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Day 1:
A full day sightseeing program that includes the main historic and religious sights of Kathmandu.
Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is a constant, teeming mass of life. With over 50 monuments, some dating back to the 12th century, the most famous are the remains of the old Royal Palace and the Kumari Bahal, residence of the living goddess.
On a wooded hill to the west stands the incredible golden-topped stupa of Swayambhunath, dating back at least as far as the 5th century. It is the most sacred of Buddhist sites in Kathmandu and Newari Buddhists are the most fervent devotees.
Tibetan Buddhists are mostly found around the great stupa of Boudhanath – making a holy circumambulation or within the maze of temples and stalls surrounding it.
The Valley’s holiest Hindu temple is equally alive with atmosphere and devotees - Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred shrines to Shiva on the entire subcontinent. It is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River, whose waters offer the same guarantee of release from rebirth as the Ganges. The same premise applies to the dead and this is also Nepal’s most important Hindu cremation site.
Day 2: Patan, once an independent Kingdom, lies only a few kilometers south of Kathmandu, but is quite different in atmosphere. Patan’s Durbar Square contains some of the finest Newari urban architecture in all of Nepal as well as Hindu and Buddhist monuments.
Bhaktapur, founded in 889, was once capital of the whole Valley. As well as an impressive Durbar Square and numerous temples, Bhaktapur is famous for its pottery – whole streets are filled with pieces of all shapes and sizes set in the sun to dry.
Day 3: The villages of Bungamati and Kokana offer a fascinating glimpse of rural life in the Kathmandu Valley. In both villages life takes place more on the streets than inside with villagers spinning, caring for children, gossiping, processing crops in the sun. Wood carving is a tradition alive and strong here and it is possible to see beautiful pieces being produced, including doors and window frames. Bungamati is also one of the two homes of the rain god, Raato Machhendranath. Kokana is particularly renowned as a producer of mustard oil.
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