Heritage tour bus service begins

KATHMANDU, May 24:The 'Heritage Tour bus service' began on Tuesday in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), as well as Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Sajha Yatayat. 

Sudan Kiranti, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan jointly launched the service.

According to an agreement between the Tourism Board and Sajha Yatayat, the bus service has begun with the goal of touring the valley's key heritage sites. The bus service will make it possible to visit the World Heritage Site landmarks including Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Swayambhu.

Minister Kirati, who inaugurated the bus service, stated that the operation of this bus service is expected to enhance the key heritage locations in the Kathmandu Valley. He stated that this is a little attempt to encourage tourism in the valley, and that following testing, the service will be expanded. Tourism Minister Kirati also took the history bus from Pulchowk to the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan stated during the opening ceremony that the 'Heritage Round' bus service would benefit tourism promotion. He also stated that it should be a success with everyone's help and coordination.

Dhananjaya Regmi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nepal Tourism Board, announced that the heritages of Kathmandu Valley will be showcased via two electric buses. According to Regmi, the 'Hop on Hop off Bus' will begin operations on Tuesday as a heritage tour bus service to the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley.

Sushil Pyakurel, Executive Chairman of Sajha Yatayat, stated that two electric buses would be operated daily on the tourist round bus route, with more vehicles being added based on their success. 

Hikmat Singh Ayer, Senior Director of the Nepal Tourism Board, stated that the service was started in conjunction with Sajha Bus to promote tourism in the capital valley.  He stated that coordination and cooperation with private sector organizations and companies are required to ensure the successful functioning of the tourist round bus service. 

The bus service would include visits to Kathmandu's heritage sites and museums, as well as the Lalitpur Metropolitan City. The heritage tour bus will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The bus will travel from Pulchowk Tourist Bus Park (near Lalitpur Metropolitan City) to Baudha, passing by Mahankal Temple, Army Hospital, Jamal, Durbar Marg, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Kamal Pokhari, Pashupatinath Temple Tourist Bus Park, Gaushala, Chabahil Chowk, and Taragaon Museum.

Taragaon Museum, Chabahil Chowk, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Gongabu Bus Park, Swayambhu Bhagwan Pau, Chhauni Museum, Paropakar (Kalimati) from Kalimati Chowk to Balkhu Chowk, ring road to Ekantakuna, Central Zoo, Jawalakhel Chowk to Sajha Yatayat, Pulchowk.