Kathmandu Cultural Heritage Tour

Day 1: Kathmandu, Nepal

Stop At: Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu On this day trip, the first heritage site you will visit is a famous stupa also known as "Monkey Temple". The tour usually starts in the morning. We can decide on a favorable time as you get to have breakfast before departing for the journey. A private vehicle and personal guide will wait for you at the hotel entrance/lobby. Then you will drive to Swayambhunath Stupa. It depends on where the pickup location is, but the stupa is a 15-20 minutes ride from Thamel market. After reaching the base of Swayambhunath Stupa, we will climb the stairs up to the hill. At the top, you can observe the harmony of the Buddhist and Hindu religions, as the white stupa is surrounded by the temple of Hindu gods and goddesses. As the temple is called the Monkey Temple. Be aware of the wandering monkeys in the vicinity of the stupa. After the visit to the stupa, descend the hill and you can reach a park called Amideva Buddha Park. There are three giant statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, each showcasing different mudras. Then we will move to a different location. • Distance: approx. 4km from Thamel Stop At: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu Our next location is Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Durbar Square is the old royal courtyards of the Malla and Shah kings/dynasties. Also called Basantapur Durbar Square this place has many temples and monuments in various locations. The highlights of this location are the living goddesses of Nepal, Kumari, along with big stone statues of various Bhairav gods, Taleju temple, and Basantapur streets/ Freak Street of Basantapur. • Distance: approx. 3.3km Stop At: Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Then we will travel to Pashupatinath Temple, a temple complex and pilgrimage destination of all the Hindus in the world. The temple complex is a large array of small temples and shrines on the bank of the holy river of Nepal: the Bagmati River. The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva and you can see many monkeys roaming around the temple complex too. The main temple has a large bronze statue of a Bull (Nandi: the mount of Lord Shiva/Mahadeva) in front of the entrance to the main temple. The pagoda-style golden-painted temple has a "Shiva Lingam" as Lord Shiva and is worshipped every day and at night. Another important part of the temple complex is it has been an integral part of Hindu culture, especially in death. Near the river banks, there are many platforms where we can see the death rituals being performed. • Distance: 16.5km Stop At: Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu The last destination of the UNESCO World Heritage of Kathmandu City is Bouddhanath Stupa: one of the largest stupas in Nepal. The stupa has a huge symbolism of flourishing Buddhism and as a shelter for Tibetan refugees. This is the place for tranquility, peace, cleansing of soul and mind, and harmony. It is believed to possess the remains of Kassapa Buddha. The large 36 meters tall white dome-shaped stupa is surrounded by prayer wheels and gilded by prayer flags. We will approach the end of our Kathmandu City World Heritage Tour as we complete the Bouddhanath Tour and finally drop you at your hotel/airport if necessary. • Distance: approx. 3km Note: The arrangement of the travel destination may change according to the situation or your need