An excursion package to the biggest natural museum in the world!

The seven cultural heritage sites of the Kathmandu valley, the Birthplace of Lord Buddha, and the two most famous national parks of Nepal, all listed in the world heritage list, are in a true sense ‘The Jewels of Nepal’. The seven monuments of the Kathmandu valley includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Buddhist Stupas of Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan – an artistic wonders giving the glimpse of its historical background. Culturally Kathmandu can be called a living museum for the people of Jet.

The Durbar Squares of the three fabled cities glorifies the lives and the contributions of the bygone dynasties in the field of art and architecture. The thick tropical forest of the Chitwan National Park provides ample opportunity to explore the wild at its best – not to mention the sight of the rare Bengal Tiger and endangered One-Horned Rhinoceros. Moving on to the more tranquil environ of the Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Gautam Buddha, one comes under realization of the true feeling of spirituality and knows more about Buddhism. In an overall sense an appropriate tour package to witness the best Nepal has to offer!

Places to visit:

Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swyambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square

Pashupatinath Temple: It is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple of lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof & silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to non-Hindus. The best view is from the terrace on the wooded hill across the river. The large gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 AD though 300 years earlier there was a structure on this site. The Bagmati River is lined with dharmasalas and cremation ghats. There is usually a cremation in progress on one of the platforms by the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges. There are many occasions when the faithful take ritual baths in the river. One of the most colorful festivals is the women's festival Teej when they are dressed in their finest red and gold saris. Hundreds of women are seen laughing and singing on the way to the temple of Lord Pashupatinath. Another great time to be here is the Festival of Shivaratri, the birthday of lord Shiva.

Bouddhanath Stupa: Situated at the distance of 8 km from Kathmandu Bouddhanath is the biggest stupa in Nepal and the pilgrimage centre for great many Tibetans living in Nepal. Many Tibetan Lamas and Rinpoches reside in surrounding area of the stupa. This colossal Stupa is set on concentric ascending terraces in the powerful pattern of a Mandala. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets containing prayer wheels.

Swayambunath Stupa: About 45 min of walk from city centre, atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu stands the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley Lake. For centuries an important centre of Buddhist learning, the painted eyes of the Buddha gaze out from all four sides of the monument. Constructed to specific rules each with a symbolic meaning, the stupa of Swayambhunath is a model of its kind. The whole is hung with multi-coloured prayer flags of which every flutter releases holy prayers. The faithful circumambulate the stupa clockwise, turning the banks of prayer wheels and even prostrating full-length in reverence. Swoyambhunath commands great view of Kathmandu valley and the Himalayas and a visit around sunset time will be highly enjoyed.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square also surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. The square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. The preference for the construction of royal palaces at this site dates back to as early as the Licchavi period in the third century. There are very many interesting places to see within Durbar Square premises, to name a few Kumari Ghar – the palace of ‘living Goddess’ kumari, Kastha Mandup – the temple built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree, Maru Ganesh —one of the most famous Lord Ganesh temples of the valley, Big Drums, Shiva Parvati Temple etc.

Lumbini: Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Gautam Buddha, is the pilgrimage destination of the world’s millions of Buddhists. The sites described as a beautiful Garden in the Buddha's time still retain its legendary charm and beauty. The main attraction at Lumbini remains the sacred garden spread over 8 sq. km and possessing all the treasures of this historical area. UNESCO lists this site, identified by the Indian Emperor Ashoka’s commemorative pillar as a world heritage site. To the south of the pillar, you find the sacred pond Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi had her bath just before giving birth to the Buddha. Other attractions include the various monasteries and stupas erected by different Buddhist countries. Lumbini Museum, Lumbini International Research Institute, and Kapilvastu Museum (situated 27km west of Lumbini in Tilaurakot) are yet other places to see in this region. The Kapilvastu museum has ruins of ancient capital of Sakya kingdom where the Buddha spent his youth as Prince Siddhartha.

Patan: Patan Durbar Square, Golden Temple, Mahabaudha, and Red Machhendranath Temple

Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the centre of Patan’s religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna – Krishna Mandir built entirely of stone with rare stone carvings on its walls depicting the epic wars from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Golden Temple: This beautiful and tranquil temple in Patan is an unusual Buddhist monastery known commonly as ‘Hiranya Varna Mahabihar’, ‘Kwa Bahal’ or ‘Suvarna Mahavihara’ and is situated north of Durbar Square. Legend has it that the Golden Temple was founded during the 12th Century. Golden temple described as a ‘jeweled casket’ floating in the amrit (the water of immortality), and believed that should the waters of the philosophy of faith be ingested a promise of life eternal is his alone. The waters of amrit are legendary because of its assumed healing powers, vitality and health given to those who believe. Patan's Golden Temple is simple from the outside and majestic from the inside, with stone gates produced by the silakars whose descendants can still be seen working in the woodcarving industry.

Mahabaudha: Mahabouddha can be reached by walking east from the southern end of Durbar Square and then turning right at the sunken water taps. This Buddhist monument is an excellent example of terra cotta art form, which points to the skill of Patan’s ancient craftsmen with a variety of building styles. The 14th century monument’s obelisk-like design is also unusual in a city of pagoda roofs.

Red Machhendra Nath Temple: South of Durbar Square, on the western side of the road, is the Rato (Red) Machhendranath Temple. Rato Machhendranath, the god of rain and plenty, comes in a variety of incarnations. To Buddhists he is the Tantric edition of Avalokiteshvara, while to Hindus he is a version of Shiva. Standing in a large courtyard, the three-storey temple dates from 1673, although an earlier temple may have existed on the site since 1408. Each year during the Rato Machhendranath Festival celebrations it's paraded around the town on a temple chariot during the valley's most spectacular festival. Machhendranath is considered to have great powers over rain and, since the monsoon is approaching at this time, this festival is an essential plea for good rain.

Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Sidhha Pokhari, Batsala Temple, Dattatraya Square, Survavinayak Temple

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 repousse 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.

Sidhha Pokhari: A pond dating back to the Lichhavi period, is better known as Ta-Pukhu, meaning big pond is associated with a number of different myths. Though situated right at the bus stop, it provides a serene atmosphere with its sashaying fish and the stone images of different Hindu and Buddhist Gods. From this location a wide range of snow-caped peaks are visible on clear days.

Batsala Temple: This 17th century stone temple, dedicated to a mother goddess, is full of intricate carvings on stone. It is most renowned for its bronze bell, known to local residents as ‘ the bell of barking dogs’, as when it is rung, all dogs in the vicinity start barking and howling! The huge bells was hung by a king of Malla dynasty named Ranjit Malla in 1737 A.D. and was used to give notice of the daily curfew.

Dattatraya Square: Dattatreya Square takes its name from the Dattatreya temple dedicated to a three-headed combination of the Hindu deities Brahma, Bishnu and Shiva. This temple is said to have been built from he trunk of a single tree. It was built in 1427 A.D. during the reign of King Yakchhya Malla and was repaired in 1458 A.D. by King Bishwor Malla. If you want to experience the feel of the traditional urban layout of Bhaktapur, Dattatreya Square is it. Set in a maze of streets lined with richly ornamented houses, the square is famed for its many ornate Hindu monasteries known as Math. The National Woodworking Museum is also housed here and the Brass and Bronze Museum is across the street. The oldest structure in Bhaktapur was raised during the reign of the last Malla King, Yaksha Malla who ruled the Valley before it was divided into three Kingdoms amongst his three heirs.

Survavinayak Temple: Suryavinayak is one of the most popular pilgrimage spots of Bhaktapur, 12 kilometers east of the centre. It has been positioned in such a way to catch the first rays of the sun in the morning. Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the trolley bus terminal. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh (the Elephant-headed God) is crowded with devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also one of the favourite picnic spots offering elegant views of Bhaktapur and other attractive landscapes.

Day to Day Outline Itinerary (6 Nights/ 7 Days Scenic Tour Package)

Day 01.	Arrival in Kathmandu & transfer to hotel Upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to the hotel for refreshment or rest. Generally there will not be any tour activities today unless requested. Nevertheless, depending on your arrival time in Kathmandu, you may have opportunity to explore the touristy area “Thamel”. Eve: In the evening, you will be welcomed with traditional dinner at a Nepali restaurant featuring cultural programme. Overnight stay will be in a splendid hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02.	Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square a.m.: After breakfast, you will be introduced with your tour guide and then proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu city. Today’s tour encompasses visit to most scared places of the city – the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath stupa. Relax and enjoy a delicious lunch in the vicinity of the Boudhhanath Stupa in a friendly Tibetan environment. p.m.: After the lunch, you will be driven to the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square. Go classic for a couple of hours! Observe and feel what the history has left for Nepal. Afterwards, you conclude your day’s excursion being driven up to the Swayambunath stupa, which is situated atop a hill from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire Kathmandu valley. Overnight stay will be at a splendid hotel.
Day 03.	Lumbini: After the breakfast you will be driven for about 7 hours to get to Lumbini. On reaching Lumbini there will be lunch and some time for you to relax. After the lunch, get ready for a fine sunset view from the top of the World Peace Stupa. Enjoy dinner in the evening being at this most scared and tranquil place.
Day 04.	Lumbini: Today you will enjoy full day sightseeing within the sacred Lumbini garden spread over 8 sq. km and possessing all the treasures of this historical area. Visit the interesting, artistic and holy spots like Mayadevi Temple, Pushkarni pond, Myanmar Temple also known as Lokamani Cula Pagoda, Japan temple, Sri Lanka temple, Vietnam temple and many others. There is a ‘Torch of Eternal Peace’ lighting forever.
Day 05.	Fly Back to Kathmandu: Early in the morning after the breakfast, you will be driven for about one hour to Bhairahawa Airport. Then you will return to Kathmandu by flight. The flight will be of about 35 minutes duration from Bhairahawa. Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will take another easy and relaxing afternoon.
Day 06.	Patan & Bhaktapur: Today you will be in the sightseeing of the two out of the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley. Both Patan and Bhaktapur are Newar predominant ancient cities with full of historic, cultural and architectural values. These two cities have many things in common too. Patan is known as Lalitpur or the "city of fine arts" and Bhaktapur is known as Bhadgaun or the “city of devotees”. After exploring both the cities and capturing the artistic and traditional scenes with your camera, you will get back to your hotel, have some rest and be prepared for the day of departure.
Day 07.	Departure: Early in the morning you will have breakfast and after this you will be headed to the destination of your choice. Nepal is a land of beauty and adventure. You can go for outside the valley tour, Jungle Safari, trekking, bungy jumping, mountain flight etc. for giving completeness to your Nepal trip.

Total Trip Cost Per Person: Price on request

Number of Pax: Minimum Two person

Trip Cost Includes

Trip Cost Excludes