Kathmandu World Heritage and Pokhara Himalayas
6 Nights / 7 Days

Destinations: Kathmandu Cultural World Heritage Sites, scenic Himalayas of Pokhara and famous Nagarkot with sunset and sunrise.

Tour Season: September-May, Best Time: September-December.
Trip Grade: Easy and relaxing

Kathmandu Valley's Highlights:
Welcome to Nepal, the land of adventure! Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal, is situated at 4,423 ft. above sea level. The valley is surrounded by semi-green hills, terraced fields and towering snow-capped peaks in the backgrounds. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan are the major towns in the valley. All three are of great historic, cultural and artistic interests. The architectural history of the valley is said to have begun with the Lichhavi and the Malla kings. Today, the ancient monuments and temples are the center of attraction for visitors, particularly the seven World Heritage Sites, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Please find brief descriptions of each site in the itinerary below.

Not only the ancient temples and monuments that make the valley interesting but also the diverse cultural groups that make their home here. It is the base camp for all visitors to Nepal and a perfect place to explore history and culture of this Himalayan Kingdom. Nepal being an undeveloped country, its shape and face is changing daily bringing environmental degradation, and is affecting the world heritage sites. The influence of modernization is engulfing the ancient treasures of Nepal. Therefore, we request the visitors to contribute their good ideas on how to save the world heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley by improving its environment.

We offer fine quality hotels and resorts in Kathmandu and its surrounding hills when you are on our tour programs. The valley rims, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are perfect places to escape the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. From these hilltops, you can enjoy striking mountain views, sun set and sun rise over the high Himalayas, and breathe fresh air in the ambience of the tallest mountains in the world. We organize treks of various lengths in the surrounding hills to provide you opportunities to visit local villages to explore the local cultures. People who plan to spend more than couple days in the Kathmandu Valley should consider these treks.

Highlights of Pokhara Region:
Welcome to Pokhara! Pokhara is an extraordinary landscape and one of the most attractive destinations in Nepal. The treasures of Pokhara include the tranquillity of Phewa Lake, spectacular views of Annapurna range and Mount Machhapuchhare (6,977 m), luscious green hills, terraced farm slopes, countless species of vegetation, rushing rivers in a tropical-like environment. Pokhara is, since ancient times, the traditional export center for trade with India and Tibet. Merchants from remote Himalayan regions of Nepal, such as Muktinath and Mustang still come here with mule trains.

The Gurungs and Magars are the aboriginal inhabitants and remain the majority in the hill regions. But the urban population is now made up of diverse ethnic groups seeking employment opportunities. The Gurungs and Magars have reputation as hardworking farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers.

This calm city of Pokhara serves as a base camp for trekking and rafting trips through the regions of Annapurna and Western Nepal. Baidam on the southeastern end of Phewa Lake and is dominated by restaurants, bars, hotels and shops, is the gathering place for travelers in the western regions of Nepal. The island temple of Barahi is accessible from Baidam by dug out canoes. This two-storied pagoda is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Ajima. On Saturdays, devotees paddle across the lake carrying live animals for sacrifice.

Bindhyabasini Mandir is a local Hindu temple on the northeast of Phewa Lake in the vicinity of the Old Bazaar. Devotees perform animal sacrifices and have picnics in the courtyard on Saturdays. The Old Bazaar area is still the commercial hub of merchants from the remote Himalaya while Phewa Lake is a romantic scenery for holiday makers from around the world!

There are countless other sites of interests in this remarkable land for visitors with a desire to discover Nepal's natural splendor and the cultures of its diverse inhabitants. Our tours, trekking and rafting trips in Pokhara and neighboring regions range from 2 to 16 days and up. Trekking around the Annapurnas, crossing the Thorang Pass also end up in Pokhara and lasts from 3 to 4 weeks. Join Discover Asia Travel's finely designed tours and treks and experience the extraordinary natural scenery and unique cultures of Nepal to treasure in your memoirs of a lifetime.

Itinerary: Kathmandu World Heritage and Scenic Himalayas 7 Days:

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal
Upon arrival, meet at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel, check in, refresh and depart for Bouddha Stupa Tour.
Evening-Nepali dinner and folk cultural show.

Bouddha Stupa:
Bouddha Stupa is located thirteen kilometers north of downtown Kathmandu or about four kilometers from Pashupati area, and is one of the largest stupas in Nepal. It is said that the stupa was built by the Lichhavi King Man Dev in the fifth century. Ever since then Tibetan merchants and Buddhist pilgrims have rested and offered prayers here.

Monks, nuns and lay people alike walk around the stupa with prayer wheels in their hands, whispering "OM MANE PADME HUN" meaning "hail to the jewel in the lotus" while extreme devotees undergo rituals of prostration to the Lord Buddha. The Bouddha area is a unique place with full of visual attractions. Vividly colored thankas (tantric Buddhist paintings), hand-woven carpets, jewelry, masks, khukri knives, ready made garments of different ethnic groups, and many other modern and antique crafts. The visitors and residents around the stupa are as varied as the physical objects one will encounter. The Tamangs were the orinal inhabitants. Then, refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s and many settled around Bouddhanath. Today, different ethnic groups, mostly followers of Buddhism, make their homes here.
Meals: D.

Day 2 Pashupati Temple, Swayambu, & Kathmandu Durbar Square
Early morning breakfast at the hotel.
0700AM pick up at the hotel and drive to Pashupatinath Temple tour to catch some of the glimpse of the morning worshipers at the most sacred Hindu Temple in the world. Then, drive to Swayambu Stupa, the oldest Buddhist Stupa in the valley. After Swayambu Stupa tour, we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square (the old Palace of Nepal).
Lunch break en-route tour:
Tour will end after Kathmandu Durbar Square tour and drive to hotel.
Evening at leisure.

Pashupati Temple:
This temple is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destination in Nepal. The shrine of Lord Shiva has existed for at least fifteen hundred years in the Kathmandu Valley. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in 879 AD. However, the present temple was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silver doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction.

Rajrajeswari Temple built in 1407, Kailash with lingas more than 1,400 years old, Goraknath temple, the courtyard of Biswarup, rows of Shiva shrines and Hindu pilgrims from all over South Asia offering worship to Shiva, the Hindu cremation grounds known as Arya Ghat along the Bagmati River are some of the attractive sites that we visit on this tour. You may encounter cremation along the bank of the river. Please refrain from taking pictures of such scene as you might offend the mourning relatives.

Swayambu Stupa:
It is said that the history of the Kathmandu Valley began with Swayambu, "self-creating". According to legends, the Buddhist saint Manjushree came across a beautiful lake during his journey in the Valley. He discovered a lotus that emitted brilliant light at the center of the lake. So, he cut a gorge in the southeastern hill (known as Chobar gorge) and drained the water to worship the lotus. People settled in the dried up lake and called it Kathmandu, while the hilltop of the selfcreating Lord has become a holy place. The Valley being a lake bed is actually not only a fable, but a geologic reality. Clay mines and rich soil bear evidence of the valley's under water past.

Swayambu is not only the major landmark of the Valley but also one of the best places to observe the religious harmony of Nepal. Ancient mini stupas and shrines of both Bhudhists and Hindus fill up the stupa complex. This stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshippers are diverse. A monastery adjecent to the stupa houses the largest image of Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal and many stone sculptures of different deities. There numerous monasteries in the vicinity of the stupa with huge prayer wheels, fine Bhuddhist paintings, and special butter lamps which can be lite after offering a monetary donation. Since we will not spare time to visit all the monasteries, we will visit the main monastery in the stupa complex. On a clear day, this hilltop stupa complex offers excellent views of the Kathmandu Valley and the towering snow-capped peaks in the background. Lunch break around Kathmandu Durbar Square area.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:
The numerous monuments in Kathmandu's Durbar Square are almost too much for the eye to take in. The fearsome Kal Bhairab, the Red Monkey god, the house of the living Goddess Kumari, not to mention hundreds of erotic carvings-only begin to catalog the square's cultural imagery!

The buildings here are the greatest achievements of the Mallla dynasty. They resulted from the great rivalry between the three realms of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. According to legend, the Valley was divided among the children of Yaksya Malla. His children and grandchildren began an artistic warfare trying to outdo each other in ever grander styles. As a result, the architectures of these cities look similar. But the wood carvings, statues-and architecture in particular-of Kathmandu's Durbar Square are exceptionally fine.

Then, we visit the fine collections of the Royal Museum inside the old palace of Kasthamandap from which the name Kathmandu was derived. At the end of the tour, drive or walk back to the hotel. Meals: B

Day 3 Kathmandu to Pokhara flight & Trek Dampus Village
Dampus Village is situated on a hill slope and is a mix of Gurung and Magar ethnic settlement with guesthouses and teahouses. The mountain views and scenic valley seen from here is very superb. We will experience spectacular views of the majestic mountains and the valleys at sunset and sunrise.

Tour Program:
Early morning breakfast, drive to Kathmandu Airport and take a 30 minute scenic flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival at Pokhara Airport, meet our trekking crew at the airport, and drive Phedi (base), unload and trek to Dhampus Village.
The trek from Phedi to Dhampus is uphill through semi-forests, terraced farms, and villages with scenic views. Lunch served en-route.
Overnight at the best available lodge.
Meals: BLD.

Day 4 Trek to Sarangkot via Naudanda.
We get up early to catch the sunrise over the Himalayas. The view we will experience is breathtaking. After breakfast, we trek to Naudanda and to Sarangkot along the ridge from where you will have spectacular views of the Annapurna Himalayan Range and the Pokhara Valley. Overnight tented camp or Lodge accommodation.
Meals: BLD.

Day 5 Trek and tour Pokhara Valley
Early morning wake up to view the sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast and we trek downhill to Pokhara town to visit the Bindebasini temple and continue to Phewa Lake.
Arrive at hotel, check in, refresh and trek to Peace Pagoda above the lake, then trek back and take a short canoe trip to visit Barahi temple on a small island in Phewa Lake. After the temple, return to lake shore and remaining time at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Meals: BLD.

Day 6 Pokhara-Kathmandu Flight and Bhaktapur-Nagarkot
Early morning wake up, breakfast, and transfer to the airport for flight to Kathamndu. Upon arrival, transfer Bhaktapur Durbar Square tour before continuing our journey to famous Nagarkot hilltop for spectacular Himalayan views with sunset and sunrise.

Bhaktapur, the city of Devotees.
Here, we walk through the Palace square, visit the palace museum, monuments and the pottery kiln. The name Bhaktapur, means the "city of devotees", and was founded in 889 AD by King Anand Dev. It is the most enchanting of Kathmandu Valley's three ethnically Newar cities. Newar art and architecture of the Malla periods from about 12th to 18th century are among the best attractions here. The palace complex in the middle of the city portrays the prosperity of the Malla years and the detailed craftsmenship of the period. The Palace of fifty-five Windows stands in the square and was home to many of Bhaktapur's kings. The square's gate was erected by King Bhupatindra Malla (1696- 1722) and was among the biggest in the Valley. Among other monuments in Bhaktapur, the big bell, the Nyatapola, the golden Gate, the Bhairab Temple, the five-tiered temple, the Dattatreya Square with its wood-carving, and metalwork museum are the most interesting places.

Bhaktapur is not as modernized as Kathmandu and Patan and stands in sharp contrast. Therefore, visitors can still observe people making clay sculptures and other utilities in the city alleys. Its elaborate ancient monuments and the surrounding valley with beautifully terraced farmlands make Bhaktapur a unique destination to visitors.
Overnight at hotel in Nagakot.
Meals: BL.

Day 7 Nargarkot Sunrise and departure
Today, we wake up very early to catch the sunrise through the Himalayas. Then, have breakfast, check out and drive to Kathmandu Airport to catch Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.
Meals: B.

NEPAL FOR LESS 2004-2005!
TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:

Tour Cost Includes:
Three nights accommodations in quality hotels in Kathmandu at 2-3 star boutique hotels and quality resorts in Nagarkot on twin sharing and breakfast,
Three nights lodge accommodation with hot and cold shower while on trek,
all tour activities as mentioned in the itinerary,
all ground transportation including on arrival and departure,
tour guide service throughout the tou and porters on trek,
entrance fees to monuments and parks visited,

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
Kathmandu-Pokhara one way airfare US$80 per person and roundtrip Airfare US$160 per person, Tourist bus to US$20 one way and roundtrip US$40 per person (Kathmandu-Pokhara bus trip takes 6-7 hours journey),
Visa fees, international airfares, airport departure tax,
meals not mentioned in the programs, personal expenses, personal insurance, alcoholic and soft beverages, telephone, laundry, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, political unrest, accidents and emergency rescue fees. Individual arrivals, such as early arrival and late arrivals are not included in the tour cost and must be paid separate.