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DAY 1: ARRIVE KATHMANDU Upon arrival in Kathmandu, the capital of the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, our local representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel for a two-night stay. DAY 2: KATHMANDU Begin your introduction to Kathmandu with a visit to Durbar Square, the home of the old Palace as well as the world's only living goddess, the Kumari. With some luck, the Kumari might reveal herself through her palace window during your stay. Wander the ancient heart of the valley and venture into the nearby Old Market Square, called Ason, where you can see a rainbow of spices, fresh produce, beads, and an endless variety of items for sale. Later, visit Swayambhunath, one of the world's oldest Buddhist stupas. Legend has it that the stupa was self-arising, born of the lotus that blossomed from the lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. Continue to Bungamati, a Newar Village, where rows of brick houses with intricately carved wooden windows line the stoned-paved streets. At the center of Bungamati is the shrine of Rat Machindranath, the God of Rain. The courtyard is used for socializing by the local inhabitants occupied with daily activities of willowing grain and drying their laundry. You will also visit Khokona, the neighboring village, famous for the oil-pressing center where mustard seeds are pressed using traditional methods. Visit the temple of Sikali mai, Khokona's guardian mother goddess, and Karya Binayak temple. The exploration of Newari culture will continue in Patan, the center of the valley's Newari craftsmen. They have developed the art of metal work over centuries and their finished product adorns temples and museums throughout the valley. Patan was one of the three original kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley, and has a series of palaces and temples, which are the equal of those in Kathmandu. Unfortunately, the exceptional quality of sculpture and carving has led to many of the temples being looted by art thieves. Conclude the day with a visit to the Tibetan Refugee Camp at Jawalakhel, where the community weaves and sells high quality rugs that are excellent value. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. (B,L) DAY 3: KATHMANDU After breakfast, drive out of Kathmandu's bustling city center to the Changu Narayan Temple, built on a ridge overlooking the Kathmandu Valley. This temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, the preserver, whom the Buddhists also worship as the deity Lokeswara. The temple was originally built in the fourth century by Lichivi King Mandev and reconstructed in 1702 following a devastating fire. The tour continues nearby in Bhaktapur, the "city of devotees," which is Nepal's ancient art capital and dates to the 10th century. Also known as Bhadgaon, it is an open-air museum of medieval art and architecture, renowned for its pottery and weaving. The wooden carved window- and door-frames are often older than the buildings they adorn. While Bhaktapur has suffered damage over the years, particularly from earthquakes in 1934 and 1988, the German-sponsored Bhaktapur Development Project has worked for 15 years to improve residents' quality of life while retaining Bhaktapur's unique atmosphere. Return to your hotel in the early evening. (B,L) DAY 4: KATHMANDU - POKHARA After breakfast drive to the airport for your flight to Pokhara. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay. After settling into your hotel, take an afternoon boat ride along Phewa Lake. The lake is the center of life in Pokhara, surrounded by many restaurants and craft shops, and it offers magnificent views of Machhapuchare (Fishtail), a peak that soars over 22,000 feet. (B,L) DAY 5: POKHARA This morning you may wish to see the sunrise at Sarankot, a short drive from Pokhara; the spot offers spectacular views of the Pokhara Valley and the Annapurna range. Spend a full day touring Pokhara, beginning with a visit to the International Mountain Museum, which boasts historical documents, records, and chronicles of Nepal's mountaineering history. Tour the Old Town area of Pokhara and the central market and then, after lunch, visit the World Peace Stupa, which overlooks Phewa Lake. (B,L) DAY 6: POKHARA - KATHMANDU After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Kathmandu. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After lunch, continue your privately guided touring of Kathmandu's rich religious heritage with a visit to Pashupatinath, one of the seven holiest Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pashupatinath attracts crowds of pilgrims, devotees, salesmen, beggars and yogis. The ghats on the banks of the Bagmati River are the most sacred cremation grounds in Nepal; while the funerary rituals are public, please keep in mind that a proper sense of decorum is in order. Follow your visit to the most important Hindu Temple in Kathmandu with a stop at Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and the center of Kathmandu's Tibetan community. The stupa has been a major pilgrimage point for centuries, and Tibetans travel south from all over the Tibetan plateau for winter trading and pilgrimage expeditions. In fact, you will see travelers from all over the Himalayas: eastern Tibetan men with vermilion tassels woven through their hair, Bhutanese with elaborately woven knee-length robes, and Nepalis from Dolpo and Mustang, wrapped in striped woolen blankets. Return to your hotel for your final night in Nepal. (B,L) DAY 7: DEPART KATHMANDU Departure transfer to the airport to board your onward flight from Nepal. (B) |