Highlights
- A fantastic half-day easy tour package for ages of travelers
- Explore the southern outskirts of Kathmandu that leads to two famous pilgrimage destinations
- Enjoy scenic rides and short hiking
- Visit the Dakshinkali temple, perched on a hilltop, and enjoy beautiful scenery from here
- Explore the Pharping monastery, where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is believed to have attained enlightenment
- Explore Chobar and Taudaha Lake
- Meet with the different Nepali community and see their culture and architecture
- Try local dishes like chatamai, yomari, bara, etc
Overview
The Dakshinkali day tour is a short one-day program from Kathmandu. It is an easy tour, so travelers of all ages can do it. The tour takes you to the southern outskirts of Kathmandu, where you will explore the Dakshinkali Temple, Pharping Monastery, Chobar, and Taudaha Lake.
If you are looking for a less tiring but adventurous activity around Kathmandu, then this tour is one of the ideal options. You can do the Dakshinkali day tour with your family, including kids and seniors. The tour offers stunning views, a peaceful environment, a leisure hike, and Nepali cultural heritage.
During the tour, you will meet with different ethnic groups, such as Chhetri, Brahmin, Newar, etc., and get to see the daily lifestyle of the locals. While visiting temples, you will explore some authentic Newari architecture. Likewise, enjoy Nepali delicacies and explore small markets.
It's a private cultural tour. You will start the Dakshinkali tour from Kathmandu. Our guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel at the designated time. They will guide you throughout the tour and then drop you back at the hotel.
You will start the tour around 9:00 —10:00 a.m. We can also start the tour early if you wish.
What to expect during the Dakshinkali day tour from Kathmandu?
The Dakshinkali day tour is approximately a seven-hour long tour. It takes you to two significant religious sites near Kathmandu- Dakshinkali Temple and Pharping Monastery. While returning after exploring these sites, you will also stop at Chobar Gorge and Taudaha Lake.
Only light walking is involved around the sites, so you will not feel any stress on your body. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to put on and take off. You must open your shoes before entering the temple and monastery.
Dakshinkali Temple and Pharping Monastery are two famous Hindu and Buddhist sites. Dakshinkali Temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali. It is 22 kilometers south of Kathmandu in a small village called Dakshinkali.
The temple is perched on the top of a hill, from which visitors can enjoy the incredible scenery. Likewise, the surrounding area is covered with dense forests. During major Nepali festivals such as Dashain, thousands of devotees come here to pray and receive blessings.
After exploring Dakshinkali Temple, you will head to Pharping Monastery. It is located only 3 kilometers away from the temple. Pharping is a small village tucked between lush hills. It is one of the holiest places for the Buddhist community in Nepal. The monastery is also known as Yanglesho.
The Pharping Monastery is a stunning complex of several buildings, prayer wheels, and stupas. The entire space is adorned with colorful prayer flags and other intricate Buddhist entities. Its main attraction is the meditation cave, located about a 30-minute walk from the complex.
The tour then takes you to Chobar. It is a beautiful gorge surrounded by lush hills and the Bagmati River. Enjoy the fresh air and tranquil surroundings here. Further, the tour will take you to the Taudaha Lake, also known as the Lake of Snakes.
Both Chobar Gorge and the Taudaha Lake are important birdwatching sites near Kathmandu. After exploring these last two places, you will drive back to Kathmandu. The guide will drop you off at the hotel. If you want to make any changes to the Dakshinkali Pharping tour, feel free to share them with us.
What are the major attractions of the Dakshinkali day tour?
On this tour, you will explore four places mentioned below and also have a few distinct experiences:
Dakshinkali Temple:
The Dakshinkali Temple is one of the significant temples of Goddess Kali in Nepal. Goddess Kali is the destroyer of evil. The temple is considered one of the Shakti Peethas, which are the places where the body of Goddess Sati fell.
The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 18th century by King Pratap Malla of Kathmandu. During major festivals like Dashain, devotees sacrifice animals like chickens, buffaloes, and goats to the goddess to fulfill their wishes.
Pharping Monastery
Pharping Monastery is one of the holiest places of Buddhism in Kathmandu. This is the place where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have attained enlightenment. The monastery complex is huge and located on the top of a hill. From here, you can see a superb view of Kathmandu Valley. The meditation Cave is one of the main attractions. You can reach it in 30 minutes of walking by following a steep path.
Chobar Gorge:
The Chobar Gorge is another great highlight of this tour. It is famous for flowers, serene environments, lush hills, and birds. You will also see the Bagmati River here.
Taudaha Lake:
Taudaha Lake is a beautiful, serene lake. It is a famous picnic spot among Nepalese. This lake is also known as the lake of snakes, but there is no risk of snakes around the lake, so do not worry. The name comes from the religious belief of the locals that says it used to be the home of the nagas. If lucky, you may get to see migratory birds here.
Hiking and local dishes:
This day tour involves light hiking across the sites. You can explore the surrounding hills and forests. Likewise, you can taste local dishes like chatamari, bara, yomari, etc.
Package guide
You will need a few things for this tour. They are mentioned below:
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Hiking shoes
- Daypack
- Reusable water bottle
- SPF, lip balm, tissue, hand sanitizer, etc
- Camera, mobile
- Permit, cash
- Sunglasses, sunhat