# Kathmandu Valley Tours ## Kathmandu Valley tours: seven World Heritage sites in one valley The **Kathmandu Valley** holds one of the densest concentrations of cultural treasures in the world. Seven monument zones, including the great stupas of **Boudhanath** and **Swayambhunath**, the Hindu temple of **Pashupatinath** and the royal Durbar Squares of **Kathmandu**, **Patan** and **Bhaktapur**, are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our **Kathmandu Valley tours** and **Kathmandu day tours** are led by licensed local guides who bring the temples, festivals and Newar traditions to life. Choose a full-day heritage tour, a sunrise trip to **Nagarkot**, the **Chandragiri cable car**, a cooking class, a village walk to Bungamati and Khokana, or an **Everest mountain flight**, and add them before or after your trek. - **Length:** half-day, full-day and 2–4 day tours - **Includes:** private vehicle and licensed English-speaking guide - **Suits:** first-time visitors, families and trekkers with spare days ## Trips - [Nepal Tour: Kathmandu, Pokhara & Chitwan](https://himalayanhiking.com/nepal-tour-kathmandu-pokhara-chitwan.md): 8 days, Easy, max 2,175 m / 7,136 ft (Nagarkot), from US$890. This Nepal tour package is an 8-day private journey through the country's highlights: the UNESCO World Heritage temples and royal squares of the Kathmandu Valle... - [Kathmandu Valley Heritage Tour](https://himalayanhiking.com/kathmandu-valley-heritage-tour.md): 3 days, Easy, max 2,175 m / 7,136 ft (Nagarkot), from US$290. The Kathmandu Valley heritage tour is a 3-day private tour of all seven monument zones of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site: Swayambhunath, Kathma... - [Nepal Family Holiday](https://himalayanhiking.com/nepal-family-holiday.md): 9 days, Easy, max 2,100 m / 6,890 ft (Australian Camp), from US$1,090. Our Nepal family holiday is a 9-day adventure designed for parents and children. Explore the temples and monkeys of Kathmandu, look for rhinos on a jeep safari... - [Everest Mountain Flight from Kathmandu](https://himalayanhiking.com/everest-mountain-flight.md): 1 days, Easy, max Flies at about 7,500–8,000 m (cabin pressurised), from US$240. The Everest mountain flight is a one-hour scenic flight from Kathmandu along the Himalaya to Mount Everest (8,848.86 m) and back. From a guaranteed window seat... - [Chisapani Nagarkot Trek](https://himalayanhiking.com/chisapani-nagarkot-trek.md): 4 days, Easy, max 2,215 m / 7,267 ft (Chisapani), from US$320. The Chisapani Nagarkot trek is the best short trek near Kathmandu: an easy 3–4 day hike along the Kathmandu Valley rim. Walk from Sundarijal through Shivapuri N... ## Kathmandu Valley tours: a complete sightseeing guide The **Kathmandu Valley** is a bowl-shaped valley about 25 kilometres across, ringed by forested hills and, on clear days, the snow peaks of the Himalaya. For more than two thousand years it has been the political, cultural and religious centre of Nepal. Its three old royal cities, **Kathmandu**, **Patan** and **Bhaktapur**, plus the great stupas and temples around them, give you seven UNESCO World Heritage monuments in a valley you can cross in an hour. This guide covers the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley, suggested day-tour itineraries, viewpoints and day hikes, cultural experiences, festivals, practical tips and etiquette. It is written by the Himalayan Hiking team, who live and work in Kathmandu and guide visitors around the valley every day. ## A short history of the valley According to legend, the Kathmandu Valley was once a lake, drained when the bodhisattva Manjushri cut a gorge through the hills with his sword. Geologists agree that the valley was indeed a lake in prehistoric times, and its rich soil made it one of the most fertile places in the Himalaya. Early dynasties such as the Licchavis built temples and inscriptions from the 4th century onwards, but it was the **Malla kings**, from the 12th to the 18th centuries, who created most of the palaces, temples and squares seen today. The valley was divided into rival kingdoms, each competing to build the most beautiful capital. The craftsmen behind this architecture were the **Newar** people, the indigenous inhabitants of the valley, whose skills in woodcarving, metal casting, stone sculpture and brick building are still practised today. In 1768–69, Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha conquered the valley and made Kathmandu the capital of a unified Nepal. ## The seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones In 1979, UNESCO listed the **Kathmandu Valley** as a World Heritage Site made up of seven monument zones. Together, they form the backbone of any Kathmandu Valley tour. ### Kathmandu Durbar Square **Kathmandu Durbar Square**, also known as Hanuman Dhoka, was the royal palace complex of the Malla and later Shah kings. Its temples, courtyards and palace buildings include the tall Taleju Temple, the Jagannath Temple with its carved roof struts, and the museum inside the old palace. The **Kumari Ghar** is home to the Kumari, a young girl chosen from the Newar Shakya community and worshipped as the living incarnation of the goddess Taleju; she sometimes appears at her window to visitors in the courtyard. **Kasthamandap**, the wooden pavilion that may have given Kathmandu its name, was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake and has since been rebuilt using traditional techniques. ### Swayambhunath Perched on a hill west of the city, **Swayambhunath** is one of the oldest and holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal. Its white dome is crowned by a golden spire painted with the watchful eyes of the Buddha, and prayer flags stream down from its summit. Visitors climb 365 stone steps to the top, passing monkeys that give the site its popular name, the **Monkey Temple**. The view over the valley at sunset is superb. ### Boudhanath **Boudhanath** is one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist culture in Nepal. Surrounded by monasteries, it is a place of constant devotion: pilgrims, monks and local residents walk clockwise around the stupa, spinning prayer wheels and chanting. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when the circuit, known as the kora, is busiest. Rooftop cafés around the square offer views of the dome and the evening rituals. ### Pashupatinath **Pashupatinath** is the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupati, lord of animals. It stands on the banks of the sacred **Bagmati River**, whose ghats are used for open-air cremations. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple, but can explore the surrounding shrines, watch rituals from across the river and meet the colourful sadhus who live and pray here. The evening **aarti** ceremony, with lamps, music and chanting, is a moving experience. Visitors should be respectful, dress modestly and avoid photographing grieving families. ### Patan Durbar Square **Patan**, also called Lalitpur, the "city of beauty", lies just south of Kathmandu across the Bagmati. Its Durbar Square is often considered the finest in the valley, with the stone **Krishna Mandir**, the royal palace, and the outstanding **Patan Museum**, one of the best museums of sacred art in South Asia. Nearby, the **Golden Temple** (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) and the Mahabouddha temple of a thousand Buddhas are highlights, and metalworkers in the surrounding lanes still cast bronze statues using traditional lost-wax methods. ### Bhaktapur Durbar Square **Bhaktapur**, about 13 kilometres east of Kathmandu, is the best-preserved of the three royal cities. Much of the old town is closed to traffic, and its brick lanes lead through squares filled with temples, courtyards and workshops. Highlights include the five-tiered **Nyatapola Temple**, the tallest temple in Nepal; the **55-Window Palace** and its Golden Gate; **Taumadhi Square**; **Dattatreya Square** with its woodcarving museum and peacock window; and **Pottery Square**, where potters shape clay on wheels. Try *juju dhau*, Bhaktapur's famous "king of yoghurts". ### Changu Narayan **Changu Narayan**, on a ridge north of Bhaktapur, is considered the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. It has a 5th-century stone inscription, one of the oldest in Nepal, and fine stone, wood and metal sculptures of Vishnu. The quiet village and the views over the valley make it a good stop, and you can walk there from Nagarkot. ## Suggested Kathmandu Valley day tours ### Day 1: Kathmandu highlights Start at **Swayambhunath** in the morning, then explore **Kathmandu Durbar Square** and the old market streets of Indra Chowk and Asan. After lunch, visit **Pashupatinath** and end the day at **Boudhanath**, joining the evening kora around the stupa. ### Day 2: Patan and Bhaktapur Spend the morning in **Patan**, visiting Durbar Square, the Patan Museum and the Golden Temple. In the afternoon, drive to **Bhaktapur** to explore its squares, temples and pottery workshops, and stay for sunset or continue to Nagarkot for the night. ### Day 3: Nagarkot sunrise and Changu Narayan Watch sunrise over the Himalaya from **Nagarkot**, then walk or drive to **Changu Narayan**. In the afternoon, visit the Newar villages of **Bungamati** and **Khokana**, or take the **Chandragiri cable car** for views over the valley. These itineraries can be combined, shortened or extended. A one-day tour can cover the main Kathmandu highlights; two days allow Patan and Bhaktapur; three or four days let you enjoy the valley at a relaxed pace with viewpoints and villages. ## Viewpoints and day hikes - **Nagarkot:** the most famous viewpoint on the valley rim, with sunrise views from Langtang towards the Everest area on clear mornings. - **Chandragiri Hills:** a cable car climbs to around 2,500 m, with panoramic views of the Himalaya and the valley and a temple at the top. - **Dhulikhel and Namobuddha:** a traditional Newar town with mountain views and a walk to the Buddhist monastery of Namobuddha. - **Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park:** forested hills north of the city with hiking trails to Shivapuri Peak, monasteries and viewpoints. - **Champadevi and Jamacho:** hilltop hikes on the southern and northern rims of the valley. ## Cultural experiences in Kathmandu Beyond sightseeing, the valley offers many ways to experience local culture: - **Cooking class:** learn to make momos, dal bhat and Newari dishes with a local family. - **Thangka painting and crafts:** visit workshops in Bhaktapur, Patan and Boudhanath to see artists painting thangkas and metalworkers casting statues. - **Meditation and yoga:** join a class or retreat at a monastery or centre in the valley. - **Heritage walks:** explore the hidden courtyards, shrines and bahals (monastery courtyards) of old Kathmandu with a local guide. - **Village visits:** discover traditional life in Bungamati, Khokana and Kirtipur, where Newar customs remain strong. - **Everest mountain flight:** an early-morning flight from Kathmandu along the Himalaya to see Everest without trekking. ## Festivals in the Kathmandu Valley The valley's calendar is packed with festivals, many of them Newar and found nowhere else. **Indra Jatra**, in September, brings masked dances and the chariot procession of the Kumari to Kathmandu Durbar Square. **Dashain** and **Tihar**, in autumn, are the biggest national festivals. **Bisket Jatra**, the Nepali New Year festival in April, sees huge chariots pulled through Bhaktapur. **Rato Machhindranath Jatra**, Patan's long chariot festival, takes place in spring, and **Maha Shivaratri** brings thousands of pilgrims and sadhus to Pashupatinath. Dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year. ## Food in the Kathmandu Valley The Kathmandu Valley is the best place in Nepal to explore food. Try Newari specialities such as *bara* (lentil pancakes), *chatamari* (rice-flour crêpes), *choila* (spiced grilled meat), *kachila* and the festive *samay baji* platter. **Momos** are everywhere, and Tibetan restaurants around Boudhanath serve *thukpa* noodle soup and *thenthuk*. In Thamel and Jhamsikhel, international restaurants and cafés serve everything from wood-fired pizza to specialty coffee from Nepal's own hill farms. ## Best time to visit the Kathmandu Valley Kathmandu can be visited all year round. **October and November** offer clear skies, pleasant temperatures and major festivals. **December to February** is cool and often clear, with chilly mornings and evenings. **March and April** are warm and pleasant, although haze can reduce mountain views. During the **June–September monsoon**, rain usually falls in heavy showers, often in the afternoon or at night, and sightseeing continues with fewer visitors. ## Practical tips - **Entrance fees:** most heritage sites charge fees for foreign visitors, which fund conservation and post-earthquake restoration. Keep your tickets, as some are checked more than once. - **Traffic:** the valley's roads are busy, so allow extra time between sites. Starting early helps. - **Guides:** a licensed local guide adds enormously to your understanding of the temples, legends and rituals. - **Air quality:** dust and pollution can be high in the dry season; a mask is useful on busy roads. - **Money:** ATMs are widely available, and most hotels and larger shops accept cards. ## Etiquette at temples and stupas Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Remove your shoes before entering temples and some shrines, and remove leather items where requested. Walk clockwise around stupas, chortens and prayer wheels. Ask permission before photographing people, especially at religious ceremonies and at the cremation ghats of Pashupatinath. Do not touch offerings or sacred objects, and note that some Hindu temples are open only to Hindus. ## Where to stay in Kathmandu Kathmandu has accommodation for every taste. **Thamel** is the lively travellers' district, full of shops, restaurants and trekking agencies. **Boudhanath** is calmer, and you stay right beside the great stupa. **Patan** has boutique hotels in restored Newar houses, and **Bhaktapur** offers guesthouses overlooking its squares. International hotels are found around Durbar Marg and the city centre. ## The 2015 earthquake and the valley's restoration On 25 April 2015, a powerful earthquake struck central Nepal, damaging or destroying many historic buildings in the Kathmandu Valley. Temples in Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares collapsed, and the famous Kasthamandap pavilion and Dharahara tower fell. In the years since, Nepali craftsmen, conservation experts and international partners have worked to rebuild the monuments using traditional materials and techniques, while strengthening them against future earthquakes. Many temples have now been restored, and visiting the valley today is a chance to see living heritage being rebuilt by the same craft traditions that created it. ## Thamel and shopping **Thamel** is Kathmandu's busy travellers' district, a maze of narrow streets packed with guesthouses, restaurants, trekking shops, bookshops and handicraft stores. It is the best place to buy or rent trekking gear and to find souvenirs such as pashmina shawls, singing bowls, thangka paintings, prayer flags, felt crafts and Nepali tea. For more authentic shopping, explore the old market streets of **Asan** and **Indra Chowk**, the metal workshops of Patan, the pottery of Bhaktapur and the Tibetan craft shops around Boudhanath. Fair-trade shops in Kathmandu and Patan support women's cooperatives and artisans across Nepal. ## Kirtipur, Bungamati and Khokana To see everyday Newar life away from the main sights, visit the hilltop town of **Kirtipur**, with its old temples, narrow lanes and views over the valley, or the villages of **Bungamati** and **Khokana** south of Patan. Bungamati is known for its woodcarvers and as the home of the rain god Rato Machhindranath, while Khokana is famous for its traditional mustard oil presses. Both villages were damaged in the 2015 earthquake and are being rebuilt, and the walk between them, through fields and past small shrines, makes a good half day. ## Getting around the Kathmandu Valley Traffic in the valley is heavy, and distances between sites can take longer than expected. On a guided tour, a private vehicle with a driver is the most comfortable and efficient option. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available for independent trips, and walking is the best way to explore the old city centres of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Cycling tours on the quieter roads around the valley rim are another enjoyable option. ## Kathmandu with children Children enjoy the monkeys at Swayambhunath, the pigeons and street life of the Durbar Squares, the pottery wheels of Bhaktapur, the **Garden of Dreams** in Thamel, the cable car ride at Chandragiri and cooking classes where they can shape their own momos. Plan shorter days with rest breaks, carry snacks and water, and use a private vehicle to avoid long waits in traffic. ## Evenings in Kathmandu Kathmandu has a relaxed evening scene. Watch the sunset from a rooftop café at Boudhanath or Swayambhunath, attend the evening aarti at Pashupatinath, enjoy a traditional Nepali dinner with cultural dance performances, or explore Thamel's live music bars and restaurants. Patan's Jhamsikhel area has cafés and restaurants popular with locals and expatriates. ## One day in Kathmandu before your trek Most trekking itineraries include a free day in Kathmandu before departure. It is the perfect opportunity for a half-day or full-day guided tour of the highlights: Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square in the morning, followed by Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in the afternoon. The tour also leaves time for your trek briefing, equipment check and last-minute shopping in Thamel. ## Hidden corners of old Kathmandu Some of Kathmandu's best corners are hidden in plain sight. Step through a low doorway off a busy street and you may find yourself in a quiet **bahal**, a courtyard monastery surrounded by old Newar houses, with a small stupa, prayer wheels and children playing. **Kathesimbhu Stupa**, a miniature version of Swayambhunath near Thamel, **Itum Bahal**, one of the largest courtyards in the old city, and the carved temples of **Seto Machhindranath** and **Annapurna Temple** on the way to Asan are all worth seeking out. A walking tour with a local guide reveals the stories of these hidden places and the festivals that bring them to life. ## Patan in more depth Patan rewards a slow visit. Beyond Durbar Square, the city is full of Buddhist courtyards, water spouts (hiti) that still provide water to residents, and workshops where artisans cast bronze statues, carve wood and make jewellery. The **Patan Museum**, housed in part of the old palace, displays Hindu and Buddhist sculpture with clear explanations, making it an excellent introduction to the art and religion of the valley. There's a café in the palace's back garden if you need a break. **Kumbheshwar Temple**, one of only two five-roofed temples in the valley, and the ponds of **Pimbahal** are also worth a visit. ## Bhaktapur in more depth Many visitors wish they had spent the night in Bhaktapur. Once the day visitors leave, the squares become peaceful, and in the early morning local people gather at temples and water spouts for daily worship. Stay in a guesthouse overlooking **Taumadhi Square** or **Durbar Square**, explore the quieter eastern part of the city around **Dattatreya Square**, and watch craftsmen carving wood, painting thangkas and firing pottery. The city's museums, in the old palace and the Pujari Math, display exquisite woodcarvings and sculptures. ## Kathmandu Valley tour in two days: a sample plan DayMorningAfternoon1Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar SquarePashupatinath and Boudhanath at sunset2Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum and Golden TempleBhaktapur, overnight in Nagarkot for sunrise## Where to eat in the Kathmandu Valley The valley's food scene is one of the pleasures of a visit. In the old city, small Newari eateries serve *bara*, *chatamari* and spiced buffalo dishes, and street stalls sell hot momos and *sel roti*, a ring-shaped rice bread. Rooftop restaurants around Durbar Square, Patan and Bhaktapur combine good food with views over the temples. Boudhanath's Tibetan restaurants serve steaming bowls of *thukpa*, while Thamel and Jhamsikhel offer international cuisine, bakeries and cafés serving coffee grown in Nepal's hill districts. A food walk with a local guide is a delicious way to explore the city's culinary traditions and learn about the festivals behind many dishes. However long you stay, the Kathmandu Valley rewards curiosity. Every lane, courtyard and temple has a story, and festivals seem to appear around every corner. With a knowledgeable guide and time to wander, even a short stay reveals why this valley has fascinated travellers, pilgrims and scholars for centuries. Many visitors arrive planning a single day of sightseeing before their trek and leave wishing they had allowed a week, so we always recommend building in a little extra time to explore at your own pace. ## Book your Kathmandu Valley tour with Himalayan Hiking We're a travel company based in Kathmandu. We organise private Kathmandu day tours, multi-day Kathmandu Valley tours, sunrise trips to Nagarkot, village walks, cooking classes and mountain flights, with private vehicles and licensed English-speaking guides. Tours can be added before or after any trek. Browse our tours above, or contact us with your dates and interests for a tailor-made itinerary. ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the must-see places in Kathmandu? The essential sights are **Swayambhunath** (the Monkey Temple), **Boudhanath Stupa**, **Pashupatinath Temple**, **Kathmandu Durbar Square**, **Patan Durbar Square** and **Bhaktapur**. Together they form the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site. ### Can I see the main Kathmandu sights in one day? A full-day tour can cover Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. We recommend a second day for Patan and Bhaktapur, which deserve time to explore. ### Where can I see the Himalaya from Kathmandu? On clear days, **Nagarkot** and **Dhulikhel** offer sunrise views of the Himalaya, and the **Chandragiri cable car** climbs to a viewpoint above the valley. For Everest itself, take an early-morning mountain flight. ### Are there entrance fees at Kathmandu heritage sites? Yes. Most heritage sites charge entrance fees for foreign visitors, which support conservation and restoration after the 2015 earthquake. Tell us whether you want fees included in your tour price. ### What should I wear to temples in Kathmandu? Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes before entering temples. Walk clockwise around stupas, ask before photographing people or rituals, and note that only Hindus may enter the main temple at Pashupatinath. Web page: https://himalayanhiking.com/category/kathmandu-valley-tours