TOUR CODE # ASTT 2020- NT 001
The temple of Changunarayan is one of the Kathmandu Valley's oldest temples. The richness of Changunarayan is surpassed only by the wealth of the greatest temple of Pashupati. The temple is sitting on the hillock called Changu -- the name derived from the name of the god. Around the temple you will see the stone image of Garuda - the half-bird half-man that is the vehicle of Lord Vishnu - another name of Changunarayan. The superb image of Lord Vishnu astride the Garuda to the left of the main temple door is of such importance in the Nepal's art history that it is featured on the ten-rupee note. To visit this remarkable temple you may walk up from the Sankhu Road or bike up from Bhaktapur. But the most interesting one would be the half-day hike along the hill ridge route from Nagarkot to Changunarayan.
Bhakatapur is the medieval town known as Bhadgaon. One of the Malla kings built this conch Shell shaped town in the 9th century. You will see the unique palace with a golden gate and a single windows with 55 opening at the Durbar Square. The statue of Great King Bhupatindra Malla , one of the rulers of Bhaktapur city state sitting on the stone lotus set on a stone pillar still prays to the Almighty Goddess Taleju in front of the Golden gate at the Durbar Square that he created during his reign in the beginning of the 17th century. This exquisite of King Bhupatindra Malla is the greatest single masterpiece of the malla dynasty in Bhakatapur.After lunch continue sight-seeing Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhnath Stupa.
The holiest Hindu temple east of Kathmandu is just 5 km from the city centre. Lord Shiva or "The Lord of Beasts" or Mahadev or The Great God is worshipped at Pashupatinath temple through out the year. The holy river of Bagmati flowing nearby is lined with "dharmashalas" and cremation "ghats". Entrance to the temple is forbidden to non-Hindus.
One of the largest stupas in the world is Boudhanath. Located north to the Pashupatinath temple. Penetrating Omni-sighted eyes of Lord Buddha surmount this massive white dome. There are 108 images of Buddha and 147 prayer wheels "mane" at the base of the Stupa. This Tibetan Buddhist dominated Stupa has been established as one of the flourished centers of Tibetan Buddhism in the modern world.After sight-seeing back to hotel. Overnight in Hotel Radisson 5* in Kathmandu.
Bindya Basini Temple is a famous religious temple. The Bindya Basini Temple is located on the road to Sarangkot. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga in her Bhagwati manifestation and animal sacrifices are made on Saturdays. The shrine is a shaligram (marine fossil) of black ammonite.
Flowering right through the city, the boisterous river runs completely underground at places. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quiet beyond imagination, over 20 meters. A deep gorge is made by its powerful flow.
The Devi Falls is situated about 2 kms. south of the airport on Siddhartha highway to Kathmandu. The Devi Falls is a sink hole, where the Phewa lake drains into the Pardi Khola and disappears underground and emerges about 200 m away. There are various legends about the area, and it is a frequently visited tourist spot. Locally known as the Patala Chhango (Hell’s Fall), Devi’s Fall is a lovely waterfall. Legend has it that a trekker (Devin or David) was washed away by the Pardi Khola and mysteriously disappeared down into an underground passage beneath the fall.
The Gupteshwar Cave is a sacred tourist destination. It is around two kilometers away from the Pokhara Airport. A symbolic Shivalinga is preserved in the cave. The cave has divided into two sections. One part of the cave is 40 meters in length with natural caves and the Shivalinga. The entrance is 2 meters high and 3 meters wide. The cave begins with few hall rooms which have many passages. Some of the passages are so small that one needs to crawl. To reach the shrine a thousand stairs have to be climbed. The Shivalinga inside the cave is said to be in the same condition since it was explored. This shrine is said to have certain healing powers. Hence many people visit it once in a year to be healed. The second part begins after this temple. It leads to the Davis Fall. Inside the cave photography is not allowed.
Evening free for individual activities or rest in Hotel. Overnight in Hotel Fish Tail 5* in Pokhara.
Pokhara -- the heart-winning paradise in the Himalayan Kingdom is situated at 200 km west of Kathmandu. The impressive mountains called Macchapuchre (literally translation 'The Fish Tail') and the Annapurna range attract you and your fellow trekkers to enjoy a relaxing holiday in the Pokhara area. Pokhara is a perfect blend of fascinating mountains, beautiful lakes, artistic and sacred temples, inquisitive caves and exciting spots such as Sarangkot, Naudanda for a day's hiking. Hence, Pokhara is the second most popular tourist destination in Nepal.