Mystical Magical Nepal

It is truly a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below begin your journey of memorable experiences. Upon arrival all of your senses will come alive with the vibrant magic of Kathmandu.

Spend the afternoon exploring the alleyways of Thamel. Capture the colorful prayer flags strung above on the rooftops. Continue to snap photos, but watch out for scooters! This bustling city requires attention for detail in order to appreciate the whole picture.

We’ll meet our guide in the evening and begin to practice some basic Nepalese including greetings, thank yous, and basic cultural customs.

Leaving the main city, we’ll drive to Bhaktapur. Among the three medieval kingdoms, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon is the best preserved. There are no vehicles allowed inside the old city, so we’ll set out for durbar square on foot. En route, observe local potters spinning their wheels and drying their terracotta wares. Marvel at the art and architecture of the Malla era at Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

We’ll head just a few miles north to Changu Narayan Temple – a UNESCO world Heritage site and one of the oldest temples in the Valley. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple was built in the 4th Century AD. Inside the temple you’ll find exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu deities from the Lichchhavi period (4th to 9th centuries). After filling up our cameras and taking in the sites, we’ll head back to our hotel in Kathmandu.

Today, we take a scenic drive to Dakshinkali Temple, a woodland shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva’s (a Hindu deity) blood thirsty consort, Kali. The temple lies just south of Kathmandu Valley. Devotees of the Goddess Kali believe that her wrath can only be appeased through sacrifice. Hear the stories of this fierce but wise Goddess.

On our return drive, we’ll stop at Chobar and Kirtipur. We’ll visit the Chobar Gorge, lying at the foot of the Chobar village. Legend has it that the Buddhist deity, Manjushri, chopped the hill in half at Chobar with his mighty sword, creating the nearby lake and allowing for valley habitation. Near the gorge is the temple of Jal Vinayak, which was built in dedication to Ganesha.

From Chobar, we drive along a high ridge to Kirtipur – one of the oldest settlements in Kathmandu valley. We’ll visit the ridge top Bagh Bhairav temple. A number of shrines populate the temple compound, one of which houses Dhartimatta (Earth Goddess). She is carved in stone, lying on her back. Pregnant women flock to Dhartimatta, praying for safe pregnancies and safe labor. We also visit the picturesque and colourful Srikirti Vihara, a Thai Buddhist shrine. In the evening we’ll return to Kathmandu.

Today we take a drive to Bungamati – an ancient Newar village that dates back to the 16th century. Perched on a spur of land overlooking the Bagmati River, the village is the resting place of the Valley’s Rain God Rato Machhendranath. The village is home to the Valley’s best wood carvers who are famous for producing excellent woodcraft. The village’s narrow streets are lined with shops selling wooden handicrafts and workshops filled with busy woodcarvers at work – interesting shots for your lens.

From there we journey to Khokana, another Newar village. The small village is famous for it’s mustard oil. The garlands of red chillies, garlic and corn hanging from the rooftops of houses presents a picturesque sight. We’ll return to Kathmandu for our final night in the city.

Leaving Kathmandu behind, enjoy the winding scenic drive to Nuwakot. Visiting Nuwakot offers a unique opportunity to experience Nepal outside the classic tourist areas. Nuwakot is a small but thriving village in the Langtang Valley.

King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified Nepal in 1767, started his unification campaign from Nuwakot, when he merged the two kingdoms of Gorkha and Nuwakot. We’ll visit Saat Taale Durbar, the beautiful old castle, which in its historical importance is equal to the Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu. A stone throw away from the durbar is the area’s main temple, Nuwakot Bhairabi Temple and Jalpadevi Mandir.

Today we take a scenic drive to Bandipur via the ancient town of Gorkha. The place is famous for the hilltop shrine of Manakamana Mai and Gorkha Durbar- an old palace of the Shah dynasty.

Situated at an altitude of 1030 meters, Bandipur is an ancient Newari town that was once a main trading center of Nepal. Panoramic views of Himalayan range can be enjoyed from the town.

No visit to Nepal is complete without Pokhara – a beautiful scenic lake town where nature is amplified with views of the majestic Annapurna range. We’ll drive past picturesque hamlets and lush, green fields along Prithivi Highway. As we approach Pokhara, our eyes behold the snowy pinnacles of the Annapurna Range, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal.

Spend a leisurely afternoon strolling around Phewa Lake. If you’re feeling up for it, take the short hike up to the strikingly beautiful World Peace Pagoda.

Early in the morning, we’ll begin our short excursion to Sarangkot. A sunrise at Sarangkot is not one to be missed. Located at 1592 m, it is the highest point in the Pokhara valley. From here, soak in the views of the valley and the Annapurna Range.

We’ll return to Pokhara and spend the day visiting the city’s major spots. Choose between the spectacular waterfalls at Davis Fall, the exquisite Bindyabasini Temple, and the mysterious cave of Mahendra Gupha.

On our final day we will depart Pokhara for the bus journey back to Kathmandu.

With a camera full of the mystical wonders of Nepal, head back to the airport for your final departure home.