Kathmandu Heritage & Nature Discovery Tour

Nepal—You have to see it to Believe it

Wow, Nepal has so much to offer these days that one would be surprised. While traveling through one of the national highways in the hills recently, I had to remind myself of how lucky I was to be born here. It’s just that I had not realized it sooner. The road meandering along the river was an experience in itself. These roads are the backbone of Nepal transporting people and goods from one place to another. It was almost surreal to witness roads that cut right through the green hills along the side of the river. You are wondering as to what might be there in those hills that you see miles on end. Then occasional villages and small houses that appear very idyllic are truly a scene in itself. I have uploaded one of the video clips here to give you the idea.  

Nepal has gradually developed into a holiday destination that has more choices than before—be it an immersion into an urban sprawl called Kathmandu with medieval cities to brief hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas or a jungle safari in the plains of Nepal. Visiting Nepal will give you more bang for your buck as it has more to offer these days. The lush green mid-hills of Nepal which occupy almost half the country have villages and settlements that I call ‘hidden gems.’ 

Nepal is facing a cultural war with many young people swaying towards the Western lifestyle while the older generation still going about in centuries-old practices. If we can find a balance between these two different lifestyles like maintaining the unique culture that the tourists come to explore and at the same time developing our country with modern technology.  

Kathmandu—A Cultural and Historical Epicenter

Kathmandu (1400m), the capital of Nepal, has a rich history of its own. It is also a center for tourism and their related activities. With the country’s only international airport situated in Kathmandu, many tourists touch down here before embarking to other places. The big hotels and tourist activities are centered mostly in Kathmandu but slowly other tourist hotspots like Pokhara (800m) and Chitwan (415m) are growing in prominence too. 

Many kingdoms and dynasties had their beginning here. Some went on to rule this place for thousands of years like the Malla dynasty. Theirs was a time when Kathmandu developed into one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The arts and crafts developed during their rule are still considered the best not just in Nepal but in the world too. 

The three sister cities, chiefly Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur flourished into towns with the ruling class designing grand places while the middle and lower classes were involved in making them. The kings and the rulers had a big sway on how the country moved forward. The Malla kings (1201-1779) were mostly behind what made Kathmandu into what it is today. Their keen interest in arts and crafts and love for grand architecture gave us those beautiful temples and palace courtyards still standing today. The three durbar squares in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur stand as a testament of world-class architecture and handicrafts. 

Highlights of the Kathmandu Heritage & Nature Discovery Tour

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Visit iconic landmarks such as Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple, each offering unique insights into Nepal's spiritual and cultural tapestry.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square: Explore the historic heart of Kathmandu, where ancient palaces and temples narrate tales of Nepal's regal past.
• Thamel Market and Ason Bazaar: Immerse yourself in the vibrant local life, shopping for traditional handicrafts, spices, and souvenirs in these bustling markets.
• Nagarkot Sunrise and Sunset: Experience breathtaking views of the Himalayas during golden hours from this serene hill station.
• Changunarayan Temple: Discover one of Nepal's oldest temples, renowned for its intricate wood and stone carvings, and gain insights into ancient religious practices.
• Namobuddha Monastery: Engage in spiritual reflection at this sacred Buddhist site, participating in daily rituals and learning about monastic life.
• Thulo Parsel Village: Experience authentic rural life, interacting with local communities, observing traditional agricultural practices, and visiting local schools and monasteries.
• Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music and dance performances that showcase Nepal's rich cultural heritage.

Chief religious sites and popular places during the trip

Swayambhu: Perched on a small hillock south of Kathmandu valley, Swayambhu is a very popular religious site for both locals as well as with tourists. Said to be built in the fifth century the site of the Stupa is home to many small chaityas (small Buddhist stupas) along with the main big stupa of Swayambhu. Another main attraction is of Haratimata, a temple dedicated to goddess Harati who once protected the residents of Kathmandu from evil. Apart from that, you can visit a museum and a Gumba built recently. 

Bauddhath Stupa: Another Buddhist Stupa in the north-east of Kathmandu is Bauddha. Considered as one of the largest stupas in the world, Bauddha holds a significant place among the people of Kathmandu, chiefly with followers of Tibetan Buddhism. Many gumbas have sprung up recently which shows the religious significance of this place. Other than that, one can go bargain hunting for many handicrafts like thankas, carpets, woolen goods, and more.

Pashupatinath Temple: Highly revered in the Hindu circle in Nepal as well as India, Pashupatinath is perhaps the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. Built in 400 AD by Prachanda Dev during Lichavi time, it is a pagoda style temple. The two-story roof of this temple is made of gold with intricate designs adorning doors on all four sides are remarkable. Visitors other than Hindus are not allowed inside this temple. 

Another reason for people visiting this place is for cremation.  As Hindus cremate their dead bodies, there is a facility at the bank of the Bagmati River where many bodies are brought for their last rites. It is also a big tourist draw besides being famous with the locals.  

Chitwan National Park: Regarded as one of the best national parks in the world, the place is the home to many one-horned rhinos found in Nepal. This park is the reason behind a big success story in rhino conservation in Nepal. There were just a couple of hundred rhinos in Chitwan just a couple of decades ago. Now there are more than 500 of these pachyderms roaming freely here. The then government had brought a Rhino Conservation Program which went on to be a big success bringing back these beautiful animals from near extinction. The park extends up to 952 square kilometers with rich biodiversity. Another success story associated with Chitwan is of Royal Bengal Tiger. This big cat too faced extinction from Nepal. With programs to conserve this mammal, there has been a significant rise in number of these big cats to 355. 

Pokhara City: The government recently declared this city the Tourist Capital of Nepal. It is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from here is world famous, with mountains such as Fishtail and Annapurna within close range. Pokhara is also the starting and ending point for many famous trekking routes, such as Annapurna Circuit, Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), and Muktinath. 

What makes short hikes a better option !!!

Hiking which lasts just a day or two or one that can be done in a couple of hours can be sometimes more rewarding. No more walking for weeks and months. You simply go out and trek for a couple of hours to reach the destination for what you have come for. I have introduced some of the short hikes in details that we will be taking during your trip in Nepal.

Short hikes are more refreshing as it is not too hard physically for you. While one might be totally worn out by one of those long treks the benefits of short hike done a day or two is an experience that is quite different from a longer trip. Besides, short hiking can be planned in a short time. 

Austrian Camp Hiking

All hikes take you close to nature. Australian Camp hike is one of those trips where you will see mountain ranges like Machapuchre, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri (8167m) like you have never seen before. The trek is actually a three-hour drive to Dhampus from Pokhara. After completing the drive you will be hiking for three more hours until you reach Australian Camp. Nestled in the hilltop among the forest the place is a must-visit site when in Pokhara.  One will see Magar, Gurung and Bhramin villages along the way to this site. Many prefer to stay in tents while spending overnight there which is a great way to spend the night but we will be staying in a teahouse. The trekking route is dotted with stone steps to make the walking easy for travelers. The reason this place is called an Australian Camp is because many use this hiking like camping with tents 

Sarangkot Visit in Pokhara

Though we will be driving to Sarangkot when in Pokhara, many also turn this drive into a short hike from Pokhara. This is a great way to make it more adventurous plus getting physical exercise at the same time. Sarangkot is very popular among the locals too because the place is at a location where one can see the Pokhara city from high above the hill and see the panoramic view of the Himalayas in the north at the same time. It is also a place for viewing sunrise and sunset from just a short distance away from the Pokhara city. 

Jungle Hike in Chitwan National Park

Many see hiking as a pastime done in the mountains but here we will take a short jungle hike when in Chitwan National Park. This short hike done with an experienced guide is a great adventure in the forest on foot. You will hear the chirping of the birds and see small animals too. The experience is a stark difference from Jungle safari in a vehicle or an elephant ride.  

The cultural and historical tour with short hikes in any country having these environments is totally a different travel plan. Many are backpackers too and can get included in the group while you are in Nepal. All you need to do is just contact our staff and rest we will take care. The best option is to book your trip through our official website. If you have any question regarding the nature of the trek, you can chat live with our customer care officer or phone directly. We will be going according to the daily travel plan but if you need to customize your trip, which too is possible.