Kathmandu Sightseeing (2 days)
A sightseeing program that includes the major historic, cultural and religious sights of the three Newari cities of the Kathmandu Valley – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each city is centered around its Durbar Square where museums, temples, courtyards and squares reveal the best of traditional art, crafts and architecture.

Patan’s museum is particularly impressive whilst in Bhaktapur the essence of the medieval town can still be felt as the city preserves its own unique identity. The ancient and enigmatic Swayambhunath Stupa is the most sacred of the Valley’s Buddhist shrines whilst Pashupatinath is the largest temple complex in Nepal and one of the most sacred places dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the whole subcontinent. The stupa of Boudhanath attracts pilgrims, particularly Tibetans, from throughout the Buddhist Himalaya.

Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Bungamati (3 days)
A sightseeing program that includes the major historic, cultural and religious sights of the three Newari cities of the Kathmandu Valley – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur as well as a glimpse of Newari village life. Each of the three cites (Kathmandu, Patan & Bhaktapur) is centered on its Durbar Square where museums, temples, courtyards and squares reveal the best of traditional art, crafts and architecture.

Patan’s museum is particularly impressive whilst in Bhaktapur the essence of the medieval town can still be felt as the city preserves its own unique idenity. The ancient and enigmatic Swayambhunath Stupa is the most sacred of the Valley’s Buddhist shrines whilst Pashupatinath is the largest temple complex in Nepal and one of the most sacred places dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in the whole subcontinent. The stupa of Boudhanath attracts pilgrims, particularly Tibetans, from throughout the Buddhist Himalaya.

Bungamati and Kokana are typical Newari villages with typical village architecture and narrow, unpaved streets where the rituals of daily life are always in full swing.

Dhulikhel and Namobuddha (3 days)
Dhulikhel is renowned for its views of the Himalaya – particularly impressive at dawn and nearby Namobuddha is an important pilgrimage site. Drive to Dhulikhel via the lovely Newari village of Panauti. In clear weather Dhulikhel offers impressive views of the Himalaya – particularly at dawn.

Namobuddha is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Valley, particularly significant to Tibetan Buddhists. It is associated with one of the Jataka Tales, which recount the previous lives of the Buddha. Colorful prayer flags and pilgrims surround the white stupa and a carved stone slab recounts the tale. The 2-hour walk through fields, plantations and small villages is extremely pleasant and offers an excellent glimpse of rural life.