Nepal Cultural Tours

KATHMANDU VALLEY
Kathmandu valley, the major resident of the people are Newars, that offer their tradition, culture and architecture. One of the major touristic destinations of Nepal can offer as many varieties of adventure tourism packages. Kathmandu Valley has several historical and Cultural monuments, old palaces and durbar squares, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends all make it a living museum that any visitor would cherish its verities of memory in mind forever.

SWAYAMBHUNATH STUPA: Located approx. 4 km/2.5 miles, Buddhist Stupa this is said to be 2000 years old. The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of bricks and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of coppergilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples.

BOUDHANATH STUPA: This Stupa situated 11km/7 miles from Kathmandu City is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of the goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is surrounded by housesof Lamas or Buddhist priests. Due to connection with Tashilumpo monastary of Shigatse (Tibet) it is dominated by Tibetan culture so called ” Little Tibet” in Kathmandu.

PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE:Situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one ofthe holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built inpagoda style has gilted roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will bepermitted to view the temple from the east bank of river Bagmati, entrance inthe temple being strictly forbidden to all non Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the monthof February/March. Behind the temples on the bank of Bagmati river there are the cremation grounds which become busy all the time.

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: 5kms/3 miles away from Kathmandu City. Patan also known as Lalitpur is the cityof fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. You will see the Durbar square; the Krishna Temple built by Kind Siddhi Narsingh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mabavihar and MahadouddhaTemple.

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE : Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the center of Bhaktapur. The Square is one of the most charming architectural show pieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. The main items ofinterest in Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King Ranjit Malla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows was built during the reign of King Yakshya Malla in A.D. 1427 and was remodeled by King Bhupatindra Malla in the eventeenth century. The art gallery of Bhaktapur Durbar Square containsancient paintings belonging to the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of various periods.

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE:Kathmandu Durbar Square is in the heart of old city Kathmandu in Basantapur. The Royal complex was residence to Nepal’s Royal family before the construction of the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. The founding of the Royal Palace dates back to Licchavi times. With considerable renovations by Malla rulers and later the Ranas, construction was accomplished progressively over many centuries. There are around 50 temples in the vicinity including the temple of Royal titulardeity, Taleju Bhawani. The Durbar is divided into two courtyards, the outer comprising Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner consisting of Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. It also houses two museums. Important ceremonies, including the coronation of the Nepali monarch, were held in the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Most parts of the palace premise are open for tourists throughout the week during office hours

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Chitwan National Park was declared as a National park in 1973 and around the park is the land of Tharu tribes & which is listed on world heritage site on 1984. Chitwan National park lies in Terai Region of mid southern Nepal with area of 932 square Kilometers. It is well known national park for wild life safaris & optional tours culture & ethnic villages. The National park is easy accessible by road connection with Kathmandu & rich on flora – fauna so it is one of most demanded destination for wild life activities & elephant back safaris. The area of national park consists 60 % of Sal forest, rest are lowland terai forest, riverine forest & grassland. Chitwan is situated in ariver valley basin along the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers. The park contains one-horned rhinoceros & Royal Bengal Tiger whichare the ornaments for national park. Other wild animals as leopard, wild dog, sloth bear and gaur. Other mammals include sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, wild pig, monkeys, otter, porcupine, yellow-throated marten, civet, fishing cat, jungle cat, jackal, striped hyena and Indian fox are found in thearea. The national park consists different rivers & marine land where we can get aquatic species; the gangetic dolphin, the mugger crocodile and the endangered gharial. The tour or safari program of Chitwan National park includes all types of experience including cultural, Natural & adventurous destinations.

LUMBINI
Lumbini associated with the birth of Lord Buddha is of extreme archeological importance and also an UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. It is said that Prince Siddhartha Gautam, who later became Buddha the Enlightened One, was born in the gardens of Nepal’sLumbini in 623 B.C. The main shrines of Lumbini are the newly restored MayadeviTemple, the Ashokan Pillar behind the temple and the Lake Shakya Puskarini where Mayadevi is said to have bathed before delivering the little Buddha into the world.

Several other places near Lumbini are linked with stories connected to Buddha and Buddhism. Lumbini is about 300 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. Bus and flights to Bhairawa which is about 22 kilometers from Lumbini, are available from major cities. From Bhairawa transport services to Lumbini are easily available. Food and accommodation facilities are available in Lumbini and Bhairawa.

POKHARA CITY
The rare combination of snow-clad peaks and snow fed lakes and rivers has helped to make the valleyof Pokhara (210kms/131 miles from Kathmandu) one of the most picture squenatural attractions in the kingdom. It is located virtually in the geographical center of Nepal. Located on the main road between Kathmandu and Bhairawa, there may be no other place in the world from where Great Himalayas peaks can be admired from such a close distance. The Bindhyavasani Temple on its well-kept platform overlooks a modest amusement park. Phewa Lake, skirted by a large numbers of unpretentious lodges and simple restaurants, is the most congenial spot for visitors.

JANAKPUR
Janakpur is in 375 Km south east of Kathmandu and is famous Hindu pilgrimage site. Janakpur is a birth place of Janaki Sita. Janaki Sita was married to Lord Ram the 7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Places of interest are: Janaki Temple, Biwah Mandap, and numerous beautiful ponds. The most auspicious day for the Pilgrimage is Biwah Panchami (November). It is day of celebration of the wedding of the Goddess Sita and the God Ram with mock wedding processions. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India attend the celebration. A holy saint Sri Shurkiswor Das discover the ruins of the ancient capital Mithila King and the birth place of Sita. The present temple was built by Queen Brishabhanu ofTikramgarh of India.

NAGARKOT
Nagarkot is generally hailed to be the best for the mountain watchers. People normally spend the night in one of the lodges to see the sun set and sun rise. Nagarkot extends the views all the way from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchanjunga in the east. There are number of walks from Nagarkot, down to cheese factory, Sundarijal, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur. It is about an hours drive from Kathmandu.

BANDIPUR
Bandipur, the hillstation which is one of the best place to explore the panoramic view of the middle and western Himalayas, lies in Tanahun district on the way to Pokharafrom Kathmandu and Chitwan. Bandipur is the old Newari cultural town.