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Day 02 : Sightseeing of Changu Narayan. Sightseeing of Pashupati and Boudha.
 Changu Narayan
:
Narayan, or Vishnu, is the preserver of creation to Hindus. His temple
near Changu village is often described as the most ancient temple in the
Kathmandu Valley. A fifth century stone inscription, the oldest to be
discovered in Nepal, is located in the temple compound and it tells of
the victorious King Mandev. The temple now c overs sixteen hundred years
of Nepalese art history. The temple, built around the third century, is
decorated by some of the best samples of stone, wood, and metal craft in
the Valley. In the words of one tourist guide, "When you look upon Changu Narayan, you observe the complete cultural development of the
Valley."
On the struts of the two-tiered Changu Narayan Temple, are the ten
incarnations in which Narayan destroyed evil-doers. A sixth-century
stone statue shows the cosmic form of Vishnu, while another statue
recalls his dwarf incarnation when he crushed the evil king Bali. Vishnu
as Narasingha disemboweling a demon is particularly stunning. The
western bronze doors sparkle in the evening sunlight, dragons decorate
the bells, and handsome devas stare from the walls. Garuda, half man and
half bird, is the steed of Vishnu, and his life-sized statue kneels
before the temple. The favourite of many tourists is the statue of
Vishnu sitting astride his steed.
Pashupatinath :
Just a small walk takes you to the temple of Lord Shiva-Pasupatinath
with a two tiered golden roof and silver doors. This structure is famous
for its superb Newari architecture, situated near the banks of the sacred
Bagmati River. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the
“Hindus Only”, however visitors can clearly see the temple from the
eastern bank of the Bagmati River. Pashupati, literally, “Lord of the
Animals” is the patron deity of Nepal and believed to have been
unearthed by an obscure herdsman while one of his cattle was showering the
earth with milk. Across the sacred river, above the array of decorated
monuments, is the “Slasmantak or Mrigasthali Ban (forest)” where
legends has it that Lord Siva dwelled in a form of an antelope to evade
the hordes of demigods.
Bouddhanth:
This colossal and ancient Stupa, one of Nepal’s most unique monuments and
said to be the world's biggest, attracts Nepalese pilgrimage of Tibetan
stock from as far as Dolpo and Mugu as well as Tibet, Ladhak in India
and Bhutan. Baudhanath Stupa, with all seeing eyes of primordial Adi
Buddha on all the four sides of the stupa, is said to hold the remains
of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the previous time.The Stupa is 100 meters in
diameter and was built on an octagonal base. Inset into the base are
prayer wheels established by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the fifth
century. The stupa rises to 36 meters above the base including the
spire, “all seeing eyes” and the pinnacle represents the stages of
enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There
are many myths about the origins of the stupa. We'll have lunch here
after the sightseeing (around 1330hrs).
Day 03 : Kathmandu/Pokhara - Transfer to Pokhara by private vehicle.
After breakfast, we will drive to Pokhara (the very beautiful
picturesque town). It is 200km and 4 to 5 hrs by drive. Enjoy the
evening on your own. Overnight Hotel.
Day 04 : Camp Transfer to trek starting point. Trekking whole day and
overnight in tents.
Day 05 : Half day of trekking and transfer to Pokhara. Visit Lake Phewa Tal.
Day 06 : Pokhara/Chitwan - Transfer to Chitwan. Jungle activities in the
afternoon. Overnight at safari Jungle Lodge.
After half day sightseeing, drive to Chitwan National Park. We will be
welcomed with warm hospitality. Naturalists at the ghat (river crossing
point) will transfer you by canoes across the River to the waiting
elephants which will ferry you to your camp, situated in the heart of
the Park the home to the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild
boar, gaur(bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of
crocodiles, leopard, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 400 species of
birds and various other reptiles. Briefing takes place as you arrive and
lodges are assigned. Some activities takes place to penetrate deep into
the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife, experience the
abundant bird-life, the flora and fauna. Overnight full board at Temple
Tiger Resort.
Day 07 : Chitwan - A day full of jungle activities.
 Early morning you will be mounted on elephant back and then taken for a
jungle safari for 2 -3 hours penetrating through dense 18-20 ft grasslands.
It is the favourite habitat of the rhinoceros and other mammals. After
breakfast you will be taken to the elephant stables where talk about the
habits of the elephants takes place. Here you may witness the rare scene of
the elephants at bath. Take your bathing suit along. In the afternoon you
may just relax around the camp or take a dugout canoe ride down the Narayani
River to view the gharial and the marsh mugger crocodiles. Dinner will be
served around the campfire at the Resort.
Day 08 : Chitwan/Kathmandu - Transfer to Kathamandu.
This morning some activities take place before breakfast. After breakfast
elephant, land rover and canoes will transfer you to waiting vehicles for
the drive to Kathmandu. Rest will be the free day at Kathmandu. Hotel
Overnight.
Day 09 : Day at leisure.
Explore around on your own Hotel
Day 10 : Sightseeing of Dakshinkali and Chovar. Afternoon sightseeing of
Patan.
Dakshinkali:
The temple of Dakshinkali is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali and
is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. Located 22 km
from the city center on the southern rim of the valley past Pharping
village, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when
animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. According to a mythology the
Goddess Durga has killed the demon and drank the blood of animals. This
is the reason blood is scarified to her. The temple was built by Pratap
Malla during 17th century, but the construction, seems to be very new.
The preparation before and after the offering is very interesting to
see.
Shesh Narayan:
On the way back, we stop at Shesh Naarayan. Nearby is the Chobhar gorge.
Legend has it that Manjushree cutout the gorge to drain out Kathmandu
valley was then a lake. There is a small but picturesque temple of
Adinath on the top of a hill. From this top one can have a completed
view of snowcapped mountains peaks.
Kirtipur:
Is a small town situated on a ridge 6 km southwest of Kathmandu. The
ancient township established in 1099 is a natural fortress and has a
proud and courageous history. It was the first place to be attacked by
Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. The Chilamchu stupa and the temple of Bagh
Bhairav are major sights here. Kirtipur offers quaint streets lined with
artistic houses and temple squares and great views of Kathmandu Valley.
The people are known for their skill in building and weaving and other
ancient loom. The oldest educational institute, Tribhuvan University is
located in the bottom of the hill.
Patan:
Also known as “Lalitpur” literally the
city of fine arts is perhaps a living museum as she still retains her
medieval air of the ancient times and almost half the inner city
residents are craftsmen in their own right. Patan was one of the major
Buddhist cities in Asia by the 7th century as pilgrims, scholars and
monks from India, Tibet and China visited the city. It is said that at
one stage the entire population of Patan City was comprised of monks and
craftsmen only. The city is full of Hindu temples, Buddhist monuments
and structures with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful
metal and woodcarvings. In ancient times the ancestors of present day
craftsmen were invited to Tibet and as far as Peking to built
monasteries, pagodas and images of Buddha and other revered.
Drive back to hotel in Kathmandu for
overnight stay.
Day 11 : Excursion to Nagarkot for sunrise. Sightseeing of Bhaktapur and
Thimi. Evening free.
With an early morning wake up, you'll have to see these panoramas with ideal
retreat from this place situated at 2,164 m and 32 km east of the valley
offers the panorama eastern Himalaya including 5 of world’s ten highest
peaks - Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Cho O Yu, Makalu and Manaslu.
Bhaktapur: Also known as Bhadgaon, it is situated at an altitude of
1401 m, is a home to medieval art and architecture and was the site for
Burtoluchhi’s Little Buddha. The urban city covers an area of 4 sq. miles.
Shaped like a conch-shell, Bhaktapur meaning city of Devotees, pottery and
weaving are its traditional industries. Bhaktapur, essence of the Newari
City, 14 km east of Kathmandu is Nepal’s greatest treasures.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around
a fifty-five window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most
charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient
arts of Nepal. The golden effigies of kings perched on the top of stone
monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood
carvings in every place-struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways and
windows-all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony.
Thimi: Is a farming town situated 8 km east of Kathmandu on the way
to Bhaktapur. Exquisite temples and other religious shrines dot its streets.
It is known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often seen spread out
on the streets to dry in the sun. It can be called a traditional pottery
locality with almost 80% of the population still involved in pottery.
Handspun cotton cloth is another Thimi specialty.]
Drive back to hotel in Kathmandu for overnight stay.
Day 12 : Kathmandu/Dhulikhel - Excursion to Namo Buddha and onto Dhulikhel
for overnight stay.
Day 13 : Dhulikhel/Kathmandu - Morning transfer to Kathmandu. Day at
leisure.
Day 14 : Transfer to airport for return flight.
1. 7
Days Nepal Tour
2.
Experiencing Two Tribes Nepal
and Tibet
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