Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, nestled in the cradle of the Himalayas, the highest mountains in the world. It is the world's only Hindu Kingdom, unified by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in the late 18th century. Nepal is known as the kingdom where deities mingle with mortals. It is a blend of the best of China, Tibet and India, squeezed between the vastness of China to the north and India to the south, east and west, and the staircase to the frozen heights of "the roof of the world. Nepalese people are perhaps the friendliest in the world, with kind and spiritual nature. The scenery is simply without parallel.
After breakfast visit Kathmandu city, a city which looks like a living museum. Visit the Durbar Square, the highest Durbar Square Kathmanduconcentration of at least 48 buildings of unique architecture, palaces, monuments and temples are found here. We continue to the Kumari Bhal, or the Temple of the Living Goddess. A young Buddhist girl whom the locals believe is a living goddess appears in a window of the temple courtyard. However, you will not be allowed to come any closer to this deity, as only Hindus are allowed an audience with her. Overlooking the Durbar Square is the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, built by King Pratap Mall in the 17th century, which means the "gate of the Monkey God". At the entrance there is a huge statue of the Monkey God Hanuman from the Ramayan epic. Shiva-Parvati Temple, a three storey temple famous for its erotic stone carvings. visit to the world's most glorious Buddhist Also visit stupa of Swayambunath. It is said to be 2000 years old and is situated 70 m above the level of valley. Often referred to as the `Monkey Temple'. This temple is believed to be famous in the tantric cult.
Afternoon visit the ancient town of Patan also known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty and Fine Art) .It was an important Buddhist centre, that flourished under the Malla kings. Patan is an ancient city filled with exotic pagodas, intricate gateways, fabulous deities, and endless carvings. Stroll through the city, visiting Durbar Square with the Old King's Palace. Visit Krishna Temple with its depictions of ancient Hindu epics and the Ashoka Stupa, and the mythological bird Garuda with spread wings on the peak of a pillar sits. Also visit Taleju Temple (17 century), the 3 storey Bhimsen Temple. Further you see the Shiva Temple with two stone elephants and artistic, erotic stone cutting work, and the Mahabuddha Temple (14th century), the temple of 1000 Buddhas, similar to the one in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained Nirvana. Next we visit the Tibetan Refugee Settlement. This is an interesting slice of culture and history contained in a relatively small area. In 1957 the Chinese invaded Tibet, causing thousands of Tibetans to flee their country. The Tibetans crossed the Himalayan Mountains on foot and many settled in Nepal. This camp was formed with the help of the United Nations and provides a place for the people of Tibet to work and live self-sufficiently, while they await the opportunity to return to their homeland.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
