KATHMANDU TOUR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES – visit 4 Places in one-day sightseeing

‘Enjoy the exciting Kathmandu tour of the impressive country’s landmarks and heritage sites’ Kathmandu Tour of prominent landmarks from the ancient royal palaces, temples, and Buddhist Stupas in a single day with an expert guide and driver. Highlights of the Kathmandu tour: “Kathmandu city is the hub for impressive cultures of Nepali ancient heritage. The only place in the world with a blend of Hindu and Buddhist religions. Explore Kathmandu’s four beautiful heritage sites of architectural wonders. A city with glorious history with immense places of age-old heritages. Tour of famous landmarks from the old royal palace, temples, and Buddhist Stupas”.

Kathmandu Tour Profile:

Tour Grade: Leisure to Moderate with short walks. Areas of tour: Kathmandu or Patan Durbar Square, Swyambhunath with  Bouddhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Stupa. Kathmandu Tour duration: A day, of 6-7 hours fully guided tour with short drives. Age Limit: Minimum age of 3 years to the maximum age of 85 years. Best Seasons: Spring from March to May and autumn from September to  November. Also, Can enjoy it during winter times. Overviews of the Kathmandu tour : Kathmandu Tour is an exciting combination of the main major cities of Kathmandu and Patan/ Lalitpur. A short drive in the comfort of a nice, spacious car, coach, or bus as per the group size. The Kathmandu tour is guided by a veteran and professional English-speaking guide (for other languages on request). The tour covers all of the interesting, and impressive heritage sites, as well as the country’s landmarks. Furthermore, Steeped with ancient glorious history, where all the ancient beautiful monuments stand till the present despite the modernization civilizations. The Kathmandu Tour takes you to the heart of Kathmandu city, visiting places of great architectural wonders. From Kathmandu’s old Durbar Square, Swyambhunath with ancient religious Stupa to exciting Bouddhanath with the world’s largest Stupa. The tour continues to the nearby Patan or Lalitpur, a city renowned for masterpiece arts and crafts. An interesting place to visit is the old Durbar Square, the ancient palace and royal courtyard of bygone days. After visiting the wonderful heritage sites of Kathmandu and Patan cities. Visitors will gain much knowledge and experience of Nepal’s historical past glory with its immense ancient treasures. At last, an optional tour during your stay in Kathmandu is a flight to Everewt by Helicopter. If you want to read the previous travelers’ experiences, please visit this link.

Detailed Itinerary of the tour :

From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes lunch break:

KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE. 

The morning after breakfast, by 8 a.m. our guide receives you for a short drive to the center of Kathmandu city. Walk through the exciting streets lined with shops and restaurants. To reach Kathmandu’s old Durbar Square, adorned with uncountable monuments. The traditional resident of the Living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), ferocious Kal Bhairab, are a few interesting sights at the Square. The ancient buildings are the greatest work of achievements of the Malla dynasty from the 7th to 16th Century. The Square teems with local activity around the Kasthamandap Temple, where the name of Kathmandu derived from. The name Kasthamandap means a temple built from a single tree woods. The Kathmandu tour takes you to the famous old palace interior and its museum treasures artifacts with idols. From Malla till the late Shah Dynasty, the palace of old Nepali-style pagoda-roofed buildings. Includes buildings of the late Shah period with Victorian-style architecture. Where all past Kings’ coronations were held, painted in white overlooking the busy life and activities around the square.

HANUMAN DHOKA (Durbar or Old Palace Square):

The large square is a historic seat of Malla and Shah Royalty. The square, with old temples and palaces, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. Near the Hanuman Dhoka is a place with a figure of the Hindu Monkey God Hanuman. Regarded for his strength and power as a Superman, who guards the entrance of the Palace interiors. Next to the palace stands the Taleju Temple, built by King Mahindra Malla in 1,549 A.D. The gigantic figure of Kal Bhairab, the God of Destruction. Basantapur Durbar, or Nautalle Durbar (nine-storied), was built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Coronation Platform (Nasal Chowk). Hall of Public audience (Gaddi Baithak or Royal Throne), with a statue of King Pratap Malla-Big Bell-big Drums, and Jagannath Temple. Kathmandu tour focuses on all the major temples so take your time to explore all.

SWAYAMBHUNATH (Monkey Temple): 

The most interesting landmarks of Kathmandu and Nepal are the old monument and the large Stupa of the Swyambhunath. It is popularly called the Monkey Temple, due to the home and dwelling spot for many monkeys of the Rhesus species. The Buddhist temple and Stupa areas, are surrounded by a green forest makes the perfect habitat for the monkeys. The Swyambhunath is considered the oldest monument in Nepal, its history dates back more than 2,500 years. Located west of Kathmandu city rims, it stands atop a hillock facing the panoramic views of Kathmandu city and the valley. On a clear day, one can enjoy views of the Himalayan ranges of peaks in north directions. The whole area around the Stupa is a mosaic of small Chaityas and pagoda temples possessing the great five Mahayana (Lamaism). Includes a Hinyana (Therbadist) sect of early Buddhist temples and shrines, and further, towards the hind hill. Located another important Buddhist shrine, and it is called Manjushree; the belief is Chinese Buddha. As well as a holy saint of the knowledge who created the Kathmandu valley by draining the lake. The history and myth believe the name Swyambhunath means a self-arisen, as derived from ancient tales of wisdom. But for the historian, the Stupa was built by King Manadeva in the 13th Century or 460 AD. Nevertheless, the history of Swyambhunath is still a myth and legend. It is also mentioned that this holy monument was raised out of a lotus flower. It bloomed in the middle of a lake that Kathmandu Valley once was a big lake. Swyambhunath was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979 as an important landmark of Nepal. It is a hub as a pilgrimage site for Buddhist followers and all religions alike, and it offers a unique harmony of blissfulness. As you enter the premises of the holy Swyambhunath Stupa. Kathmandu tour offers the best day excursion to enjoy in this place.

BOUDHANATH STUPA: 

The charms and attractions of Kathmandu city are the large dome-shaped Buddhist Stupa of Bouddhanath. This area is called Little Tibet due to the large number of Tibetan-origin people who reside around Bouddhanath. Along with a similar culture to the Tibetan predecessors, with Tibetan-style roofed houses and the market encircling the Stupa. It is regarded as the largest Buddhist monument in South Asia and probably in the world. The ancient colossal dome-shaped, called Chorten in Tibetan Buddhism, was built in the 6th century A.D. by King Man Deb. It stands on a series of three terraces relevant to the shapes of a lotus flower. The base of the Stupa is surrounded by a circular market, which forms part of mini Tibet. The Stupa, with the mystical seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, faces around four cardinal directions. The Stupa embraces an authentic philosophy of the Mahayana faith of Buddhism, known as Lamaism. Also called Tibetan Buddhism which is largely spread in the Himalayan region of Nepal. Including, Bhutan, Tibet, and around North East and West regions of India like Sikkim, Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. Bouddhanath Stupa, located northeast of Kathmandu city, with beautiful monasteries of each tribal group’s followers of Buddhism. The Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal is revered as one of the most sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism. For hundreds of years, the Bouddhanath Stupa has stood as an inspiration for Buddhist belief. The huge dome Stupa, towers over the surrounding town as a giant mandala of peace and beauty. Overlooking with the mystical eyes of Lord Buddha, watching over the daily life of the Nepalese people from wrongdoing. Where hundreds of pilgrims pay homage to prayer and worship nearly every day from all parts of Nepal. As well as from other parts of the world who have faith in the Buddhist religion. Kathmandu tour is the best option to learn about this monument.

PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE: 

The holy Pashupatinath Temple is located in the eastern part of Kathmandu city, close to the International and domestic airports. Pashupatinath Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, a temple of magnificent architecture with a pagoda roof. Adorned with a gilt roof and carved silver doors on four cardinal sides. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the holy site situated on the bank of the Baghmati River. Revered as the most sacred temple for all Hindu followers. It is the nerve center of pilgrimage on the day of Shiva-Ratri. The auspicious day of Shiva’s birth anniversary falls in February, from the Hindu Lunar calendar. The temple is believed to have existed since the past 400 AD. According to an inscription discovered inside the premises. In those days, the temple was built of wood and then took the present shape from 800 AD. During that period, King Supusapa Deva built the five-storied structure over the temple out of wood. The eastern part opposite the Baghmati River is covered in dense, serene forest. The extension of temples of Goddess Ghuseswori, the consort of Lord Shiva. Interested visitors have to climb on stone steps to reach Ghuseswori Temple premises. Near the bank of Pashupatinath Temple outside complex with cremation platforms and shades. Here the human dead bodies of the Hindu religion are cremated on a wooden pyre. The dead bodies are laid on top of the woods and logs, the Hindu priest chants prayers. The eldest member of the family or elder son does the justice of lighting the fire. Then the family collects the ashes from extinguished pyres and stores them in a metal vessel or jar. After 3-13 days of the death event, the ashes are taken to the other rivers to be washed away. Believing it finally ends the ashes in the holy River Ganges, where all rivers of Nepal join. Kathmandu tour has included this unique cultural center to learn the Hindu culture. If you want an alternative to Kathmandu Dardarsquare we suggest Patan Darbar Square.

PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: 

Another lovely charm around Kathmandu Valley is the city of Patan, located in the district of Lalitpur. The name Lalitpur refers to its masterpiece work of arts and crafts from metal, wood, and stone works. Patan is a mere distance south of Kathmandu bounded by a bridge above Baghmati River. Once you enter the Lalitpur city and the Old Patan Durbar Square, takes you to the medieval era period. The Patan Durbar Square treasures ancient Newari architecture with three main courtyards in the palaces of interest. The Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk is the oldest one at the center of Patan Durbar Square. Includes several multi-sized and ancient-styled temples situated on the western part of the complex of Durbar Square. The most impressive among all the monuments are Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, and the Golden Temple of Hiranya.

Krishna Temple:

The temple is dedicated to Hindu God Krishna; it was built around the 17th century. Regarded as the first Shikhara architecture ever built in Nepal, the structure borrowed from Northern India. The other temples are the gems of Durbar Square; Krishna Temple is a masterpiece of stone works. From the bottom to the top of the temple is built of stone. In front of the temples stands a beautiful pillar of Garuda, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu in the form of Krishna. Kumbheshwor: A little further at the western rim of Durbar Square stands the five-storied pagoda temple of Lord Siva. Built by King Jayasthiti Malla, inside the temple premises, a natural spring is its source. It is believed from the holy glacial Gosainkunda pond around Langtang Himal in Rasuwa district. The golden structure on the temple was added in 1422 A.D. On the festival of Janai Purnima (month of August), ritual bathing and fairs take place. Jagat Narayan Temple: Jagat Narayan temple, a tall Shikhara-style temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, red bricks are used for the construction. The temple holds a fine metal statue of Garuda, Ganesh, and Hanuman, all related to the Hindu religion and mythology.

Reviews

Kathmandu sightseeing

Peter Review submitted - August 2, 2023

The Kathmandu sightseeing tour is a busy and overwhelming trip with many people, temples, Pagodas, and old palaces. Visited UNESCO world heritage sights. The most exciting was the flight to […]

Kathmandu city tours

Review submitted - August 2, 2023

Kathmandu city tours were an amazing experience. we learned so much about Temples and Stupas. Our Guide was fabulous, she told us many interesting stories about Hinduism and Buddhism.

Kathmandu tour

Charlie - australia Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Great experience that I will never forget this wonderful moment on Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour truly an impressive tour with expert guide to show us around wonderful world heritage historical […]

Patel - UK Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Enjoyed the day with well experienced guide and good driver for wonderful time around Kathmandu places of great religious and historical places and around world heritage sites. The day was […]

Partick - Germany Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Marvelous tour around great world heritage sites it was just unbelievable visiting ancient places of both interesting Hindu and Buddhism religion in one spot and within peaceful harmony of Nepalese […]

Mark - sweden Review submitted - February 17, 2020

The best holiday and experience of a lifetime truly a wonderful day on Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour and thanks for organizing visiting around Kathmandu interesting places with world heritage sites.

Tracy - Aurtralia Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Great team of people on this marvelous Private Kathmandu sightseeing tour it was more than I expected visiting magnificent places full immense colorful culture and walking around world heritage sites, […]

Caroline - USA Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Never ever dreamed that I would be standing within historical and ancient places beneath great magnificent buildings and monuments what a sight visiting around the city of Kathmandu within world […]

Jonathan - Netherland Review submitted - February 17, 2020

Glorious day from the start of Kathmandu Private sightseeing tour with great enjoyable moment visiting ancient World Heritage Sites, truly interesting in the midst of Nepalese culture to experience Thank […]

Albert - Switzerland Review submitted - February 17, 2020

It was a great perfect day for our Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour and right time of the year for exciting visit around World Heritage Sites and impressive local cultures of […]

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