From the Ganges to the Kathmandu Valley

Who it is for

For anyone who wants to see religion lived in the street, from the rituals on the river to the temple squares of the Kathmandu valley.

Not for anyone troubled by open-air cremation, which happens in plain view on the ghats of Varanasi.

The strategy

Varanasi comes first, with the river at dawn, and Kathmandu follows, at 1,400 m, with the temples of the valley. Bhaktapur is left for the last day.

What you will see

• Dashashwamedh Ghat, Varanasi. The central and busiest ghat is 700 m from Godowlia.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu. Palace complex of the Malla and Shah kings, with more than 50 temples and courtyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Day by day

Varanasi

1. 1
   Day 1: The river, south to north

   1. 4Assi GhatEssential
   2. 1Kashi Vishwanath and the DhamOne to two hoursEssential
2. 2
   Day 2: Sarnath and the university

   1. 5SarnathWorth a visit
   2. 4Assi GhatEssential
3. 3
   Day 3: Ramnagar, looms and lanes · if you have more time

   

Kathmandu

1. 4
   Day 4: The old core, on foot

   1. 1Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka)Essential
   2. 6KasthamandapUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 5Kumari GharUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   4. 9Garden of Dreams (Swapna Bagaicha)Up to half an hourIf there is time
2. 5
   Day 5: The three sacred sites

   1. 2SwayambhunathEssential
   2. 7PashupatinathWorth a visit
   3. 3BoudhanathEssential
3. 6
   Day 6: The other two royal cities
4. 7
   Day 7: Nagarkot (day trip) · if you have more time