Swayambhu Stupa, Kathmandu

• If you are staying near Thamel, you can actually walk to this place early morning. Take the steps instead of the winding road. Beware of monkeys, they are numerous and greedy.
• View from the top is amazing, one of the few high points overlooking the Kathmandu valley.

On a crisp morning we started walking from our hotel near Thamel to Swayambhu Stupa. The map said it was less than three miles. We stopped at an open restaurant on the way for an english breakfast of toast, butter, jam, omelette and coffee. We reached at the base of the Stupa in no time and really loved our idea of a walk.

Swayambhu Stupa, Kathmandu

Patan Darbar Square, Kathmandu

• Patan Darbar Square faced maximum damage during the 2015 earthquake, the restoration work is going on even 7 years later
• The late evening time with lighting and less crowd is more suited for those who want to check this place thoroughly

Patan Darbar Square is the most prominent of the darbars not just because of its exquisite beauty but also because of the significant damage and restoration work that it had to go through after the devastating 2015 earthquakes. The darbar, a Unesco World Heritage Site, houses more than 50 temples within its premises.

Patan Darbar Square at night, Kathmandu

7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

 While Kathmandu valley is a Unesco World Heritage Site, it actually constitutes seven separate entities that comprise into the WHS. They are:

A. Kathmandu Darbar Square

B. Patan Darbar Square

C. Swayambhu Stupa

D. Buddha Stupa

E. Pashupatinath Temple

F. Bhaktapur Darbar Square

G. Changunarayan Temple

 7 Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley

It takes 2 days minimum to cover all the sites although it may take more than a day to cover each one in the true sense, such is the grandeur of Kathmandu valley. Day 1 can be dedicated to A, B & C while day 2 can be used to cover D, E, F & G.