Kathmandu Religious Studies Tour
Kathmandu is a cauldron of sights and sounds with temples for the Hindu Gods of Ganesh, Shiva and Kali, shrines to the monkey God Hanuman, and Nandi the sacred bull, while the city streets are decorated with brightly coloured Buddhist prayer flags.
School Religious Studies Tour to Nepal
Nepal borders Tibet to the north and India to the south and combines the cultural and religious influences of its two large neighbours. The country is famous as the home of the Himalaya, of Mount Everest and the Sherpa people who live in its shadow and who are Buddhist. Some of these Sherpas and other highland peoples practise Bon Po, an older and traditional form of Buddhism which follows shamanistic practices more closely aligned to the religion as it exists in Tibet. Although Buddhist influences permeate Nepalese culture and society, the overwhelming majority of the population are Hindus. Where Nepal differs from India is that the margins between Buddhism and Hinduism are sometimes blurred and temples often worship the divinities of both religions.  The capital city Kathmandu is a cauldron of sights and sounds with temples for the Hindu Gods of Ganesh, Shiva and Kali, shrines to the monkey God Hanuman and Nandi the sacred bull while the city streets are decorated with brightly coloured prayer flags.
Suggested Itinerary
The itinerary featured here is intended to give you inspiration and an idea of what you could do on your tour. Your trip will be created individually by one of our travel advisors to match your requirements and budget.
Day 1
Flight to Kathmandu
Overnight Flight to Kathmandu: There are no direct flights to Kathmandu and there is a change of aircraft, typically in the Gulf.
Day 2
Arrival in Kathmandu. Exploring the Thamel District.
Arrival in Kathmandu: As you approach Kathmandu look out the left-hand side of the aircraft for a sensational view of the Himalaya. The approach to the runway is equally spectacular as you come in over the ridges of Nepal’s hill country with its scattered villages. On arrival at Kathmandu airport you are met by your guide and transfer to your hotel in the centre of the city.
Thamel District: We stay close to the lively Thamel district where most of the tourist shops and restaurants are located. After check in there will be time to explore Thamel before dinner in the evening at a traditional Nepalese restaurant where there is often also a cultural show.
Day 3
Boudhanath Stupa and Pullahari Monastery
Boudhanath: This morning you first visit the famous Stupa at Boudhanath, probably the largest stupa in Nepal. This is a relaxed and spiritual place, and it is pleasant in the cool air of the morning to join other pilgrims in the ritual perambulation. There are many shops selling thangka paintings and other spiritual items including prayer wheels and prayer beads.
Pullahari Monastery: You then visit Pullahari Monastery which sits in the Himalayan foothills above Boudhanath and which dates from 1992. As well as being a monastery, Pullahari is also a place of spiritual retreat for those following the Mahamudra tradition to become Lamas. Pullahari is a wonderful place to observe the life of the monks and there are also superb views. We can have lunch here and then walk along an easy path to the nearby Kopan Monastery.
Dinner in Thamel: Dinner this evening will be at a restaurant in the heart of Thamel, after which there will be time to explore the lively bazaar with numerous shops selling clothing and jewellery.
Day 4
The Monkey Temple and Pashupatinath
The Monkey Temple: This morning you visit one of the main spiritual sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal is a curious blend of Buddhism and Hinduism and sometimes the lines seem quite blurred. This stupa, more properly called Swayambunath, is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in the Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles and from all sides of the valley. As well as being an important Buddhist site it is also of importance to Hindu’s, hence the protection and reverence afforded to the monkeys that live here. Nevertheless, you should always avoid making eye contact with them and don’t leave any possessions lying around for them to steal!
Pashupatinath: You continue your tour at the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath which are some of the most important in the Kathmandu valley. Although not linked with Buddhism, the site is a unique place where traditional riverside cremations take place on funeral pyres of wood. Pashupatinath is also a place where you can meet the local sadhus, Hindu holy men that live an ascetic life.
Free afternoon: The afternoon will be free to explore Kathmandu on your own. Start at the historic Durbar Square with its many pagodas and walk back to Thamel through the fascinating Asan market.
Day 5
Pharping , Kirtipur and Patan. Afternoon transfer to Dhulikel Himalayan Resort
Pharping: This morning you explore Pharping, a prosperous Newari town, famous for its Buddhist monasteries. It is also the place where Guru Rimpoche attained the level of a Mahamudra Vidyadhara. There are ancient Buddhist pilgrimage sites visited by large number of Tibetans and other Nepalese Buddhist devotees and you can join other pilgrims on the clockwise pilgrimage circuit, known as the parikrama in Nepalese or the kora in Tibetan.
Kirtipur: You then continue to Nepal’s former capital of Kirtipur, a Newari city with brick-paved streets lined with typical red brick houses filled with history & culture. There are numerous pagodas to explore, and various temples worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Patan: You next visit Patan located just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Patan is also known as Lalitpur, the City of Beauty, and takes pride in producing some of the finest Thangka painters in the country.
Dhulikel: In the late afternoon you travel to Dhulikel, a hilltop resort town with sensational views of the Himalaya. Your accommodation tonight is at a Himalayan lodge.
Day 6
Himalayan sunrise, Namo Buddha and Bhaktapur
Himalayan Sunrise: This morning you get up early and watch the sunrise over the Himalaya. Dhulikel is one of the best places in Nepal to do this and it is an unforgettable experience, and on a clear day the entire Himalayan chain is spread out before you.
Namo Buddha: After a late breakfast you depart from Dhulikel and travel to the sacred site of Namo Buddha, one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal. Namo Buddha is known as the place where the Buddha, in a previous life as a prince, gave his body to a starving tigress and her cubs. Hence today there is considerable iconography representing a tigress and her cubs.
Bhaktapur: After lunch at Namo Buddha you drive the town of Bhaktapur, the jewel in the crown of ancient Nepalese architecture. Bhaktapur was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 but suffered extensive damage in the 2015 earthquake. Today most of the important buildings in the central durbar square have been reconstructed or are nearing completion. You then return to Kathmandu, your hotel and dinner at a city centre restaurant.
Day 7
Free day in Kathmandu. Evening flight home.
Free Day: Today is free to explore Kathmandu at leisure and to shop. The Thamel tourist district is perfect for this as there are numerous cafes, restaurants, and shops within a well-defined region.
Flight Home: In the afternoon you transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Day 8
Arrive Home
Arrive Home:Â Your flight arrives back home today
Gallery
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Inspection Trips
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