Bhaktapur
Cobbled roads, temples, wells, and best of all – no traffic! Bhaktapur is Nepal's third most important town. It is a heritage lover's joy. Walkthrough the streets to see age-old traditions that still live with these vibrant artisan communities.
In Bhaktapur, life gently paces up, as it has been for many centuries. In this delightfully peaceful town, you're never too far away from a temple. Sadly, many of these fine old temple structures were destroyed in massive earthquakes in 1934 & 2015. One of these prominent structures is the tall and imposing Dattatreya Temple, built in 1427. It is believed to have been constructed entirely using wood from just one tree, a common Nepalese tradition. Besides the Hindu temples, lookout for a small Shiva-Parvati shrine close to Durbar Square with quaintly erotic carvings of elephants and other animals!
Things to do in/around Bhaktapur
Visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur's Durbar Square is considered the city's major attraction. It houses temples, palaces, statues, and spectacular architecture featuring elaborate wood carvings, stone art, metal art, and terracotta art. Here you will see the perfect example of Newari culture and craftsmanship.
Taumadhi Square
Taumadhi Square is a well-known five-storied (Nepal's tallest Pagoda) temple in Bhaktapur. Miraculously, a temple of its height survived nature's wrath for centuries, including the 2015 earthquake. The Nyatapola temple dedicated to Siddhi Laxmi, goddess of female creativity and power, dominates the square.
Nepali King Bhupatindra Malla oversaw the construction of this five-tiered wooden building, completed in 1702. Other impressive temples around Taumadhi Square include the complex structure of Bhairavnath temple, which is dedicated to Bhairav, the feared incarnation of God Shiva.
Bandipur
Located on a hilltop in the Tanahun District of Nepal, Bandipur town is a Newari culture's living museum. The Newars are the dominant ethnic group of the Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas. The town has miraculously preserved its old-time cultural atmosphere. More than seventy percent of the buildings here are still traditional Newari houses with carved wooden windows and overhanging slate roofs.
While staying in Bandipur, you can take part in various short treks in and around the Bandipur area, such as
Walk to Tindhara – 01 ½ hours walk
It is a short 01 to 01 ½ hours walk through Bandipur Village. Tindhara translates to 03 taps. However, in actuality, there are 06 Taps. These were natural ones built to channel the natural water for the Bandipur Town.
During the walk you see small houses, small shops, & a local temple. After a 40-50 minutes' walk, you reach a water source from a mountain called Teen Dhara. You can see people filling the water from this source for their daily use.
In this village, the water supply is given once every two days. Most of the water requirements are fulfilled by Teen Dhara. After visiting Teen Dhara, you walk back through another village and plantations. On the way, you can see a very old temple. It is a nice and easy walk to see nature and village life.
Hike to Siddha Gufa
It is a pleasant 02 ½ hours walk to reach Siddha Cave from Bandipur town. The first part of the walk is easy. You climb some stairs, then reach Khadga Devi Temple. The temple enshrines the sword of Mukunda King.
Khadga means sword. From the temple, one can enjoy beautiful views. After some walk, you can enjoy beautiful views. You also come across a small monastery where we can arrange a short interaction with the monk (subject to the monk's availability).
After visiting this monastery, walk for a few minutes to reach the forest area. One can see the lush greenery and amazing views. Some stretches can be strenuous for some guests. During the walk, you will see a rock shaped like a crocodile. It is one of the landmarks of the walk. Continue walking for about 40 –50 minutes to reach the Cave. It was discovered in 1997, and no one knows the origin of this Cave. It is said to be the largest Cave in Nepal and the second-largest Cave in South Asia. It is 437 meters deep and 50 meters high. Torches are provided by the guide.
It is believed that Siddha Baba (saint) used to meditate here, inside the Cave. One can spot the exact place. One can see a natural Shivalinga (idol symbolizing the Hindu God Lord Shiva) formed out of a rock. Inside the Cave, there are many natural rock formations like – Picture of Siddha Baba, Elephant Face, upside down Chicken, Tiger, etc. Some parts inside the Cave are difficult to access as one has to climb small rocks (with the help of ropes/ladders). The visit is very interesting and unique. Locally called "Gateway to Heaven," it is believed that anyone who enters the Cave will have their sins washed away.
After visiting the caves, it will take about 30-40 min to come down (main road) to a place called Bimal Nagar, from where the car will pick you up.
Ramkot Village Walk
Ramkot is approx 08 kms from Bandipur, approachable with a 02 hours easy and beautiful walk (one way).
In clear weather, you can view the snow-covered mountain range. The best part is that it offers the views of 05 different mountain ranges simultaneously (Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, and Ganesh).
After the interesting trek, the walkthrough of Ramkot village is unique in itself as it is a typical Magar village with traditional old roundhouses, untouched by modern development. Ramkot offers an opportunity to experience the lifestyle of rural Nepal. This walk is a paradise for the ones who love photography.
Chitwan
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in the Indian Subcontinent to be awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site under the natural category in 1984.
Sprawled over 632 sq km in the lowlands of Inner Terai, Chitwan National Park comprises a unique, distinct ecosystem of deciduous and riverine forests. It also encompasses floodplains of three rivers, namely the Narayani, Rapti, and Reu River.
This beautiful national park is covered with tall, rippling, elephant grass.
Chitwan is best known for the Asian One-Horned Rhino, which is an endangered species. This beautiful Sanctuary is also home to a significant population of Royal Bengal Tigers, Deer Species, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, and many smaller creatures. It also takes pride in being home to around 450 bird species and is considered a paradise for birdwatchers. Some of the bird species found here are Woodpeckers, Red-Headed Trogons, and hornbills. Some migratory visitors are also seen here during winters, such as Bareheaded Geese, Pintails, Brahminy Duck, and Waterfowl.
Dhulikhel
Popular as a vantage point to view Himalayan ranges-from Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west-Dhulikhel is located at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level in the Kavrepalanchowk District of Nepal.
Viewing the Himalayan sunrises and sunsets is one of the main tourist attractions here.
Some of the activities which you can enjoy in/around Dhulikhel are:
Hike from Dhulikhel to Kavre Banjang via Kali Temple
This interesting 30 min hike to Kali Temple is famous for its excellent mountain views. You need to climb 1000 steps to reach Kali Temple or go through a forest trail. The esplanade around the temple offers one of the best views of the Himalayan range around Dhulikhel
From Kali Temple, you will walk for another 45 min to reach Kavre village. The trail is through plantations, lines of shops, Tea Houses.
After reaching Kavre village, you can experience traditional village life. Here your vehicle will pick you up and it will take you to your hotel.
Hike to Namo Buddha via Kali Temple and Kavre Bhanjyan Village
Start your walk by climbing up a small incline, where there is a temple of the Hindu goddess Kali. During this walk, you will pass by villages and have spectacular views of the valley and Himalayan range. Upon reaching the Kali Temple, take a quick rest and enjoy the Himalayan peaks to the North.
Then you can continue the Hike down to Kavre Bhanjyang village, which offers a glimpse of real and authentic Nepal with its traditional houses. Later, you can begin the climb to Namo Buddha.
Namobuddha Temple (or a monastery) is one of the holiest Buddhist monuments in Nepal. Situated on a hilltop, it is surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and traditional villages nearby. It is said that a previous incarnation of Buddha as a prince gave his body to feed a hungry tigress and saved her cub's lives. Gautama Buddha visited this site later and revealed the compassionate deeds of the Prince. The current monastery & the stupas were built later, reflecting the reverence that Hindu and Buddhists have towards this site.
Lumbini
It is said that a trip to Nepal incomplete if you have not visited Lumbini, the birth place of Gautama Buddha. At the center of Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, marking the precise place where the Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in 563 B.C.
The Great Emperor Ashoka's pillars spread around the surrounding gardens, is a feast for the eyes in Lumbini. Emperor Ashoka himself commissioned these to mark his visit. All around Lumbini are the excavated ruins of innumerable monasteries and stupas. Discover your own path of peace and awareness in this short video of Lumbini.
Nepal is truly awe aspiring, and there is much to experience beyond Mount Everest and Kathmandu. It is land that offers a countless exciting and thrilling adventure activities!! We, at Indo Asia Tours, are all about the handcrafted tours, memories, and moments you take out of your trip, and believe us, this escapade will be a life-changing one!
About 6-8 hours by surface or 1 hour by flight from Kathmandu, Pokhara is one of Nepal's most famous cities after Kathmandu. It is set against the jaw-dropping view of Mt, Machhapuchhare, rearing above Phewa Tal, Nepal's second-largest lake.
In the middle of Phewa lake lies the magnificent Barahi Temple, a two-storied pagoda. The temple is dedicated to the manifestation of Ajima, the protector goddess who represents the female force. It is said to be the most important religious places in Pokhara.
Locally known as "Patale Chhango," this is a popular waterfall in Pokhara and lies about 2 km southwest of Pokhara airport. According to a myth associated with this place, an unfortunate trekker (Devin David) was washed away by the River Pardi Khola.
This large limestone cave is a famous tourist attraction, locally known as bats' house, an apt name. A two-hour walk to the North of Pokhara brings you to the stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the local winged residents of bats (Please carry a torch light)
Phewa Lake is Nepal's second-largest lake and the main center of attraction of Pokhara. The ravishing water of this lake offers splendid boating and fishing opportunities to the visitors. Lakeside is a market and shopping destination on the eastern shore of this lake.
Flowing through the city of Pokhara, this turbulent river runs underground in many places. As it passes through the city, one can view this river from within the city limits. It is about 45 meters deep, and at certain points, it hardly appears to be two meters wide, which is amazing.
Situated on the southern shore of Phewa Lake, on the hilltop, Peace Pagoda has four images of Buddha facing in the four directions. The landscape of the Peace Pagoda is an impressive sight.
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