Situated at an altitude of 4500ft and founded in the 8th Century A.D. the valley of Kathmandu is composed of three royal Cities, Kathmandu, Patan & Bhadgaon (Bhaktpur). The valley surrounded by tiers or green hills topped off by snow capped peaks covers an area of 218 sq. miles. Kathmandu has always been a renowned center for Buddhism and its art where you will find the stupa of Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath and hundreds of temples depicting Buddhist and Hindu theology-complex blending of Hinduism & Buddhism where legend and reality live side by side.