Kathmandu Day Tour

 

Drive to Basantapur & Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is brimming with the oldest temples and old Palaces that reflect the country’s bygone era of monarchial rulings. It is heavy with nostalgia and reminiscences of days gone by.

Built in a unique Pagoda style, the temples, and Palaces are luxuriously decorated and lavishly carved with intricate designs. One of them dates back to the 3rd century and will fascinate you. The Hanuman Dhoka Palace in the Square, built by King Pratap Malla, was used for royal ceremonies till 2001.

We can also notice the abode of Kumari (Living Goddess). At the top, it is the most attractive beautiful carvings of erotic arts in the Bhagwati Temple, Shiva Parvathi Temple, Saraswati Temple, and more.

Drive to Swayambhunath Stupa/Monkey Temple

Leaving Kathmandu Durbar Square, we will take a 25-minute drive towards Swayambhunath Stupa (The Monkey Temple) which lies 3 km west on the top of a hillock, bestowing the views of Kathmandu Valley. It is Nepal’s most popular and holiest Buddhist Stupa, which holds several other shrines.

Embracing Hindu temples, the area of Swayambhunath Stupa is a mark of religious tolerance between Hindus and Buddhists. You will see spinning prayer wheels and Buddha’s eyes on the four sides of the Stupa. Likewise, the atmosphere here is serene, bringing with it the coruscate offerings of peace.

Drive to Bouddha & Explore Bouddhanath Stupa

Moving next on your tour, you'll be taking another 30-minute drive to Bouddhanath Stupa is famous as one of the largest Buddhist stupas on Earth. The stupa is 8.4 km away located on the eastern border of Kathmandu Valley. The Stupa was constructed in the 14th century on an octagonal base and is encircled by prayer wheels carved beautifully with Buddhist prayers. It also holds the ever-present Buddha eyes on all four sides of the stupas.

Festooned with colorful prayer flags hung from the base to the top of the Stupa is beautiful. Observing monks with maroon outfits and shaven heads chanting mantras in the serene set will amaze anyone.

Drive to Gaushala to Visit Pashupatinath Temple

The Pashupatinath Temple perched almost 3 km from Boudhhanath Stupa, is one of the holiest temples for Hindus and Lord Shiva’s devotees worldwide. We will take a short drive to visit the pagoda-style temple which holds golden roofs with silver doors and lies on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.

During the Maha Shivaratri Festival, the temple is full of devotees to worship the stone Linga, a symbol of Lord Shiva. You can also observe the rituals of the cremation of the Hindus at the bank of the river.