Let's begin our tour today from Patan Dhoka, also known as the "gateway to Patan," an ancient Newar city in the Kathmandu Valley. Patan served as the capital of the Malla dynasty from the 14th century to 1768 CE. Situated in the Lalitpur District, the city is home to significant temples and monuments, including the royal palace, Durbar Square, and numerous temples dating back to the Licchavi period (4th-8th centuries CE). King Amsuvarman originally established the city in 327 CE, but it faced extensive damage in a major earthquake in 1934. After being restored, it is now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entrance, dating back to the Malla era and leading to the ancient city of Yala or present-day Patan, underwent a transformation with the auspicious signs of the parrot, the eye, and the kalash being commissioned for painting for the first time in 1976.

We'll then head to Pimbahal Stupa, situated roughly 650 meters from Patan Durbar Square. It holds great spiritual significance and is well-known among Buddhist pilgrims. Next to the stupa lies Jagamadu Pond, also known as Pimbahal Pukhu, believed to be around 600 years old. According to ancient legend, the pond is neither natural nor man-made, with claims suggesting it was created by Lakhes (Demons in Nepali folklore). The city's stupas have preserved precious relics and teachings of Buddhism, and among them, Pimbahal stands out as the most mysterious and captivating. Patan is a renowned hub of Hinduism and Buddhism in the Kathmandu valley, and its magnificent Buddhist structures are admired worldwide for their beauty and grandeur. Although there's debate about its exact construction date, it's believed to be nearly 2000 years old. Some claim it's one of the Ashok Stupas of Patan, supposedly built by Emperor Ashoka during his visit to Kathmandu.

After visiting the stupa, our next destination is Nagbahal Hiti, also known as Elhānani Hiti, believed to be an ancient drinking fountain dating back to the 8th century. This site is still used for cultural events. The history of Nagbahal is quite unclear. However, the discovery of an 8th-century stele adorned with four Buddhist sculptures and two chaityas, likely from the Licchavi Kingdom (c. 400-750 AD), suggests a strong Buddhist presence in the area during that era. Many of the residents in the courtyard are Buddhists and have ties to the sangha of the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar.

The Golden Temple, also known as Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, is a Newari Buddhist monastery built in 1409. Despite its nickname, it's not entirely made of gold; the name comes from tourism and a shortened translation. Located just north of Durbar Sq. This unique monastery has been around since the 12th century and has kept its current form since 1409. The temple is famous for its gold-plated facade and is considered one of the most beautiful in Patan. To access the temple, you can use the elaborate narrow stone entrance to the east or the wooden entrance to the west, both from connected courtyards on the north side of Nakabhil. Visitors are required to remove their shoes and leather items to enter the lower courtyard. The temple's head priest is a boy under 12 years old, who serves for 30 days before passing the responsibility to another young boy.

After our visit to the Golden Temple, we'll head to the Kumbheshwor Temple, a site with extensive documentation that dates back to the late 14th century. Renowned historians like Bernier, Dowman, Hutt, and Slusser have noted that the five-tiered Kumbheshwor mandir was established in 1392. The temple's origins can be traced back to the Licchavi period (around 400-750 CE) or even earlier. Various statues from that era scattered throughout the compound provide evidence of Licchavi involvement. Historical records indicate that pillars from the Licchavi period were repurposed as steps for the north door of the main shrine.

In a short stroll, we'll reach today's highlight, the Patan Durbar Square. The ancient royal palace of Patan stands tall over the remarkable Durbar Square. This densely packed area of temples is perhaps the most visually stunning example of Newari architecture in Nepal. Temple construction in the square thrived during the Malla period (14th to 18th centuries), particularly during the reign of King Siddhinarsingh Malla (1619–60). The square is a captivating blend of palace structures, artistic courtyards, and graceful pagoda temples – a reflection of Newari architecture that had reached its zenith during the rule of the Malla kings. Among its numerous courtyards, the renovated Keshav Narayan Chowk has been turned into a museum displaying bronze artifacts. The Sundari Chowk with the sunken bath of Tusha Hiti showcases exquisite woodcarvings, as well as stone and metal sculptures. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After visiting the durbar square, you'll come across the ancient Golden Fountain. Nepalese art expert Gautama Vajracharya has extensively studied this renowned golden fountain in Nepal. The spout, crafted with dazzling metalwork, depicts vivid animated scenes, mostly featuring aquatic animals, inspired by Vedic tales of life-giving rain. One of the most striking features is the mythical sea creature makara with a goat leaping from its open mouth. The fountain's surfaces showcase spouts projecting horizontally, designed after the mythical makara, a creature symbolizing both celestial (rain cloud) and terrestrial water. While the makara spout is typically carved from stone, royal palaces often adorn the stone spouts with tastefully crafted, shimmering repoussé metalwork. The seventeenth-century golden fountains at the three royal palaces of the valley, in Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu, are examples of the continuation of a much earlier tradition.

The Temple of Mahaboudha, built in the 14th century, is a serene Buddhist structure made of clay bricks and adorned with exquisite terra-cotta art. It stands out from the surrounding pagoda roofs and temples. The walls of the Mahaboudha Temple are adorned with approximately nine thousand carvings depicting Buddha, giving the temple its name and showcasing the craftsmanship of the Patan artisans. Despite its impressive height, this remarkable temple remains discreetly hidden by the surrounding buildings. The temple pays homage to the original Bodhigaya temple in India, dedicated to Lord Buddha, his life, and his teachings.

We're looking forward to exploring Rudravarna Mahabihar, a Newar Buddhist Monastery situated in Patan city. This cultural gem boasts three courtyards, each with its own distinctive and captivating features. The central courtyard, Uku Bahal, originally established by King Shivadev (590-604) as one of five monasteries, stands out as the main attraction. In 1680, an impressive gate adorned with two flag-bearing lion statues was erected in the outer courtyard.

As one traverses the narrow alleys of old town Patan, they will encounter remarkable woodwork crafted by the artisanal "Shilpakar" families, as known in Nepali. With a longstanding dedication to their craft, evidenced in their intricately carved windows, doors, wooden masks, furniture, statues, and more, these artisans exemplify the enduring tradition of wood carving in Patan. This generational occupation has been meticulously upheld for centuries, offering a profound insight into the dexterous skills of these professional artisan families. Exploring the lifestyle and traditions of the authentic Newari city of Patan unveils the rich heritage preserved by these master craftsmen for over a millennium.

The tour starts with a walk through Thamel and the narrow alleys of Asan Tole a popular local shopping spot, leading to Newroad Gate via Kathmandu Durbar Square. Historical evidence indicates that the market of Ason has been in existence since the 6th century. Asan Tole is a bustling square filled with vegetable and spice vendors from dawn till dusk. It is the busiest square in the city and is believed to have inspired Cat Stevens' song 'Kathmandu'. Kathmandu's Durbar Square is the historic heart of the old town and home to temples dating back to the third century. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of three interconnected squares. Durbar Square is a significant location for Buddhist and Hindu rituals, royal events, and coronations. It's surrounded by fountains, ancient statues, small ponds, and a series of courtyards, making it a meditative and religious site for spiritual seekers with Old Royal Palaces inner complex of Durbar Square now a museums.

After exploring Kathmandu Durbar Square and its surroundings, we'll head to Swayambhunath from Newroad Gate. The Swayambhunath Stupa is considered one of the architectural marvels of Kathmandu Valley. This well-proportioned structure rises from a whitewashed dome to a gilded spire, adorned with four Buddha faces looking out over the valley in the four cardinal directions. Historical inscriptions on a stone provide evidence that the stupa was already a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site by the 5th century AD, but its origins date back to an even earlier period, preceding the introduction of Buddhism to the valley. According to the Swayambhu Purana, a 15th-century collection of legends about the site, a miraculous lotus, planted by a previous Buddha, blossomed from the lake that once covered the Kathmandu valley.

The tranquil Budhanilkantha Temple is nestled in a peaceful corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also called Jal Narayan Temple, it holds great significance in Nepal's spiritual and cultural heritage, peacefully situated at the heart of the valley. The name "Budhanilkantha" originates from the ancient Newari language, where "Budha" means "old," "Nila" means "blue," and "Kantha" means "throat." The temple is not only a place of worship but also a living testament to spirituality and history. At its center lies a magnificent stone statue of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu trinity. Gracefully reclining on the coils of the cosmic serpent in the midst of a serene pond, this renowned representation of Lord Vishnu signifies the timeless harmony between nature and divinity and holds immense significance.

Let's go for a drive on the outer ring road of Kathmandu to visit Bouddhanath stupa. The first stupa at Boudhanath was likely built after AD 600, when Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, converted to Buddhism. Boudhanath is considered the most elegant and simply designed stupa in Nepal. The monument is perfectly proportioned, from its whitewashed dome to its gilded tower adorned with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. Stupas were initially built to enshrine sacred relics, and it is believed that Boudhanath houses the relics of the past Buddha, Kashyapa, or a fragment of bone from the skeleton of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. In 1979, the Boudha Stupa was designated as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in Nepal.

Once we complete circumventing around the big Stupa, we will drive to Pashupatinath Temple, place of worship in the Kathmandu Valley on the Baghmati River, on the eastern outskirts of the city of Kathmandu, that is the holiest site in Nepal. It is devoted to the Hindu god Shiva in his form as Pashupati, protector of animals. There has been a religious foundation here since at least the 5th century BCE, though the oldest recorded temple dates from 400 CE. Pashupatinah Temple is part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage site, inscribed by UNESCO in 1979.

After the tour, you have the choice to experience the vibrant nightlife of Thamel and Jhamsikhel. Our escorted VIP line access will take you through the beautiful restaurants, pubs, clubs, and streets of the area for an unforgettable night out.