KATHMANDU VALLEY TOUR

Whether you're drawn by its religious significance, historical importance, or cultural diversity, Kathmandu is a place worth visiting for any traveler. It's no surprise that it is considered by many to be a must-visit place and is frequently listed in several "Best Destinations to Visit" lists. Kathmandu Valley contains three cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. While Kathmandu, being the capital city of Nepal, is obviously the most developed and popular of the three, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur are no less enchanting. This tour allows you to visit all three locations in just a day or two.

Besides being the starting point for almost any treks in Nepal, Kathmandu offers a distinct experience of its own. Being a densely populated place, Kathmandu brims with a mixture of all kinds of cultures and traditions. People from all over the country come to Kathmandu to live and work as it provides innumerable opportunities and has the perfect climate. Therefore, unlike other places of Nepal, here you are bound to find people of all races and ethnicities.

Despite being a modern city, Kathmandu is still home to plenty of ancient temples, statues, stupas, and buildings of historical and cultural significance. Therefore, it is also known as The City of Temples. There are a total of 10 World Heritage Sites in Nepal, out of which a whopping 7 of them are in Kathmandu alone: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Changu Narayan Temple. During your tour, you will get to observe the pilgrims go about their rituals in these places. Swayambhunath is similar to Boudhanath but from Swayambhunath you get to see a panoramic view of Kathmandu as well as the scenery of the forests and hills nearby. You also get to see a lot of monkeys! It is, therefore, known as Monkey Temple by foreigners. You can see monkeys at Pashupatinath as well, which is one of the holiest temples for the Hindus. There you will also get to see dead bodies being cremated, which can often be a profound and life-changing experience for many.

Bhaktapur and Lalitpur are mostly inhabited by the Newar communities. You will get ample opportunities to witness their culture, architecture, and lifestyle as well as to taste their delicious dishes (caveat: they can be quite spicy!). Places like Patan and Bhaktapur are cramped with ancient temples and houses with tiny rooms. Changu Narayan Temple, situated at the top of a hill in Bhaktapur, is one of the oldest temples of Nepal. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Likewise, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square are cramped with temples and statues dedicated to various Hindu deities. You will definitely feel a mystical vibe just being present there. However, such architecture can also be found within Kathmandu city itself. In the heart of Kathmandu, the old city centers like Kathmandu Durbar Square are filled with intricately carved wooden windows, pagoda-style roofs, and ornate stone statues. Here, you can see beautiful temples, palaces, and statues that were built hundreds of years ago. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace is one of the highlights. It was once the royal palace of the Nepalese kings. The Kumari Ghar, or the residence of the living goddess Kumari, is also here. The Kumari is a young girl chosen to be a goddess and lives in the palace. Visitors can see her from the outside, and sometimes, she appears at the window. Being at the heart of Kathmandu, it’s one of the busiest places in Kathmandu. In addition to the palace, there are many temples in the square. The Kasthamandap Temple, located here, is one of the oldest temples of Kathmandu. It was destroyed during the 2015 Nepal Earthquake and was entirely reconstructed. The name “Kathmandu” actually comes from this temple.

Note: The Kathmandu Valley tour can be done as a standalone tour or it can be included as a part of your trek.