Kathmandu Cultural Tour – 05 Days

Today, you will tour four significant UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and Swayambhunath. Furthermore, you will witness harmony within diversity among many religious and cultural groups. You will begin your vacation with a visit to Pashupatinath, which is approximately 5 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu. The famed Hindu temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Thousands of Hindu visitors from all over the world pay tribute to this temple, which goes back to the fifth century. The main pagoda-style temple has a golden pinnacle and four silver walls. There is an open cremation ground for Hindus near the Pashupatinath temple. It is thought that individuals burned on the riverbanks make their way to paradise. Your next stop is one of Nepal's holiest Buddhist sites, Boudhanath. Boudhanath, Nepal's largest stupa, serves as the hub of Tibetan Buddhism. The Buddha's watchful eyes may be seen on the large dome-shaped stupa with a golden tower. Furthermore, the gigantic 36-meter-high stupa of Boudha dominates the skyline. It is claimed to inhume Kassapa Buddha's corpse. Pilgrims will be seen circumambulating, burning butter lamps, and praying in the early morning and evening. You will also visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, which exemplifies traditional workmanship. The Durbar square is adorned with temples, statues, edifices, palaces, and other structures. The Durbar Plaza is bustling with people worshiping, feeding birds, and buying, and selling merchandise. Visit Kaal Bhairav and the Kumari Ghar, which is home to Nepal's living goddess. The final visit of the day will be the mountaintop temple of Swayambhunath. A white dome-shaped stupa with a 13-tiered golden pinnacle symbolizes the 13 steps to enlightenment. The summit offers a panoramic view of Kathmandu. It is a renowned site for Buddhists in Nepal. The temple is also known as the Monkey Temple, owing to the presence of monkeys in the region.

On this day, you will go to Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Patan Durbar Square is about 5 kilometers from Kathmandu. The Durbar Square boasts stunning Newari architecture going back to the 14th century. Witness the stunning wood carvings, stonework, and metalwork on temples, sculptures, monuments, and structures. Explore the Golden Temple, which houses the golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Krishna Mandir, which was created in the nineteenth century. Visit the Patan Museum, which has beautiful old artworks. Later, you will visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is around 12 kilometers from Patan. The Durbar square is rich with medieval architecture that transports you to another period. Admire the stunning Golden Gate and 55-window Palace. Observe Nyatapola, which represents the five essential elements: water, earth, fire, sky, and wind. Visit Siddha Pokhari, Taumadhi Square, Mahadev Temple, Dattatreya Square, and other locations. Also, go to The Art Gallery. Visit the famed Potter's Square to witness how people traditionally make pottery. Furthermore, you will have a magnificent trip to Dhulikhel from Bhaktapur, which is around 16.3 kilometers long and takes about half an hour. Dhulikhel is a prominent gateway place near Kathmandu for observing the high Himalayas.

Duration: 2-3 hours Today you will hike up to the holy Buddhist shrine of Namo Buddha. The hilltop temple, surrounded by vegetation, is popular with both visitors and residents. On your trip, you will travel through Banepa and Panauti, which are well-known for their culture and natural beauty. On the trip, you will be able to appreciate the scenery of beautiful hills and snowy mountains. The trip takes around three hours and passes through country roads, picturesque villages, and lush pastures. Furthermore, you will view the Newar and Tamang ethnic groups, as well as the inhabitants' daily lives. Your climb concludes at the Buddhist temple of Namo Buddha, which is located at an elevation of 1,750 meters/ 5,747 feet and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the lush hills and snowy mountains. This location carries a unique significance in Buddhism. According to mythology, Prince Mahasattva was out hunting when he came upon a sickly and famished tigress lying on the ground with her pups. The tigress was in severe condition and needed something to eat urgently. He couldn't stand seeing the tigress starve to death and couldn't find anything to feed it either. Thus he offered himself. A shire depicting the incident on a black stone slab is present here. Furthermore, it is believed that Lord Buddha was born as Prince Mahasattva. There is a Buddhist Gompa near Namo Buddha that also serves as a monastic school. You may experience breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains, including Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and others. After the day walk, you will travel back to Dhulikhel for lunch before returning to Kathmandu. Take a stroll through the streets and do some last-minute shopping for your family and loved ones before departing the next day.

It is the final day of your cultural tour, and you will depart back home with lasting recollections of the trip. Apricot Tours will drop you off at the airport a couple of hours before your planned flight time.