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CICLing 2014
Cultural program

 

Local committee's pages:

  
Details and pictures of the tours  

Everest flight
(for a separate fee)
 

About Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and one of the most beautiful metropolitan cities of South Asia. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. Kathmandu Valley is the biggest  urban agglomerate of Nepal and it consists of the four municipalities namely: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur.  Kathmandu is the gateway to tourism in Nepal.

Climate

The city generally has a climate with warm days followed by cool nights and mornings. In april the weather will be very pleasant with temperature around 20 to 25 degrees celsius during the day and at night it will be around 15 degrees Celsius. Evenings can be generally windy with changes of light showers.

Sites we plan to visit

We will have three full-day tours: Sunday 6, Wednesday 9, and Saturday 12. Listed below are some of the sites we plan to visit (tentative). The distribution of the tours by dates will be announced later.

Kapan Gompa

It is about an hour drive from Thamel and Patan. It is a Tibetan Monastery located at the top of the hill giving a spectacular view of the Kathmandu Valley. Besides, Kapan gompa is an international place for study and meditation. For more information: http://kopanmonastery.com/about.html

Boudhanath

It is a sacred destination to all the Buddhists and Hindu pilgrims sited under UNESCO world cultural heritage. It is about 20 minutes west to kapan gompa. For more information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Boudhanath

Pashupatinath

It is about 20 minutes drive to reach Pasupatinath from Boudhanath. Pasupatinath is the most significant Hindu pilgrimage. It is the temple of Hindu lord Shiva and is regarded as “Lord of all living beings.” It is also one of the treasures of UNESCO world cultural heritage site. For more information: http://nepal.saarctourism.org/pashupatinath-temple.html

Basantapur Durbar square

It is a very popular must see place and unique historical cultural destination of Nepal enlisted under UNESCO world cultural heritage site. This is a massive complex to many ancient palaces, courtyards and temples including a home of living goddess “Kumari.” It is 5 minutes walk from Thamel and 10 minutes drive from Patan. More information: http://www.kathmandu.gov.np/Page_Kathmandu+Durbar+Square_168, http://www.nepal-kathmandu.com/kathmandu-durbar-square.php.

Seto MachindraNath Chariot festival

This chariot procession festival is of three days celebrated in the month April(matching with Nepali calendar) The chariot of Seto Machindranath is pulled from place to place during these three days and each day when the chariot has reached its destination a group of soldiers fire their rifles into the air. It will be a fantastic and life time experience to Nepalese culture being a part of it. For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seto_Machindranath

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square lies in the beautiful city of Bhaktapur, popularly known as Bhadgaon in Nepal. It is about 1 hour drive from both Thamel and Patan. Bhaktapur Durbar square is another important and UNESCO world cultural heritage enlisted site of Nepal. It is one of the most spectacular historical cities of Nepal preserved as it was centuries ago. You will witness the divine Newari art and architecture, crafts and culture and more of all, the devotion towards their ancestral work. For more information: http://www.aghtrekking.com/bhaktapur-durbar-square.php

Nagarkot Sunset View

Nagarkot is situated in the altitude of 2195m above the sea level and about 1 hour drive from Bhaktapur Durbar Square. It is a world famous hill station giving a breathtaking views of Annapurna range, manaslu range, ganesh himal range, langtang range, jugal range, rolwaling range, mahalangur range(where the world’s highest peak Mt Everest exists ) and number range with the splendid view of Kathmandu valley.

Everest flight!

Ever wanted to see the world's highest mountain? Everest flight is a 1-hour tour to see Mount Everest from airplane. I made this tour; below is my own photo of Mount Everest from the board of the plane. Note: this tour is optional and will cost additional fee around $100 to $200.

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