As the legend goes, once upon a time the Kathmandu valley was a great lake. And the legend goes on to say that the Buddhist God Manjushree sliced a small hill with his sword of wisdom, draining the lake and making the area inhabitable. The Newar communities are the indigenous inhabitants of the valley and the creators of the splendid civilization preserved in its three cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Their art and architecture are said to be unique & leaves viewers hypnotized for considerable time. Parallel to this, UNESCO has declared the following as world heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath. Religious culture permeates in this bowl valley of temples and is based on a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism which is fascinating. Multi-roofed temples, exquisite monasteries, stone and wood carvings with age-old traditions and religious festivals have kept the culture in Kathmandu valley alive and thriving till today; & will perhaps carry on for a considerable time to come.

The Swayambhu Stupa is a Buddhist site of great antiquity. Built on a hilltop that stood out as an island when the valley was covered by the lake once upon a time, it marks the spot where a flaming lotus sprouted out of a seed cast by a Buddha of a previous neon. Statues of various Buddhist deities are embedded around its white dome over which rises a gilded spire. There are numerous other shrines and several monasteries on the hilltop, from where a magnificent view of the valley can be had. UNESCO has declared Swayambhu a World Heritage Site. But beware; this temple is amazingly infested with monkeys that can literally be a pain in the neck. Make sure you buy some bananas before you enter the vicinity of this temple, as this will keep the monkeys off your back if you share some of those bananas with them.

On the other side of the valley, the Bouddhanath stupa is the largest in Nepal. Its massive white dome looms over concentric ascending terraces and presents an impressive sight. There are 108 images of the Buddha set around the base of the stupa. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries are scattered all around and a large Tibetan community resides in the area. According to legend, builders used dew to mix the mortar which they collected by spreading cloth on the ground as Kathmandu was reeling under a drought during its construction. UNESCO has declared Bouddhanath a World Heritage Site as well.

Pashupatinath is the most important Hindu shrine in Nepal. Built in the 17th century, the artistic temple houses the sacred lingam or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity. Its gilded pagoda roofs and silver doorways are specimens of marvelous workmanship. The temple marks the spot where Lord Shiva romped through the woods in the guise of a deer. The bank of the holy Bagmati River flowing beside it is a pilgrimage spot where devotees take holy dips. Pashupatinath is also the cremation site for all Hindus, right from paupers to royalty; all Hindus are cremated at this site. UNESCO has declared Pashupatinath a World Heritage Site.

Budhanilkantha

The shrine of Budhanilkantha lies at the foot of the hill, on the northern rim of the Kathmandu valley. The site contains a huge stone image of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity, reclining on a bed of serpents half submerged in the middle of a pond. The shrine was built more than 1,500 years ago and is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the valley.

Patan's Durbar Square presents an example of mastery in urban design with a complex of temples fronting the old royal palace of Patan. The many shrines here offer a medley of architectural styles, with the stone temple of Krishna Mandir, dedicated to the Hindu deity Krishna, standing out with its workmanship. The palace building contains a number of chowks, or courtyards. The Sundari Chowk has in its centre a sunken bath with its walls embellished with stone carvings. The Golden Window in the palace is a masterpiece in repousse art. UNESCO has declared Patan Durbar Square a World Heritage Site.

The Golden Temple, locally known as Kwa Bahal, is one of the most renowned Buddhist monastery courtyards in Patan. Its origin goes back to the 12th century. The monastery complex consists of a rectangular building with three roofs and a facade embossed with gilded copper. The many ancient Buddha images here attract throngs of worshippers.

The Kumbheswor temple in Patan is one of only three pagoda temples in the Kathmandu Valley with five roofs. It is ornamented with elaborate carvings and the site is dotted with sacred statues. There are two ponds in the courtyard believed to be filled with water flowing through a subterranean channel from the holy lake Gosaikund, several days' trek north of Kathmandu. It is the oldest existing temple in Patan built in the 14th century.

The Mahabouddha temple of Patan is unusual for its obelisk design in a city of pagoda-shaped temples. Terracotta plaques depicting the Buddha cover the entire structure, which is why it is also known as the Temple of the Thousand Buddha. A visit to Mahabouddha is also an opportunity to get the feel of traditional Patan with its quaint streets and hidden courtyards. Mahabouddha was built towards the end of the 16th century. It is said it took three generations to complete the temple. The whole temple covered in 9,999 Buddha images in terracotta bricks is the specialty of this temple.

The Golden Gate is the centre of attraction at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The main entrance of the former palace building here depicts master art at its best. The magnificent workmanship on the tympanum with its images of various deities points to the skill of ancient masters. The Fifty-five Window Palace here used to be the residence of Bhaktapur's old kings. The many courtyards inside contain shrines dedicated to various deities, which are all richly carved. The Durbar Square has a large open brick-paved area in the centre surrounded by temples arranged in a harmonious layout. UNESCO has declared Bhaktapur Durbar Square a World Heritage Site.

A narrow alley leads from the Durbar Square to Taumadhi Square that contains the pride of Bhaktapur and the symbol of the artistic and architectural supremacy of the Kathmandu Valley - the Nyatapola temple. Built atop a massive terraced plinth, the splendid five-roofed pagoda is the tallest in Nepal. Its stone, woodcarvings, and graceful design display sacred architecture at its height. The stairs leading up to the temple is flanked by stone figures of deities and mythical animals.

The Dattatreya Square of Bhaktapur used to be the centre of town in ancient times. The streets are lined with traditional houses ornamented with elaborately carved wooden windows. The Dattatreya temple, which draws both Hindu and Buddhist worshippers, dates back to the 15th century. The Bhimsen temple here was erected in the early 1600s. The famed Peacock Window of Bhaktapur is set into a wall of the Pujari Math where Hindu priests reside.

Nepal has been the dream destination of intrepid tourists for a long time. She invites, welcomes, charms and bewilders her visitors. Those who have already visited Nepal cherish the experience and desire a second visit and those who have heard or read about the kingdom, soon find themselves making plans to visit.

The pattern of religion gives the country a unique status in the world. Almost all the important religious sects of the world are found in Nepal, however, the majority of the population believes in Hinduism and the conglomeration of the two religions, Hinduism and Buddhism serve as unique examples of tolerance, brotherhood and harmony. Here too, all other religions co-exist in harmony. It is a country where people of different races and religions live harmoniously.

To many visitors, the Himalayan Kingdom conjures up images of snow-capped mountains and rolling green hills. Indeed, 8 of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 meters lie in Nepal, making it a mountaineer’s paradise. But Nepal has more to offer than just the high Himalaya. Small as the country may be, the land is diverse geologically as well as ethnically. You will find rich cultures and vibrant traditions, exquisite temples and monuments as well as fast flowing rivers and tropical jungles teeming with wildlife, making your trip an unforgettable one.

In Kathmandu, to cross a street is to traverse time. Shrines, temples, palaces, palace squares, timeless sculpture and legends that are parts of every brick, stone and gilded masterpiece, make Kathmandu Valley a veritable living museum.

Besides the Kathmandu valley, our excursion tour will take you from cities to villages and give you a glimpse of the 'real' Nepal. Cities, Villages, People, National Park, Rivers, Monuments, and Temples, all are a part of this magnificent journey. And we take you to such places that will make you happy all the time and make your holiday trip meaningful.

Nagarkot, at around 2100m high, 35kms from the heart of the city, provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas: Mt. Everest (8848m), Mt. Lhotse (8516m), Mt. Cho Oyu (8201m), Mt. Makalu (8463m) and Mt. Manaslu (8163m) and Kanchenjunga (8585m) till the Annapurnas (8091m) on the west can be seen from here. It is regarded as one of the best viewpoints in Nepal. A breathtaking view of sunset and sunrise can be experienced by staying an overnight here. Nagarkot is also famously known to be one of Asia’s prime spots for honeymooners who delight in the serene quietness of this pert little hill station.

Lumbini, a world heritage site, is the sacred birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya Prince, the eventual Shakyamuni and the ultimate Buddha - the Enlightened One. This is the holiest pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The main attraction at Lumbini is the sacred Garden that is spread over 8 sq. km. and possesses all the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the main attraction for pilgrims and archeologists alike. To the south of the temple, we find the sacred pond - Puskarni - where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha.

There are more than fifty monasteries around the area. A visit to different monasteries from different Buddhist schools gives visitors an important memory of this well known sage. Some of the monasteries are: Chinese monastery, Japanese monastery, Korean monastery, Tibetan monastery, Thai monastery, Srilankan monastery, Burmese (Myanmar) monastery, and Indian and Nepalese monasteries. Lumbini is also said to be the MECCA of Buddhism throughout the world.

Two-tiered Changunarayan temple is 15 kilometers away from Kathmandu city. Since this is the temple of Lord Vishnu, also called Narayan and is situated near Changu, the temple has been named so. Stone inscription of 464 A.D and other architectural master piece featured in the temple showcase ancient history of Nepal. The temple also bears the sculptures of Vishnu’s ten incarnations; Vishwaroop, Vishnu Vikranta, Vishnu riding Garuda, Nar-Singha Vishnu etc. Temples of Kileswar Shiva, Chinnamasta Devi and other gods and goddesses are also present in the vicinity of Changunarayan temple. The temple provides an awesome view of Manohara River cascading through lush green vegetation.

CHITWAN (Adventure in the Wilderness)

If you are a wildlife lover there are many conservation areas and national parks in Nepal. Among them, Royal Chitwan National Park (a world natural site declared by UNESCO) is the most popular safari destination covering an area of 932 sq. km. The major attractions of the park are one-horned rhinoceroses, royal Bengal tiger, Leopard, spotted deer, sloth bear, four horned antelope, gangetic dolphin and crocodile. The diverse ecology is home to around 600 plant species, 50 mammal species, 526 bird species and 49 species of amphibian and reptile. Sal trees (shorea robusta) and 1.1m tall elephant grass dominate the jungle. One can explore the wild world by foot, by jeep and dugout canoe or on the back of an elephant. It’s a thrill galore at Chitwan!! Make sure you visit Chitwan when you visit Nepal.

Edmund Hillary once said “If there is a paradise on earth, it begins from the north to Pokhara". Obviously, the landscape is stupendous! In the lap of the Annapurna Himalayan Range, Pokhara is blanketed with sapphire blue lakes, green forest, deep gorges, underground waterfalls, caves, hills and rills. If, Kathmandu is the cultural hub then Pokhara is the place for exhilarating beauty, a place to refresh and relax and to discover the wondrous creativity of nature. Many people from different parts of the world come here just to awaken the sleeping beauty. This is not only an 'Ode to Odyssey' but certainly a once in a life- time chance.

Imagine a perfect, snow-capped mountain buffeted by icy Himalayan winds. Imagine a millpond calm lake reflecting the snowy peaks. Now imagine a village on the shore, thronged by travelers and reverberating to the sound of 'Om Mani Padme Hum' wafting from shops selling prayer flags, carpets, masks, singing bowls and CDs of Buddhist mantras. That's Pokhara for you!!!

Remember! Nature is not ours to control but at least we can partake of its transient beauty. Visiting Pokhara is almost mandatory for visitors making a beeline to Nepal. This serene ‘City of Lakes’ is god’s gift to the world. With ‘ENCOUNTERS NEPAL, you get to visit & discover the wonders of natural beauty in its most divine form…plan your holidays with us & discover the unknown from the known…!!!