The world recognises Nepal by its natual beauty and rich heritage. Besides the abundancy of nature, flora and fauna Nepal possesses tremendous potentiality for investment. Although one of the poorest countries in the World, Nepal has always been a peace loving country.

Sight Seeing World Heritage Sites: Cultural: Swayambhu Nath(Monkey Temple),  Boudhha Nath,  Bhaktapur Durbar Square,  Changunarayan,  Pashupati Nath(Hindu Temple),  Kathmandu Durbar Square,  Patan Durbar Square,  Lumbini(Birth place of Lord Buddha) Natural: Everest National Park Royal Chitwan National Park Major sight-seeing places in Kathmandu city DAY 01: SWAYAMBHUNATH TEMPLE: This is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaityas. It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four side of the spire bases are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is three kilometers West of Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Kathmandu valley. BOUDDHANATH: This Stupa of Bouddhanath lies eight kilometers east of Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient Stupa is one of the biggest in the world. PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE: Situated five kilometers east of Kathmandu. The temple of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath with two tied golden roof and silver door is famous for its superb architecture. Visitors can easily see the temple and the activities performed in the temple premises from the eastern bank of the Bagmati river. DURBAR SQUARE: It is historic seat of royalty. The durbar square, with it's old temples and places, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people.  Main Places: Kasthamandap, Kumari Temple, 9 storyed Palace, Hanuman Dhoka etc. DAY 02: BHAKTAPUR (BHADGAON):- Situated at an altitude of 1,401 m. Bhaktapur covers area of 4 square miles. Shaped like a conch-shell. Bhaktapur means the city of devotees. Pottery and weaving are it's traditional industries. The city lies about 14 kilometers East of Kathmandu and can be reached by public transport and by trolley buses. The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur include: DURBAR SQUARE: The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces like the Lion Gate, the Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, the picture Gallery, the golden Gate, the palace 55 windows, the Batsala temple and the Bell of Barking dogs, etc. The statue of the king Bhupatindra malla in the act of worship is placed on a column facing the palace. Of the many statues available in Nepal this is considered to be the most magnificent.  MAIN PLACES: The National Art Gallery, The Golden Gate, The Palace of 55 windows, The Stone Temple of Batsala Devi, Nyatapole Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Dattatraya  PATAN DURBAR SQUARE: Situated the heart of the city consitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. The square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines, noted for their exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar square consists of three main Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in its centre a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushshity. KRISHNA MANDIR: Built in the seventeenth century, the temple of Lord Krishna holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan. It is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal having 21 spires and is completely. MAIN PLACES: Durbar Squre, Krishna Mandir, Mahabauddha Temple, Hiranya Varna Maha Bihar and many more temples. DAY 03:  DAKSHINKALI: Canopied by four gilded serpents spiraling up to make up the pinnacle, this open shrine is dedicated to the ferocious Hindu female deity, Dakshinkali. It is one of the Valley's many Kali shrines, and devotees and picnickers through this place, particularly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, to offer blood sacrifice to the goddess. KIRTIPUR: Situated atop a strategic hillock 10 km southwest of Kathmandu, Kirtipur (local name Kipu) indeed embodies courage and bravery. Though this township went into backwater following its final defeat in 1768 at the hand of the Gurkhas, it still retains its old glory in art and culture. So, those, who enjoy basking in antiquity, should never miss to go around this historic place to have a closes-up views of the typical lifestyle of its Newar inhabitants and their much admired skills in producing textile and other handicraft items. The height of Kirtipur also make it a favored place for viewing the Kathmandu Valley as well as the Himalayas in the distant north. And for those, who wish blending their cultural trip with a touch of spiritual salvation, there are the Buddhist Chilamchu Stupa, Shiva parvati temple and many other remarkable mountains. Its gem, however, lies in the three-storied Bagh Bhairav temple, which is adorned with, among others, the weaponry the warriors of Kirtipur had taken away from the Gurkha soldiers. Other Places in Kathmandu Valley and Beyond the Valley: National Museum, Narauanhity Durbar, Singha Durbar, Budhanilkantha, Kirtipur, Pharping, Zoo, Godawari, Surya Vinayak, Kakani, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Namo Buddha and so many natural and cultural places. Major sight-seeing places in Pokhara city Pokhara Valley: One of the most picturesque spot of Nepal. The beauty of the valley is enhanced by its lovely lakes: Fewa, Begnas and Rupa. Situated 200km west of Kathmandu. Pokhara is connected by air as well or by tourist luxuries bus from Kathmandu. Situated at an al-level, Pokhara offers the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, 5peaks of Annapurna and others. Pokhara's numerous lakes, known as "Tal" in Nepali offer fishing, boating and swimming. Places of Interest: Phewa Lake, Begnas and Rupa Lake, Barahi Temple, Davy's fall, Mahendra Gupha etc.        Religion  People  Visa & Passport  Getting there  Group Sizes  Best Season  Clothing  Photography  Festivals  Currency  Climate  Pricelist NAP-Bhutan Specials NAP-510 Bhutan Tour: (4 nights - 5 days) NAP-511 Bhutan Package Tour: (6 nights 7 days) NAP-512 Bhutan Pilgrimage Tour: (10 nights – 11days) NAP-513 Bhutan Cultural tour: (13 nights – 14 days)   Bhutan is nestling in the heart of the Himalayas; it remained in self-imposed isolation for centuries. Its doors were cautiously opened to the tourists in 1974, the environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture is beautiful, the people are hospitable and charming, and the culture is unique and despite the huge potential of its natural resources. Bhutan developed its own civilization. The population of about 700,000 people, living in close harmony with nature, evolved a unique identity, derived largely from a rich religious and culture heritage. Today, the world is seeing many exotic aspects of this kingdom. Bhutan is becoming increasingly known for its pure practice of Mahayana Buddhism in the Tantric form, its untouched culture, its pristine ecology and wildlife, and the unparalleled scenic beauty of its majestic peaks and lush valleys. It is still, in many ways, a magical kingdom of the past. Most people have never heard of Bhutan. Yet, a handful of people around the world, who visited Bhutan say it is truly Shangri-La. All of them have returned enthralled by this secret land. Bhutan is a mythical country hidden deep in the Himalayan Mountains between India and China (Tibet). It is as big as Switzerland, but sparsely inhabited. It certainly exudes charm with magnificent mountains, fast flowing rivers, dense forest, delightful people, pure air, imposing architecture, exciting religion, and the superb art. Nepal Adventure Point is a small and specialized trekking company offering both standard and personalized tours throughout Bhutan. We believe that the goal of business is to create and keep customers. We have always gone out of our ways in providing the best services to our clients, because our support to the rural communities would be meaningful only if our well wishers are happy and satisfied with our services. RELIGION: Bhutan is the last bastion of the Mahayana form of Buddhism in the world today. It was in the 8th century AD that Guru Padma Sambhava introduced Buddhism to the country. Subsequently this was promulgated by various other religious figures that visited Bhutan. The dominant sect that came to be established in the country was the Drukpa Kargyu sect of Mahayana Buddhism, which is now the official religion of Bhutan. <top> PEOPLE: The country's population of 700, 000 is composed of three main ethnic groups. The Sharchopas, who are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan, live mostly in Eastern Bhutan and they are of Indo-Mongoloid origin. The Ngalops populate mostly Western Bhutan migrated from the Tibetan plains and are the importers of Buddhism to Bhutan. The Lhotsampas who are of Nepalese origin settled in the southern foothills of the country in the early 20th century. This ethnic diversity of the people has resulted in numerous dialects and languages that are spoken throughout the country. Dzongkha is the National language. English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken. <top> VISA AND PASSPORT: The visitors are required valid passport and visa to enter Bhutan, except for Indian nationals. Travelers to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the kingdom of Bhutan. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thimphu issues visa to all foreign travelers. VISA COST: A visa cost US$ 20 and visa is stamped in the passport at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the pre-payment of travel itinerary. The visitors are required to produce two passport size photographs. The visa can be extended up to six months in Thimphu. The visitors to Bhutan are advised to finalize their travel plans well in advance. Visa applications must reach the Thimphu, at least 4-6 weeks prior to the intended arrival date, earlier if traveling to the Kingdom in the peak months of September, October, November, March, April or early May. Nepal Adventure Point will advise the status before your departure date. The actual visas are stamped in the passports at the entry points of Paro airport. <top> GETTING THERE: Druk Air flies every Monday & Thursday between Kathmandu & Paro. Cost for one-way trip is US$ 190 and US$ 380 for round trip. The National Airlines of Bhutan - DRUK AIR operates with connection from Bangkok (Thailand), Calcutta & Delhi (India) and Dhaka (Bangladesh). <top> GROUP SIZES: A minimum number of 2 People are required for getting permits to trek in Bhutan. For Tours, 1-2 Pax are considered Fit’s and 3 & above as Group. A special discount is available, if you are traveling in a group of 5 & above. BEST SEASON: Spring : March - May Autumn : September - October Monsoon : June - August Winter : December - February CLOTHING: Ootober - March: Warm Clothing and April - September: light cotton clothing, a warm sweater and a jacket are always advised. PHOTOGRAPHY: 16mm. film camera is prohibited in Bhutan. Photography in some of the Monasteries & Dzongs is not allowed. FESTIVALS: Religious festivals (Tsechu) are important events and celebrated throughout the kingdom of Bhutan. The tsechus are the most colorful event and all Bhutanese gathers and celebrate at every Dzongs (fortress), temples, and monasteries. <top> CURRENCY: Bhutan’s currency is called Ngultrum or (Nu). 100 Chhetrum makes 1 Ngultrum or (Nu). Indian Rupee is legal acceptable in Bhutan. Current exchange rate is approximately US$ 1 = Nu. 45. You can exchange Pound Sterling and US Dollars. (Hours 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Monday to Friday). CLIMATE: Bhutan's climate ranges from tropical in the south, to temperate in the center of the country, to cold in the north...and like much of your adventure in the Himalayas it will be quite unpredictable. In the Thimphu and Paro valleys, the winter daytime temperature averages 60 degrees Fahrenheit during clear winter days but drops well below freezing during the night. Mid December to early January can be a beautifully clear and dry time in Western Bhutan. Late December through mid February is the period of heaviest snowfall in the higher elevations. <top> Deity from Belur Hinduism I knew relatively little about Hinduism when we started our trip, and after five weeks of experience I found the philosophy and mythology to be reasonably easy to grasp but I still have difficulty understanding the structure and rituals of Hinduism, and what it means to its practitioners. This is partly because most people when asked about these things found it difficult to answer, perhaps they did not understand the questions. On the other hand the atmosphere generated by Hindu sites has a particularly strong psychological impact. Our first contact with Hinduism was in Nepal at Bhudanilkantha. A 5-metre long statue of Vishnu as Narayan rests in the coils of the 11-headed cobra Annanta in the centre of a shallow basin of red water. The impression created is of a dead figure carried away on a sea of blood, though actually the scene represents the creation of the universe. Pilgrims chatter noisily while circumambulating the pool and scattering flower petals and red powder into the water and onto the statue. The petals float in the water and are strewn on the exposed parts of the body. As in many religious places, there is a sweet smell of incense, contrasting with the acrid smoke of burning oil. When we visited it was one of those warm wet days when the surrounding buildings disappear into mist and rain, creating a larger watery environment so that you really could imagine that you were seeing Vishnu in the primaeval ocean. The name of the goddess incarnated in the Kumari of Katmandu varies, but the beginning and end of her investiture are marked by bloodshed. Little girls no older than 6 take part in the terrifying selection process, some guides claim that they must spend the whole night with a corpse, then watch the slaying of numerous sacrificial animals, others that the children are surrounded by decapitated buffalo heads, while masked men try to frighten them. The goddess can be recognised by the fact that she remains impassive throughout these ceremonies. She spends her childhood in a beautiful house in Kathmandu's Durbar square, the woodwork of which is all carved with human skulls and demonesses. She must be looked after very carefully, as her term will come to an end if any of her own blood is shed, even through a tiny scratch or injury. If this is avoided she will cease to be a goddess at puberty, and will receive a large dowry as her golden handshake. The girls chosen to be Kumari are always exceptionally beautiful but despite her beauty and wealth, marriage with the ex-goddess is believed to bring premature death and she often ends up single. Swayambunath near Katmandu is mainly a Buddhist complex which includes several Hindu places of worship. After seeing the stupa I wandered over to the Hindu temple just behind it. This building is so small and decorated it looks almost like a child's play house and has just enough space for a few people to stand in front of the god. There are so many people crowded into the tiny courtyard around the temple that it is quite hard to tell what is going on. The pilgrims gather around two men seated on the ground which is liberally covered with flower petals and religious paraphernalia. They are occupied with chanting and pouring holy water on people's hands as they approach the temple. People are pushing and shoving to get inside the building but it is impossible to tell which god they are so keen to visit. As we were leaving Swayambunath, I was drawn to another temple standing to one side of the little square. Unlike most Hindu temples it was empty and completely dark inside, not just from the absence of light, the walls and floor gave the impression of being completely black. The only break was right opposite the entrance where there was a little gold door and above it some painted eyes. They were not colourful and stylised like the eyes of Buddha on the stupa, but more like the eyes on Roman portraits and they seemed both enticing and menacing. The guide explained that this temple contains a natural tunnel accessible only to the priests and is the site of a mythical tunnel which is supposed to go deep into the earth, to the lands of eternal fire. The temple is associated with Tantrism. Hinduism continued... Back to travelogue contents    Painted carving at Ellora