|
Kathmandu Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Holiday Package Deals
|
!
Search & Compare Discount on Kathmandu Hotels or Holidays
|
Kathmandu Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Kathmandu - Presided over by snow-covered mountains, the
Kathmandu Valley is surrounded by verdant agricultural hills
scattered with traditional villages and brick houses, rich in
ancient holy temples and shrines used by both Buddhists and Hindu
worshippers reflecting a great wealth of culture and tradition.
Most of the country's ethnic groups are represented in the Valley,
particularly in Kathmandu itself, but it is the Newars who are the
original inhabitants responsible for development and the splendid
art and architecture in the cities.
The Valley
is the cultural, political and commercial centre of Nepal and
encompasses three cities: Kathmandu the capital; Patan, which has
been enveloped by the growing Kathmandu outskirts; and the medieval
city of Bhaktapur. For the unprepared visitor, the capital city of
Kathmandu can trigger a sensory overload - it is a heaving city of
both intriguing and unpleasant smells, incessant noise and
pollution, and sights that etch themselves on the memory. Cows
wander the streets of the old city, stepping between steaming piles
of rubbish and hooting taxis, and narrow alleyways overflow with
spices, vegetables and handicraft shops. Throngs of people thread
their way along bustling cobblestone streets lined with structures
from an ancient architectural heritage, which lead onto open
squares surrounded by temples of all shapes and sizes. The largest
city in Nepal and the nation's historical centre, Kathmandu throws
together a blend of the country's varied population and boasts a
distinctive, age-old religious influence visible in the daily life
of its inhabitants. Fascinating as this city is
however, many people choose to stay outside Kathmandu in one of the
Valley towns or mountain resorts and restrict their visit to day
trips; or they base themselves in the tourist-orientated Thamel
district of the city that offers modern bakeries, smart hotels and
upmarket restaurants, along with pushy handicraft and cannabis
sellers.
Advertisment: Search for a Holiday deal.
There are options for all Kathmandu holidays, hotels,
Kathmandu Flights and other deals with the
multi-search
booking engine.
Kathmandu
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Durbar Square
|
What is it? Protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old
city and is a complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and
courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries by the ancient
kings of Nepal. The square is a queer assortment of the old and the
new - elaborately carved architectural features and curving roofs
provide shelter for cows, beggars and weary tourists; Brahman
priests and painted Sadhus perform rituals and pose for photos,
while souvenir sellers and rickshaw drivers compete for attention
among the crowds. Stone lions guard the gates to the Old Royal
Palace that contains a number of courtyards and several museums.
Set into the palace wall is a 17th-century stone inscription
written in 15 languages; it is believed that milk will flow from
the spout below if anyone deciphers the entire inscription. On the
other side of the square, the Kasthamandap temple is an open
pavilion topped by a pyramidal tower, said to be created from the
wood of a single tree. It is purportedly the Valley's oldest
building, and the city of Kathmandu derives its name from this
ancient temple.
Hours of Operation: Durbar Square: daily 8am to 5pm. Old Royal Palace:
Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 3/4pm
Phone: |
2. Swayambhunath Stupa
|
What is it? The golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu
stupa is adorned with a colourful fluttering of prayer flags; it
crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic
views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is one of the most
recognisable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch
all who ascend the worn stone steps. It is a World Heritage Site
and one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and is at the
source of the Valley's mythical beginning. Legend has it that the
history of the Valley began with the draining of an ancient lake by
an Enlightened Being to reveal the Valley and a lotus flower was
transformed into the hill and the shining light became the stupa
itself. Swarms of pilgrims and red-clad monks circle the complex,
spinning the prayer wheels, while the scores of monkeys that give
the temple its nickname, Monkey Temple, prance about in irreverent
groups. Interestingly the temple complex is scattered with shrines
and statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities and the assortment of
pilgrims from both faiths characterises the country's unique
religious harmony.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Royal Chitwan National Park
|
What is it? Of the 14 national parks and reserves in
Nepal, the Royal Chitwan National Park is the oldest and the most
popular safari destination for visitors. Situated in the
sub-tropical Tarai lowlands, the jungle is home to endangered
animals such as the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal
tiger. Other animals include leopards, wild elephants, Indian
bison, sloth bears, crocodiles, pythons, monitor lizards,
pangolins, and over 400 species of birds. There are different ways
to explore the park, but elephant-back safaris are the most
popular. Jeep safaris, guided walks, overnight jungle expeditions
and canoe trips are also available. There is a wide choice of
accommodation ranging from luxury camps or hotels within the park,
to budget options on the outskirts.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
Kathmandu
holidays - Top Events
1. Holi
From 2007-03-15
To 2007-03-15
|
What is it? This ancient Hindu festival is a festival of
colours. Towards the end of the week-long merry-making and
celebrating comes plenty of paint; everyone coats everyone else
with vibrant colours.
Where is it? Various throughout the country |
|
