SIGHTSEEING
KATHMANDU VALLEY
 Situated between the
Himalayas to the north and the Mahabharat range of mountains to south, Kathmandu
valley has long been the center of culture, trade and learning in Nepal. Kathmandu
valley comprises the three cities of Kaathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Each of
these medieval cities vie 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 Hindu temple in south
Asia is the focal point of pilgrimage from all over the sub-content. The holy
river of Bagmati following nearly is the cremation ground of 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 Buddhanath. Again the Omni-sighted
eyes of Buddha stare at all directions. This stupa is the place of worship
of Tibetan Buddhists predominantly.  SWYAMBHUNATH 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 omnisighted stare of the
Buddha greets visitors and residents alike with compassion. Swoyambhunath has
been an important center for Buddhist learning undergoing construction and renovation
through out the centuries by prominent historical figures like the Mauryan Emperor
Ashok the Great and King Manadev I.
KRISHNA MANDIR The temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding
position in the palace complex of Patan. Though its style is not wholly native,
it has been reckoned as one of the perfect specimens of the Nepalese skill in
temple craft. The 3 storied stone temple contentious to elicit high praise from
lovers of art and beauty. It was built by King Siddhi Narasingha Malla in the
16th century A.D.
MAHABOUDHA The temple of Mahabuddha is a masterpiece
of terra-cotta. This temple was built by Abhaya Raj, a priest of Patan. It is
sometimes described as the temple of million Buddha's because its every brick
contains a fine figure of the Buddha. 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
valley is the most important venue of animal sacrifices to the Goddess Durga. DHULIKHEL mountain resort for Himalayan viewing is
situated on Arniko Highway to Tibet. This is a perfect place for acclimatization
on your overland journey in to Tibet. GODAVARI the venue for summer residence of
Rana prime minister of Nepal, boasts today the Royal Botanical Gardens in the
highest of Phulchowki (9,062 ft.), the highest mountain surrounding the valley. CHOBHAR
GORGE through which the waters of the primeval
lake was drained by Manjushree to create the valley of Kathmandu. KAKANI is a quit hilltop resort west of valley
from where magnificent views of 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. PANAUTI is one of the finest existing specimens
of an all Newari settlement in Kathmandu and boasts of 15th century Indreshwar
Mahadeva Temple, one of the most important temple, associated with Newari culture
and a Narayan shrine. SHANKHU 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 that time
forget is suddenly on the tourist map with an opening of a deluxe mountain resort.
Nearby are 5th century Lichhavi village of Sunakothi, Thecho and Chapagoan. NYATAPOL Temple It is a five storied pagoda
styled temple and was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 A.D. Each of its
five terrace holds a pair of figures (from bottom) wrestlers, elephant, lion,
griffins and goddesses. PHULCHOWKI It is one of the prominent peaks surrounding
the Kathmandu valley and lies to the south-east. It has an altitude of 9050 ft.
This mountain, as its name suggests(Phul means flower) is a natural garden of
wild roses, yellow jasmine, iris and other native flowers. The summit is rich
grove of rhododendrons of various hues. A jeepable road leads to the top of the
hill where there is a Buddhist shrine. | 
Tibet was, until 1950,
a closed country that had been visited by only a handful of people. Today, visiting
Tibet is considerably easier, but the adventure remains. Tibet is a land unlike
any other, a magical realm of vast open spaces, clear light and pure color, dominated
by an intensely blue sky. While remote corners of the world fell to inevitable
modernization, this vast mountain-locked land was left alone for centuries to
develop a unique civilization on the "Roof of the World". This remote
land shelters an ancient and highly developed culture revolving around a unique
form of Buddhism. Tibet is studded with gilt-roofed temples and richly decorated
monasteries.
For centuries this snow-capped
mountain in Western Tibet has been revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike as the
Throne of the Gods and the mystical center of the universe. Two lakes, Manasarover
and Rakastal, lie at the southern foot of Mt. Kailash. Ritual bathing in the lakes
is performed to wash away sins.
The Dragon Kingdom is one of the last Shangrilas
on earth. Bhutan possesses an amazing landscape and the strange and beautiful
monasteries and forts add an aura of mysticism to this land. With its heavily
protected borders, it still remains as a traditional and blissfully unspoiled
land.
Sikkim, located in the eastern Himalayan
sites between Nepal and Bhutan with eastern Tibet to the north. Sikkim is a mountainous
kingdom, well known for providing stunning views of Kanchanjunga (8,598 m.), the
third highest peak in the world which straddles the border with Nepal. Sikkim
is rich in both cultural and natural wonders. Buddhism has a strong hold on this
former kingdom. The forests here hold the most amazing concentration of flowers
in the world.