Nepal Vistas (5n/6d)

The Golden Pagoda in Patan

The Golden Pagoda in Patan

Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu
Arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 2: Kathmandu
AM – Sightseeing of Patan & Tibetan Refugee Camp. The ancient city of Patan is situated on the southern bank of the river Bagmati. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is known as the city of artists. Patan Durbar Square, situated in the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor’s attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. One can rummage for treasures in the various shops around the square. A little further from Patan Durbar Square lies Mahabouddha. This Buddhist temple is made of clay bricks in which cotta structure is one of the fourteenth century Nepalese architectural masterpieces. Hiranya Varna Mahavihar is a three storey golden pagoda of Lokeshwor (Lord Buddha) was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma. It is located in the courtyard of Kwabahal. Inside the upper storey of the pagoda, placed on the pedestal, are the golden image of Lord Buddha and a large wall and a complete life of Buddha in gold relief. Tibetan Centre or Tibetan Refugee Camp was established by the then King of Nepal, King Mahendra, to accommodate Tibetans who fled the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the late 1950s. It is an interesting place where one can observe Tibetans in their daily lives, though the place is quite commercial now with shops of Tibetan carpets and other souvenirs. PM – Sightseeing of Swyambhunath, one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas, said to be 2000 years old. The Chaitya, which forms the main structure, is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides of the spire bases are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometres west of Kathmandu City, and situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Valley. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and pagoda temple. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 3: Kathmandu – Pokhara
After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for the half hour flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival at Pokhara, transfer to hotel.  AM – Sightseeing of Pokhara. The Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque in Nepal. Lakes Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa enhance the beauty of the valley, which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the Himalaya. Pokhara is one of the few places in the world to provide such a dramatic view in a subtropical setting. Machhapuchhre for example, is only 28 kilometres from Phewa Lake, and not a single mountain range intervenes between the two. Pokhara’s numerous lakes, known as “Tal” in Nepali, offer fishing, boating and swimming. PM – Hike to the Peace Stupa on the southern end of Phewa Lake, reachable by boat and then climbing up the hill. The view of Pokhara, Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range is breathtaking. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 4: Pokhara
Drive to Sarankot for early morning sunrise over the Himalaya. A short walk is required to reach the summit of the hill where the panoramic view of the Annapurna Range along with Macchapuche is spectacular. Return to hotel for breakfast. Free for the rest of the day. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 5: Pokhara – Kathmandu
After breakfast transfer to the domestic airport for flight to Kathmandu. AM – Sightseeing of Old Kathmandu. Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square) is the historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square with its old temples and palaces epitomises the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnised. Interesting things to see here are (1) Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D. (2) Gigantic figure of Kal Bhira, the God of Destruction. (3) Basantapur Durbar or Nautalle Durbar, built by King Prithvi Narayan Shah (4) Coronation Platform (Nasal Chok), (5) the Hall of Public Audience (Gaddi Baithak), (6) the statue of King Pratap Malla, (7) the Big Bell, (8) Big Drums, and (9) the Jagannath Temple. Here is also a temple of Panch Mukhi Hanuman inside the old palace. This is one of the only two such structures in Nepal, the other is in Pashupatinath. Opposite the entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace stands the Krishna Mandir. It is one of the few octagonal temples in Nepal. PM – Sightseeing of Pashupati & Boudhnath. Buddhanath Stupa lies about six km to the east of downtown Kathmandu and is the largest stupa in the Valley. It looms 36 metres high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. Bouddnath, a World Heritage site, is also known as Khasti, or dew drops, after an account that says builders had to use dew to mix the mortar as Kathmandu was suffering from a severe drought during its construction. Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, the temple of Lord Shiva-Pashupatinath with two-tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its super architecture. It is a centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Maha-Sivaratri. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the Hindus only however, visitors can clearly see the temple and activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. Overnight at hotel of your choice.

Day 6: Departure
Transfer to the airport.

Leave a comment