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Swoniga – The Three Jewels of Kathmandu Valley

Swoniga means ‘three cities’, as there used to be three kingdoms in this valley – Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. During this five days tour, you will have a “base-station” in Lalitpur, from where you explore the treasures of the valley. This base-station may be a century old heritage-house in the heart of the old city or a hotel – according to your wish.



Highlights of this Tour


Day 1: Lalitpur
The first half of the day you explore the small alleys of Lalitpur (locally known as Patan) city and do a tour through ‘bahals’, ancient Buddhist courtyards. These courtyards are still used as Buddhist learning centres and for religious performances. Strolling through the alleys, courtyards and temples, you will notice that life in Patan goes a more relaxed pace than in Kathmandu. Here you take the opportunity to meet various artisans performing metal and stone craftwork.

After lunch you visit Patan Museum, a model of architectural preservation in the valley. Masterpieces of religious and cultural artefacts are on display.


Day 2: Kathmandu
This day, we take you to your first walk through the alleys of old Kathmandu, to the Durbar Square and its amazing temple area, to the colourful bazaars and to the lovely courtyards of old houses and monasteries. You listen to the legends and myths of ancient Kathmandu while watching people perform their religious duties at the main temple sites. You feel that old and new are constantly interwoven in this city.


Day 3: Walk to Ichangu Narayan and Swayambhu Stupa
This day takes you out of the city. In the morning breeze, you walk through paddy fields and villages and reach the settlement of Ichangu Narayan, which is one of the four major pilgrimage sites for followers of the Vishnuite cult of Hinduism. Here you visit the local public primary school and have a short interaction with pupils and teachers.

On the way back, you visit a Tibetan Buddhist monastery before you arrive at a famous Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Stupa of ‘Swayambhu’, which is located on a hilltop West of Kathmandu. Here you can enjoy observing various Buddhist rituals and the view of Kathmandu Valley.


Day 4: Exploring Newari Villages in Kathmandu Valley
We walk through fields and building sites (modern times!) to the villages of Bungamati and Khokana South of Patan. In Bungamati and Khokana you can still see traditional lifestyle of Newari people. Khokana is famous for hand made mustard oil of high quality. Until today, you can observe locals practicing the century-old technique of oil-pressing. From Khokana, you hike to Chobhar gorge and proceed to another ancient town, Kirtipur, located West of Kathmandu city.


Day 5: Bhaktapur
For many visitors to Nepal, Bhaktapur, the third of the old courtly cities in the valley, is the heavenly abode. Bhaktapur is the oldest city in Kathmandu valley built in the medieval period. Twenty years ago, a development project headed by the German GTZ undertook the challenge of renovating the city's cranking buildings and streets and engaging the people of Bhaktapur in preserving their heritage. The outcome of these efforts is remarkable until today. Bhaktapuris maintain their city in a perfect manner and are utmost proud of its uniqueness. We encourage our visitors to leave their Lalitpur base-station behind to spend one unforgettable night in Bhaktapur.

One of the most loving traditions you are able to observe here after sunset: people come out of their homes to gather at the public places near temple sites and start singing and chanting devout songs till late hours.