NEPAL-KHATMANDU

Nepal is a natural wonder country surrounded by land between Tibet, China and India. It has eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world. Its capital is Kathmandu. Although Hindus are the majority, it also includes Buddhists and Muslims.

During our 40-day trip to Nepal, we visited the cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara. With this colorful journey we made as 3 people, we had the opportunity to experience different layers of life and the people in these layers. In addition to its architecture, unique culture, and delicious food, what left the biggest impression on us was its smiling people.

Our trip started in Kathmandu. In addition to Kathmandu, the cities of Patan and Bhaktapur are also located in this region. Our days were spent visiting the large and small temples that emerged from every corner; discovering both Buddhist and Hindu cultures. We visited Pashupatinath Temple, a Hindu temple. First, we met the famous Sadhus of the temple. Sadhus are people who have chosen to live by abandoning worldly needs, a kind of dervishes, according to the Hindu belief. After taking photos with the Sadhus, we watched the cremation ceremonies performed by the riverside after the deceased. Pashupatinath Temple, the House of Lord Shiva, is a very important temple complex for Hindus. Every year, thousands of elderly Hindus who believe that they have reached the end of their lives come here. These people have only one purpose. To die here. The exact day of their death is predicted by the complex's astrologers. In this way, they want to earn more virtue in the last few weeks of their lives and travel on the waters of the Bagmati River, which flows into the sacred Ganges River, and go to heaven after being cremated here.

The paradise of the city is with us. The friendships we made at the hostel Monkey Temple and the incredibly beautiful rock songs we listened to at Purple Haze in the evenings had a cloud-like effect on us, one might say. We stayed on Thamel Street, but sometimes we went to Freak Street.

Freak Street, the liveliest street in Kathmandu, is a must-see. In the 60s, hippies would gather on Jochne Street, originally known as the southern exit of Durbar Square, to smoke weed, which was cheap and legal in Nepal, and chat about their search for the world. The Nepalese people called the long-haired hippies with a culture they encountered for the first time 'freaks', and the street's name comes from there.

We continued to wander around the city. We attended the ceremonies of Buddhist monks at the stupas. We felt like Buddha's eyes were watching us while we shopped in the big and small shops. We experienced the melodies presented to the god of music and the strong homemade drinks given with them. We circumambulated the mysterious streets of Patan and Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur is the most ideal city for travelers who want to make a medieval trip in the Kathmandu Valley. Because when compared to Kathmandu and Patan, I think this is the city with the best preserved history. In fact, it is listed as the city with the most works in the world on the cultural heritage list created by UNESCO.

Patan, the City of Fine Arts and Crafts, is where enthusiasts can see the most beautiful traditional arts and the finest stone, wood and metalwork in the Kathmandu Valley. For this reason, it is a must-see on any travel plan. Once an independent city-state, Patan is now almost a suburb of Kathmandu due to its proximity. Locals still refer to the city, along with its surrounding suburbs, by its original Sanskrit name, Lalitpur (City of Beauty).

Our friend Saroj is here for you for all kinds of tour, accommodation and venue suggestions.

Saroj Kumar Poudel

Managing Director at Nepal Promote Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd.

+977 985-1073232