Destination: Kathmandu, Mountain Flight, Swayambhunath, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath:
Mountain (Everest)Adventure Treks Nepal has been providing daily Mountain Flight to Everest. Early morning flight from Kathmandu to Khumbhu Region offers you with breathtaking mountain sceneries along with Everest towering above the all. This mountain flight as no age restrictions and is suitable for all type of travellers. This mountain flight is a perfect opportunity to grab panoramic mountain views for those travellers who are bounded by time. As the plane begins to head to the western part, passengers will be amazed to see what Nepal has within its small territory.
Firstly, you will be able to see Gosithan on your far left, also commonly known as Shisha Pangma standing at an elevation of 8,013m above sea level. Dorje Lakpa comes into view on the right side of Shisha Pangma, which looks like a snowy number 8 lying down at an elevation of 6,966m. Further right you will be able to witness Phurbi Ghyachu which emerges over the Kathmandu valley.
As we continue flying closer to the mountains Choba- Bhamare appears in the sight standing with a pride as it has never been summited before, yet it is just 5,933m above the sea level. After Choba- Bhamare, the series of snowy hills leads us towards Gauri Shanker, the holy mountain of Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed that Shiva and his companion Gauri protect this mountain. With the height of 7,134m, this mountain also has never been summited before and also has many unsuccessful attempts till 1979.
As we process forward the series of snowcapped sceneries continues. First appers Melungtse, a plateu that goes high up to 7,023m followed by Chugimago towering at an elevation of 6,297m which is another virgin mountain. Then comes the Numbur Mountain, the main source of water for the Sherpas people living in Solukhumnbhu region. Cho Oyu, one of the 8000er of this region rises majestically at the height of 8,201 m after the appearance of dazzling Karyolung.
Finally, the moment everyone is waiting for. Alongside Nuptse (7,855m), Pumori (7,161m) and Gyanchungkang (7,952m) we will have roof of the world on our sight. Mount Everest also known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan dialects emerge over all the white peaks leaving everyone astonished. Though it has been summited many times no one can underestimate the strength and determination that a person should have to be at the top of the world.
Swayambhunath: Swayambhunath is a Buddhist stupa on a western hill of Kathmandu. More than 2,500 years old, this ancient landmark is connected to the visit of Manjushree who created Kathmandu- a lake then - by draining its waters. The sage saw a celestial lotus in bloom on the top of this hill and sanctified it. The stupa of Swayambhu is a hemispherical mound of compacted earth , and is built to specific rules, and is replete with symbols. The mound of compacted earth, and is built to specific rules , and is replete with symbols. The mound represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind and water. The 13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps of the ladder leading to nirvana, the final salvation. The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags and monkeys hanging around.
The pilgrim's progress to swayambhunath's holy premises is actually through a sylvan path of are 365 steps. The entrance is graced by a huge vajra (symbol of thunderbolt). Statues of Buddha on the four corners of the stupa. Statues of goddesses Ganga and Jamuna guard the eternal flame behind it. There is a Tibetan Gompa (monastery) and innumerable chaityas (small stupas ). The balconies of Swayambhunath are ideal for viewing the entire Valley.
Kathmandu Durbar Square: It is known as Hanuman Dhoka (the gate of monkey god hanuman) which is divided into two principal chowks (courtyards). The outer one is renowned for the KUmari Ghar (the house of the Kumari or virgin or the "living goddess"), Kasthamandap (the wooden house which made from single tree), Narayan Mandir, the stone state of Garuda (man-bird), Kal Bhairav statue and Shiva-Parvati temple house. Most of them built in the pagoda style embellished with intricately carved exteriors, built between 12th to 18 centuries by Malls and Shah Dynasty.
The main inner chowk is the Hanumandhoka and its Durbar complex. There are many temples here, the most notables being the Talegu Temple which dedicated to the female royal deity, Taleju Bhabani. This ultra -sacrosanct temple is opened only once a year and only certain priests can inter it. One of the main buildings of this is call Basantupar Durbar or Nau-talle (nine-storied) Durbar which was built by King Prithavi Narayan Shah in 1770. It is known as Kathmandu Tower, was built along with three other towers named after three ancient cities of Kathmandu valley.
Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square is the most spectacular example of Nepalese architecture in an urban context. Patan is also notable for the four stupas erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka at the four cardinal directions of the city on his pilgrimage tour some 2250 years ago. The palace square sits somewhat between these four milestones. The royal palace's sprawling landmarks are Sundari Chowk, Tusahiti, Mul Chowk, Binaya Mandir, Taleju Shrine, Taleju Bhawani Temple, Gloden Gate, and Keshab Narayan chowk.
The outer perimeters are noteworthy for the Krisna mandir in stone, Hari Shanker Temple, statue of King Siddhi Narsingh, Char Narayan Temple, Bishwanath Mandir, Bhimsen Mandir, Manga Hiti and many others. It is recorded that there are more than 1200 Buddhist monument of various shapes and sizes scattered in and around this city alone. It is said that Patan was founded by King Veer Deva in 299 A.D., that it indicate Patan is the oldest of all three cities of Valley.
Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar):This three storey golden pagoda of Shakyamunu (Lord Buddha)was built in the 12th century by King Bhaskar Verma, where you can see the white image if Amoghpash Lokeshwor and a large prayer wheel.
Krishna Mandir: This is the first specimen of pagoda style temple all made by stone. It is only temple in Nepal having 21 golden pinnacles. This temple dedicated to lord Krisna and built by King Siddhi Narshing Malla in 17th century. Kumbheshower: It is one of three five storied temple in Kathmandu valley. This is temple of Lord Shiva, built by King Jayaiddhi Malla.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Bhaktapur Durbar Square is entered through the massive royal gate and opens up to a most unspoiled complex of palaces, shrines and other landmarks in the Valley. On the right is pair of statues in stone of Ugrachandi with her 18 arms. Then there is the Rameshwor Temple. In the middle of the square is the gilded statue of King Bhupatindra Malla seated on a tall stone pillar, and faces the most exquisitely artistic Suun Dhoka, or the golden gate, Leading into the royal place. The royal place is also known as the "place of 55 windows", next to which is the National Art Gallery. The inner portion of the palace has the Taleju courtyard and her house. Beyond is the Sundari Chowk. The outer perimeters of the complex is replete with pillars and pavilions: Chyasalin Mandap, Durga Temple, Taumadhi Tole and others. To the right, and in another square, is the famed 30-meters (98 feet) Nyatapole Temple (built in 1702), the tallest and most multi-roofed edifice in To Nepal. To its right is the Kashi Bishwanath Temple. On the side of the square is the vantage Nyatapole Café, and beyond it is the community of the famous potters. There are marvelous pottery squares where you can see the living workshop in pottery turning the traditional wheel, making different item and draying it.
The itinerary leads to the distant Dattatreya Square; it is name after the triad deities Bharma (creator), Bishnu (presenter) and Mahesaor (emancipator). This Square is famous place for wood carving as well. The peacock and lotus windows along the Pujari Math are the great in wood carving consecrated to Humanity representing in 16th century technology.
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath is the one of the most sacred Hindu temple in the world; it is dedicated to the lord Shiva (god of the god). The Pashupatinath complex is very large with 492 temples, shrines, stupas Patis (public inn), Satals and other landmark. There are more than thousand Shiva lingams (Phallic symbol of Shiva).Its burning Ghats on the riverbank are the holiest in Nepal. There is no dated record showing when the temple of Lord Pashupatinath was first build but some of unclrearify carving dated found first existed at 459 A.D. However it is rebuilt several times, the present temple built by King Shiva Deva III around 1120 A.D and King Jayasthgiti Malla in the late 14thcentury.A gold plated roof, silver doors and woodcarving of the finest quality decorates the Pagoda construction. There are many great festivals,which are celebrate according to Lunar calendar such as Teej (Women fulfill festival), Balachaturdasi, full moon day and Mahashivaratri. Mahashivaratri is great night of lord Shiva, which celebrate all Shiva's temple with devotion, enthusiasm and jubilation to the greatest day of Load Shiva. Every year thousands of Sadu and pilgrimage come from India and around the world. Ancient religious scriptures said that if you visit this holy site, you can clear the way to haven.
Bouddhanath: The Great Stupa of Bouddhanath is a jewel point in the center of a natural mandala, a store of secret energy. It is built on flat surface, and is the largest in Nepal It is in various levels of terraces, and is painted in pastel, and is adorned with player flags. It is set in the mandala design. Altogether 108 Buddha images and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorn the base of the huge circular edifice.It was built by the LIchavi King Man Dev in the 5thcentury.
Bouddhanath is one of the most sacred places of the Buddhist. For the Tibetan Buddhist, it's even more sacred and therefore more crowded by the Tibetan Monks and Nuns than other Buddhist site. All pilgrims and devotes walk, and prostrating clockwise direction (this is known as kora), turning the mani wheels recite the holy mantras of the dates of compassion.
