Kathmandu City Day Tour is a fascinating 4-5 hour day tour, led by our expert guides from Nepal Spirit Adventure, in the comfort of spacious, seated vehicles, showcasing the wonders of medieval Kathmandu. Although Kathmandu is a bustling commercial capital city in Nepal, it still retains its traditional way of life against the backdrop of ancient culture, with numerous historical and religious sites.
Despite being a bustling commercial capital, Kathmandu preserves its traditional way of life amid a rich cultural backdrop filled with historical and religious sites.
On the Kathmandu City Day Tour, you will visit the impressive old Durbar Square, along with various temples and monasteries, all of which are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nepal is unique in Asia for having a large number of remarkable heritage sites, featuring numerous historical monuments that beautifully represent both Hinduism and Buddhism.
One Day Kathmandu City Tour
Join us for a day of city sightseeing in Kathmandu, where you will explore the city's cultural heritage and local way of life that has been preserved for centuries. After breakfast, our expert city guide will lead you through a captivating journey filled with interesting sights.
Pashupatinath Temple
The tour begins with a visit to the ancient and sacred Pashupatinath Temple, a pagoda-style Hindu temple adorned with gilt roofing and intricately carved silver doors dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on the bank of the holy Bagmati River, Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most revered temples in the Hindu world and serves as a central pilgrimage site, especially during Shiva-Ratri (Shiva’s birth anniversary). The small religious town surrounding the temple is known as Debpatan and is situated 5 kilometers east of the capital city. Please note that only Hindus are permitted to enter the main courtyard of the temple; however, non-Hindu tourists can view the temple from the eastern side of the Bagmati River.
Bouddhanath Stupa
After a short drive, we arrive at Bouddhanath, often referred to as "Little Tibet," where Tibetan culture is prominent. The enormous dome-shaped stupa is the largest Buddhist shrine in South Asia. This ancient and colossal chorten was built in the 6th century A.D. by King Man Deb. It is positioned on three terraces and, from a bird’s-eye view, resembles a lotus flower—a symbol that holds deep significance for Buddhists worldwide.
Surrounding the chorten is a circular market, which is part of the town's atmosphere. Notably, the four pairs of Buddha's eyes gaze out towards the four cardinal directions, symbolizing vigilance over the people and their commitments, day and night. The chorten embodies the authentic philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism, often referred to as Lamaism in regions such as Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan, and Tibet.
In the afternoon, after lunch, we will continue our tour with visits to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
You will be amazed by the numerous monuments surrounding Kathmandu Durbar Square. Among the fascinating sights are the house of the Living Goddess (Kumari Ghar), the fierce statue of Kal Bhairab, the red monkey god, and countless erotic carvings. The buildings here represent the greatest achievements of the Malla dynasty, a result of the intense rivalry between the three palaces of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
The Square is vibrant with life, featuring Kastamandap, a rest house constructed from the wood of a single tree, which is also the source of the Kathmandu Valley's name. Nearby, you can find large drums that were historically beaten to announce royal decrees. Every woodcarving, statue, and architectural detail in this area is exceptionally fine, making Kathmandu Durbar Square one of the most important sites for travelers to visit.
The complex also includes the Tribhuvan Museum, which displays mementos from various Shah Kings. Other notable locations within the square are the Akash Bhairab Temple, Hanuman Dhoka, the Temple of Kumari, and Kastha-Mandap.
Swayambhunath Temple
After a brief drive from the suburbs of Kathmandu, you will arrive at the ancient Swayambhunath Temple, often referred to as the Monkey Temple by foreigners. Believed to be 2,500 years old, it stands as one of the world's oldest Buddhist Chaityas.
The Great Stupa of Swayambhunath is a symbol of Nepal's heritage and faith. It is recognized as a World Heritage Site, serving as a spiritual center for devotees of Vajrayana Buddhism, specifically honoring Lord Adi-Buddha. The stupa is dedicated to the self-originating flame of God.
The main stupa features a solid hemisphere constructed from terra-cotta bricks and soil, topped with a cornice of copper and gilt. Painted on each side of the spiral base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha, which watch over the valley and distinguish between vice and virtue. Swayambhunath is located approximately two miles west of Kathmandu, across the holy Bishnumati River.
This stupa is situated atop a hill that rises about 500 feet above the valley floor. The entire hill is adorned with numerous small Chaityas and pagoda temples, showcasing five significant Mahayana (Lamaism) temples and one Hinayana (Theravada) temple. One noteworthy shrine on the hill is dedicated to Manjushree, the Chinese Buddha representing knowledge. The cultural day tour of Kathmandu concludes with a short drive back to your hotel.
Monument Fees for the Kathmandu Tour
The following monument fees are required for the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu:
- Boudhanath Stupa: $3.50
- Pashupatinath Temple: $8.50
- Kathmandu Durbar Square: $11.00
- Monkey Temple: $1.50
- Bhaktapur City: $12.50
- Patan City: $9.20
These fees are charged on a per-person basis and are quoted in USD. Please note that these amounts may vary based on the daily exchange rate of USD to Nepalese Rupees.
