Overview
For those constrained in in time, Accessible Adventures has put together for you an itinerary that will give you the major highlights of Nepal in 5 days. People of all age groups can easily participate in this tour and those thinking of celebrating their honeymoon in Nepal will find this trip really worthwhile also.
The tour begins in Kathmandu valley where the major cultural sites of the Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur durbar square are sure to give you an open museum experience with its many statues, temples and medieval decorative designs and architecture. You will be able to see the old palaces where the Kings used to live and the residence of the Living Goddess Kumari. If you are lucky, one of the many cultural and spiritual dances or jatras, which are chariot processions will be taking place. The museums of Patan, Bhaktapur and even Kathmandu are sure to transport your psyche to the past and will have you wondering and amazed. The three major religious sites of Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath and Bouddhanath are sure to fill you with spiritual energy and give you an insight into the many religious traditions of Nepal.
Pashupatinath Temple , so named after lord Shiva who is called the ‘Lord of all Beings” is an ancient hindu temple where many devotees go to offer obedience and worship Lord Shiva, the personification of the destructive aspect of the universe. Through the Pashupatinath complex runs the holy Bagmati river. On the banks of the river, most hindus of Kathmandu valley perform the cremation rites for those who have passed away also. The Pashupatinath temple complex also houses hundreds of smaller temples dedicated to various deities of the hindu pantheon.
The Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath Stupas are two of the most important buddhist sites in Nepal after Lumbini. Located within the Kathmandu valley itself, these stupas are thought to have appeared when in ancient times the Bodhisattva Manjushri drained the waters of the great lake that was Kathmandu using his flaming sword by cutting a gorge at Chhobhar. Both these stupas have many monasteries and temples surrounding them and are sure to fill you with spiritual energy and the blessings of the Adi-Buddha.
Besides the cultural side of things, the trip will take you to Pokhara, famous for being one of the most beautiful cities in Nepal. The view of the Annapurna Mountain ranges, and the reflection cast by the great Macchapuchhre mountain on the serene Fewa lake is sure to fill you with ecstasy. The International Mountain Museum located here houses multiple artifacts of equipment used by the early climbers when summiting the great snowy peaks. The many caves and waterfalls in Pokhara including the Bat cave will be sure to fill you with excitement while the peace pagoda brings a calm to your soul. The views of the Central Mountains from the Nagarkot hillside are also sure to leave you wanting more.
On the way back from Pokhara, a visit to the Manakamana Temple is a must. The temple lies on a massive hilltop bordering the districts of Chitwan and Gorkha and the way you would reach the temple is by a ropeway-cablecar system. The ropeway is one of the oldest and well established transport systems in Nepal to reach a place of pilgrimage and devotees from all over the world come to offer prayer at the Temple. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess Manakamana, meaning the one who grants the wishes of the heart. It is believed that sincere worship of the goddess grants you with the fulfillment of your wishes.
All in all this short but sweet trip around the major cities and cultural centers of Nepal should leave you feeling very satisfied.
