Introduction
Nepal has been on the tourist map for well over
quarter of a century. Very few in fact would
not know where Nepal is located, where the Himalayas
are or where the Gorkha soldiers originated
from. The purpose of this site, then is to bring
to our customers not only the traditional items
of Himalayan holidays but new items keeping
in time with the true opening up of the country
for multi-faceted tourism. We endeavour to introduce
to you this new face of Nepal.
Kathmandu Valley
Situated
between the Himalayas to the North and the Mahabharat
range of mountains to the South, Kathmandu valley
has long been the center of culture, trade and
learning in Nepal. Kathmandu valley comprises
the 3 cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
Each of these medieval cities varies with the
other in the beauty of its architecture, the
colors of its festivities, the grandeur of its
historical monuments and the hospitality of
its inhabitants. Tour highlights in and around
Kathmandu valley are:
- Budhanilkantha The reclining stone image
of Vishnu 16 ft. long - is only a few kilometers
away from town center. It dates back 1400
years to the Lichhavi period.
- Pashupatinath The holiest of the holy
Hindu temple in South Asia is the focal
point of pilgrimage from all over the sub-continent.
The holy river of Bagmati flowing nearby
is the cremation ground of the Hindus. Funeral
pyres can be viewed from across the river
bank.
- Boudhanath Probably the largest stupa
in the world is also found in Kathmandu
valley - the great stupa of Boudhanath.
Again the omni-present eyes of the Buddha
stare at all directions. This stupa is the
place of worship of Tibetan Buddhists predominantly.
- Swoyambhunath: Legend has it that
Manjushri, founder of Kathmandu valley,
discovered the lotus of an ancient valley
lake on which site the great stupa of Swoyambhunath
was later built. The omni sighted stare
of the Buddha greets visitors and residents
alike with compassion. Swoyambhunath has
been an important center for Buddhist learning
undergoing construction and renovation throughout
the centuries by prominent historical figures
like the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great
and King Manadeva I.Changu Narayan Another
Vishnu temple is the oldest known temple
existing in the valley dating back to the
4th century.
- Dakshinkali temple located at the foothills
south of the valley is the most important
venue of animal sacrifices to the Goddess
Durga.
- Dhulikhel mountain resort for Himalayan
viewing is situated on the Arniko Highway
to Tibet. This is a perfect place for acclimatization
on your overland journey into Tibet.
- Godavari the venue for summer residence
of Rana prime ministers of Nepal, boasts
today the Royal Botanical Gardens in the
laps of Phulchowki (9,062 ft.), the highest
hill surrounding the valley.
- Chobhar Gorge through which the waters
of the primeval lake was drained by Manjushree
to create the valley of Kathmandu is 20
kms. away to the South.
- Kirtipur is a fortress town on a southern
hill overlooking Kathmandu valley which
is noted for the resistance by its people
during King Prithvi Narayan Shah's efforts
to unite Nepal.
- Kakani is a quiet hilltop resort west
of the valley from where magnificent views
of the Ganesh Himal and Annapurna range
can be seen.
- Nagarkot This hilltop 37 kms. away from
Kathmandu offers vantage views of the Himalayan
range including, on a clear day, Mt. Everest.
Our restaurant "The Tea House" is situated
atop the hill and offers a wide range of
food and drink.
- Panauti is one of the finest existing
specimens of an all Newari settlement in
Kathmandu and boasts of the 15th century
Indreshwar Mahadev Temple, one of the most
important temple associated with Newari
culture and a Narayan shrine.
- Sankhu This is a post on the old trade
route from Kathmandu to Lhasa famous for
many fine Newari houses with elaborately
carved window frames. Nearby is the temple
of the tantric Goddess Bajra Jogini.
- Tika Bhairab A corner of Kathmandu, valley
rim once forgotten is suddenly on the tourist
map with an opening of a deluxe mt. resort,
Malla Alpine Resort Nearby are 5th century
Licchavi villages of Sunakothi, Thecho and
Chapagaon.
Pokhara
Pokhara
is a picturesque town situated in the laps of
the mighty Annapurna Himalayan range. Staging
point of many fascinating treks in the Annapurna
region, Pokhara boasts of the beautiful Lake
Fewa and magnificent views of the Fishtail mountain
among others.
Gorkha
Gorkha is the historical town located south-west
of Pokhara where the seeds of the birth of modern
Nepal was sown. Conquering kings of the Shah
dynasty launched their campaigns from Gorkha
and ultimately unified Nepal. The famous Gurkha
soldiers carry their name as a tribute to their
valor during these conquests.
