8 days escorted tour Oct 1st- Oct 9th, 09 see the best of Kathmandu/ Bhaktapur/ Thamel/ Pashupati/ Patan
A very old Hindu text has described Kathmandu as the land of gods surrounded by beautiful mountains around it.
Kathmandu the capital of Nepal, is situated in a valley of an open-air museum of famous sites, ancient temples and shrines. It’s a city of inexhaustible historic, artistic and cultural interest, in the heart of the Himalaya Mountains with rich history. The capital is quite up to date in terms of comfort and convenience boasting luxury hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and casinos. Transportation is convenient and inexpensive.
Day 1. Kathmandu
Upon arriving in Kathmandu we’ll be picked up to drive to hotel Vajra. We begin this extraordinary adventure with a welcome reception in the hotel garden by the Unatti girls and the extended Unatti Family while enjoying tea and momos (dumplings). In the evening we will meet at the hotel lobby for a 15-20 min walk to Thamal for dinner at the Third Eye restaurant, serving International food. After dinner it’s a free time to explore, walk around Thamal’s shopping area, or walk around to explore.
Day 2. Bhaktapur
After breakfast at the hotel we’ll depart for a day trip to Bhaktapur, a twenty-minute ride. First stop will be the Unatti House, to interact with the girls and see what they have been doing, including their daily programs and accomplishments. The central activity of the day will be participating in “Child to Child” in Durbar Square. This is where our Unatti girls organize distribution of donated clothes and shoes to the less fortunate children in their town. This is a hand on experience, giving to some of the poorest children in Bhaktapur. Be sure to have your camera and a box of Kleenex. We will have lunch in Bahktapur and then enjoy a walking tour of this ancient town, guided by the Unatti girls. The town center, Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and (mountain peak) shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five window palaces of bricks and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. Arrive back at the hotel by 6pm, dinner on your own.
Day 3. Swoyambhunath/ Pashupati
We’ll start our journey with a morning walk to the (monkey temple) Swoyambhunath Stupa. It’s an ancient religious complex atop a hill; it’s a fascinating Buddhist architecture. We will walk the 300 steps to the Buddhist temple, and talk about the temple and the Buddhist prayer traditions, the holy site in fact is the massive stupa (a dome-shaped Buddhist shrine). Then you’ll get some time to explore the area on your own. After our great experience we will drive to Thamel for lunch and some free time. Later in the afternoon we’ll drive to Pashupati to explore the biggest and the holiest shrines of all the Hindu temples and cremation site. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in South Asia with hundreds of shrines and icons of various Hindu gods and goddesses inside. We’ll end our day with an upscale dinner in café Caroline at Barbar Mahal. After dinner we can walk to wonderful and lovely upscale shopping, or go to see traditional live music and enjoy a drink.
Day 4. Bal-Mandir/ Thamel
We leave the hotel for breakfast at Mike’s breakfast in Naxal. After breakfast we’ll visit to Bal- Mandir,(2-3 minutes drive) the largest state run orphanage in Kathmandu valley. There we will again participate in child-to-child clothing distributions, and then we’ll drive back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch we’ll walk to Thamel for a free time to explore the area and shop in the little streets and the bazaar. If you’d like to explore other places in the area we can give a suggestion and we can also arrange for a driver.
Day 5. Bhaktapur- Art Project
Today we’ll be returning to Bhaktapur . You can choose to visit local schools. The school many of our Unatti children attend, Jaysee secondary school, is our first stop. After lunch at Bhaktapur we’ll visit a government (public) school to observe the differences and better understand the needs of the community. In both schools we will have the opportunity to works directly with the students, doing art projects, reading books and delivering supplies. Back to the hotel at 5PM, dinner on your own.
Day 6- Patan
This morning after breakfast we will be spending the day in Patan. A 25-minutes drive. Patan is the world Heritage site, this whole square is a cluster of the fine pagoda temples and stone statues. At every step one comes across a piece of art or an image of the anonymous Patan’s skilled artist. We’ll explore the ancient palace of Malla kings and the stone baths, visiting some pagoda-style temple including of Lord Shiva, and Krishna Temple- as one of the most perfect style of architecture, we’ll enjoy unique shopping. Back to the hotel at 5PM, dinner at the hotel.s
Day 7. Boudha Stupa
Today we’ll go to visit Boudha Stupa. This ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world and the influx of large populations of Tibetan refugees from China, and it’s a big Buddhist community. After lunch, we will have a free time to explore on your own. If you’d like we can arrange a journey to visit a Tibetan refugee village of carpet weavers and dyers. Please let us know the night before or in the morning if you wish us to arrange this special journey for you. We’ll end the day at dinner at 1984 restaurant.
Day 8. Independent exploration
This day is free to relax and enjoy the serene beauty of this place, or use the day for last minute shopping. If you wish to explore more places please let us know and we’ll be happy to organize a driver for your convenience. Dinner will be a Nepali Feast at the hotel with our extended Unatti family. We will be graced with singing and dancing by our Unatti girls.
Day 9. Departure /Goodbye ceremony
Today is the first day of the Dashain festival. The most holy holiday in the Hindu calander. And as part of the ceremony we will each get a Tikka, which is a big red dot on your forehead for good luck. After the ceremony will drive to the airport for our flight to Los Angeles.
Shyam Thapa and Namaste.
