• Pashupatinath Temple - Highlights of Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupati Temple is located in the heart of Deopatan town, within an open courtyard. This square, two-tiered pagoda temple is built on a single-tier plinth and rises 23.6 meters above the ground. It features richly adorned gilt and silver-plated doors on all sides.

Flanking each door are niches of various sizes containing gold-painted images of guardian deities. Inside the temple, a narrow ambulatory surrounds the sanctum, which houses a one-meter high linga with four faces (chaturmukha) representing Pashupati, along with images of Vishnu, Surya, Devi, and Ganesh.

The priests of Pashupatinath are known as Bhattas, with the chief priest referred to as Mool Bhatt or Raval. The chief priest reports directly to the King of Nepal on temple matters periodically.

The struts beneath the roofs, dating back to the late 17th century, are adorned with wood carvings of Shiva’s family members such as Parvati, Ganesh, Kumar, or the Yoginis, as well as Hanuman, Rama, Sita, Lakshman, and other deities from the Ramayana.

Pashupati Temple’s expansive grounds include numerous other ancient and significant temples, shrines, and statues. South of the temple is Chadeshvar, an inscribed Licchavi linga from the 7th century, and to the north is a 9th-century temple of Brahma. On the south side of Pashupati temple is the Dharmashila, a stone for taking sacred oaths, and pillars with statues of various Shah kings.

In the northeast corner of the temple courtyard is the small pagoda temple of Vasuki, the King of the Nagas. Vasuki is depicted as a Naga (mythical snake) from the waist upwards, with the lower parts being an intricate tangle of snakes’ bodies. Local belief holds that Vasuki resides here to protect Pashupati. Devotees often circumambulate and worship Vasuki before entering the main sanctum.

The Bagmati River, which flows next to Pashupatinath Temple, is considered highly sacred. Its banks are lined with numerous ghats (bathing spots) for pilgrims. Renovating or furnishing these sites is regarded as meritorious.

Arya Ghat, dating from the early 1900s, holds special significance as it is the only place where lustral water for Pashupatinath Temple can be obtained and is where members of the royal family are cremated. The main cremation site is Bhasmeshvar Ghat, the most-used cremation site in the Kathmandu Valley. The preferred bathing spot for women is Gauri Ghat, to the north.

Across the Bagmati River are 15 votive shrines, the Pandra Shivalaya, built to enshrine lingas in memory of deceased persons between 1859 and 1869.

• Swoyambhu Mahachaitya - Ascend the 365 steps to the top - take breaks to enjoy the small stupas, monkeys, and observe vendors’ prices rising!

Circle the stupa at the top (clockwise). Visit the small temples and shrines surrounding the main stupa.

Explore one of the many singing bowl stores in the back streets at the top. Enjoy the view of Kathmandu from the summit.

If time permits, descend the stairs behind the stupa to the world peace pond. Local artisans are sometimes found along these steps.

To the rear is a Buddha park, while to the south is a natural history museum.

There’s also a monastery near the top behind the peace pond. Be cautious of the monkeys - they may steal food, shiny objects, and take items from your hand or bag!

• Patan Durbar Square - Begin your journey from the left side of Patan, observing the temples first, then move deeper into the city. The main attractions include:

1. Chyasin Dewal: The first temple encountered is Chyasin Dewal, one of two Krishna temples in the square. This attractive octagonal solid granite temple was built in 1637-47 by Siddhi Narasimha and is worth a walk around as it is one of the square’s finest examples of solid stone temples. Note the two stone lion guardians at the bottom of the platform steps leading to the first floor. Inside is the statue of Krishna. Two stone floors above have unique balconies.

2. Taleju Bell: Just north of the Krishna Temple is a large cast-iron Taleju Bell. Mounted between two stone pillars, it was erected in 1736-37 and rumored to terrify the king’s enemies when rung. More likely, it was used to signal incoming invaders and later city announcements.

3. Hari Shankar Temple (destroyed in earthquake): Built in 1706, it was dedicated to the Shankar Narayan deity, who is half Shiva and half Vishnu. In front were two heavy stone elephant guardians who still stand today.

4. Jagan Narayan Temple (destroyed in earthquake): The second major temple to collapse in the 2015 earthquake was once the oldest in the square, built in 1566. It was used for political speeches.

5. Krishna Mandir: One of the most remarkable stone temples ever built, it took only six and a half years to construct in 1637. This elaborate temple is dedicated to Krishna and worth spending some time to admire. Opposite it is a beautiful Garuda mounted on a column.

6. Vishwanath Temple: Vishwanath is a manifestation of Shiva. The temple was built between 1676-78 during a time when King Siddhi Narsingh witnessed the Moguls destroy the Vishwanath Temple in Banaras. Today, you can view two stone riders on elephants guarding it.

7. Bhimsen Mandir Temple: The last temple on the left-hand side moving up Durbar Square was built in 1680 when all three kingdoms in Nepal were at peace. It’s dedicated to the Newari god of traders, Bhimsen. There’s a fire pit opposite it for rituals and a tall pillar. Crossing to the other side of the street, you’ll see a large hiti or sunken water source known as Manga Hiti. Though damaged, it still functions today, albeit without its gates.

8. Keshab Narayan Chowk/ Patan Museum: Running along the wall of the old palace is an ornate doorway leading to part of Patan Museum. Entering it also provides access to Mul Chowk and Sundari Chowk.

9. Mul Chowk: Damaged during the earthquake, renovation is nearly complete. Today, it’s often used as a restoration area by artisans. The courtyard was built in 1666 and is known as the heart of Durbar Square. It is now quite plain aside from the gilded figures straight ahead, Ganga and Jamuna, goddesses of the river system that runs from the Himalaya, and the copper shrine in the middle. Two decades ago, the courtyard was richly decorated in woodwork until several thefts left it bare. Continue through to Sundari Chowk.

10. Sundari Chowk: The centerpiece attraction is undoubtedly the stunning Tushahiti step-well in the center of the courtyard. Built in 1647 by King Siddhinarasimha Malla for ritual ablutions.

11. Bhandarkhal Tank: Don’t leave Sundari Chowk without taking a quick look to the rear where the fully restored Bhandarkhal tank or pond now lies. Built in 1667, it was once Durbar Square’s main water supply.

• Buddha Stupa - Highlights of Boudhanath Stupa

From above, Boudhanath Stupa resembles a giant mandala, or diagram of the Buddhist cosmos. As in all Tibetan mandalas, four of the Dhyani Buddhas mark the cardinal points, with the fifth, Vairocana, enshrined in the center (in the white hemisphere of the stupa). The five Buddhas also represent the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether), which are reflected in the stupa’s architecture.

There are other symbolic numbers here as well: the nine levels of Boudhanath Stupa represent the mythical Mt. Meru, center of the cosmos; and the 13 rings from the base to the pinnacle symbolize the path to enlightenment, or “Bodhi” — hence the stupa’s name.

At the base, the stupa is surrounded by an irregular 16-sided wall, with frescoes in the niches. In addition to the Five Dhyani Buddhas, Boudhanath Stupa is closely associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Padmapani), whose 108 forms are depicted in sculptures around the base. The mantra of Avalokiteshvara - Om Mani Padme Hum - is carved on the prayer wheels beside the images of Avalokiteshvara around the base of the stupa.

The base of the stupa consists of three large platforms, decreasing in size. These platforms symbolize Earth, and here you can look out at the mountains while listening to the chants of the devout doing kora, walking around the stupa praying.

Next come two circular plinths supporting the hemisphere of the stupa, symbolizing water. As at Swayambhunath, Boudhanath is topped with a square tower bearing the omnipresent Buddha eyes on all four sides.

Instead of a nose is a question-mark-type symbol that is actually the Nepali character for the number 1, symbolizing unity and the one way to reach enlightenment—through the Buddha’s teachings. Above this is the third eye, symbolizing the wisdom of the Buddha.

The square tower is topped by a pyramid with 13 steps, representing the ladder to enlightenment. The triangular shape is the abstract form for the element of fire. At the top of the tower is a gilded canopy, the embodiment of air, with above it a gilded spire, symbolic of ether and the Buddha Vairocana. Prayer flags tied to the stupa flutter in the wind, carrying mantras and prayers heavenward.

The main entrance to the upper platform of Boudhanath Stupa is on the north side. Here Amoghasiddhi, progenitor of the future Buddha, presides. Below Amoghasiddhi is the Buddha Maitreya, the future Buddha.

Surrounding Boudhanath Stupa are streets and narrow alleys lined with colorful homes, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and street vendors.

• All government taxes included.
• In-vehicle air conditioning for your comfort.
• Comfortable private vehicle for ground transport.
• Experienced English-speaking tour guide.

• On-board restrooms
• Personal expenses
• Entrance fees

Upon your arrival in Nepal, your first encounter will be Kathmandu. This energetic capital of Nepal is a treasure trove of age-old traditions from bygone eras. Despite modern high-rises dominating the landscape, the city is filled with intricately carved monuments at every turn. Some of these structures are commonplace for residents, while others that occupy larger areas have earned their place on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. The Kathmandu Day Tour includes leisurely trips to four of the seven world heritage sites that Kathmandu hosts: Patan Durbar Square, Swyambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.