Glimpses of Nepal

Upon arrival, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, an introductory tour of Kathmandu city with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Walk past Asan and Indra Chowk markets towards Thamel-observing old houses, markets, and temples. Explore Thamel, the center of tourists in Kathmandu, with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, trekking gear, and several good restaurants. Dinner in the evening, in a traditional Nepali restaurant with cultural performance. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Full-day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. Drive north of Thamel to the hilltop and visit the Swayambhunath temple, one of the oldest temples in the valley. Next, drive east to Boudhanath(Boudha), the largest and most significant Buddhist monument. Thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a kora (ritual circumnavigation) around the stupa. A short distance from here is the Pashupatinath temple, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. Then drive a short distance to Patan, famous for its artistic heritage. Patan offers the finest Newari craft, typical Newari culture, and fine Hindu and Buddhist monuments. The most popular places around Patan are Durbar Square, the Patan Museum, Krishna Mandir, and the Baglamukhi temple. Overnight in Kathmandu.

After breakfast, drive to Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is another unique and the most ancient city among the three cities in Kathmandu Valley. Explore the Durbar Square, Nyatapol Temple, 55 windows palace, Bhairabnath Temple, Dattatraya Temple, and Pottery Square. Watch the local artisans at work and browse the shops for handicrafts. After the visit, drive to Changu Narayan, another UNESCO World Heritage site, a historic temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. From Changu Narayan, we can drive(45min) or hike(2hrs) to Nagarkot. The hike goes mostly uphill through forests, terraced rice fields, and villages. Meet the vehicle and drive to your hotel at Nagarkot. Nagarkot, located on a hilltop, provides one of the best possible views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Ganesh Himal, and other peaks. Depending on your time, you can walk to the nearby villages or watch the sun-setting from your hotel. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Wake up early in the morning to observe the sunrise over the Himalayas. After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport for your next destination.