Duration
1 days
Max. Elevation
m
Group size
1+
Patan City Day Tour leads you to the adjoining city of Kathmandu the nearest and separate districts within Kathmandu valley. Patan, also known as Lalitpur located south of the capital where a bridge over the holy Bagmati River divides both cities.
The word Lalitpur, in ancient Sanskrit, means a city of arts and crafts that Patan or Lalitpur is famous for, as per its name. Certainly a wonderful place to visit full of ancient monuments, which is listed as UNESCO world heritage sites.
Although similar to Kathmandu Durbar Square, but with a difference as Patan retains more of its local cultures and custom, which you can observe on this interesting tour.
Patan Durbar square day tour takes you around impressive sites full of historical and religious wonders, from Malla regime royal courtyard and palace, to impressive temples and pagoda roofed buildings of great architecture skill.
An interesting full-day tour with an opportunity to witness craftsman at work and then visiting places stuffed with local handicrafts, as the tour continues on the southern outskirt of Patan area at Bungmati and Khokana old farm town and villages.
Bungmati and Khokana, an ancient town established way back in the 7th Century, famous for local handmade traditional garments, and as well for producing pure mustard oil with other farm products.
These old historical towns, designated as world heritage sites, due to its unique old traditional way of simple farm life, retaining its ancient past glory arts and custom to this day.
A special tour on the backside of a modern urban city, and less visited areas of Kathmandu valley only by a few groups of foreign visitors. Truly a great way to observe Nepalese rural life as it was for past hundreds of centuries.
After a great wonderful and memorable time around beautiful places within Kathmandu valley, and then ending this delightful tour heading back to your hotel with a glorious experience on Patan City Day Tour.
Day
1
9 a.m to 12 p.m: Drive to Patan / Lalitpur and tour of Durbar Square and market
The morning after a hearty breakfast, our guide will pick you at the hotel for a short drive towards south of Kathmandu, to reach Patan or Lalitpur area and a separate districts within Kathmandu valley.
Patan, commonly known as Lalitpur which means city of beautiful arts and crafts which you can witness on this exciting tour, as the drive takes you in the heart of Lalitpur and Patan city at Mangal Bazaar, where the ancient magnificent Durbar Square or palace courtyard located.
Places of great interest around Patan Durbar Square:
Tour of Krishna Temple:
The temple built with fine stonework, dedicated to Hindu Lord Krishna erected in the 17th century. The temple is considered to be the first one to be constructed in Shikara architecture. Regarded, as one of the gems of Durbar Square.
Mahaboudha:
An old Buddhist temple of Mahaboudha, made of clay bricks, which is on the east of Patan Durbar Square. Here you can witness hundreds of Buddha images that are engraved on the bricks. The temple is well known for its fine work of terra-cotta.
Kumbheshwor:
The five-storied pagoda-style temple was built by King Jayasthiti Malla, dedicated to Lord Siva. This nice area with natural spring, a source of running water that is believed it flows from the famous holy glacial lake of Gosainkund.
The golden work was later added in 1422 A.D. During the Hindu festival of Janai Purnima, ritual bathing takes place and a fair is also held.
Rudra Varna Mahavihar:
This Buddhist monastery holds an amazing collection of Buddhist guru images and idols in metal, as well as in stone and wood. Legend holds that the Kings in ancient times were crowned in this monastery.
The Asoka Stupas:
Just outside from Durbar Square witness interesting stupas placed by Indian Emperor Asoka, where he visited Nepal in 250 B.C. constructed four stupas around the east, west, north, and south corners of Patan. The stupas are located in Pulchowk, Lagankhel, Ebahi, and Teta (way to Sano Gaon) respectively.
Patan Industrial State:
After a tour of Durbar Square and other famous monuments, visit Patan or Lalitpur Industrial State, where you can observe craftsman in skill work making metal-stone and wood statue and idol, of intricate design on furniture, and as well visit the display of all handicrafts that includes carpets and Pashmina and other fine products.
12 p.m. to 1 p.m: Lunch Break around a nice restaurant in Patan / Lalitpur city
Time permitting and with interest for refreshment enjoy lunch break either around Patan Durbar Square or nearby, and observe Nepalese daily life of great interest while you enjoy lunch.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Drive to Bungmati and Khokana with a tour of heritage town and villages
From Patan Industrial state, enjoying interesting time around and having a refreshing lunch break, short drive to the southern suburb of Lalitpur beyond Ring Road. Where drive takes you to rural farm town at Bungmati and Khokana.
An old Newar town, the main tribe of Kathmandu valley with its history that has retained its tradition and culture, for countless centuries.
This ancient town a living museum and takes you to medieval times, the farming community of Newar people, mostly dependent on agriculture which you can observe daily farm and other activities.
These towns from ancient times famous for its unusual mustard-oil harvesting process used to crush the mustard seeds to extract the oil. The oil produced is used for therapeutic massage and as well for cooking.
Tour of Khokana takes you to a unique village which can be taken as a model of a medieval settlement pattern with a system of drainage and Chowk, a gathering place.
It houses Chaitiya and a Mother Goddess temple. The mustard-oil seed industry has become the living heritage of the village.
Bungmati and Khokana, situated closely, the locals have remained conservative and untouched by the modern way living and lifestyle from the past several centuries, therefore listed as World Heritage sites.
3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: End of tour and back at the hotel
After an enjoyable and interesting day around the great places of Patan /Lalitpur drive back to your hotel, and thus completing one of the most wonderful Patan Day Tour.