Overview
Day 01 Kathmandu
Flight to Kathmandu.
Day 02 Delhi - Kathmandu
Arrival in Delhi, the capital of India and further flight to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal Kingdom. After arrival transfer to hotel.
Afternoon excursion to the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, situated on top of a hill west of Kathmandu. Around the central Stupa with the ever watchful eyes of Buddha you see the countless prayer wheels turning and the huge thunderbolt on the top of the staics. The temple contains a beautiful image of the Har
itt, the goddess of smallpox, who used to devour children.
Finally visit to Nepal Museum which houses the handicrafts, bronzes , uniforms and weapons from the last two centuries.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 03 Kathmandu
Early noon excursion to Patan (5 km), previously known as Lalitpur (City of Beauty), it was an important Buddhist centre. The city prospered under the Malla Kings. Till today the remarkable vivacity of its temple architecture give Patan a unique atmosphere. Amongst the 55 major temples and 136 monasteries you see Bhimsen temple, Vishwanath temple (1627), Krishna Mandir, Jagannaraya temple etc.
Durbar Square with the old King Palace (Especially beautiful are the wooden and bronze decoration) , Taleju Temple (17.century) , 3 storey Bhimsen Temple. Further you see Shiva Temple with two stone elephants and artistic, erotic stone cutting work , Krishna Mandir where mythological bird Garuda with spread wings on the peak of a pillar sits as well as the Mahabuddha Temple (14.century) or the temple of 1000 Buddhas, which appears to be same as Bodh Gaya where Buddha attained Nirvana.
Afternoon pass by the residence of living goddess Kumari Devi to Durbar Square, Shiva Parvati Temple as well as 3 storey Maju Devi Temple, famous for its erotic stone cutting work. Further to Hanuman Dhoka with many courtyards and the statue of the legendary Monkey God Hanuman. It was built by King Pratap Malla in the 17th century.
On the way back to hotel pass by Taleju Temple.
Dinner and overnight in temple.
Day 04 Kathmandu
After breakfast excursion to Bhaktapur (Bhadgaon), the 3rd largest city in valley, which has preserved its medieval character, said to have been founded by King Ananda Deva in the 9th century. The houses with artistic stone cutting work as well as the beautiful wood carving date back to the time of King Bhupatindra Mallas (17th century). You see the Durbar Square with King Palace especially its golden gate and 55-Windows-Palace (15th century) , the 5 storey Nyatopala-Temple, the highest and probably the finest temple in Kathmandu Valley built by King Bhupatindra. The 2 storey Bhairabnath-Temple (18th century) as well as the Dattatraya Temple dedicated to God Vishnu and the Pujahari Math with its famous Peacock Window.
Finally visit to Bodhnath (8 km), a huge Stupa , which during some last years has developed into a Tibetan religious Centre.
On your way back visit Pashupatinath , the famous Hindu temple on the bank of Bagmati river.
From the hill you can see the pilgrims in the temple and on the ghats.
Afternoon is free for own activities.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 05 Kathmandu
Early noon drive to Daxinkali in the southern part of the valley. Enroute you pass the narrow Chobar Gorge. Daxinkali is the best known temple dedicated to the terrifying Goddess Kali, where twice a week crowds of Nepalese pilgrims sacrifice goats and chickens to the blood-thirsty goddess.
On the way back pass by Kirtipur, a centre of cloth weaving. As King Prithvi N. Shah of Gorka 2 centuries ago wanted to conquer this settlement, the citizens resisted strongly. To avenge the death of his soldiers he got cut the noses of the citizens that’s why it is said that the noses of the citizens here are shorter than anywhere else in the city.
Afternoon is free for own activities.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 06 Kathmandu
Full day is free.
Day 07 Leh - Delhi
Transfer to airport and flight to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi, the Capital of India. Pick up from the Airport and transfer to hotel. Lunch in hotel.
Delhi is not only a modern Capital with Administration buildings , business streets and large gardens but also is a historic city, which has the seeing attractions of Muslim era
(12.-18. Century).
Afternoon city Tour of the Old Delhi, you see the Red Fort the huge Fort with 33m high walls ,private and public Audience Halls and the private rooms of the Emperor which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1639-48 AD) after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. Opposite Red Fort lies Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red Sandstone and white Marble , the India’s largest mosque which offers place to 20.000 people to pray.
Next to Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial) where he was cremated following his assassination in Jan , 1948.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 08 Delhi - Leh
Transfer to airport and flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh (3.170m). After arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 09 Leh
Early noon excursion to Shankar Monastery, which lies on the foot of the city. Finally climb the huge 9 storey Leh Palace. Sengge Namgyal the “Lion King” (1616-42) ruled here and made Leh his residence. The clay/wood construction with its impressive Lion portal is in ruins today. Further on the mountain peak the wall of an old castle and a decayed temple. The view is very unique from the 6000m high mountain with its snow peaks and green valley of Leh with vegetable and fruit plantations. Leh has been the centre of caravan route to China , Tibet and Pakistan in the past.
Afternoon is free.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 10 Leh
Excursion to Shey and Hemis Monastery, where a mysterious mask dance takes place. Shey is the old Summer Palace of the King of Ladakh, built before about 550 yrs. In the Gompa there is a 12m high holy Buddha Figure (17. Century).
Afternoon is free for own activities.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 11 Leh
Excursion to Thikse Monastery as well as visit Stok Palace, built by King Tshepal Namgyal as new residence in his Exile because of the invasion of the Dogra dynasty in Leh. In palace museum you can see the Perak of Rani Parvati Devi Stok , the widow of the king Kunzang Namgyal who died in 1974.
Return to Leh via SOS children village Choglamsar.
Afternoon is free.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 12 Leh
Afternoon excursion to Phyang (16 km from Leh with about 50 Monks, around 400 yrs old) and Spituk (a Gompa in Indus Valley, around 1000 yrs old) Monasteries. Rest of the day is free.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 13 Leh
Full day is free.
Day 14 Leh - Delhi
Transfer to airport and flight to Delhi. After arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
End of Services
TOUR LODGING INFO: 13 Nights Hotels
Tour Prices
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