in especial reverence by the Hindu people. Changunarayan Temple is considered as the oldest temple in Nepal.
Nagarkot, is a village and Village Development Committee located 32 km east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur District in the Bagmati Zone. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 3,504 and had 655 houses in it. At an elevation of 2,195 meters, it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur District. It is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal.
Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is an international tourist destination with spectacular views of the whole Langtang range, sunrise on the mountains and sunset views. There are many nice walk for those wishing to stretch their legs and enjoy the beauty of Nature. You can also choose one of the many pleasant strolls to explore the local village and surroundings.
Lunch at Fort Resort.
Pick up/Meeting point:Hotel lobby at 9.00am
Duration:7 hours
Start or opening time:9.30am
Languages:English
Others:Entrance fees not included
Visit the ancient city of Patan, which happened to be a kingdom in itself once and is situated across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. The tour includes visit of Patan Durbar Square, temples and courtyards of Royal Palace.
The Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. The temples here devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh and Vishnu are actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines and sunken royal bath are amongst the loveliest in all Kathmandu.
Post completion of the tour, you shall be transferred back to your hotel of stay.
Setting off on a well-oiled mountain bike, pedal way out of downtown Kathmandu reaching the outskirts. Invigorated with an infusion of unpolluted air, head to Cho bar hill. The area is subject to interesting folklore involving the creation of the Kathmandu valley out of a lake. Far behind is the city of Kathmandu.
The rugged biking trail poses an interesting challenge heading to one of the oldest parts of Kathmandu Valley - the historic town of Kirtipur (1.5 hr approx). The raw originality of the place is sure to amaze and enthrall. Break the day’s sojourn at an authentic local eatery where traditionally clad locals spread out their ethnic cuisine. Enjoy the local delicacies local style - sitting on a straw mat with very traditional and local cutlery - your own fingers! Taste buds satisfied and cultural awareness heightened, slowly bike back to the city (1hr approx).
Ultra light aircraft take off from Pokhara and offer spectacular views of the lakes, mountains, and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective. The choice of the Pokhara Valley for ultra light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes. For those who wished they could fly like birds when growing up, this flight is necessary. It might be lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worth it. Flights are from the Pokhara airport beginning September through June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11a.m. and from 3p.m. to sunset everyday during these months.
Aircrafts: The aircrafts are manufactured in Russia and are powered by Rotax engines. The operational speed ranges from 50 km/hr to 130 km/hr. The high aerodynamic qualities allow this delta wing aircraft to perform long flights even with the engine turned off. In case of emergency, the ballistic parachute system enables the aircraft to perform a safe landing.
Place of Operation of the flight: All flights are from the city of Pokhara, a wonderfully relaxing place; the closest Nepal has to a resort. The magic of the mountains, meandering rivers and the beauty of the valley will give you an impression that you will not soon forget, it will give you optimum pleasure, with safety which no one can beat. The breathtaking snow views and the glittering, icy peaks of the Himalayas around you with the green plains below will take you to another world.
Featured Flights: We operate our ultra light aircraft from Pokhara, the place no tourist visiting Nepal will miss for its snowy peaks and beautiful lakes. It has a unique blend of both mountain and plateau area. We promise to show you the scenic beauty of both the Himalayas and the most famous lake of Nepal, Phewa, in Pokhara, from a bird's-eye view. The flight will be a journey through nature. This is truly a unique experience.
Fly for Fun (15 minutes): Our shortest flight takes you over the city of Pokhara, Fewa lake, near Sarangkot hill, over the Buddha monastery and the south side of the city. This short flight will give you a panoramic view of the whole Annapurna Range with a view of another 8000 meter peak - Dhaulagiri, in the distance.
Nepal Mountain flight (30 Minutes): This flight of medium duration, takes you slightly higher and further. You'll fly over the Tibetan refugee camp and as far as Lama hour, on the northern part of the valley. The view is simply superb.