Kathmandu Cultural and Heritage Sites Tour: 1 Day - 1 Days

Highlights

• A blend of modern and fascinating old historical sites of great cultural interest
• Explore the streets of Kathmandu a city of thousands of god /goddesses shrines 
• Steeped with UNESCO World Heritage Sites of masterpiece architectural wonders
• The only city in the world where Hindu and Buddhism fuse in perfect harmony 
• Tour of Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, and old palace

• Duration1 Day
• Max. Altitude1400 m
• Trip GradeEasy
• Group Size1 - 12
• Meals No Meal
• AccommodationNo Accomodation

Overview

Itinerary

• 8: 30 a.m not later than 9 a.m.

  After a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant, our city and cultural guide receive you at the hotel lobby or foyer for a short drive to Kathmandu Old Durbar Square. Includes short walk to reach in the heart of Kathmandu city at a place called Hanuman Durbar Square, this area teemed with life where you can enjoy the visit of various interesting sites.

• 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.
  This is the spot where former Kings of Nepal were crowned. Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1,549 A.D. gigantic figure of Kal Bhairav, the God of Destruction. Basantpur Durbar or Nautalle Durbar (nine-storied), built by King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Coronation Platform (Nasal Chowk).
  Hall of Public audience (Gaddi Baithak or Royal Throne), a statue of King Pratap Malla-Big Bell-big Drums and Jaganath Temple.

• Temple of Kumari (The Living Goddess):

  The temple and residence of Living Goddess; located nearby from Hanuman Dhoka Palace: The building with carved wooden balconies and window screens. It was built by Jaya Prakash Malla, the last Malla King of Kathmandu.

  The Kumari Goddess is also known as the virgin Goddess. Chosen from the Newari Buddhist of Sakya caste, a virgin with no marks or injuries can take in the form of Hindu Goddess Kumari. During the puberty period replaced by another Kumari.

• Kasthamandap Temple:

  Close by standing a large temple Kasthamandap, an interesting to know that name Kathmandu derived from the name of this temple, which means temple made from the wood of a single tree.

• By 11 a.m or 11: 30 a.m. Drive west to Swambhunath:

  This is one of the world's most glories Buddhist stupa, of more than 2,500 years old and s often called the "Monkey Temple". The stupa forms the main structure made of a solid hemisphere of bricks and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on four sides of the spire are all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha located 3 k.m. west of Kathmandu city, placed on a hillock about 7 meters above the valley floor. The hill a mosaic of small Stupas and pagodas temples. One can have a great view of Kathmandu city with snow-capped mountains in the north on a clear fine day.

• By 12: 30 p.m. not later than 1 p.m. From here after a lovely afternoon drive to Bouddhanath Stupa.

  Bouddhanath is located 8 k.m. east of Kathmandu city a colossal ancient stupa; one of the world's biggest and most impressive domes with mystical of all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Built by Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in 5th A.D. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The area around Bouddhanath also known as Little Tibet, due to a large number of local people with string Tibetan origin and cultures of Buddhism that reside around the busy and colorful market.
  Lunch in a nice restaurant with a terrace or balcony before or after the tour, facing views of Bouddhanath Stupa and devotees on pilgrimage.

• 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. Short drive to the holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.

  Situated 5 k.m. east of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple of Lord Shiva, it has two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. It is famous for its superb architecture. It is a center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha Shivaratri (Birth Anniversary of Lord Shiva).

  By 4 p.m. tour ends and completes and drives back to the hotel with a free afternoon and recall the memories of the wonderful and interesting Katmandu Cultural and Heritage Sites Tour.

Inclusion

FAQs of Kathmandu Cultural and Heritage Sites Tour: 1 Day

• How are the tours within Kathmandu city?

  Kathmandu, although a semi-modern and metropolitan city, still retaining its age-old culture and customs of ancient times, of Lichavi / Lichchhavi, Malla, and the former Shah kingdom period. A delightful tour for a day visiting its most important places from Hindu temples, Buddhist Stupas, and old Royal Palace with beautiful courtyards. Most of the historical and religious monuments were added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Not, only Kathmandu's main city as well adjoin lovely sites within the valley with Patan / Lalitpur and Bhaktapur cities. An interesting tour visiting the best areas as well around heritage villages and town within Kathmandu city outskirt.

• Do we have to pay the entrance fee on places of interest?

  Yes, but once you book the city tour of Kathmandu with High Route Adventure, all tours and transportation with guide and drivers are included on the tour cost. Where our expert city and cultural guide will pay for the entrance tickets in all places of the tour. Different categories of the entrance ticket price, for SAARC (South Asian Area Regional Countries) that is besides Nepal, included Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan have to pay less than other foreign nationalities. The most expensive entry fee is a tour of Bhaktapur charge US$ 10 which equals to Nepalese Rupees of about RS 1, 620.

• What are the main culture that we see on tour?

  Besides, ancient religious and historical places on tour, you will have the opportunity to witness the daily life of local Nepalese, traditional custom, and culture of great interest. Kathmandu city and around its cities a melting pot of various religions, the main major religion with a larger number is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism and other minorities with their own community cult and religions. In Kathmandu city tour is populated by native and indigenous Newar people, where culture is vast and rich of both Hindu and Buddhist religions. Which you can observe on tour especially around religious sites in temples, shrines, and monasteries.

• On entering temple and monasteries any restriction on dress code?

  Especially for ladies wearing short sleeves dresses, should able to cover the body if possible, on entering especially in Hindu temples where allowed for non-Hindu visitors. Wearing hats or caps inside the room of the shrine is not permitted as a sign of respect to the holy place in Hindu and Buddhist sites of temples and monasteries. Shoes have to be left outside, as for men and women preferable with long sleeve shirts pants, or skirts. However, Buddhist monasteries are not really strict on dresses, except for the shoes and slippers, and headcovers. Respecting the local culture in respective temples and monasteries and observe silence is the best way.

• Does all tour includes temples and monasteries or to scenic places?

  The most tour takes you around temples and monasteries of religious and historical importance, including old royal palaces and courtyards. Some tour that we have includes scenic viewpoint staying in mountain resorts and hotels of great comfort. Where one enjoys spectacular views of a snow-capped mountain range from the hotel terraces, and balcony and at some view-points with short walks to catch the best panorama of surroundings beautiful landscapes. Besides, temples and monasteries we have a tour within Kathmandu valley scenic places of Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, and Hattiban Resorts for wonderful views and scenery of Himalayan peaks, with stunning sunrise and sunsets to enjoy with a refreshing warm cup of hot drinks.

• Do you organize a tour as well for handicapped people?

  Yes, we arrange tours for all types of people and age-groups as well for handi-capped or disable people, we will allocate guides and staff as well medical people to attend the needy sick or handicapped person in any leisure tour and sightseeing programs. In past years we do get requests to organize such tours especially for handicapped groups of people. We arrange with immense care, where equipment’s for handicap person should bring on the tour, for comfort and reliability like good latest wheel-chair, crutches, and other items needed. We will have more staff besides guides to take care of and to show the wonders of Nepalese arts and crafts, culture, and views of Himalayan high peaks.

• What type of transport do we have on the tour?

  For a short tour around Kathmandu valley and its main cities, we arrange our transport with fleets of cars, coach, comfortable bus and four-wheel drive. Depending upon the size of a group, for a minimum of 1-3 person a car or a small coach with comfortable seating and leg rooms. For the bigger group of 4-8 person larger comfortable coach or minibus. If the tour includes long-distance drive we have a similar vehicle as above with good expert drivers, who can communicate with the guest as well with a guide. In bigger groups a large tourist standard bus with all modern facilities and comfortable seats with large glass windows to enjoy the views.

• Does all tour includes Everest Mountain Flight?

  Not all tour includes Everest Mountain flights, but we do the run tour that includes also, depending upon the itinerary and time duration of the tour. If it is not included on the tour, for the interested person we can arrange Everest Mountain Flight, which operates from early morning at 6-7 a.m. lasts for almost an hour flying both ways parallel to the mountains. Where people on both sides of the plane seats, can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayan range of peaks with majestic Mt. Everest. One of the best experiences to enjoy while in Nepal if not trekking to higher areas of Everest or other Himalayan destinations.