A journey up to the Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Swayambhunath is one of the definitive experiences of Kathmandu. Mobbed by monkeys and soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the ‘Monkey Temple’ is a fascinating jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography. Even the 2015 earthquake failed to topple Kathmandu's best loved temple, though a couple of outlying buildings crumbled in the tremor. Visitors for whom the name was a tongue twister have called it "Monkey Temple" from the 1970s. Swayambhu, overlooks most parts of the valley giving visitors a panoramic view of the city. The stupa has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries with Hindu temples and deities incorporated in this Buddhist site. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point. Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, Swayambhu is one of the holiest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Legend says that once the Kathmandu valley was a lake in which Swayambhu hill existed as an island. On top of that hill stood a natural crystal stupa. Buddha, when visiting the place, declared that it was a wish-fulfilling stupa and whoever is touched by the wind that passes over the stupa receives the seed of liberation from the cycle of existence. Swayambhu literally means "self-existent one". Believed to date back to 460 A.D., it was built by King Manadeva and by the 13th century, it had become an important center of Buddhism. Legend has it that Swayambhu was born out of a lotus flower that bloomed in the middle of a lake that once spread across the Kathmandu Valley once was. The largest image of the Sakyamuni Buddha in Nepal sits on a high pedestal on the western boundary of Swayambhu beside the Ring Road. Behind the hilltop is a temple dedicated to Manjusri or Saraswati - the Goddess of learning. Chaityas, statues and shrines of Buddhist and Hindu deities fill the stupa complex. The base of the hill is almost entirely surrounded by prayer wheels and deities. Devotees can be seen circumambulating the stupa at all times. Exceedingly steep stone steps that lead up to the shrine is quite a challenge. However, there is also a motor road going up almost to the top from where it is a short walk. A large number of Buddhists and Hindus alike visit Swayambhu throughout the day. This shrine is perhaps the best place to observe religious harmony in Nepal. The largest crowds of people are seen here on Buddha's birthday which usually falls in May each year.

Natural History Museum of Nepal is situated on the lap of Swayambhu stupa, a world heritage site in the west hillock of Kathmandu valley. Swayambhu hillock is itself a famous place not only in the context of the culture, religion and history of Kathmandu valley, but also equally famous place for the early plant hunters in Nepal. The museum's huge specimen collection is a treasure trove of Nepal's bio-diversity. There are 14,843 specimens of butterflies and moths; 4,142 of beetles; 1,464 of dragonflies and 1,604 of other insects. It also has six specimens of lower chordates, 890 of fish, 107 amphibians specimens, 390 of reptiles and 1,194 of birds. The museum's mammalian specimens total 225, and it also has 22 specimens of skeletons, besides 964 fossils and animal body parts. The museum also houses 107 models of plastic-clay and 74 of rock and minerals. Equally impressive is the museum's botanical and mycological collection: algae (124), fungi and mushrooms (2,320), lichens (61), bryophytes (1,124), pteridophytes (507), gymnosperms (163), and angiosperms (5,034). The museum also has a specimen of the spiny babbler, Nepal's only endemic bird species. A specimen of the golden pheasant, an exotic bird from China, is also on display. Also on display is a specimen of the Atlas moth, the largest moth species in the world. The museum is now the only place to see a specimen of the mouse deer (Indian chevrotain), which is believed to be extinct in Nepal. The museum has some bizarre specimens, among them an eight-legged embryo of a goat, a four-legged chick, and a two-headed snake. The museum also some relics from the country's prehistoric times. There is a fossilized skull of the Archidiskodon, a species of elephant that roamed the Sivalik Hills Sivalik Hills of Nepal. Another ancient specimen is the molar teeth of Sivapithecus, a hominoid. The skull and the teeth are believed to be around 3 million years and 8-10 million years old respectively. The museum is now the only place to see a specimen of the mouse deer (Indian chevrotain), which is believed to be extinct in Nepal.

This compound frequented by Tibetan pilgrims contains three enormous shining golden statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, a four-armed Chenresig and Guru Rinpoche, constructed in 2003. The three huge golden statues dominate the small Buddha Park. They sit quietly staring over the heads of visitors, casting their gaze across western Kathmandu towards the mountains. It's hard to guess what they might be thinking and their expressions don't give much away. They glint in the sunlight, and perhaps their eyes twinkle. You might get a crick in your neck looking up at the statues; they are big and they sit at the top of little flights of steps that elevate them even further. The statues are in the traditional style; they have distinctive faces, gentle hands, wear delicate robes, and two of them wear ornate crowns and lavish jewellery. Guru Rinpoche (an Indian Buddhist master) sits on the right. The Buddha Maitreya (future Buddha) sits on the left. And Buddha himself sits in the middle. There is no doubt that these statues are the star attraction. But there is more to see here. Round the back of the statues, there's a slightly bizarre concrete mountain with a collection of little golden Buddha statues stuck to it. It looks like a miniature representation of the Himalayas with little stepped paths, mountain huts and a temple house. It has mini mani stones and lush green vegetation. It has plenty of color! Animals roam the upper slopes of the mountain and right on the top there's a flag.

Discover ancient temples and monuments in the valley of the Gods where Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist in perfect harmony. Learn about the myths and legends that shaped the lifestyle of Nepalis for centuries, since ancient times. Savor traditional Newari food cooked on wood ovens while you stroll through the charming little alleys around the Durbar Squares of the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley; Bhaktapur, Patan or Kathmandu. Buy handicrafs from artisans who still work according to old traditions that go back centuries. Admire the fine architecture and exquisite woodcarvings of Newar craftsmen whose artistic brilliance are showcased around the three cities in the form of temples and monuments built centuries ago.

Take an early morning or evening stroll around the inspiring white dome buzzing with energy; observe the devout people circumambulating, light a butter lamp and say a little prayer, look around for souvenirs, or enjoy the view from a rooftop restaurant with a hot cup of cofee. Boudha is always full of life. Situated 8 km to the east of downtown Kathmandu, Boudha, is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of the most imposing landmarks in Kathmandu. Visible as soon as you land at the Tribhuvan International Airport, it is the largest stupa in the Kathmandu Valley. The 36-meter-high stupa of Boudha is massive and dominates the skyline in the area. With countless monasteries around it, Boudha is the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Built in the shape of a mandala designed to replicate the Gyangtse of Tibet, the stupa was renovated by Licchhavi rulers in the 8th century. The location of the stupa is interesting as it once lay on the ancient trade route to Tibet and it was here that Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. It is one of the major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists from around the world. According to legend, the king constructed the stupa as an act of penance after unwittingly killing his father. The first stupa was wrecked by Mughal invaders in the 14th century, so the current stupa is a more recent construction. The highly symbolic construction serves in essence as a three-dimensional reminder of the Buddha’s path towards enlightenment. The plinth represents earth, the kumbha (dome) is water, the harmika (square tower) is fire, the spire is air and the umbrella at the top is the void or ether beyond space. The 13 levels of the spire represent the stages that a human being must pass through to achieve nirvana. Stupas were originally built to house holy relics and some claim that Boudhanath contains the relics of the past Buddha, Kashyapa, while others say it contains a piece of bone from the skeleton of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Around the base of the stupa are 108 small images of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha (108 is an auspicious number in Tibetan culture) and a ring of prayer wheels, set in groups of four or five into 147 niches. To reach the upper level of the plinth, look for the gateway at the north end of the stupa, beside a small shrine dedicated to Hariti (Ajima), the goddess of smallpox. The plinth is open from 5am to 6pm (till 7pm in summer), offering a raised viewpoint over the tide of pilgrims surging around the stupa. Note the committed devotees prostrating themselves full-length on the ground in the courtyard on the east side of the stupa.

Perched on a hill not far north of Boudha, Kopan Gumba is one of the most popular monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. Each year a large number of foreigners arrive here to study Buddhism and meditation. Kopan Monastery was founded by Lama Thubten Yeshe who died in 1984. Interestingly, a small Spanish boy named Osel Torres became his successor after he was declared a reincarnation of the great Lama. However, the reincarnation does not reside at Kopan anymore. It is the home of 360 monks, lamas, teachers and workers. The monks come from all areas of Nepal and Tibet with ages ranging from seven to sixty years old. They have devoted their lives to the study and practice of the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni, with special emphasis on the teachings of Lama Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug Lineage. Visitors from all over the world come here to attend courses and enjoy the spiritual atmosphere of the place for study and practice. Kopan is committed to helping all beings develop their full potential of infinite wisdom and compassion as taught by our founder, Lama Thubten Yeshe, and spiritual director Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Kopan Monastery is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), an organization devoted to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation, and community service. FPMT provides integrated education through which people's minds and hearts can be transformed into their highest potential for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility. Populas Courses: Discover Buddhism:The Discover Buddhism courses give you an overview over Tibetan Buddhist principles and meditations in the form of the Lam Rim, the complete path to Enlightenment. They are offered as a ten-day or seven-day course. The ten day course includes a two day silent retreat, perfect to get experience in meditation in a supportive, conducive environment. Or choose the 7-day course which might suit your time frame better. Also offered are some 5-day courses for those who only have a short time available. The Next Step: The Next Step is a program of intermediary courses that has been specifically designed to look at topics covered in the standard ten-day introductory courses in more detail. It is suitable for anyone who would like to deepen his/her understanding of the essential topics contained in the Buddha’s teachings and, in particular, in the teachings on the lam-rim, the stages of the path to enlightenment, as set out in the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Daily Dharma Talks: Daily Dharma talks are offered during Private Stay times when there is no course or other event scheduled. November Courses: The course is based on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, which form a complete and gradual spiritual path (Lam Rim), leading to ultimate happiness and enlightenment. Through cultivating an awareness of our present conditions we gain an understanding of the nature of our dissatisfaction and unhappiness, the causes of these states of mind and how we can overcome them. We can then direct our energy to deal more effectively with any situation, be it positive or negative. Many of the ideas presented will be new and sometimes contrary to Western beliefs. We request you to come with an open mind and a willingness to analyze, question and contemplate the teachings as well as your own beliefs. To help you decide if this course is right for you, please read the extensive information below before booking for this course. More extensive information on this course will be available in May. FPMT Basic Program Retreats: The purpose of retreat is deepening the understanding of Dharma through intensive contemplation and integrating it into one's mind stream, in an quiet place. Undisturbed by worldly activity, the mind has the opportunity to turn inward and explore our inner world. According to legend, the king constructed the stupa as an act of penance after unwittingly killing his father. The first stupa was wrecked by Mughal invaders in the 14th century, so the current stupa is a more recent construction.

Having reached Kapan Monastery, you might as well walk along the ridge and visit the Phulhari Monastery which sits on a hill higher than Kopan. The hike takes less than an hour. In between the two is the Vajrayan Monastery. Phulhari is worth a visit for the amazing Thangka paintings that adorn the entire facade and the interiors of the halls. The building was designed by an American architect /Buddhist monk who has combined the best of eastern and western architecture. Even the paintings lean towards more pastel colors rather than the bright colors usually associated with Tibetan Buddhism.