Every new place you visit, it is somehow unknown to you despite hearing many things about that place. However, they say, “Nobody knows a place completely”. One full day in or around Kathmandu– What you can see, what you can do or where can you go? Depending on your preference, Kathmandu caters medieval cultural treasures and magnificence of the nature.

For those people who want to explore culture, Kathmandu Valley comprises three beautifully architected medieval towns i.e. Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu itself. Housing seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in close distance, the valley has the densest concentration of historic monuments, shrines and palace squares.

A day is not enough to explore all the scattered sites of Kathmandu but a traveler can spend a whole day in one site exploring the cultural wonders within it. The quake 2015 has made some significant impact but every UNESCO World Heritage Site inside Kathmandu still boast on incredible cultural delights that were built during the intense Art War during the different centuries.

The melting point of Buddhism and Hinduism, Kathmandu caters the equal limits of both religions in different sites of the valley. Moreover, the culture of the natives of Kathmandu, which is colorfully vibrant and loud, is the one important aspect that every traveler in Kathmandu would like experience. The good news is that Kathmandu and the Kathmanduese celebrate more than often. During the tour in Kathmandu, every traveler fond of new culture wills to extend the time to explore the city, which is full of life.

While exploring the backstreets of Kathmandu the simple yet meaningful lifestyle of the people of Kathmandu, which spills over the busy streets of the town, allows travelers to understand the depth of resilience of Nepalese.

Talking about around Kathmandu, the hills that ring this historic valley are full of wonderful natural brilliance. Hiking along the ridgeline trails on the hilltops is great encounters with rural culture and lifestyle. The Himalayan panorama blended so well with the lush green and terraced paddy fields is the view that is not seen everywhere.

The sunrise view from the hilltops like Nagarkot is so beautiful that watching the new sun emerging slowly behind the lofty Himalayan peaks in the horizon would leave you mesmerized.

Moreover, the hills around Kathmandu also hold rich wildlife and the tremendous opportunities for pedaling adventure. The Shivapuri Conservation Area Project, Phulchowki Hills and Taudaha are great birding destinations around Kathmandu. One day to go for a biking adventure to the hills around Kathmandu caters travelers to experience the mild pedaling adventure in the rugged terrains of Nepalese mid-hills.

One day in Kathmandu is never enough for the insightful tour of the valley but a day in Kathmandu gives you the clear picture of this wonderful valley if you explore it balancing its cultural and natural highlights.

Danish travelers, Mr. Bronddom Rasmus and Ms. Caroline Fossum were on a short visit to Nepal from July 2, 2013 to July 6, 2013. Despite of pouring rainfall the Danish Visitors through our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel feasted their eyes with the affluent Hindu and Buddhist culture in the sacred shrines of Pashupatinath and Boudhanath as well as enjoyed the extraordinary craftsmanship of medieval Nepal in the backstreets of glorious Kathmandu Durbar Square.

The next exotic destination they visited was Pokhara. Pokhara, the city housing the profusely opulent natural magnificence welcomed them with the peaceful boating in dazzling Fewa Lake. The half day sightseeing tour of Pokhara was followed by a short ride to Sarangkot on the day after. Sarangkot, a hilltop overlooking Pokhara offers, the exceedingly mesmerizing panorama of the widespread Himalayas including famous Annapurna and uniquely standing Fishtail.

As the tour concluded, the Danish visitors expressed their utter satisfaction with the trip arranged for them. They also thanked our Tour Officer Mr. Sabin Rayamajhi for being extremely supportive and responsible throughout the tour.

Ms. Rachel Hacker from USA had the chilling vacation with Explore Himalaya this spring from March 5 to March 14. The major segment of her holiday involved wet and wild activities at Trishuli River and Chitwan National Park.

Her trip began with the sightseeing tours around Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a heritage city offering countless prehistoric shrines, courtyards, palaces and luring wooden and metallic carved statues and figurines within these monumental edifices. Ms. Rachel spent three days at Royal Beach Camp for the thrilling river activities. She rushed with the furious white water of Trishuli during the hair-raising rafting adventure at Trishuli. Her wet adventure continued with kayaking and cannoning at Trishuli River.

She was well dried but the memories of wet adventure were still exciting her as she entered Chitwan National Park for the wildlife adventure. The park listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site for wildlife conservation offers the most unique way to penetrate the opaque woods. Staying on a back of giant Asian Elephant to venture deeper into the widespread woods is thrilling enough. Moreover, to witness the rarest animals in the wild add more thrill to the  wildlife safari.

The latter part of her trip brought her to exotic hilltop- Nagarkot. Here, she witnessed the natural delights rather than adventurous activities. The glorious views of sparking Himalayan giants during the sunrise from Nagarkot provided her the different insight regarding Nepal. Finally she cycled downhill to Dulikhel from where she was escorted back to Kathmandu and she departed Nepal on March 14, 2013.

Twenty Danish visitors arrived to Kathmandu late afternoon on February 14 2013. The mega group was on a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu as per our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel’s standard itinerary on the 15th. Continuing to explore the cultural heritages they drove back to Patan from Nagarkot after early morning excursion on 16^th. Post lunch, they group was escorted through the boisterous streets of Kathmandu to Swayambhunath. The day activity ended up at Swayambhunath. However, the farewell dinner at Thamel House was organized on the same evening as 17 members of the group were departing the next day.

Next day before the exodus of the 17 visitors there was enough time to explore around the next cultural hotspot- Bhaktapur. Exploring the cultural backstreets of Bhaktapur and Thimi 17 members were escorted to airport late evening.

Remaining three members departed Nepal the next day. Mrs. Kasle and Mr. Johnson departed in the noon and Mr. Hans Hjordt Hansen; a tour leader departed in the separate flight at 8:30pm.

Ms. Ulla Mein Sparre and Ms. Anna Lodberg Sparre from Denmark arrived to Kathmandu on 13 February 2012.The visitors through our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel had planned 10 days long vacation in Nepal with Explore Himalaya. Their flawlessly designed pleasure holiday covered Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and Nagarkot.

The encounter with the culturally affluent sites of Kathmandu kicked off their trip. Boisterous streets of Kathmandu blended with ancient and medieval cultural and historical architectures of the region make Kathmandu one of the delightful cities of the world.  Penetrating the bustling streets of the city, Sparres settled for couple of nights at Nagarkot. Nagarkot is a hill top very easily accessible from Kathmandu. The picturesque view of the Himalayas glittering like gold during sunsets and sunrises is a moment worthwhile captivating at Nagarkot. The short hikes to its vicinity into the dense woods along the graveled trial are an outstanding experience.

Winding through the black pitched serpent- Prithivi Highway to Pokhara was another highlight of Sparre’s trip. Upon reaching Pokhara, they were transferred to exotic Base camp Resort. Next day was full of fun as they witnessed the most beautiful valley on the earth. Pokhara is a small valley with jam-packed beauties in the nature. Verdant lakes, mystical gorges, rushing falls, narrow- opening caves and most importantly the charming views of Himalayas including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Mt. Fishtail have always made Pokhara a very special destination to numerous visitors.

Finally, the tour was now on the finishing stage, but one more luring destination popular for wildlife lovers was still on the list. Chitwan National Park is one of the most amazing parks for wildlife lovers and adventurers. A safari through the bushes of the dense woods on a back of a giant Asian elephant is unique experience. More than that, the expectation of wild animals from these bushes is always thrilling. The encounter with the culture of Tharu tribal completes the Chitwan trip. Our Danish visitors had the greatest time before they made their final departure back home on 22 February, 2012.