Back Roads of Kathmandu

We have created three options all of which offers a complete day full of excitement and adventures showing you many religious and historical sites, temples as well as villages.

OPTION 1: KATHMANDU-BUNGAMATI-CHAPAGAON-KATHMANDU This back road trip gives you a chance to explore the ancient Newari villages of the Kathmandu Valley. After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, we wind our way through the back alleys of the old city and head south to Bungamati. Here we will stop to visit the Machhendranath temple and traditional Newari architecture. From here we descend on rocky single track to the lower village of Khokana, stopping to look at the Shekali Mai temple, a valley nature goddess. We return uphill to Bungamati and then continue south, climbing on jeep track through lush green forest to the village of Champi, with a sweeping view of the southwest corner of the Kathmandu Valley. A combination of downhill push and uphill carry for 15 minutes takes us to the picturesque village of Chapagaon. The famous Vajra Varahi temple is just south of the town. Sadly, this temple has been neglected but the old woodcarvings of Krishna and Vishnu are still in good condition. From Chapagaon we ride on a jeep track, more like a roller coaster ride, to the village of Baregaon that leads us back towards Kathmandu along the quiet Godawari road.
 
OPTION 2: TEEN PIPLI RICE FIELD PLUNGE WITH TOKHA After a breakfast we ride from our office in Thamel towards northwest of Kathmandu city. A 15 minutes ride will get us out of the crazy city traffic and we ride around the base of Nagarjun forest also known as Raniban (Queen's forest). While you ride enjoy the beautiful scene of terraced rice and mustard fields and surrounding clusters of thatch-topped and ocher-mudded houses. After crossing the Osho Tapoban Forest Retreat Centre on Kakani Road we reach to the "Teenpipli" village. Literally Teenpipli means three Pipal Trees but unfortunately heavy storm has left only 2 of them surviving at the moment. After taking rest or fueling yourselves in the Chautara (resting spot) we take a dirt road beyond the Pipal tree and plunge into the beautiful paddy field mostly off road. Depending upon the season, you may see farmers engaged in growing rice, wheat or mustard. Then we climb to one of the most beautiful places called Tokha from where you can see a superb view of the Kathmandu valley. We also visit Bhimsen Temple (a deity worshipped for strength and courage), Kali temple and village cremation grounds. Kali is a female aspect of Shiva and both are recognized as giver and taker of life. After taking some rest, we head back to Thamel from Budhanilkantha. Don't forget to visit a large sculpture of sleeping Vishnu on gigantic serpent).

OPTION 3: TEMPLE PILGRIMAGE Kathmandu Durbar Square-Swayambhu-Patan-Pashupati-Boudhanath After a light breakfast, we ride from Thamel towards Indrachowk and then to the Durbar Square. We visit Kumari Temple (dedicated to the living Goddess), Hanuman Dhoka (old Royal Palace), Kasthamandap, Ashok Binayak, Shiva temple, Maru Tole, Maju Deval, Bhagwati temple etc. We then head on the paved road towards Swoyambhu. We circumambulate at the base of Swoyambhu hill and ride uphill to the top from the south-west. Enjoy the holy stupa and the magnificent views of the Kathmandu city. The Stupa is colloquially known as the "Monkey Temple" because of the large number of monkeys guarding the temple. It was build around 4th century. Here you can see lord Buddha's lifecycle, monuments, temples, idols and a giant stupa. In a clear day, you can see whole valley with 360-degree panoramic view. After then we ride down to ring road via Chhauni (army barrack) and Tahachal on a paved road - bit of traffic. A mere 20 minutes ride south-east will take us to the Patan Durbar Square. We will have lunch here and then see the ancient town with Newari culture and architecture. The main places to visit are Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple etc. Krishna Temple is one of the beautiful temples built completely with stone carving. We then ride to the paved road again and after 20 minutes ride on main road toward north east, we will reach in the courtyard of World's one of most holy place for Hindu's called Pashupatinath (temple of Lord Shiva), non-Hindus are not allowed to enter in but one can go to the other side of the holy Bagmati river and enjoy the activities in and around the temple courtyard. You can see devotees taking bath in the holy river Bagmati before performing the prayer or worship. We then take a short break with Sadhu's and take blessings from them to prepare for our final destination, a holy Buddhist shrine, Boudhanath, a 10 minutes ride to northeast- one of the biggest Buddhist Stupas in Asia. You can see monks, nuns, Tibetan refugees and Buddhist devotees walking around the Stupa with prayer wheels. oil lamps and chanting mantras of Buddhism. After taking tea break we then come back to Thamel, which will take 25 minutes