After having breakfast at the hotel we will then set off for a whole day of sightseeing of the Kathmandu valley's major attractions. They include the followings:

I)        Kathmandu Durbar Square:

II)       Swayambhunath:

III)      Boudhanath:

IV)     Pashupatinath:

- Welcome dinner with a Live Nepalese Culture show in the evening

Accommodation: Hotel Yatri Suites and Spa

Meals:  Breakfast, Dinner

I) Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Kathmandu’s Durbar Sq was where the city’s kings were once crowned and legitimized, and from where they ruled (Durbar means palace). As such, the square remains the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu’s most spectacular legacy of traditional architecture. The square bore the brunt of Kathmandu's 2015 earthquake damage. Half a dozen temples collapsed, as did several towers in the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex, but it's still a fabulous complex. Reconstruction will continue for years.

Although most of the square dates from the 17th and 18th centuries (many of the original buildings are much older), a great deal of rebuilding happened after the great earthquake of 1934. The entire square was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979.

The Durbar Sq area is actually made up of three loosely linked squares. To the south is the open BasantapurSq area, a former royal elephant stables that now houses souvenir stalls and off which runs Freak St. The main Durbar Sq area is to the west. Running northeast is the second part of Durbar Sq, which contains the entrance to the Hanuman Dhoka and an assortment of temples. From this open area MakhanTole, at one time the main road in Kathmandu and still the most interesting street to walk down continues northeast.

II) Swayambhunath:

The Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the crowning glories of Kathmandu Valley architecture. This perfectly proportioned monument rises through a whitewashed dome to a gilded spire, from where four iconic faces of the Buddha stare out across the valley in the cardinal directions. The site was shaken severely by the 2015 earthquake, but the main stupa sustained only superficial damage. The entire structure of the stupa is deeply symbolic: the white dome represents the earth, while the 13-tiered, tower-like structure at the top symbolizes the 13 stages of nirvana. The nose-like squiggle below the piercing eyes is actually the Nepali number Ek (one), signifying unity, and above is a third eye signifying the all-seeing insight of the Buddha.

The base of the central stupa is ringed by prayer wheels embossed with the sacred mantra om mani Padme hum (‘hail to the jewel in the lotus).

Pilgrims circuiting the stupa spin each one as they pass by. Fluttering above the stupa are thousands of prayer flags, with similar mantras, which are said to be carried to heaven by the Wind Horse. Set on ornate plinths around the base of the stupa are statues representing the five DhyaniBuddhas – Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, and Aksobhya – and their consorts. These deities represent the five qualities of Buddhist wisdom.

A journey up to the Buddhist temple and Unesco World Heritage Site of Swayambhunath is one of the definitive experiences of Kathmandu. Mobbed by monkeys and soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the ‘Monkey Temple’ is a fascinating jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography. Even the 2015 earthquake failed to topple Kathmandu's best-loved temple, though a couple of outlying buildings crumbled in the tremor.

The compound is centered on the gleaming white stupa, topped by a gilded spire painted with the eyes of the Buddha. Depictions of these eyes appear all over the Kathmandu Valley. The atmosphere is heightened in the morning and evening by local devotees who make a ritual circumnavigation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. It is also a great place to watch the sunset over Kathmandu.

III) Boudhanath:

The first stupa at Boudhanath was built sometime after AD 600, when the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. In terms of grace and purity of line, no other stupa in Nepal comes close to Boudhanath. From its whitewashed dome to its gilded tower painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, the monument is perfectly proportioned. Join the Tibetan pilgrims on their morning and evening koras (circumambulations) for the best atmosphere. According to legend, the king constructed the stupa as an act of penance after unwittingly killing his father. The first stupa was wrecked by Mughal invaders in the 14th century, so the current stupa is a more recent construction. The highly symbolic construction serves in essence as a three-dimensional reminder of the Buddha’s path towards enlightenment. The plinth represents earth, the Kumbha (dome) is water, the harmika (square tower) is fire, the spire is air and the umbrella at the top is the void or ether beyond space. The 13 levels of the spire represent the stages that a human being must pass through to achieve nirvana.

Stupas were originally built to house holy relics and some claim that Boudhanath contains the relics of the past Buddha, Kashyapa, while others say it contains a piece of bone from the skeleton of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Around the base of the stupa are 108 small images of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha (108 is an auspicious number in Tibetan culture) and a ring of prayer wheels, set in groups of four or five into 147 niches.

To reach the upper level of the plinth, look for the gateway at the north end of the stupa, beside a small shrine dedicated to Hariti (Ajima), the goddess of smallpox. The plinth is open from 5 am to 6 pm (till 7 pm in summer), offering a raised viewpoint over the tide of pilgrims surging around the stupa. Note the committed devotees prostrating themselves full-length on the ground in the courtyard on the east side of the stupa.

IV) Pashupatinath:

Nepal’s most important Hindu temple stands on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, surrounded by a bustling market of religious stalls selling marigolds, prasad (offerings), incense, rudraksha beads, conch shells, pictures of Hindu deities and temples, tika powder in rainbow colors, glass lingams, models of Mt Meru and other essential pilgrim paraphernalia.

At first glance, Pashupatinath might not look that sacred – the temple is just a few hundred meters from the end of the runway at Tribhuvan Airport, overlooking a particularly polluted stretch of the Bagmati. However, in religious terms, this is a powerhouse of Hindu spiritual energy and is closely connected to Shiva in the form of Pashupati, the Lord of Animals. Some surrounding minor shrines were damaged in the 2015 earthquake, but the main mandir (temple) was unscathed.

After touring Pashupatinath we will then return back to the hotel and refresh ourselves before heading for a welcome dinner in the evening hosted in your honor by Asian Heritage Trekking.

We have breakfast and then leave for Pokhara.  Upon our arrival in Pokhara, we are rewarded with magnificent views of the Himalayas including Dhaulagiri (8,167m/26,794ft), Manaslu (8,156m/26,759ft), Machhapuchhre (6,993m/22,943ft), the five peaks of Annapurna and others. We then check in to our hotel and take a rest. We enjoy boating in the Fewa Lake and strolling in the city’s quaint streets. Overnight in Pokhara.

Accommodation: Hotel Shaara

Today we will take an early morning flight to Jomsom which is famous for its apples, strong winds, and the landscape. We begin our trek on an open trail alongside a beautiful valley. We pass through Eaklibatti village before reaching Jomsom which is ideally located at the bank of two rivers. The village is beautiful with flat-roofed houses and also has ruins of an old fortress. Overnight in Kagbeni.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We get our permits checked and then begin our trek on a trail alongside the Kali Gandaki River. We walk on sand amidst strong winds before ascending a hill. We reach the Tangbe Village and admire its narrow alleyways, white-washed houses, barley and buckwheat fields, and apple orchards. We continue our walk and pass another village and cross a river on our way. Next, we walk on a ridge before reaching Chele Village. Overnight in Chele. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Our trek from today will be a little hard compared to what we experienced before.  Our walk today involves crossing two passes, Taklam La pass (3,624m) and Dajori La pass (3,735). On our way, we enjoy great views of Tilicho, Yakawakang, and Damodar Danda and pass by Ramchung Cave. We descend further and reach Samar Village. From here we walk on a trail above the village and reach a ridge. Next, we descend on a steep trail to a stream and continue our trek to Syanboche. Overnight in Syanboche.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We ascend to the Yamada La pass at 3,850m. On the way, we pass by a few teahouses, chortens, and beautiful villages. We trek through poplar forests and barley fields and reach Nyi Pass at 4,010m. From here, we descend to Ghami which is one of the biggest villages in the Lo region. The village is beautiful with fields surrounding the entire village. Overnight in Ghami.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Our trek today begins with a descent through a rough and often slippery trail. We then cross a suspension bridge over the GhamiKhola and begin ascending. The pathway is beautiful with Mani walls along the trail. Next, we cross the Tsarang La Pass at 3870m and reach Tsarang village. The village lies atop the Charang Chu canyon with a huge fortress and a red gompa towards its east. Overnight in Tsarang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

We begin our trek by descending into a canyon and crossing a river before beginning our uphill trek to Lo La pass which is at 3950m. From the top of the pass, we can admire the beautiful Lo Manthang village. From the pass, we descend to Lo Manthang which is a beautiful walled village. From here the views of the Himalayas including Nilgiri, Tilicho,  Annapurna I, Bhrikuti Peak as well as Damodar Kunda (pond) is quite good. Overnight in Lo-Manthang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner