Places and Sights

If you are in Nepal, the Himalayan Kingdom then think that you're no far away with one more another adventure program or event during your stay here in the country, the sight seeing program. Right start from when you get down to the Airport, the three major cities which constitute the valley is full of old heritage, the architecture, the people and the culture is fascinating.

Besides the sight seeing program within the valley, the hills of the Kathmandu valley and beyond is once again the new beginning for you to watch for the landmarks, culture, history and many more.

Pokhara, one of the example for those who loves nature and the no wonder if you're in the influence of the lord Buddha, Lumbini, the Birth Place is right there for you to provide more information about the Buddhism. Not only these places are full of natural pity but we swear that each and every moments you pass during your stay here in Nepal will be fascinating for you.

Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley is virtually an open air museum of magnificent Hindu and Buddhist art and architecture. What makes this vibrant, if congested, old Asian city so fascinating is that it is a museum in full use today. No matter that a temple structure was built centuries ago for a religious community, it may be part of a active elementary school now, with soccer play, wheremonks or priests once danced and chanted. There are fifteenth century shrines and temples literally to the left and right as one walks, among crowds, in the busy markets. Hindu men, women, and children are often seen making their morning pujas (prayer offerings of food and flowers) in front of magnificent small and large stone deity images, some are ancient. Buddhists, with prayer wheels circling in their hands, are also observed making their daily Kora (walking meditations) around gleaming white stupas found in many parts of this religious city. Narrow, brick-paved curving alleys remind us of the vestiges of Medieval times among twentieth-century buildings. Hindu culture focuses upon the celebration of many festivals; each featuring dances, costumes, lights and decorations, often with bright marigolds strung in chains. Many celebratory activities are street parades, very accessible to visitors. There are colorful festivals to enjoy most months of the year.

Bhaktapur City
Among, three cities within the Valley, Bhaktapur is also rich of architecture and culture. Newar, the local resident of the valley are dominent in this city. If you are a first time visitor in Nepal, this is the most closer place to provide you the knowledge of history culture and many more things about ancient Nepal.

FACTS & THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS TO DO

• Bisket Jatra- a unique Newari festival.
• Not to mention, the places around Durbar Square.
  
• The Museum are there for you to provide more information.
  
• Newars are the people with unique Lifestyle.
• The Handicraft show rooms near by Durbar Square.
• The Newari Food is Stunnig, don't forget to taste some of them.

Patan City
This glorious complex of buildings and monuments is the most vivid exhibition of seventeenth and eighteenth century Newari architecture in the Valley. Indian influence is very strong. Enjoy it on a walking tour.
This fine multi-storey temple is the oldest existing one in Patan; it is dated 1392, and noted for its exotic wood carvings.
This three story temple is dedicated to the Rain God Machhindranath. It is dated 1673. The temple's four finely carved doors are guarded by Lion figures.
With gleaming two- storey roofs, this rectangular Buddhist monastery is one of the best known sculptures in the Valley. Its elaborately carved wooden struts are the oldest features like that in the valley.
These four stupas were built by the Indian Emperor Ashoka, when he came to the valley spreading Buddhism 2,500 years ago. Only the remains can be seen today.

Pokhara Valley
Pokhara, the place of Lakes, the place where it's covered by Mountains, the place of deep hidden river Seti and the beginning place of Annapurna Trek. Whatever in this facts you recognize Pokhara, but it's the place of natural pity and snow caved mountains justing laying there by you.

FACTS & THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS TO DO

• David Fall and Caves around the Valley.
• Machapuchree, the Fish Tail Mountain is of stunning structure and is believed to be named after the tail of the fish.
  
• The world's best trekking trail, the Annapurna Trek Trail begins here from Pokhara.
  
• The Seti River is unique as it is hidden beneath the landscapes of the Valley.
  
• Phewa Lake is in the heart of the city and will provide you the classic boating experience.
  
• Never forget to take hike around Sarangkot and the Temples and Stupas nearby.
  
• Paragliding, Powerjet Gliding are just made for you to view the view the Annapurna range and spectacular view of the city.

Lumbani Tour
Lumbini, a place where Buddha was born in 623 BC, is situated in the terai plains of the southern Nepal. The nativity site is marked by a stone pillar reected by Indian Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred spot.

Sacred Garden:
Listed in World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Lumbini is being developed as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of peace. The Sacred Garden where the Buddha was born converges on the Ashoka pillar, which carries an inscription identifying the spot as the birthplace.

Temples and Monasteries
The Lokmani Cula Pagoda, a gleaming gold and white structure gracefully soaring into the sky in the style of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, is also known as the Myanmar Temple.

Nearby, the international Gautami Nuns Temple is a fine replica of the Swayambhu stupa in Kathmandu. There is also a guesthouse for pilgrims here.

The magnificent China Temple, the Korean Temple, the Dharma Swami Maharaja Buddha Vihara and the Nepal Buddha Temple are all located in Sacred Garden.

Museums
The Lumbini Museum, located in the cultural zone, contains Mauryan and Kushana coins, religious manuscripts, terra-cotta fragments, and the stone and metal sculptures. It i also posses an extensive collection of stamps from various countries depicting Lumbini and Buddha.

Dhulikhel
At an elevation of 1,440 m (4,708 ft.), thirds town and resort area lies 32- Kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Highway towards Tibet. It is a small town with five-hundred year-old history. Street are lines with brick houses featuring carved wooden windows; sloping tiles of Pagoda temples and sacred statues abound. Nature has blessed terraced hillsides with clear views of more then twenty Himalayan peaks on clear days. There are fine hotels where one can stay.

FACTS & THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT MISS TO DO

• Just 32 KM drive from valley but will stun you with the rich natural pity.
• Select the best Cafe' there in as per your need and relax.
• The near by hills are rich of mountain bike trails and hiking as well, decide.
• The People in this area are mostly Tamangs and Buddhism is their religion.
• If you've planned to view the Himalayan range and night out, choose this place.
• Never get worried for accommodation, class of lodges and resort are there for you .

Nagarkot
Only a short 30 Kilometer drive east of the Kathmandu Valley at an elevation of 2175 meters (7112 feet), Nagarkot provides a grandstand panorama of the Himalayas. The snowy peaks are magnificent at the sunrise and the sunset. Often visible are the Everest(8848 meters, 29,028 ft.) Lhotse (8576 meters, 28,135 ft.), Cho-oyo (8463 meters, 27,674 ft.), and Manaslu (8163 meters, 26,693 ft.), five of the world's tallest mountains.

Nagarkot also offers good bird watching in the forest and short hikes in a peaceful hilltop resort setting. Only the wind and the sound of rustling leaves is heard at this favorite weekend getaway for those seeking Himalayan scenery and serenity at any one of several nice hotels.

 

City Sightseeing

 

Nagarkot: Nagarkot is popular tourist resort of Nepal .It is a situated 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 m above sea level .The panorama of the major peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalaya includes Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) can be seen from here. Nagarkot is famous for sunrise and sunset view.

Bhaktapur: Situated at an altitude of 1,401m, Bhaktapur covers an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur or the city of Devotees still retains a medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievements .The past glory of the Malla rulers continues to be reflected at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous for woodcarving, the Bhadgaolen topi (cap) and curd. The city lies about 14 km east of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport.

Godavari: Situated at the foothills of Phulchowki, the Royal Botanical Garden of Godavari has splendid natural beauty .The road from Patan city runs to Godavari to the southeast, passing through the small old towns of Harisiddhi, Thaiba and Bodegaun .The only botanical garden in Nepal, it is open daily including weekends and government holidays.

Swayambhunath: The Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath situated on the top of a hill west of the city, is on the most popular and instantly recognisable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially know as the 'monkey templ' after the large tribe of handsome monkeys which guards the hill and amuses visitors and devotees with tricks, including slinding gracefully down the double banisters of the main stairway to the temple. The roving monkeys quickly snatch up any offerings of food made by devotes and will just as quickly grab anything you may be carrying.

Temple of Kumari: Kumari (Vestal virgin), or the Living Goddess, who represent a very ancient Hindu diety of Nepal locally known as Taleju, is Buddhist by birth. The temple of Kumari is situated in the vicinity of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace. The building has intricately carved wooden balconies and window screens. The Kumari acknowledges greetings from her balcony window. Once a year, during Indra Jatra festival, the King of Nepal seeks the Kumari's blessing.

Bouddhanath: The Stupa of Bouddhanath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world.

Budhanilkanth: About 8 km north of Kathmandu, at the base of Shivapuri hill is a remarkable colossal statue of Lord Vishnu, reclining on a bed of snakes. This is one of the masterpieces of stone sculptures of the Lichchhavi period. This fifth century status is in the middle of a small pond and seems to float in water.

Patan: The ancient city of Patan, lying 5km southeast of Kathmandu, is known as the city of fine arts .The city is full of Hindus temples and Buddhist monuments .The diversity of the medieval culture that allowed both Hinduism and Buddhism to flourish has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in this city for today's visitors.

Hanumandhoka: It is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square, with its old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see here are: Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Drum and the Jagannath Temple.

On the right hand corner, a large wooden lattice screen hides an enormous gilded face of Sweta Bhairav. The screen is removed only during the Indra Jatra festival. There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka Palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museum. Both the museum remain closed on Sundays, Mondays and government holidays.

Pashupatinath: Situated 5 km east of Kathmandu, the temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with two tiered golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindu. It is Top Hindu temple of the world. Although only Hindus are allowed inside the temple, visitors can clearly see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river.