Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, encircled by verdant hills and mountains. The valley serves as a bustling tourist hub as well as a cultural and commerce hub. Kathmandu Valley is rich in historical and cultural gems known for its rich heritage and beautiful landscapes.
Kathmandu Valley Tour Highlights
- Ancient heritage sightseeing.
- Cultural sight photography.
- Close observation of handmade wooden carvings.
- Pashupatinath Temple is the biggest Hindu temple.
- Peaceful Boudhanath Stupa- World Heritage Site.
- Swayambhunath (Monkey temple).
- Bhaktapur Durbar square, the ancient city.
- Patan Durbar Square, rich ancient temples, and traditional Newari architecture.
The Kathmandu Valley is home to three ancient cities; Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. Each city includes an array of ancient temples, and historical places, which reflects the valley is deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
Kathmandu Valley covers seven archaeological and UNESCO world heritage sites including; Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa, Changunarayan, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square. Kathmandu Valley is not only culturally rich but also a natural wonder. The valley has terraced landscapes, rivers, lush forests, and giant green hills.
Major Attractions of Kathmandu Heritage Valley
Pashupatinath Temple ( Biggest Hindu Temple)
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest and sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Pashupati (lord of animals). The temple existed on this site in 400 Ce. The pagoda-style temple is decorated with wood carvings, silver doors, and a gold-plated roof. The temple is highly appreciated and worshiped by thousands of devotees around the globe. Especially for Hindu devotees, it is their life's main goal to arrive here once and get the blessings of Pashupatinath-lord Shiva.
The temple is nestled on both banks of Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu. The Bagmati River is one of the sacred rivers and cremation areas of Hindus. After the death, the bodies are burnt in the bank of the Bagmati River, and it is believed that the soul of the bodies that are burnt here finds peace. It is the only place in the world where you can see the Arti of God being performed on one side and the corpse being burnt on the other side of the Bagmati River.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Valley covers thousands of temples, stupas, monuments and shrines. Kathmandu Durbar Square also known as Hanuman Dhoka and Basantapur Durbar Square is one of the amazing places of Newari civilization and things to visit. Hundreds of erotic carvings, the house of the living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), and the fierce Kal Bhairav are some attractions of this area. You can see the wooden architecture, temples, and ancient Nepali buildings which were used to be built 2-3 hundred years ago.
Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)
Settled above a hill on the northwest side of Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath is the most ancient and holy stupa surrounded by various shrines, small temples, painted images, and many religious objects. The compound is centered on a white stupa, crowned by a gold spire paint with Buddha's eyes on four sides which indicates the protective gaze over the Kathmandu Valley. Swayambhunath is also known as the monkey temple, as hundreds of monkeys live here. The Swayambhu meaning “the self-existen” was built by King Manadev in 460 A.D. You can see the largest image of Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal lies on a high pedestal on the western border of Swayambhu, and the valley looks stunning from here. The holy place is installed with numerous Buddhists and Hindus.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath Stupa is one of the oldest and largest stupas in the world and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple. The stupa was built in the 5th century by the Tibetan King. It is the most attractive stupa in the world, its structure, elegant colors, hanging colorful flags, and entire surroundings offers a peaceful and gorgeous sight. Buddhist devotees all around the world visit and worship the stupa and it is believed that whoever circles the stupa and prays with pure heart, God will fulfill their wishes.
Patan Durbar Square (Temple of Unique Wooden Carving)
Patan Durbar Square is an ancient royal palace where the King's family used to live in the past. The Durbar is located in Lalitpur city which is one of the three Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley. The Durbar displays the stunning visual of Newari Architecture, there are several statues and temples in this area. The entire Durbar square is built from wood and bricks and the floor is tiled with red bricks. Each step displays a piece of art, and the Royal Bath and the stone temple of Lord Krishna with bronze and intricate stone carvings are other masterpieces to witness in Patan Durbar Square. There are numerous temples and ancient structures in and around the Patan Durbar square which is built by the Newari community.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Ancient City)
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the former Royal Palace which has become a museum now. It is a combination of pagoda and Shikhara style temples. The Durbar is the most stunning architectural masterpiece of the Kathmandu valley, as it presents Nepal's ancient art. The King's golden sculpture perched on the top of stone monoliths, wood carvings in every corner, windows and gateways form a well-orchestrated symphony. The major highlight of the Durbar Square is the palace of fifty-five windows, the Golden Gate, Lion Gate, the Dattatreya temple, and the pagoda style fife-storey Nyatapola temple.
Photography Tour
We will also offer a photography city tour with professional photographers. The beautiful Kathmandu Valley offers various gorgeous places. Along with exploration of the historical and cultural sites of the valley, we capture every moment and the beauty and art of the places you visit. The memories freeze in the frame and stay forever with you and help you to relive it again in the future.
