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Touring of Kathmandu and Pokhara
Valley
This 6 day tour is a kaleidoscope
introduction to the enchanted valley of Kathmandu
spotlighting several world heritage sites. Emerald
Buddha stupas, tranquil pagoda temples, ornate grand
palaces and royal mansions, Kathmandu is a city of
endless sight-seeing opportunities. The beauty of its
natural landscape and traditional architecture,
skillfully built temples and shrines are a testimony to
its rich heritage. Around the capital, stretch a fertile
agricultural landscape and a variety of excursion
getaways.
Bouddhnath
- The huge stupa of Bouddhnath, which is the
largest in the country and among the largest in the
world. It's also the centre for Nepal's considerable
population of Tibetans. Late afternoon is a good time to
visit. This is when prayer services are held and the
locals turn out to walk around the stupa (if you want to
join in, do walk in a clockwise direction). Surrounding
Bouddhnath are a number of monasteries, but be discreet
and respectful if you intend visiting them.
Pashupatinath Temple
- On the banks of the Bagmati River, is Pashupatinath,
the country's pre-eminent Hindu temple and one of the
most significant Shiva temples on the subcontinent. As
the Bagmati is a holy river, Pashupatinath is very
popular with tourists; the ghats (river steps)
immediately in front of the temple are reserved for the
cremation of royalty.
Pokhara
- This lake city is renowned for its
setting rather than it's historical or cultural
endowments. Its location by the lake and proximity to
the mountains make it an ideal place for recovery, trek,
go walking or curl up with a book. There's a batch of
Tibetan settlements, a hilltop monastery, magnificent
views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchchhre, and the
pretty Devi Falls nearby. Day walks can be taken to
Sarangkot (1592 m), the limestone caves at Mahendra Gufa
or Rupa and Begnas Tals lakes. Another option is the
three to four-day Annapurna Skyline Trek. |