Introduction To Kathmandu Valley Tour In Nepal
Nepal’s capital city is Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan are all part of the Kathmandu valley.
These three historical cities’ artistically designed temples and palaces, carefully engraved stone and metal pictures, carved wooden columns and pillars, and history-laden shrines and chaityas provide witness to the medieval period’s superiority in art and architecture.
Within a 20-kilometer radius of Kathmandu, there are seven archaeological and historical sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swyambhunath, Boudha Nath, Pashupatinath, and Chagunarayan.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The Kathmandu valley is home to thousands of monuments, temples, shrines, and stupas. The Living Goddess’s House (Kumari Ghar), the fearsome Kal Bhairav, the red monkey god, and hundreds of sensual carvings are just a few of the sites to see in Kathmandu’s valley plaza.
The square is brimming with vibrant life. The Kastamandap rest house, which is supposed to have been built from a single tree, is the source of the Kathmandu valley’s name. Large drums can be found nearby, which were used to announce royal decrees.
All of the woodcarvings, statues, and architecture in this area are exquisite, and Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the most important tourist attractions. The Tribhuvan Museum, which exhibits the mementos of many Shah Kings, is also located within the compound.
Swyambhunath
Swyambhunath is the most ancient architecture and enigmatic religious complex, perched atop a hill on the western border of the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded by stupas, a variety of shrines, temples, painted pictures of deities, and numerous other religious artifacts.
The property is centered by a sparkling white stupa with a gilded spire depicting the Buddha’s eyes. The Kathmandu Valley is littered with depictions of these eyeballs.
Because of a troop of monkeys, it is known as the Monkey Temple. Legend has it that the valley’s history begins with Swoyambhu, or “the self-existent.” During his travels, Boddhisatwa Manjusri stumbled upon and discovered a magnificent lake in eras unknown to history.
At the center of the lake, he noticed a lotus that emitted magnificent light. To worship the lotus, he cut a George in a southern hill and drained the waters. The Kathmandu valley was named after the men who settled on the lake’s bed.
The hilltop of the self-existent Lord has been a holy spot since then. Images of prominent Buddhist and Hindu deities can be found here.
Pashupatinath
In Nepal, Pashupatinath is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage site. In the compound, there are pictures of Shiva as well as statues, shrines, and temples dedicated to other gods. In 879 AD, this location was home to a Shiva temple.
The current temple, however, was built in 1697 by King Bhupendra Malla. The pagoda structure is embellished with a gold-plated roof, silver doors, and beautiful wood carvings. The feminine “power” is represented at Guheswori Temple, which was reconstructed in 1653 AD.
It is dedicated to Shiva’s first wife, Satidevi, who died in the flames of her father’s fire ceremony. Rajrajeswori Temple, which was erected in 1407, Kailas, which has lingas that are over 1400 years old, Gorakhanath temple, and Biswarup’s courtyard are all worth seeing.
Shiva shrines line the streets, and Hindu pilgrims from all across South Asia pay their respects to Shiva, the Lord of Destruction.
The Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is one of the world’s largest stupas and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, located in the town of Boudha on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu and dominating the skyline.
It is the sacred heart of a thriving Tibetan Buddhist community outside Tibet and is rich in Buddhist symbolism. Boudha has been the focal point for Tibetan exiles in Nepal since 1959, although it has long been a spiritual location on the Kathmandu–Tibet trade route. It’s also the most important Buddhist monument in Tibet.
The Patan Durbar Square
The entire square is surrounded by beautiful pagodas and stone statues. At the same time, it serves as the city’s commercial center. Every step reveals a work of art or a god picture, attesting to Patan’s nameless artisans’ mastery of their craft.
The Lord Krishna stone temple and the Royal Bath, with their elaborate stone and metal decorations, are two more nearby beauties. In Patan’s palace complex, the Lord Krishna temple commands a prominent position.
It is one of the most excellent examples of Nepalese temple craft, despite its non-native appearance. The three-story stone temple continues to draw plaudits from art and beauty enthusiasts. The attention to detail in this piece demonstrates the excellent degree of stone carving in the sixteenth century.
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a collection of pagodas and Shikhara-style temples centered on a brick and wood palace with fifty-five windows.
The square is one of the valley’s most stunning architectural showpieces, highlighting Nepal’s ancient arts. The golden effigies of kings sitting atop stone monoliths, the guardian deities peering out from their sanctuaries, and the wood carvings on struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, doorways, and windows all seem to be from a well-orchestrated symphony.
The Lion Gate, the Golden Gate, the Palace of Fifty-five Windows, the five-story pagoda-style Nyatapola temple, and the temple of Dattatreya are the main attractions in Durbar Square.
Highlights Of Kathmandu Valley Tour In Nepal
- The Boudhanath Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Swyambhunath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square – World Heritage Site Kopan Monastery
- Pashupatinath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal.
- The Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Passport and visa
Except for Indian nationals, all foreigners must have a valid visa to enter Nepal. At Tribhuvan International Airport and Nepal’s borders with India and Tibet, you can obtain an on-arrival visa. Visit www.immigration.gov.np. for additional details.
You’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months, a passport-size photo, and visa fees to apply for a visa. A 30-day visa costs $50 at the moment (to be paid in cash).
A free visa will be given to children under the age of ten. It is strongly recommended that you examine the current regulations. Visa regulations are subject to change at any time. Citizens of China and members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) are exempt from visa fees.
Certain countries’ citizens may be denied a visa upon arrival. On-arrival visas are not available for citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan. If you are a citizen of one of these countries, please contact the Nepalese Embassy in your country.
Before we embark on our journey, we’ll double-check everything (luggage, equipment, etc.) during our briefing.
Money Exchange
You can exchange major foreign currencies through local banks and legitimate money exchanges in Kathmandu and all over Thamel. Legitimate money exchanges display their ongoing exchange rates visibly to the public.
Please note – only 100 INR (Indian Rupees) and 2000 INR notes are legal in Nepal.
Despite having the security advantage of traveler’s cheques, we prefer cash exchange. It helps avoid lengthy processes and high bank commissions.
You can withdraw cash (in Rupees)from ATMs all over Kathmandu and Thamel itself. Many of these ATMs are open around the clock. The maximum withdrawal amount is 35,000 Rupees for a 500 Rupees processing fee for foreign cards.
If you use the money exchange facilities at banks and financial institutions, they impose a service charge fee of about 4% or more.
During the trek, there are no banks and money exchange services so you should exchange your money in Kathmandu, depending on how much personal expense you require. Only Nepali Rupee is accepted in trekking regions.
Most established banks in Asia will only accept foreign currency notes that are not old, torn, or faded. Please ensure that you have new, clean notes.
Responsible travel
We are convinced that our ecosystem must be safeguarded, as tourism may have severe consequences. We emphasize the benefits of tourism to the environment. Furthermore, we collaborate with the Kathmandu Environmental Education Project (KEEP) to offer eco-friendly trips to the most environmentally sensitive and culturally enriching destinations that satisfy the needs of both tourists and locals.
You may also visit Kathmandu valley bicycling tour-Cost, Distance, Itinerary, In Nepal – 1 Day
