Short Buddhist trips around Kathmandu.
These trips are organized by the Kathmandu trekking guides company: www.lacompagniedesguidesdekatmandou.comEnglish and French spoken staff
These trips can be connected to any trek or yogat trek.
Staying at Kathmandu.
For the Buddhists coming from abroad and looking for a genuine discovery of the Buddhist atmosphere at Kathmandu, it is not advised to stay in Thamel. This place is for shopping and for having night fun in the dance shower bars. This has nothing to do with Buddhism.Better to stay around Bauddhanath, the heart of the Buddhist part of Kathmandu. In addition to the largest stupa of the capital, which is attracting Buddhist and people from all over the world, there are many Buddhist monasteries and various Buddhist and Tibetan shops with talented craftsmen.
Sechen monastery is a big place where Tibetan Arts are taught to the young novices. It is big but quiet, and it has a relaxing guest house with a beautiful garden. Doing yoga in the garden is better than in a studio or on a cemented terrace hotel.
If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place, this is a place for you.
The Tibetan medicine taught at the Tibetan Medicine Institute of HH the Dalai Lama is deeply rooted in Buddhism. Try it at Sechen clinic which is close by the monastery.
Sight seeing around Kathmandu
From Bauddanath, after a breakfast included with your room at Sechen guest house, you can reach any place of the capital and come back to have a relaxing night.
Swoyambunath is both a holy place for Buddhists and for Hindus. There areseveral Buddhist monasteries on a hill surrounded by hundreds of Tibetan prayer wheels, "Manes". Some Buddhist monasteries are close by Swoyambunath which is nicknamed "the monkeys temple" because they are many all around. This shrine must be visited.
From Bauddhanath you are on the right way to reach Kopang monastery, another big Buddhist center located on a hill, out of the city. There are fields but the big houses are growing around like mushrooms.
The city of Bakthapur, the neighbor of Kathmandu, is also a short guided tour made to understand the rich Nepali culture through the architecture and the people.
From Bakthapur, no need to go back to Kathmandu because you are already half way to reach Nagarkot. "the village of the sunrises and sunsets" is located 2000 meters above sea level, on a hill surrounded by forests and terrace fields. It is a perfect place to embrace the valley of Kathmandu, around 1300 meters, and to be facing the Himalayas. The panoramic view of the of Langtang peaks to Mount Everest is astonishing.
Many hotels are close by. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat, better to go out of the village, in direction of the highest hill.
Om Manla resort is nested on a hill, in the peaceful greenish wilderness. Its name derives from the Buddha of Medicine. This is an idyllic spot to look at the sunrise on Mt Everest. It is also a place to get relaxed with yoga and different healthy techniques like foot massage with hot water, massage with hot stones and other therapies coming from Tibet. It is a health center very well connected with Austrians and Germans, but French and other nationalities are welcome. Eric Lon is invited to teach his health methods at Om Manla.
From this quiet resort you can hike and trek all around the small farms on gentle trails. The average altitude, around 2000 meters is ideal to feel good without being tired. Staying at Nagarkot is being in harmony with the Himalayas to come back.
From Nagarkot you can trek to Shivapuri National Park, a greenish place. There are few hotels. Shaarma Hotel, close to Sundarijal is a nice place for yoga.
Short trips to Lumbini and to Chitwan National Park.
Lumbini is easily reachable by flight from Kathmandu.
Any Buddhist should pay a visit to Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. It is located in the plain area, "Terai" close to the border with India.
It is good to go there after trekking.
From Lumbini it is easy to reach Chitwan National Park to look at the rhinos and the tigers on an elephant safari, and to snap photos of the crocodiles from a canoe trip. Chitwan is not far from Pokhara and it can be connected with different treks.
Photo gallery of Eric Lon on: www.flickr.com : set:"Nagarkot" and "Chitwan".
Dates
Choose your dates and contact: ericlon@hotmail.fr and: info@lacompagniedesguidesdekatmandou.com
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