Kathmandu Heritage with Nagarkot

Today, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, and then let’s continue our Kathmandu exploration from Boudhanath Stupa, which has a striking diameter of about 100 meters (328 ft.). Located on a significant trade route connecting China and Nepal in ancient times, it’s a pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists.

Next, we’ll proceed to Patan Durbar Square, which is proud of its abundant Newari copper, stone, and wood carvings. We won’t miss the glittering Golden Temple, a 12th-century Buddhist site. You can see a young boy sitting in the main shrine and sprinkling holy water on the worshippers. An interesting thing is, the boy serves as the chief priest of the temple only for one month. Your guide will share you more details about this special tradition.

Then, let’s set out for Nagarkot, the “viewpoint of the Himalayas”! In about one hour, we’ll reach this small village before the sun sets. Then, prepare to watch a stunning sunset with the rolling snow peaks of the Himalayas. If it’s during the dry season from October to April, you may even see Mt. Everest! After that, your guide will assist you with hotel check-in.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Country Villa Nagarkot, or Soaltee Westend Resort Nagarkot (5 stars)

This morning, if the weather is good, you may get up early to watch a charming sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to Bhaktapur, one of the three ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley. The journey takes around 30 minutes.

Upon arrival, let’s explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Compared with the two Durbar Squares we’ve visited before, it’s larger and more unsophisticated. After appreciating the wooden art of the iconic 55 Window Palace, feast your eyes on the sandstone-built Siddhi Vatsala Temple. It’s dedicated to the wife of Visnu, with some of the best Newari stone carvings from the Medieval times. Look at the paired statues of horses, rhinos and children - they survived the big earthquake in 2015 intact!

Then, let’s walk eastward to the Dattatreya Temple. From its facade full of details, you can get a glimpse of the exquisite skills of the craftsmen 500 years ago. Your guide will help you find the intricately-carved Peacock Window, which is the most remarkable piece of wood art in Nepal. Then, on our way back to Kathmandu, we’ll make a stop for the Pashupatinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

★ Learn Cooking & Enjoy Dinner at a Local Family’s House

Get ready for a unique cultural and culinary experience! In the evening, we’ll go to a local family’s house, and learn to cook a traditional Nepali dinner from the hospitable host. You’ll have a chance to learn to make momo, a local staple food similar to dumplings. Make your own wrappers and fillings, and prepare the curry sauce. Enjoy your dinner with the family, and finally your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. Tip: When you pass objects to the locals, please use your right hand to show your respect.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel (4 stars), or Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu (5 stars)

Today, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, and let’s visit some of the less-visited sites in Kathmandu.

First, enjoy a 1-hour private car ride to the Dakshinkali Temple on top of a hill. When we reach the foot of the hill, you may notice a strange thing: the locals are climbing along the rugged path, while their goats are in the cable car. In fact, the goats are the offerings for Kali, the Hindu goddess of death, who is enshrined here. According to the legend, the goddess was overwhelmed with uncontrollable rage after defeating the evil. The sacrifices are to defuse her anger and quench her desire for blood. 

Later, let’s go to the nearby Kirtipur Village, one of the oldest villages in Nepal. Your guide will show you around the historic Buddhist temples and Hindu temples. From the three-storied Uma Maheshwar Temple, you can have a panoramic view of the entire Kathmandu Valley. 

Then, we’ll proceed to Chobhar Gorge, a natural wonder and a holy site for both Buddhists and Hindus. It’s said that, Manjusri Bodhisattva came here from China but only to find floods in Kathmandu, so he split the mountain with his sword to drain the lake, and later the gorge was formed and the cities thrived. 

Afterward, let’s return to Kathmandu and have dinner at a featured restaurant. Enjoy your Dal Bhat, the national dish of Nepal featuring lentils and rice, while watching a cultural dance show. What a joyful night in a traditional atmosphere! After that, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Western buffet breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel (4 stars), or Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu (5 stars)

This is the last day of your tour. According to your onward flight time, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to Kathmandu Airport on time. We wish you a pleasant journey!

Meal: Western buffet breakfast