Itinerary
- Day 1
Bhaktapur
Start your day at Changu Narayan temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits in the Bhaktapur district. This temple goes back to the Lichhavis period when King Mandev built it to honor Lord Vishnu. The location offers views across the valley, and you'll walk through the temple grounds to see the carved wooden details and stone work that make this place historically significant. Plan to spend a couple hours here exploring the different sections and taking in the architecture.
Included Activities
- Visit Changu Narayan temple
Landmarks Changu Narayan Temple - Day 1
Bhaktapur
Head into Bhaktapur Durbar Square where you'll find the Royal Residential Quarter that belonged to Bhupatindra Malla. The square itself is filled with temples, and you'll come across the five-storied Nyatapola temple along with the Batsala temple nearby. From there, work your way to the Palace of 55 windows, which shows off detailed wood carving on its exterior. The whole area is walkable, so you can move between sites at your own pace and spend time photographing the architectural details.
Included Activities
- Visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Explore Nyatapola temple
- Visit Batsala temple
- Visit Bhairavnath temple
- Visit Duttatraya temple
- Visit Pujari Muth
- Visit Palace of 55 windows
Landmarks Bhaktapur Durbar Square Nyatapola Temple Batsala Temple Bhairavnath Temple Duttatraya Temple Pujari Muth Palace of 55 Windows - Day 1
Kathmandu Valley
Travel to the Buddhist stupa in the Kathmandu Valley, a 5th-century structure that features four pairs of eyes painted on its main dome, each pair facing a cardinal direction. These eyes represent Lord Buddha's gaze over the four directions. During your visit, you'll likely see Tibetan pilgrims walking clockwise around the stupa and using prayer wheels. Spend time walking the circuit yourself and observing the devotional practices that happen throughout the day.
Included Activities
- Visit Buddhist stupa
Landmarks Boudhanath Stupa - Day 1
Kathmandu
Make your way to Pashupatinath, which sits about 5 km east of the city center and functions as one of the most sacred Hindu shrines. The main pagoda is heavily decorated with wood and metal work, and inside you'll find the sacred Linga representing Lord Shiva. The site draws Hindu pilgrims from across the world, so you'll see people performing rituals and making offerings. The riverside setting adds to the spiritual atmosphere, and it's worth taking time to observe the various activities happening throughout the grounds.
Included Activities
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
Landmarks Pashupatinath Temple
