HILLS AND VALLEY AROUND KATHMANDU

There is a reason Kathmandu enjoys extreme popularity and fame in the world as a destination or the launching point for adventure. Only at a few places on earth a visitor can experience the combination of natural and cultural beauty like in the Kathmandu Valley. There are a dizzying amount of temples, stupas and monasteries, both Hindu and Buddhist, waiting to be explored. Generally it is the first stop for a visit to Nepal. It is the capital city of Kathmandu and the receiver of most international flights. It is also an excellent place to get your bearings and if you haven’t already, decide where and what your adventures in Nepal will consist of. Kathmandu is also low in elevation with altitudes between 1336 m to 1520m above sea level. The advantage of Kathmandu is that you will not have to fight to acclimatize when first arriving here. If your travels take you far up into the mountains or low into the jungle, Kathmandu is worth a few days to relax on either end of your journey. Almost the entire valley is one large UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. One could spend a lifetime visiting the considerable amount of art, architecture, palaces and houses that will astound you with their intricate carvings and exotic designs of ancient ages. It’s not only the religious and national treasures that will amaze, but the entire atmosphere of Kathmandu is electrifying. The city was founded in the year 723, and has been a center of trade and commerce since bringing together cultures from every area of Southern Asia. The many cultures and religions as well as the people who live here all contribute to this incredibly rich and diverse tapestry of humanity. The holiest sites for the Buddhists are Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, the oldest pagoda, originating in the 4th century B.C. The temple of Pashupatinath is an important site for Hindus to come and pray. You simply cannot walk down the street with bumping into a shrine or temple. Both Buddhism and Hinduism coincide shoulder to shoulder in this bustling city. Some of the oldest preserved constructions can be found in residential areas like the city of Kathmandu, Patan and as well in Bhaktapur.