Kathmandu Odyssey Tour: A 3-Night, 4-Day Spectacle of Cultural Marvels

Upon arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport Kathmandu, meet and assist our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the largest urban agglomerate of Nepal. The agglomerate consists of Kathmandu Metropolitan City at its core, and its sister cities Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi, and Bhaktapur. It also includes the recently recognized urban areas of Shankhapur, Karyabinayak, Champapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel, and Panauti. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square: Kathmandu’s number one tourist attraction swarms with life. Though a few of the square’s 50-plus monuments date from the 12th century, most are from the time of the Malla Kings. Probably the most famous building here is the Kumari Bahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, and a manifestation of the great goddess Durga. Nearby the former Royal Palace is a Mall Dynasty dwelling, once considerably more extensive than today. Within, the courtyard Nassal Chowk, originally hosted dramatic dance performances, now it is the coronation site of the Shah kings and contains some of the finest wood carvings you will see anywhere in the kingdom. The 14th-century Jagannath Mandir is the oldest temple in the area, its steps carved with inscriptions in many languages, nearby Taleju Mandir is one of the largest and finest temples in the Valley.
Kumari Temple – Living Goddess: Kumari, A ‘living goddess’ made a rare public appearance to take center stage at a religious festival in Nepal. A Kumari, meaning virgin in Nepalese, is a young prepubescent girl, considered by devotees to be incarnation of the Hindu goddess of power, Kali.
Swayambhunath: The most ancient and enigmatic of the Valley’s holy shrines the golden-spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu Valley’s most sacred Buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the Vajrayana Buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.
Patan: Patan, the ancient city, once a kingdom in itself, is situated across the Bagmati River to the south of Kathmandu. Patan Durbar Square offers the finest display of Newari urban architecture in Nepal. There are temples devoted to Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh, and Vishnu all actively visited by residents and visitors. At the northern end of the square, the ancient sunken water tap has been restored and is still in use with young girls filling huge jugs from the carved stone waterspouts. The courtyards of the Royal Palace with their ornamented windows, columned arcades, shrines, and sunken royal bath are amongst the loveliest in all of Kathmandu.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Pashupatinath: situated approx. 4 km east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated, amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has a gilted roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of river Bagmati, entrance to the temple being strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of the annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivratri which falls in February/March. Behind the temple are the cremation grounds.
Boudhanath: This stupa, approx. 7 km east of Kathmandu city is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal directions keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. This Buddhist stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of Goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is ringed by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Bhaktapur lies only at a distance of 13 km to the east of the capital city, Kathmandu, one can have an opportunity to experience a different world, the world full of vibrant cultures, colorful festivals, generations-old craftsmanship, and on top of that it is very worthwhile experiencing its indigenous lifestyle – still preserved old houses, still practiced traditional ways of welcoming guests, still practiced culinary & cutlery and many more experiences.
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

Departure transfer to the international airport to connect the flight to the onward destination