Culture
With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, Nepal has long been the destination of choice for travellers in search of adventure.  Land locked between the high plateaus of Tibet to the north and the hot, fertile plains of India to the south, Nepal is a land of ancient history, colourful cultures and people, amazing architecture and stunning scenery.

Amazing trekking and some of the world’s best white water are not all Nepal has to offer.  This tiny Himalayan kingdom is bursting with fascinating old towns, magnificent temples, ancient traditions, ethnic diversity, religious significance and history stretching back thousands of years.

Those who wish to explore the history and culture of this amazing country are spoilt for choice, with ancient and modern intermingled and every corner turned, offering a glimpse into a world barely changed since the Middle Ages.

Kathmandu itself is home to no less than five Unesco World Heritage Sites:

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the traditional heart of the city’s old town - the place where the city’s kings were once crowned and from where they ruled.  A fascinating and spectacular legacy to traditional architecture and wonderfully carved temples, it still remains the focus for many ceremonies and festivals.  Durbar Square is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by and the myriad of tiny streets that run off it, to explore the more traditional side of this increasingly cosmopolitan city.

Swayambhunath or The Monkey Temple is one of Nepal’s most iconic and easily recognised symbols with its fluttering prayer flags and unforgettable eyes of wisdom painted high on the central stupa. Sat majestically on top of a hill to the west of the city, this ancient and beautiful Buddhist temple sees a constant stream of locals and pilgrims walking in a clockwise kora and climbing the steps to worship at the many shrines surrounding the great stupa.  From its hilltop location, Swayambhunath also offers some of the finest views across Kathmandu and the valley.

Pashupatinath is not only Nepal’s most important Hindu temple but also one of the most important Shiva temples on the subcontinent.  Standing on the banks of the holy Bagmati River to the east of the city, Pashupatinath draws devotees and sadhus or holy men from all over India and sees hundreds of thousands of pilgrims flock to the banks of the river each year to celebrate Shiva’s birthday during the festival of Maha Shivaratri.

Pashupatinath is also Kathmandu’s most important cremation site with burning ghats lining the river bank alongside the temple.