There is lots to explore in the historic Kathmandu valley, once perhaps the origninal Shangri La. Below are some suggestions ...
Biking & Rafting Adventures
HOTELS
NAGARKOT
The Fort Resort
Tel: +977 1 6680069/6680149
Kathmandu Office: +977 1 4226799/4226977
Sherpa Cottage & Tibet Home
Tel: +977 1 6680015,6680180
DULIKHEL
The Dwardikas's Himalayan Shangri-La Resort
Tel: +977 1 1490612
NAMO BUDDHA
Namo Buddha Resort
Most information taken from Nepal Tourism & Visit Nepal sites
Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing
The political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, Kathmandu is the first stop for the majority of visitors to the country. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it contains three fabled cities - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Out of ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven cultural heritage sites are in Kathmandu Valley. The history of the Valley begins with the Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed a passage through the surrounding hills to drain out the primordial waters and make it inhabitable. Over the centuries, a refined urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Trade and the arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar inhabitants built fabulous cities and artistic temples that attracted devout pilgrims as well as rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century, following the founding of modern Nepal within more or less the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made the capital. Kathmandu, the largest city in Nepal is situated at an altitude of 1,350m.
Bhaktapur & Suriya Binayak
Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon, is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell-one of the emblems of the god Vishnu and was founded by King Ananda Deva in A.D. 889. The city is 1,402 meters above sea level. Pottery and weaving are its major traditional industries. The city lies seventeen kilometers to the east of Kathmandu, easily reached by bicycle although the roads are traffic-filled. Entrance fee: $10. Surya Binayak is one of Kathmandu’s most popular pilgrimage spots, 12 kilometers east of the center. It has been positioned in such a way to catch the first rays of the sun in the morning. Situated in a thick forest to the south of Bhaktapur, it is a 20-minute walk from the trolley bus terminal. The temple, dedicated to the Hindu deity Ganesh (the Elephant headed God) is crowded with devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is also one of the favorite picnic spots offering elegant views of Bhaktapur and other attractive landscapes.
Patan
The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points of the compass. The city is three Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu across the river Bagmati. Like Kathmandu, its center of attraction is its Durbar Square complex, situated right in the middle of the market place. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also know as the city of artists. The city is believed to have been built during the reign of Vira Dev in A.D. 299. Entrance fee: NRP 300.
Budhanilkantha & Kakani
Budhanilkantha is situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the Kathmandu Valley, about 9 km from the city center. The hub of the temple complex is a pond in which lies a 5 meter (17 feet) long great stone figure of Hindu god Bishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. The figure has been estimated to have been found buried in the ground in its original state more than thousand years ago. It is also known as Bhuijasi. Hindus throng to this sacred pilgrimage almost everyday to perform puja but a great number of worshippers can be seen in various festivals, especially on Haribodhini Ekadashi that falls between October/November, the day believed that the sleeping Lord Bishnu wakes up. Biking to Budhanilkantha is an easy day-trip from central Kathmandu, and you can continue up on a paved road into Shivapuri National Park. For single-track mountain bikers, continue through the park towards Kakani and then bike back to Kathmandu along a paved road. Kakani is a view point at 2200 meters where strawberries are grown in the colder months; there is a restaurant and 'resort' at the top, so you can make a full day of cycling through this area.
Nagarkot, Thimi & Changu Narayan
Changu Narayan
Temple is situated on a ridge overlooking the Valley, about 12 km to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu God Bishnu – the Preserver. One of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings and is said to be the oldest pagoda style temple in Nepal built sometime back in 323 A.D. The sacred complex is a World Heritage Site and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding at 125 meters. Thimi is a farming town situated 8 km east of Kathmandu on the way to Bhaktapur. Exquisite temples and other religious shrines dot its streets. It is known for its artistic masks and earthen pots, often seen spread out on the streets to dry in the sun. It can be called a traditional pottery locality with almost 80% of the population still involved in pottery. Handspun cotton cloth is another Thimi specialtyNagarkot is a hill-station situated at 2000 meters, with all ranges of hotels and guest houses and fantastic mountain panoramas. It's 38 km from Kathmandu, the last 17 of them steeply up a switchbacking road, past traditional villages and with lovely views thoughout. You can make a great bike trip from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, down to Changu Narayan along a dirt track and then back to Kathmandu partly on back roads and the rest on paved roads. Only try this on Saturday!
Dhulikhel, Namobuddha & Panauti
Dhulikhel is scenic town situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Rajmarg (Kathmandu Kodari Highway). From here, you're treated to a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. From the main town of Dhilikhel, a short visit to Namobuddha, with its stupa and Buddhist monastery, is highly recommended. There are also hotels, guest houses and retreats in Namobuddha and it's a wonderful place to base yourself for a few days of relaxation, biking or hiking. Panauti, a village noted for its numerous temples with magnificent woodcarving, is a short distance from Dhulikhel, well worth a visit either from Dhulikhel or from Kathmandu.
Kirtipur
Kirtipur
(population 40, 378 - 2001 Census) a small town is situated on a ridge 6 km southwest of Kathmandu. The ancient township established in 1099 is a natural fortress and has a proud and courageous history. It was the first place to be attacked by Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768. The Chilamchu stupa and the temple of Bagh Bhairav are major sights here. Kirtipur offers quaint streets lined with artistic houses and temple squares and great views of Kathmandu Valley. The people are known for their skill in building and weaving and other ancient loom. The oldest educational institute, Tribhuvan University is located in the bottom of the hill.
Dakshinkali & Chobhar
The temple of Dakshinkali is dedicated to one of the most important Hindu Goddess, Kali, and is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. Located 22 km from the city center on the southern rim of the valley past Pharping Gompa and village, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the way back, stop at Chobhar, the famous gorge, just 8 km south west of Kathmandu. The narrow gash in the hills was made by Lord Manjushree to drain out the lake which once covered the Valley. A majestic view of snow clad mountain can be viewed from the hilltop close by.
