Kathmandu Sightseeing
73 reviews in Tripadvisor
Trip Duration
1 Day
Destination
Nepal
Max. Altitude
1,400 m.
Trip Difficulty
Easy
Group Size
2-16 pax
Transportation
Private Vehicle
Activity
Sightseeing
Start / End
Kathmandu
Region
Bagmati
Best Season
All TimeUS$ 60
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+977 9764792172Trip Overview
Welcome to the vibrant city of Kathmandu! Known as the city of temples, the spiritual atmosphere and friendly local vibes all around make your Kathmandu Sightseeing truly worthwhile. To explore the city of Kathmandu, we have prepared an itinerary to cover the must-visit places, most of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Located at an altitude of 1,324m, this hill-surrounded valley is the capital city of Nepal. With a total population of approximately 1.5 million people, the city has schools, hospitals, banks, and local stores for goods and services. Due to the facilities provided, people come here from different parts of the country to get upgraded. Most of the transportation facilities here are by road using local or private vehicles. As this city was developed by the traditional Newar community, most of the buildings and infrastructure designs are Newari-type.
Kathmandu holds the value of traditions within a modern city. Here, everything you need can be found while keeping reality-based expectations. The diversification of the city will amaze you, as within the same city you will find temples, churches, mosques, and monasteries. That is the beauty of the city.
There is a lot to explore in Kathmandu alone, but being mindful of time, we have arranged the not-to-miss places. Starting from Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), we will go to visit Boudhanath Stupa. After a short break for lunch in Thamel, we will then head towards Kathmandu Durbar Square and try to cover Patan Durbar Square in the evening. In the evening, we will be going to watch Aarati at Pashupatinath Temple (a sacred temple where it is believed that Deity Shiva stayed). After the holy Aarati, we conclude the sightseeing for this day and return for dinner featuring Nepali cuisine in Thamel.
Highlights of Kathmandu Sightseeing
- Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) – Ancient Buddhist stupa with panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley and playful monkeys
- Boudhanath Stupa – One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists
- Kathmandu Durbar Square – UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing traditional Newari architecture and ancient royal palaces
- Patan Durbar Square – Medieval royal complex famous for its intricate wood carvings and traditional craftsmanship
- Pashupatinath Temple – Sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva where you’ll witness the evening Aarati ceremony
- Traditional Newari Architecture – Experience authentic buildings and infrastructure designed in traditional Newari style
- Cultural Diversity – Explore temples, churches, mosques, and monasteries all within the same city
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Visit multiple world-renowned heritage locations in a single day
- Authentic Nepali Cuisine – Enjoy traditional lunch and dinner featuring local flavors in Thamel
- Local Market Experience – Browse through the vibrant streets of Thamel with its shops and local atmosphere
- Spiritual Experience – Participate in the holy Aarati ceremony and feel the spiritual energy of ancient sites
- Expert Local Guide – Learn about history, culture, and traditions from knowledgeable local guides
Photo Gallery & Video Gallery
Itinerary of Kathmandu Sightseeing
Day 01: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (12 hours)
Namaste!
We hope you have finished your breakfast. Ask to the reception, if our representative (your guide for the day) is waiting to introduce you to the city. Hurry up and hop in! You are going to visit:
Swayambhunath – the Monkey Temple, a 2,500-year-old stupa situated on a hillock about 77m above the Kathmandu Valley. From here you can capture the view of the west side of Kathmandu. The dome on top with painted eyes on four sides symbolizes the all-seeing eyes of Buddha. This stupa consists of prayer wheels, carved manis, Buddhist-style architecture and vibes. If you want some souvenirs, you can get them from here!
After the altitude experience, we would be visiting the same type of monastery but in the bustling city area.
Boudhanath Stupa – This is a holy stupa for Tibetan Buddhists. It is located about 11 km northeast of Kathmandu and is believed to be built in the 5th century. Here we take a clockwise walk around the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels. The smell of incense and bell sounds will uplift your spirit.
Then, drive to Thamel for lunch in the afternoon and visit;
Kathmandu Durbar Square, known as the Museum of Temples. The preserved art and architecture, history, and culture are noteworthy as the main temple there called Kasthamandap is believed to be built from the trunk of a single tree. The name of the city Kathmandu is derived from this temple.
Then, you will go to see Patan Durbar Square, where you will see the Krishna Temple, dating back to the 17th century. This temple displays the architecture of Newari culture.
At evening time, you will be back to Pashupatinath for the sacred Aarati. Manage to sit there during the worship and meditate – it heals you!
To conclude your sightseeing for the day, you will be directed to your hotel to freshen up and relax. If you wish to see the night streets of Thamel, then you are all good to go. We recommend trying some Nepalese foods and beverages. If you haven’t bought any souvenirs, you can get some then. And after enjoying the city, get back to your hotel and have dinner. We wish you a very peaceful night!
Activity: 12 hours
Max. Altitude: 1400m./4,593ft. (Kathmandu)
- Moderate walking involved
- Respect local customs at religious sites
- Best enjoyed year-round, but avoid monsoon season for clearer views
Includes/Excludes
What is included?
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Private transportation (Hotel Pickup & Drop)
- Bottled water
What is not included?
- Entrance fees
- Food
- Tips
Trip Map of Kathmandu Sightseeing
Trip Information
What to Bring/Wear during Kathmandu Sightseeing
The sights we will be visiting are in the valley, so be prepared normally with comfortable shoes, because there are stairs at Swayambhunath in case you want to climb – then it would be comfortable for you. Wear clothes according to the season and climate, but remember you will be visiting holy sites, so with respect to the culture, wear respectful clothing suitable for temples.
If you want to capture moments, then bring your camera with you and don’t forget sun protection for your skin.
Booking & Cancellation
If you are looking for the best agency operating sightseeing while providing experienced guides, then with all clarity choose Epic Trek Nepal. We introduce people from around the world to the capital Kathmandu! Let’s explore it with us, and importantly if you want to visit other places than those we mentioned in the itinerary, then please tell us directly in the chat. We can arrange to include it as well.
Cancellation Policy:
We, the dedicated team of Epic Trek Nepal, understand the situations leading to cancellation of the trip, and to tackle that we have designed a policy suitable for both clients and agency:
- Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel the trip. If you cancel 7 days or more in advance, we will take 25% from your total cost and refund the remaining.
- If you cancel less than 7 days in advance, depending on the situation, we will deduct up to 70% and refund the rest.
But worry not – we will also provide you with the receipts to claim insurance, and your deposit is secure with us and it will be discounted from your package cost in case you want to visit next time.
Travel Insurance for the Kathmandu City Sightseeing
While touring Kathmandu city, it is entirely up to the individual to get insurance or not. It is not compulsory to have insurance for this tour. There is no significant risk as this is a tour in the valley, unlike trekking in the mountains, so we won’t require any insurance. But while exploring the city, you might encounter minor to severe accidents. Thinking about those cases, you could purchase an insurance policy to be on the safer side. However, there haven’t been any incidents similar to that up until now, and we hope there won’t be in the future.
Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour Booking Procedure
While you are planning to explore the vibrant, dusty Kathmandu city, first research on your own about the landscapes and the agencies facilitating the sightseeing service. See, Epic Trek Nepal also provides excellent service at reasonable cost. With several qualified guides, we are completely government-approved and registered trekking and adventure specialists (the firm registration number is 322132/080/089).
Additionally, we are affiliated with several national tourist organizations, including the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), TAAN, NMA and others. To see the valley with a reputable local firm that provides a guide with decades of experience in this field would be a lifelong experience to understand the diversity. Along with that, we the team from Epic Trek Nepal warmly welcome you to assist in this activity. Whenever you have planned, just write to us now about your expectations for this tour, and for booking confirmation simply pay 25% of your total tour cost and pay the rest while in Nepal, at our office. We’ll make sure to meet your expectations.
Trip Reviews
US$ 60
Need Help? Talk to Expert
+977 9764792172