Trip Facts
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3 Star Hotel
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Private Vehicle
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Breakfast
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1324M.
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Cultural Tour
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English Speaking Guide
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5
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80
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1 - 20
Book a 3-day Kathmandu tour and explore the valley’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, temples, Buddhist stupas, royal compounds, and centuries-old traditions.
During the 3-day Kathmandu tour, you will explore the Kathmandu Valley and visit important sites. Kathmandu is often referred to as the world’s only living cultural museum. The Kathmandu Valley is dotted with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will see Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites such as Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhnath Stupa, and Swoyambhunath Stupa. The Kathmandu Valley provides an excellent platform to experience the culture and rituals of both Hindu and Buddhist devotees.
This tour also takes you to heritage highlights such as the city of Patan and Bhaktapur. There are three ancient royal complexes in the valley. These sites offer medieval architecture, cultural heritage, and atypical wood carvings.
The Kathmandu Valley is also famous for its handicrafts. Many travelers describe the Kathmandu Valley as “a huge treasure trove of art and sculptures.” As you begin your three-day tour of Kathmandu, you will witness these ancient arts and crafts made of wood, stone, metal, and terracotta.
Kathmandu is a cosmopolitan city. The Newars, the valley dwellers, dominate it. Because of the facilities available and the modern capital region of Nepal, Kathmandu experiences an influx of migrants from the east and west every year. Today, the valley is a mixture of different ethnicities and cultures. People of all castes and ethnicities can be found in the valley. However, in places like Patan and Bhaktapur, the ancient arts, traditions, and culture of the Newari people have been preserved. The most important festivals in the Kathmandu Valley include Gai Jatra, Indra Jatra, Dashin, Tihar, Ghode Jatra, and Bisket Jatra.
The main places you will visit during your 3-day trip to Kathmandu are as follows.
Pashupatinath Temple: the holiest Hindu shrine and Shiva temple on the bank of Bagmati River with cremation mounds.
Boudhnath Stupa: Boudhnath Stupa is the largest Buddhist stupa known as “mini-Tibet” because of the nearby Tibetan settlement.
Swoyambhunath Stupa: Buddhist stupa on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan range.
Patan Durbar Square: Ancient royal complex and the best place to see Newari traditions, art, and architecture.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: The best preserved ancient city in the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the centuries-old heritage, faces, rituals, and lifestyles of the Newari people.
Kathmandu Tour Highlights
- Four-day private guided cultural tour.
- Explore six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
- Visit the historic durbar sites of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Observe local culture and festivals at temples and stupas.
- Enjoy art and architecture in ancient 17th-century royal squares.
- Visit the historical museum in Patan’s Durbar Square.
Kathmandu Tour Itinerary
You will arrive at Kathmandu airport. Meet your airport representative outside the arrival hall holding a signboard of your name. You will be assisted and transferred to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the time, you can stroll around at your pace.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Your sightseeing tours begin after breakfast. Your guide will come to your hotel and meet you at the hotel lobby at 09:30 am. You will proceed with a sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath temple, located on the bank of the Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is often known as the "abode of Shiva." Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple complex for worship; others can go to another side of the temple to see Hindu people's rituals and morning activities. You will also witness the rare funeral ceremony as per Hindu traditions at cremation ghats on the bank of the holy river Bagmati.
After the visit to Pashupatinath temple, you will proceed to Boudhnath stupa, located 3 Kilometers away from the temple. Boudhnath stupa is also known as "Mini Tibet" and is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. Tibetan settlements and monasteries surround this stupa. You will witness Buddhist rituals and traditions at the Boudhnath area, which is en-circle by Buddhist prayer flags and manes.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Swoyambhunath stupa on the hilltop overlooking Kathmandu valley. This Buddhist stupa is famous as the "Monkey temple: and one of the best places to observe cultural harmony between Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. Both Hindus and Buddhists pay homage to this site. The view of stupa includes the entire Kathmandu valley floor with outstanding views of Central Himalayan ranges.
Continue to Patan Durbar Square, another UNESCO site located in Kathmandu. Patan is known as the "City of Beauty," A visit to Patan Durbar Square offers an excellent opportunity to see local Newari people, ancient Royal complexes, and architecture of the medieval era. Stroll narrow lanes of Patan visiting Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Mahaboudhi stupa, and Golden temple. Patan is also famous for metal works and wood carvings.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the morning after breakfast. You will drive 14 Kilometers east to Kathmandu to visit Bhaktapur's best-preserved ancient city. Bhaktapur is also called the cultural hub of the Newari people. Many of the highly decorated buildings and shrines were destroyed in the 1934 & 2015 earthquakes. However, the main square still contains a few temples and other architectural show pieces; the Lion Gate, the statue of Bhupatindra Malla, the Palace of 55 windows, the Bell of the barking dogs, the Nyatapola temple, and the replica of Pashupatinath temple. In Bhaktapur, you will observe the Newari people with traditional and daily work. Narrow lanes of Bhaktapur offer bargain prices for the Thankas "Oil painting on Silk," which you can buy if interested.
After the visit, transfer directly to Kathmandu airport in time to board your flight back home.
