| Nepal:- Tours & Sightseeing » Valley View Tour |
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For over forty years,
Nepal has been an extremely fascinating
destination for travelers, scholars, and
researchers. For those interested in culture,
the Kathmandu valley, is endowed with seven
World Heritage sites. This valley was divided
into three kingdoms less than a century
ago. It now contains countless architectural
monuments, and vestiges of varied cultural
and religious traditions.
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| In other chapters we explain about the adventure
Nepal provides, here we detail some of the
more popular gentle sides of a holiday in
our Kingdom including the Kathmandu Valley
itself and other major settlements of interest
in Nepal. |
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| The
Kathmandu Valley |
This verdant valley
was once a huge lake, legend dictates that
in the middle of the lake was a brilliant
flame emanating from a Lotus flower. People
would come from miles around to wonder and
worship the flame. A Chinese disciple Bodhisattva
Manjushree, wishing to worship the flame
more closely sliced a portion of the hills
with his sword draining its waters and thus
the fertile Kathmandu valley was created.
Chovar gorge where the valley waters drain
today remains the focus of the legend. In
the years since, the Kathmandu valley has
seen many dynasties and empires come and
go, each leaving their own mark on the valley's
mystique.
The valley today incorporates three major
settlements, all have their own distinctive
character with outstanding temples, works
of art and architecture and a varied calendar
of feasts and festivals, their roots in
being capital cities of the valleys three
principality's in times gone by. Between
them they boast the highest density of World
Heritage Sites to be found anywhere in the
World, seven in total. There are many other
fascinating settlements in the valley offering
their own reasons for being there. |
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| The Capital
and home to Nepal's only International Airport
is a buzzing vibrant place, although like
so many capital cities in the developing world
it begins to show signs of congestion over
the past few years, this hardly detracts from
its mystery and celebration of life. So much
history interwoven and sitting strangely in
harmony with the modern Kathmandu. Ancient
temples in a medieval atmosphere sit side
by side with Internet cafes. Old blends with
new ways…Welcome to Kathmandu. |
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| Kathmandu Durbar Square |
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| Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square is the complex of palaces, courtyards and temples that are built between the 12th and the 18th centuries by the ancient Malla Kings of Nepal. It is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. |
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| Patan |
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Patan (The
city of beauty) is situated on the southern
bank of the holy river Bagamti (a tributary
of the Ganges) some five kilometers southeast
of Kathmandu. Nowadays, it has virtually
become part of sub metropolitan Kathmandu.
The city is famed for its wealth of Buddhist
and Hindu temples with an abundance of fine
bronze gateways and wonderful carvings.
Patan is known for its expert craftsmen
and metal workers. |
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| Bhaktapur |
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Is situated
14 km east of Kathmandu and is the least
developed of the three cities in the valley.
Translated Bhaktapur means the city of devotees.
The most laid back of the three valley towns
its narrow brick paved streets harbor hidden
shrines and statues around every corner.
It is quite easy to spend a whole day here
relaxing and taking in an almost surreal
atmosphere. Bhaktapur is famed for its woodcarvings,
pottery and cloth weaving. Many of Bhaktapur's
practices have changed little over the centuries.. |
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| Attractions
in Valley include :- |
| Kathmandu |
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Kathmandu’s
most impressive sight, Durbar Square, is
crowded with ancient temples and palaces
reflecting the religious and cultural life
of the people. It is also home to Kathmandu’s
Kumari, or ‘living goddess’,
a young girl believed to be a reincarnation
of the goddess Durga . |
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| SWAYAMBHUNATH |
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This is one
of the world’s most famous Buddhist
Chaityas. The 2000 year old Chaityas is
commonly known as the ‘monkey temple’
because of its resident population of apes.
This spectacular Buddhist Stupa, from which
the Buddha’s eyes gaze serenely down,
lies on a hilltop only 2km from the centre
of Kathmandu. The views of Kathmandu and
the surrounding valley are superb from here. |
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| BOUDDHANATH |
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| The stupa of
Bouddhanath lies eight kms East of the centre
of Kathmandu.This ancient colossal Stupa is
one of the biggest in the World and the centre
of Tibetan Buddhism in nepal.It was listed
by U.N.E.S.C.O. as a World Heritage Site in
1979. |
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| PASHUPATINATH
TEMPLE |
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Situated
five kilometres east of Kathmandu on the
bank of the sacred Bagmati River a tributary
to the Ganges, the temple of Lord Shiva
who is both the creator and destroyer of
life is famous for its two-tiered golden
roof and silver doors. The area along the
banks are lined with Ghats where people
are cremated |
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| Kirtipur: |
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Kirtipur
is situated 10 kms. southwest of Kathmandu.
The ancient Newar township is a natural
fortress and has a proud and courageous
history. The Chilmahu Stupa and the temple
of Bagh Bhairab are major sights here. Kirtipur
offers quaint streets lined with artistic
houses and temple squares. The people are
known for their skill in building and weaving. |
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| Other
Places of Interest: |
| Bhaktapur
Durbar Square: |
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The main
square of the City contains innumerable
temples and other architectural showpieces.
The lion gate, the statue of the King Bhupatindra
Malla,the National Art Gallery The palace
of 55 Windows and the bell of the barking
dogs are but a few of the sights to visit
in the square. |
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| Patan
Durbar Square: |
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| Situated in
the heart of the City is a major focal point
of a visit to Patan.The square is full of
ancient temples palaces and shrines noted
for their exquisite carvings.The square consists
of three main chowks(courtyards).The central
Mul Chowk Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan
Chowk.The Sundari Chowk holds in its centre
a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal
bath Tushahity. |
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| Example
Valley View Tour |
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Day
1:- Arrive Kathmandu, Transfer
hotel tour briefing.
Day 2:- Full day sightseeing
of the Kathmandu Valley
Day 3:- AM-Everest Mountain
flight. PM-Drive to Nagarkot (32 km) Sunset
of the Himalayas overnight hotel.
Day 4:- After sunrise over
the Himalayas return Kathmandu en route
visit Changunarayan and Bhaktapur city.
Day 5:- AM-Excursion to
Dakshinkali and Kirtipure village p.m.-
At leisure
Day 6:- Transfer to the
airport for onward destination |
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| Please note
there are numerous combinations of tours in
Nepal which do not require you to be exceedingly
fit. We can tailor a tour to your needs and
your time restraints. |
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| For cost and other information of above tours, please write us email (info@naturetrail.com.np), We will responce you as soon as possible. |
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| Mountain
flight |
| Mountain flights
over Everest have become very popular in Nepal,
especially for those who have little time
or for whom trekking is not an option. Trekkers,
too, often want to get a ‘bird’s
eye view’ of the territory they have
‘conquered’ on foot! Flights leave
Kathmandu in the early morning. |
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| Ballooning |
Is also becoming
very popular. Flights soar 3000 m. above the
Kathmandu valley. "Balloon Sunrise"
is a one hour hot air balloon flight that
provides really spectacular views. Decorated
with "the all-seeing eye of the Buddha",
the Balloon rises gently over green terraced
fields in the crisp morning air. Within minutes,
the majestic Himalayan panorama will greet
you.
The rugged Langtang and all the Himalayas
to Mt. Everest will be on your horizon. In
the comfort of the wicker basket and in the
world’s oldest, safest and slowest means
of flight with a 360° view of the world’s
highest mountain ranges. Something that will
surely stir the soul when you return to Kathmandu. |
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| PLACES
OF INTEREST OUTSIDE OF THE KATHMANDU VALLEY |
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