Kathmandu Valley Tour

"Journey through the heart of history, art, and spirituality in the embrace of the Kathmandu Valley."

Kathmandu, surrounded by green hills, is Nepal's capital. The Kathmandu valley contains the old cities of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. The beautifully constructed temples and palaces, finely detailed stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, and history-rich shrines and chaityas in these three ancient cities show the remarkable art and architecture of the medieval era. The Kathmandu valley is home to seven archaeological and historic sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, all within a 20km radius. These sites include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Changu Narayan.

Kathmandu Durbar Square- World Heritage Tour

In the Kathmandu Valley, you'll find countless ancient structures, like monuments, temples, shrines, and stupas. At Kathmandu Durbar Square, you can see the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), the fearsome Kal Bhairav, the red monkey god, and numerous intricate carvings. The square bustles with vibrant activity. Kastamandap rest house, believed to be constructed from a single tree, gave the Kathmandu Valley its name. Nearby, you'll discover large drums used for announcing royal decrees. The woodwork, statues, and architecture in this region are exceptionally well-crafted, making Kathmandu Durbar Square a must-see for travelers. Within the complex, you'll also find the Tribhuvan Museum, which houses mementos from various Shah Kings.

Swyambhunath- World Heritage Site

Sitting high on a hill in the western part of the Kathmandu Valley, Swyambhunath is the oldest and mysterious religious place, surrounded by various shrines, temples, images of gods, and many other religious objects. At its core stands a shining white stupa with a golden spire, adorned with the Buddha's eyes – a symbol seen throughout the Kathmandu Valley. This place is often called the Monkey Temple because of the monkeys that live here. According to legend, the history of the valley begins with Swoyambhu, or "the self-existing." A long time ago, Boddhisatwa Manjusri discovered a beautiful lake during his travels. In the lake's center, he found a lotus emitting a brilliant light. To honor the lotus, he created a channel in a southern hill to drain the water. People eventually settled in the dry lakebed and named it the Kathmandu Valley. Since then, the hilltop of the self-existing Lord has been a sacred place where important deities from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions are worshipped.

Pashupatinath- World Heritage Site

Pashupatinath is the most sacred Hindu journey location in Nepal. Within the compound, you can find depictions of Shiva, as well as sculptures, holy places, and sanctuaries devoted to other divine beings. A sanctuary dedicated to Shiva was established at this place in 879 AD. Nevertheless, King Bhupendra Malla built the current sanctuary in 1697. The pagoda-style structure is adorned with a roof plated in gold, doors made of silver, and the finest wood carvings. Guheswori Temple, restored in 1653 AD, symbolizes the female "power." It is devoted to Satidevi, Shiva's first spouse, who surrendered her life in her father's fire ceremony flames. Some other destinations to explore include Rajrajeswori Temple, constructed in 1407, Kailas with lingas over 1400 years old, Gorakhanath temple, and Biswarup's courtyard. Rows of Shiva shrines can be found, and Hindu pilgrims from across South Asia come to offer their respects to Shiva, the God of Destruction.

Boudhanath Stupa- World Heritage Site

The grandeur of Boudhanath Stupa places it among the largest stupas in all of South Asia. Nestled in Bouddha, a brief ride from the city center, this towering white monument stands at a majestic 36 meters in height.

Historically, Boudhanath is believed to have been erected in the 5th century, and the surrounding area is dotted with monasteries, as it has been a haven for devout Buddhists. You'll often spot Buddhist monks, adorned in maroon robes, as they reverently circumambulate the stupa, prayer wheels in hand. The base of the stupa is adorned with numerous smaller stupas.

Patan Durbar Square- World Heritage Site

This entire square is a group of beautiful pagoda-style temples and stone sculptures. It also serves as the central area for business in the city. At every turn, you encounter a piece of artwork or an representation of a god, demonstrating the incredible talent of the nameless artists in Patan. The stone shrine of Lord Krishna and the Royal Bath, adorned with intricate stone and bronze carvings, are two other exceptional creations in the same vicinity. The temple dedicated to Lord Krishna occupies a prominent position within Patan's palace complex. While its design is not entirely indigenous, it is one of the most exceptional examples of Nepalese temple craftsmanship. This three-story stone temple continues to receive high admiration from art and beauty enthusiasts. The intricate details of this work clearly showcase the advanced level that stone carving art had reached in the sixteenth century.

Bhaktapur Durbar square- World Heritage Site

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagoda and Shikhara-style temples clustered around a palace made of brick and wood with fifty-five windows. The square stands out as one of the most delightful showcases of ancient Nepalese craftsmanship. The statues of kings in gold, perched atop stone pillars, the guardian deities watching from their shrines, and the wooden carvings found throughout—beams, support beams, columns, triangular wall sections, entrances, and openings—all appear to create a harmonious and well-organized performance. The key attractions in the Durbar Square include the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate, the palace with fifty-five windows, the five-story pagoda-style Nyatapola temple, and the Dattatreya temple.