Swayambhu:

The history of valley, according to the legends begins with Sawayambhu or "the self existence". In times uncharted by history, Bodhisativa Manjushri came across a beautiful lake during his travel. He saw a lotus that emitted brilliant light at the lake’s center, so he cut a gorge in a southern hill and drained the waters to worship the lotus. Men settled on the bed of the lake called it Kathmandu valley. From than on the hilltop of the self-existant Lord has been a holy place.

Swayambhu’s light was covered in time because few could bear its intensity. By the thirteen century, after many layer were added to the original structure that enveloped the lord’s power , a dome-like shaped had been acquired. The stupas central mast was damaged and replaced at that time. Peripheral sources of power were discovered on the hilltop as well and stupas, temples and rethouses were built to honor them. Swayambhu is perhaps the best place to observe the religious harmony in Nepal. The stupa is among the most ancient in this part of the World, and its worshippers are divers from Newar nuns, Tibetan monks, and Brahmin priests to lay Buddhists and Hindus. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal is in a monastery next to stupa.

Swayambhu is major landmark of the valley and looks like a beacon beacon below the Nagarjun Hill. It provides an excellent view of the Kathmandu Valley. Devotees have climbed the steps on the eastern side for centuries. Statues of the Buddha, mini stupas. Monasteries and monkeys make the climb to Swayambhu which is fairly steep-worthwhile. But for someone who is physically disabled or is pressed for time the western road allows you to get off your transport almost at the base of the stupa.

Pashupati:

The pashupati is the holiest Hindu prigrimage of Nepal: it is believe the Pashupati where it is stayed has received the attention of worshipers for at least fifteen hundred years.

One-day lord Shiva got tired of his glitering palace on Mt. Kailas, his armies of ghosts and spirits, and even Parbati-his beautiful wife. Through his cosmic powers, he searched for a perfect place where he could holiday. Without telling anyone, he ran away from his palace and came to live in Slesmantak forest in Kathmandu valley.

He gained great fame here as Pashupati-Lord of the animals-before other gods discovered his hiding place and came to fetch him.

There are linga images of Shiva along with statues, shrines and other deities in the complex. A temple dedicated to Shiva existed at this site in AD 879 but Malla built present temples in 1697. A gold-plated roof, silvers doors, and woodcarvings of the finest quality decorate the pagoda construction is the good example of architecture in Nepal.

The Bagmati river flows close by the Pashupati and the Arya Ghat cremation grunds are here where funeral works of Hindus take place. We strongly advise photographers not to take photos of cremations and of bereaved families. Sadhus ,sages who follow the lifestyle of Shiva, ,may be seen covered in ashes and loincloths. They ask for money in case you want to take their photos. Those of Hindu faith may enter the main Pashupatinath courtyard only.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

It is easy to be overwhelmed by the seemingly uncountable monuments in the Kathmandu Durbar Square. The houses of the living Goddess, the ferocious Kal Bhairab, the red monkey god, and hundreds of erotic carvings are a few examples of the sights at the square! The buildings here are the greatest achievements of the Malla dymasty. A visitor who wanders around the square will see a round temple in the pagoda architectural style, the temple of Goddess Taleju and an image of Shiva and Parbati sitting together among the many monuments. The Sqaure is teeming with colorful life. Vendors sell curios, flutes and other crafts around the Kasthmandap rest house. This rest house is said to have been built with the wood of a single tree and is the source from which the Kathmandu valley got its name. Nearby are great drums, which were beaten to announce royal decrees. All woodcarvings, statues, and architecture in this area are exceptionally fine, and Kathmandu Durbar Square is among the most important sights for travelers to see and it has listed in the UNESCO World Heritage site list.

Patan Durbar Square:

The Square boast of many famous sites and unique artitecture. The Krisna Mandir in Patan DurbarSquare was built to honor an incarnation of Vishnu. Krishna fought by the side of the Pandovs in the Mahabharat war to assure that truth would prevail. He was a favorite among the gopini cowgirls. This temple is the best example of stone architecture in Nepal. Other sites including the Mahaboudha Temple and Uka Bahal are only a few minutes walk away from the Square.

The streets in this area are home to metal sculptors of the present day. Many more temples dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant-headed God Shiva, Narsingha, Taleju and other are situated in the Patan Durbar Square. This is listed in the UNESCO world heritage site list.

Bhaktapur:

Bhaktapur means the "the city of devotees" in the Sankrit language. It is also known as Bhadgaoun and founded in 889 AD by King Ananda Dev. The massive gate to the Square was made by King Bhupatindra Malla (1696-1722) who took pride in his own engineering and building skills. Among the other monuments in Bhaktapur are the big bell, the golden gate, the five temple of Nyatopola, the Bhairab temple, and Dattatreya square with its woodcarving and metalwort museums.

Chagunarayan anothet famous temple located in Bhaktapur. Bhakatapur is famous for handicraft metal carving, stone carving, and woodcarving and clay pots. Bhaktapure Durbar square is listed in the UNESCO world heritage site list.

BoudhaNath:

Is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has became the focus point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in 1950s,many of them decided to live around Boudhanath. They built many gompas, and the "little Tibet" is still the best place in the valley to observe Tibetan lifestyle.

Many people believed that Boudhanath was constructed in the fifth century, but definite proof is lacking. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kasyap sage who is venerable both Buddhist and Hindus. Boudhanath area is a visual feast. Colourful thangkas, Tibetan jewelry, hand-woven carpets, masks, and Khukuri knives are sold in the surrounding stalls.

After seeing one or all of these monuments of the Kathmandu Valley, the visitor needs realize that, of course the heritage sites are only the tips of the iceberg

Nagarkot:

A famous tourist destination, a place of heavenly pleasure with eye catching beautiful natural scenery and a paradise for holidaymakers, is situated 32km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175m, above the sea level. The tourist who have limited time and wants to sunrise seeing, sunset, viewing of beautiful high mountainous scene from the tower, Nagarkot is the right place to go.

There are available hotels, restaurants and resorts here and there elsewhere in the Nagarkot DANDA(top of the hill). It is about an hour trip from Kathmandu, Vehicles are available on hire.

Dhulikhel:

This ancient town is situated 30 km east of Kathmandu on the side of the Araniko Rajmarga (Kathmandu- Kodari Highway). It is a place to see panoramic hills/mountains, and to learn nearby lifestyle of villagers. In another words peaceful village with restaurants, hotels, resorts and nearby real lifestyle of villagers. It is about an hour trip from Kathmandu. Vehicles are available on hire.

Itinerary:

• 1 night/2days package

Pulchowki:

About 2,700 meters above sea level is the tallest hilltop surrounding the Kathmandu valley. Visitors will enjoy bird watching and nature hikes in the thick forest. More than 250 bird species have been recorded here.

Sivapuri:

Shivapuri provides most of the water to the Kathmandu Valley and among the hills; it is closest to the high Himalaya out of four hills surrounded to Kathmandu Valley. You may wish to visit the Buddhist monastery set high on the hill.