The Kathmandu city tour lets you explore the beauty of the Kathmandu valley. The Kathmandu City tour comprises the three cities resided by the Newari people and their culture, namely Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. The Kathmandu Valley is an ancient city with historical continuity, and the sculptures around the UNESCO World Heritage Sites were built around a thousand years ago. The Kathmandu City tour connects you with the various temples and stupas. We will visit ancient places and UNESCO World Heritage sites during the Kathmandu city tour. We can visit only four places among these during the one-day tour.
Note: You can visit only four places among the following sites in Kathmandu Valley in the one-day Kathmandu City Tour. You need 2 days to visit all the places.
Kathmandu Valley:
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is famous for its exquisite temples, palaces, brick-paved courtyards, and quaint streets within the valley. Even though the city is a valley, the majestic views of Langtang and Ganesh Himal can be seen from here.
Some famous places enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage sites located in Kathmandu Valley are:
Kathmandu Durbar Square:
The complex of Kathmandu Durbar Square is where the ancient Malla kings crowned and ruled over Kathmandu. There was massive damage during the April 2015 earthquake. However, the sites remain magnificent. The craftsmanship, handicrafts, Hanuman Dhoka, an idol of Kal Bhairav, Kumari Ghar- the home of the living goddess of Nepal “Kumari” are the major attractions of Kathmandu Durbar Square. The Durbar Square is commonly known as the Basantapur Durbar. It is about a 15 to 20-minute walk south of Thamel in central Kathmandu.
Pashupatinath Temple:
It is one of the most sacred Hindu temples and is located on the bank of the Bagmati River. The existence of Pashupatinath Temple dates back thousands of years and is made up of pagoda-style. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva. Thousands of devotees visit Pashupatinath Temple during the Shivaratri festival, a major festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Swayambhunath Temple:
Swayambhunath Temple stands on a hillock located at a distance of 4km from Thamel. It is famously called a monkey temple as many monkeys can be seen around the area. It is the Buddhist and Hindu Temple. The origin of Kathmandu Valley is closely linked to this temple.
Boudhanath Stupa:
Boudhanath Stupa is the largest and oldest stupa in Asia, located 7km east of Kathmandu. The Boudhanath Stupa is an important Tibetan Buddhist site, and the area around the stupa is a prosperous hub of Tibetan life and culture. The grace and purity of the Boudhanath Stupa are different than other stupas in Nepal.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
Bhaktapur city is famous for its fine crafts and pottery. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is surrounded by temples built in Pagoda and Shikhara Style. The major attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the Dattatreya Temple, the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate, the 55-window palace, and the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, a multistoried Naytapola Temple.
Patan Durbar Square:
Patan Durbar Square is a beautiful place to visit in Patan, Lalitpur. It was the palace of Malla during the medieval period. Bhimshen Temple, Jagat Narayan Temple, Krishna Temple 21 golden pinnacles are some of the heritage in Durbar Square.
It's advisable to comprise the Kathmandu City Tour either at the beginning or towards the conclusion of trekkings for an enhanced experience.
Best Time for the Kathmandu City Tour
The best time for a Kathmandu city tour depends on the weather and your preferences. Due to its relatively low altitude, Kathmandu is a city that can be visited for day tours throughout the year, including winter, spring, autumn, and even the monsoon season.
Spring, spanning from March to May, stands out as an optimal period for a Kathmandu City Tour. The weather remains mild, offering pleasantly warm days and comfortably cool nights. The city is in full bloom with colorful flowers and lush vegetation. During this period, it's usual to have clear and unhindered views of the surrounding areas.
Autumn (September to November): Another popular time for tourists, the autumn months bring pleasant weather with clear skies. During this season, Kathmandu enjoys comfortable weather, ideal for outdoor activities. Additionally, the timeframe aligns with two significant festivals, Dashain and Tihar, which hold cultural importance. The festivities offer a one-of-a-kind chance to participate in local traditions and learn about the lively Nepalese way of life.
During both spring and autumn, you'll find many tourists exploring the city's attractions, and the conditions are generally favorable for sightseeing. It's important to take into account that during the peak tourist seasons, there is a noticeable influx of visitors, leading to larger crowds at popular attractions and destinations.
If you prefer to avoid crowds and don't mind cooler temperatures, you could consider visiting during the winter months (December to February). While the nights can get quite cold, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant, and the city's attractions are less crowded. This could also be a good time for the Kathmandu City Tour if you're interested in experiencing local life without the hustle and bustle of peak tourist seasons.
Due to severe rains, the monsoon season (June to August) is the most infrequent period to visit for a one-day tour. While some travelers might enjoy the lush greenery the rains bring, and the time when there are fewer travelers. Also, it is like rain is for some period only not for the whole day.
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One-Day Kathmandu City Tour Cost for 2024 and 2025
We at Nepal Nirvana Trails offer two departure schedules on the same day. You have the flexibility to select the timeframe that suits you best and get in touch with us, specifying your preferred places to visit. The one-day Kathmandu City Tour commences at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm respectively. The updated costs for the Kathmandu City Day Tour in 2024 and 2025 are as follows:
| Number of Pax | Cost Per Person |
| 1 | USD 80 |
| 2 | USD 45 |
| 3 - 6 | USD 35 |
| 7 - 13 | USD 25 |
