Bhaktapur is located about 20 km east of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley. It is known variously as City of Culture, Living Heritage, Nepal’s Cultural Gem. Also, it is one of the 3 royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley. The others are Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Patan. Founded in the 12th century by King Ananda Malla, Bhaktapur was the capital city of the Greater Malla Kingdom until the 15th century and was an independent kingdom from then until the 18th century. In 1744, Prithvi Narayan Shah, descendent of Dravya Shah, who was the founder of the Gorkha dynasty, began a conquest march in the Kathmandu Valley, capturing and unifying Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and the smaller towns of the Valley under one rule. After a period of instability and a bloody coup in 1846, Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji took control of Nepal. His Rana dynasty ruled Nepal until 1951, when the Congress Party formed a new government. In 1960, King Mahendra took control, banned political parties, and instituted land reforms. Political turmoil continued throughout the late 20th century. Festival chariot in Bhaktapur, NepalBhaktapur is filled with Hindu and Buddhist religious sites and art. The many of Bhaktapur’s greatest monuments were built by the then Malla rulers.Unfortunately, the city has been severely damaged by the recent 7.9 Magnitude Earthquake on 25th of April, 2015 whose epicenter was about 90 kms NW of Bhaktapur.

credit: (c) Steven dosRemedios

Nepal contains some of the most exciting and unique tours on the planet. It has a lot to offer to travelers, hikers, and nature seekers. The marvelous scenic beauty of Himalayas in the northern part of Nepal is not only remarkable but offers a lifetime experience. Possessing 8 of the 10 highest mountains in the world, Nepal is a hotspot destination for rock climbers.

Chorten at the entrance of Tsarang

Tsarang Gompa

The Tsarang Khola Gorge

Lo Manthang

Daily life in Lo Manthang

Royal Palace in Lo Manthang

Horse back ride north of Lo Manthang

Towards Garphu and Chhoser near Bangka Danda

Nyphu Gompa

Mani Wall near Nyphu Gompa

Jhong cave

Chörtens and ruins of old fortresses in Ghom

Garphu at the entrance of the Chhoser valley

Lhatos or “God Places” in Nenyul

The Tsarang Khola gorge

View on Annapurna I, Tilicho and Nilgiri

The Kali Gandaki Gorge after Jomsom

The Panda Khola Gorges between Kagbeni and Jomsom

Lupra, a traditional Bön village in Mustang

Now you are entering the restricted area of “Upper Mustang”

Ruins of an ancient fortress, Tangbe

About to reach Chhusang coming from Tetang

Rigsum Gönpo and prayer flags at the entrance of Samar

View from the monastery in Geling

Rigsum gonpo in Drakmar

Houses in Drakmar

credit: jmhullot