SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Places described below are some of the interesting sights you will want to explore during your visit to Nepal. Most of the places described below are located within the Kathmandu Valley and are reachable by foot, by mountain bikes or by hiring a car. Most of these places also have regular buses leaving from Kathmandu's city bus park at Ratna Park.
The whole of Kathmandu Valley is divided into three cities namely Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur and Lalitpur are more of ancient towns compared to Kathmandu yet these three cities are rich in their own cultural heritage and they have equal historical importance.
KATHMANDU CITY
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is the main centre for hotels, restaurants and shopping centres. There are places in this city where one can find all the modern amenities such as restaurants, bars, hotels with swimming pools, sauna, internet and at the same time there are places with narrow streets, tiny shops, 2000 years old temples, stone gods, age old houses with beautifully carved peacock windows. To explore this mysterious city of gods and temples the best way is to walk or mountain bike.
BASANTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE
 Durbar Square mean Palace courtyard. All the three cities have their own Durbar Squares and all of them are equally beautiful. Once it was the royal palace where the King used to live. Now the palace is converted into a beautiful museum and the courtyard is a living museum.
Clustered around the central Durbar Square are the old Royal Palace which is also known as Hanuman Dhoka. There are numerous old temples and monuments. There is the Kumari Bahal (house of the living goddess Kumari), Kastamandap, a house built out of a single tree from which the name Kathmandu was derived and a huge bell.
It is very easy to spend hours around this Durbar Square. Especially if you climb up the nine storey palace and look down over the crowded city.
FREAK STREET
Kathmandu's most famous street from the old hippie overland days of the late 60s and early 70s. It runs south from Basantapur Square. Although it is called Jhochhe these days but since early 70s it has been far better known as Freak Street. During the hippies time, it used to be the most busiest place for cheap hotels, colourful restaurants, hashish shops, money changers and of course, the weird and wonderful freaks who gave the street its name. Although the color these days is not so welcoming yet, you can get the feel about how it was during the hippie time.
THAMEL
This is the most colourful part of the city these days. Filled with modern restaurants and bars and hundreds of hotels and guest house, this is where you want to hang out. Thamel offers the most exciting shopping experience. From handmade trousers worth Rs. 150 to Pashmina products worth Rs. 5000, all in this one corner of the town. From Discos to night clubs and live music to travel agents you name it and they have it.
ASAN BAZAAR
From early dawn to late at night Asan Tole is always packed with buyers, sellers and passers-by. This is an interesting corner where six roads meet making it the busiest junction in Kathmandu. Every morning fresh fruits and vegetables are carried to this popular old junction which is also the home of Annapurna Goddess, the goddess of abundance.
SWAYAMBHUNATH TEMPLE
About 2km from the main downtown Thamel, Swayambhu is a Buddhist temple proudly standing on top of a hill in the middle of the Kathmandu Valley. The structure of Swayambhu is the most popular and instantly recognizable symbol of Nepal. It is also known as the monkey temple as it is filled with monkeys that guards the temple and surrounding areas. The temple has four eyes that are believed to be the all-seeing-eyes of Buddha perfectly facing the four directions. During Tibetan new year this temple is filled with devotees. Nearby on the next hill is the Saraswati Goddess temple, a beautiful sight to visit.
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE
 Nepal's most important Hindu temple Pashupatinath stands on the bank of the Bagmati River, a holy river. Activities take place at Pashupati all the time and generally busy with genuine pilgrims and not so much tourists. The best time to visit is on the 11th day after the full and new moon each month. Despite all the religious activities, everyday there are funeral ceremony going on along the edge of the river.
It is not just an important Hindu temple but it is one of the most important Shiva temples on the Indian Sub-continent and each year during February-March a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Shiva Ratri draws thousands of devotees as well as Sadhus, the holy men. "Dudh Baba" milk sadhu with a long almost upto to his feet, lives near the bridge on the other side and people are welcome to meet him. As his name describes, he lives only on milk and fruits and is a wonderful baba to sit and talk.
BOUDHANATH
 On the eastern side of Kathmandu, just north of the airport and an interesting walk from Pashupati, is the huge stupa of Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the largest in the world. It is the religious centre for Nepal's considerable population of Tibetan refugees. There are number of thriving monasteries and many small shops selling Tibetan artifacts and food. Be aware that prices are high and bargaining is a must. There are numerous beautiful monasteries around this area at a walking distances.
PATAN
 This historical city of Patan is separated from Kathmandu by the holy river that flows through Pashupatinath, Bagmati and is the second largest town in the valley. It is sometimes referred to as Lalitpur, which means "city of Beauty". Patan has a long Buddhist history and the four corners of the city are marked by stupas said to have been erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka. Patan's Durbar Square is well packed with temples giving an architectural feast with a far greater concentration of temples per square meter.
BUNGAMATI
Bungamati is one of the most picturesque and classic Newari towns which falls in the Lalitpur district. It is an ideal place for mountain biking. Most houses here are old and made of mud bricks and people living in this ancient town are mostly farmers. Although lot of people there are professionally woodcarvers too.
Bungamati is the birthplace of Rato Machhendranath, regarded by Newari people as the patron of the valley and the large shikhara-style temple in the centre of the village square is his home for six months of the year. Rest of the year he lives in Patan. The chowk around this temple is one of the most beautiful in the valley where one can see the heart of functioning Newari town.
KIRTIPUR
Kirtupur is a small town situated on a hill top, about 8 kms southwest of Kathmandu. Tribhuwan University, one of the oldest universities, is located at the foothills of Kirtipur. This historic town has many things to offer like old shrines and temples and oldest houses. Some of the folks are typically dressed in traditional costumes and can be seen working on looms.
CHOBAR
Chobar is famous for its deepest gorge, situated about 9 kms southwest of Kathmandu. All the waters of the valley drains out through this gorge. There is a picturesque temple of Adinath on the top of a hill from where one can take in a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains.
PHARPING & DAKSHINKALI
Pharping is a thriving and, traditional Newari town, surprisingly untouched by the swarm of tourists that visit Dakshinkali. The main road skirts the village so there are few vehicles in the village proper. Before King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal this was another tiny city-state. You can see many Buddhist monasteries on the hill and Hindu temple of Dakshinkali in the valley.
BHAKTAPUR
 Bhaktapur (1401m) covers an area of 4 sq. miles, which lies about 14 kms east of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur or locally known as City of Devotees still retains a medieval charm and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievements. The past glory of the Malla rulers continues to be reflected at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Bhaktapur is famous for woodcarving and the Bhadgaolen topi or cap (old name of Bhaktapur was Bhadgaon). Bhaktapur can reached by public transport or by taxi from Kathmandu.
CHANGU NARAYAN
Changu Narayan is situated at the end of a long ridge, which runs well into the valley, it is said to have been built by King Hari Dutta in 323 AD and said to be the oldest temple in the valley. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.
NAGARKOT
Nagarkot is a popular tourist spot of Nepal. It is situated 32 kms east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175m above sea level. The panorama of the major peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) can be seen from here. It is famous for sunrise and sunset viewing.
DHULIKHEL
 Dhulikhel is an ancient town situated 30 kms east of Kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Highway. The Newar town of Dhuikhel offers a traditional atmosphere along with spectacular views. Once an important link in the trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past, which can be seen in the lovely buildings and intricate woodcarvings in the shop lined streets and temples. Pleasant climate add top the attraction of tourists. |
