Spend the day exploring the culture and history of Bhaktapur on a small-group tour that takes off from Kathmandu. Spot the city’s ancient temples, stop at historic squares, and visit an art gallery with a local guide. Bhaktapur, a World Heritage Site, is known variously as the city of culture. Despite being just 12 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, Bhaktapur gives the feeling of prehistoric times thanks to the traditional homes, lifestyles, and environment. Get to know the elegant art, rich culture, colorful festivals, traditional dances, and indigenous lifestyle of the Newari community while exploring this ancient city. Visit the following places during the tour: • Bhaktapur Durbar Square • Golden Gate • Nyatapole Temple • Bhairabnath Temple • National Art Gallery • Pottery Square • Char Dham Temple • Dattatreya Temple • Taleju Bell • Changunarayan Temple

Outline Itinerary: 10:00 am: Tour begins from your hotel 11:15 pm: Bhaktapur Durbar Square You begin your tour at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a former royal palace complex that housed the Malla Kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769. The former palace grounds have been used as government offices, schools and private houses. Like the ones of Kathmandu and Patan, Bhaktapur Durbar Square contains various temples, palaces and courtyards all of which were built in the traditional Nepalese architecture. Right behind the golden gate, you can find another majestic masterpiece known as 55 Jhyale Durbar. Here you can observe the preeminent illustration of wood carvings of the Malla periods in this building. Nyātāpola, a five tiered temple located in the central part of Bhaktapur, is the tallest monument within the city and is also the tallest temple of Nepal. This temple was commissioned by King Bhupatindra Malla, the construction completed in 1702. Pottery Square as its name means is a square full of pottery works. This square is not as big as Durbar square but is a hub to do the shopping for Nepalese handicrafts. 03:00 PM: Drop back to your hotel You will be dropped back to your hotel at around 3 pm in the afternoon.

You will begin with breakfast at 8:00AM in the morning. From there your friendly guide will pick you up from your hotel in Thamel or Kathmandu, and following a one-hour drive you will reach the Changu Narayan Temple. The Changu Narayan Temple gives you the opportunity to learn a lot about Nepalese culture. You will also encounter old-style houses, and will learn about the lifestyle around Changu Narayan. Following that, take a 4-hour hike from the Changu Narayan Temple to Nagarkot, the place from where the Himalayas appear like white diamonds. You can also check out the incredible views over Langtang, Shisapangma, Mount Everest, and Gauri Shankar from this location. Your guide will help you to learn more about the beautiful Changu Narayan Temple, along with Nagarkot. Your tour will later end after around 8-9 hours, at which point you will be returned back to your hotel to rest.