BABER MAHAL VILAS
After the unification of Nepal in 1768 by King Prithivi Narayan Shah gradually the policy to develop Nepal as a country started. There was from time to timepower game among the courtiers. Jung Bahadur Rana with his bravery, vision and administrative quality became the most important Prime Minister with the status of ‘Shree Teen Maharaj’. King Surendra Bikram Shah was so impressed with Jung Bahadur Rana that he gave in thumb impression that the prime minister ship of Nepal will go from his brother to brother.
The Ranas ruled Nepal for 107 years. Before the Democracy in 1951, the Prime Minister was Mohan SJB Rana and Babar SJB Rana was to be the next prime minister after the retirement of Mohan SJB Rana. Babar SJB Rana was the son of Prime Minister Chandra SJB Rana. But after the Democracy the political system was changed. Babar Mahal was the residence of Minister Babar SJB Rana. The main palace which was nationalized in the same compound is located Babar Mahal Villas Revisited.
Baber Mahal Vilas is a quaint boutique hotel set in the existing architectural haven of Babar Mahal Revisited. The vision behind the boutique property is to create a hospitality model where in, luxury and service are provided in a historically and culturally significant Ambience in the center Kathmandu Valley.
To host guests in an atmosphere that illustrates the grand lifestyle of the Rana era mixed with the original architectural heritage of Newar, Mustang and Terai cultures. The property is built and run by the descendants of the longest ruling prime minister of Nepal Maharaja Chandra Shumshere Rana and his son Baber Shumshere Rana who was the Commander and Chief of the Nepali Armed Forces.In an effort to portray the distinct architectural features of Nepal in a blend of architectural design, the property shows 4 distinct styles.
HOTEL KAZE DARBAR
“Hotel Kaze Darbar” is a heritage hotel centrally located in the heart of Kathmandu city. A historic “Rana Dynasty” building has been well renovated preserving the original European neoclassic design and turned in to a character type Hotel. It is very simple & comfortable to stay.
“Darbar Restaurant & Bar” serves a traditional Nepali set meal, Japanese meals, American & more….. Organic vegetables are used as much as possible from the farm. Homemade delicious cakes, organic coffee, soft drinks, hard drinks along with variety of Japanese SAKE also served. It is most important to us that you feel at home; stay comfortable & enjoy the time with us at the Hotel “Kaze Darbar”.
To preserve, renovate & introduce the Nepali heritage, introduce Nepali History, Nepali culture & nature to the world – the next generation, is our motto. And to product an organic vegetables, foods & goods to serve to the clients & introduce it to the next generation is another motto. Please, come & stay with us and feel and experience it.
Rana residence
The building that houses the Hotel is a large residential building built during the Rana period. Considering the style of the building it compares to various other building constructed possibly by the same builders after the great Nepal-Bihar earthquake of 1934. The layout indicates a main courtyard leading to rooms.
A very similar building is in Ekantakuna, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu, belonging to the Swiss Embassy. The bricks used for the construction of the building have the following inscriptions: “Shree 3 Juddha 1994”, “Shree 3 Juddha 1995” and “Shree 3 Bir”. The first two types indicate that the bricks were from the period when Juddha Shamsher was the Prime Minister (1932 – 1945). The dates that are indicated are in Bikram Sambat, which means 1995 would be 1939 and 1996 would be 1940. It is also interesting that these bricks are mixed with bricks from when Bir Shamsher was Prime Minister (1885-1901). A few years later, between 1939 and 1940, the existing building was built using some of the old brick as well as newly produced ones.
We can also observe the introduction of various elements to strengthen the building which must have come from lessons learnt from the Earthquake of magnitude 8.4 in 1934. So, we can say, it has been built nearly 75years before.The wall is 60mm thick & it is used bricks & mud & woods only. So, in the rooms, it is not cold in winter & not hot in summer season. The roof is terracotta tiles. So, it is environmentally friendly.
Outline Itinerary
Price Details.
For more information on price, please email us at ehtours@explorehimalayatravel.com
Detail Itinerary.
On arrival at the Airport, Our Representative will welcome you and transfer to the Hotel
Check in at the Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for own independent activities
Lunch & Dinner – Own arrangement
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
KATHMANDU CITY
Listed as one of the eight Cultural World Heritage sites by UNEZCO, Kathmandu Durbar Zquare is a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th to 18th centuries. The square is known to be the social, religious and urban focal point of the Capital City. The Palace Complex was the Royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and is the site of important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels. It houses King Tribhuvan Memorial Museum and the Mahendra Museum. Kathmandu Durbar Zquare was where the city’s kings were once crowned and legitimized, and from where they ruled (durbar means ‘palace’). As such, the square remains the traditional heart of the old town and Kathmandu’s most spectacular legacy of traditional architecture.
ZWAYAMBHUNATH
The Buddhist temple of Zwoyambhunath is situated on the top of a hill, west of Kathmandu. It is the one of the oldest religious complexes in Nepal; dating back to the 5th century A.D. ZwoyambhunathZtupa has a shape of a dome standing on a base which represents the entire world. A pair of big eyes on each side of the dome symbolizes Wisdom and Compassion. They are, in fact, Buddha’s eyes — they give the impression as if he is looking right into you no matter where you stand. The Zwoyambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Lichchhavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The site has two access points: a long stairway, claimed to have 365 steps, leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which lies in the east direction; and the other way to reach the temple is via a road trip around the hill leading to the southwest entrance.
NARAYANHITI PALACE MUZEUM
Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace in the centre of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, It is the palace which long served as a primary residence for the country’s monarchs. Narayanhiti, in Narayanhiti Palace, is made up of two words ‘narayan’ and ‘hiti’. ‘Naryan’ is a form of Hindu god “Lord Vishnu” whose temple is located opposite to the palace and ‘hiti’ means “water spout” which is also located to the east of main entrance in the precincts of the palace, and which has a legend associated with it. The entire enclosure surrounded by a compound wall, located in the north-central part of Kathmandu, is called the Narayanhiti palace.
It was a new palace, in front of the old palace of 1915 vintage, built in 1970 in the form of a contemporary Pagoda. It was built on the occasion of the marriage of King Birenda Bir Bikram Zhah, the then heir apparent to the throne. The palace area covers (30 hectares (74 acres)) and is fully secured with gate controlled walls on all sides. Now it has been turned into a museum and is open for all to see
THE NATIONAL MUZEUM OF NEPAL
The National Museum of Nepal (Rashtriya Museum) is a popular attraction of the capital city of Kathmandu. About a century old, the museum stands as a tourist destination and historical symbol for Nepal. Being the largest museum of the country of Nepal, it plays an important role in nationwide archaeological works and development of museums. For the residents of Kathmandu, the monument serves to relive the battles fought on the grounds of Nepal. The main attractions are collection of historical artworks (sculpture and paintings) and a historical display of weapons used in the wars in the 18-19th century. The museum has separate galleries dedicated to statues, paintings, murals, coins and weapons.[1] It has three buildings — Juddha Jayatia Khate Zala, Buddha Art Gallery and the main building which consists of natural historical section (collection of species of animals, butterflies and plants), cultural section and philatelic section. The museum has practical application in portraying and understanding the past and present traditions of the people of Nepal.
After sightseeing transfer back to hotel
Lunch & Dinner – Own arrangement
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Breakfast at the Hotel
Morning, half day sightseeing of Patan City with Golden Temple and Museum
PATAN DURBAR ZQUARE:
Is one of the three Durbar Zquares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNEZCO World Heritage Zites. One of its attractions is the ancient royal palace where the MallaKings of Lalitpur resided. Durbar Zquare is a marvel of Newa architecture. The Zquare floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and idols in the area. The main temples are aligned opposite of the western face of the palace. The Zquare also holds old Newari residential houses. There are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Zquare built by the Newa People. Patan is one of the oldest known Buddhist cities. It is a center of both Hinduism and Buddhism with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Most of these structures are in the vicinity of the Durbar Zquare.
GOLDEN TEMPLE
Also known as the Hiranya Varna or Zuwarna Mahavihara, this unique Buddhist monastery is just north of Durbar Zq. Legends related that the monastery was founded in the 12th century, although the earliest record of its existence is 1409. Zhoes and other leather articles must be removed if you leave the walkway and enter the inner courtyard. Look for the sacred tortoises pottering around in the courtyard – they are temple guardians. The main priest of the temple is a young boy under the age of twelve, who serves for 30 days before handing the job over to another boy. The large rectangular building has three roofs and a copper-gilded facade. Inside the main shrine is a beautiful statue of Zakyamuni. In the far right of the courtyard is a statue of Vajrasattva wearing an impressive silver-and-gold cape. In the centre of the courtyard is a small, richly decorated temple with a golden roof that has an extremely ornate gajur. Inside in the oldest part of the temple is a ‘self-arisen’ chaitya.
PATAN MUZEUM
Patan Museum is a museum located in Patan, Nepal. The museum falls under the UNEZCO’s World Heritage Zites. The Patan Museum was inaugurated in 1997 by Late King Birendra Bir Bikram Zhah. The Patan Museum displays the traditional sacred art of Nepal in an illustrious architectural setting. Its home is an old residential court of Patan Darbar, one of the royal palaces of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley. Its gilded door and window face one of the most beautiful squares in the world.
The residential palace compound of Keshav Narayan Chowk which houses the museum dates from 1734, displacing a Buddhist monastery that is still remembered in an annual public rite on the palace doorstep. But both monastery and palace rest on far older foundations that may go back to the Licchavi Period (ca. 3rd to 9th century).
After sightseeing transfer back to hotel and rest of the time at leisure
Lunch & Dinner – Own arrangement
Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu
BHAKTAPUR CITY
Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights some of the finest medieval arts of Nepal. Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare is an assortment of Pagoda and Zhikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is a part of a charming valley as it highlights the idols of ancient kings perched on top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place – struts, lintels, tympanums, gateways and windows – all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony.
The main items of interest in Bhaktapur Durbar Zquare are the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. The Golden Gate was erected by King RanjitMalla as the entrance to the main courtyard of the Fifty-five Windowed Palace. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. Many of the original medieval industries still continue to this day. They include; painting, carving, masonry, bronze casting, jewellery and pottery. Over the centuries the city gained a reputation for the quality of its goods. Bhaktapur is rich in architectural beauty, filled with ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, and palaces and courtyards where tourists can easily spend days absorbing the traditions and culture of the Newars.
After sightseeing transfer back to hotel and rest of the time at leisure
Lunch & Dinner – Own arrangement
Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu
Leisure till departure Normal Check out time 1200 hrs
Our representative will escort you to the International Airport for onward destination.
