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| To do Around Bhaktapur |
Nepal Travel Book:: Bhaktapur:: Jan 30 2015::
To do Around BhaktapurChangu-Telkot hiking
Changu Narayan temple is situated at Changu village 6 km North of Bhaktapur.
This temple is fully dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu (the god of creation). The temple is the most ancient temple in the valley. The temple covers over sixteen hundred years of Nepalese art history presenting some of the best samples of stone, wood and metal craft in Nepal. There is also everyone’s favorite statue of Vishnu sitting astride his steed. For a view of the ancient arts this is a must see place. After your historical visit of the temple, you can go for the hiking to Telkot.
The 6 Km trail traverses forests and hilly ridges with the nice view of smiling mountains (Manaslu, Ganesh, Lang tang, Dorje Lhakpa and Gauri Shankar). During the walk through tiny Tamang villages, you will have a nice view of the Kathmandu valley and the valley of Sankhu in North. From Telkot either you continue the hike or just take a local bus towards Bhaktapur (7 km).
Ranikot –Panauti biking
Surya Vinayak temple (the shrine is dedicated to Ganesh, the elephant headed god) is located at 20 minutes of walk towards North of Bhaktapurl. Of the many religious shrines in the country, this is one of the popular pilgrim sites in Nepal.
After your visit at temple, take the road which goes towards your south-east for around 7 Km (pitched and graveled road) for Ranikot. Ranikot village is at the altitude of 2000m, facing Phulchoki Mountain, the highest elevation of the valley. You will be able to see Bhaktapur with Snow laden peaks serve as the background. The combination of the scenic forest and views make it a place of serenity and beauty. Nearly 16 Km road through Ghyampe danda, Ranikot, Kushadevi to Panauti is surrounded by panoramic view of natural beauty blessed with various species of rare vegetations such as Himalayan Rhododendron, Himalayan Yew, Malingo, Nigala, Rhamus Triquetrous. This trail is non touristic and is the appropriate place to quench the thirst of the bewitching sight of the world wide famous mountain ranges like Kanchenjunga in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west, Mt Everest,
Cho you, Sishapangma, Manaslu and Annapurna which rise above 8000m from the sea level.
Changu-Sankhu hiking
Changu Narayan temple is situated at Changu village 6 km North of Bhaktapur.
This temple is fully dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu (the god of creation). The temple is the most ancient temple in the valley. The temple covers over sixteen hundred years of Nepalese art history presenting some of the best samples of stone, wood and metal craft in Nepal. There is also everyone’s favorite statue of Vishnu sitting astride his steed.
For a view of the ancient arts this is a must see place. After your historical visit of the temple, you can go for about 7 km of walk down through rice and potato fields to Sankhu.
Sankhu, one of the oldest Newar villages of the Kathmandu valley holds pristine natural surroundings and offers a galore of culture and heritage of the Goddess Vajrayogini and Newar people. Sankhu, derived from the original Newar language Sakwo: means the settlement next to the Tibet. As the name suggests, it was once a small but vibrant Newar city before it lost its prominence as the trade route to Tibet following construction of the Arniko Highway connecting Kathmandu to the Chinese border in 1960s.
Dhulikhel- Nagarkot hiking
Dhulikhel has for many centuries been an important trading centre on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. The old Newar city of Dhulikhel has numerous temples in the town depicting an example of traditional and old Newari craftsmanship of Dhulikhel. A small break in Hotels or resorts of town is recommended before the departure for Nagarkot.
Lies around 16 km from Dhulikhel (around 4-5 hrs of walk), Nagarkot (an elevation of 2,195 meters) is considered one of the most scenic spots in Bhaktapur. This hill station is renowned for its sunrise view of the Himalaya including Mount Everest as well as other snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley.
Relaxation at Shiva statue
The world’s tallest (143 feet) Shiva statue, is situated just 6 km East from Bhaktapur at Sanga on the way to Banepa, it provides a perfect combination of Health – Home – Nature – Devotion to help you enjoy an invigorating spa experience and a family vacation at the same time. This area is surrounded by lush green vegetation and tall pine trees in a cool quiet and pollution-free environment. The relaxation center purposes special packages catering to people from all walks of life, massage therapies, meditation and sauna/steam. Outdoor activities include yoga and pranayams, swimming pool and a children’s park.
