Good Karma TrekkingOnce upon a time in Kathmandu

Destination
Nepal
Region
kathmandu
Group Size
1-30 Pax ( single supplement USD 50)
Best Season
All season
Transportation
Private Transfer as per the group size

A day trip to five of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour. Because of their historical, religious, and cultural significance, the majority of the sightseeing tour’s stops are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Four such locales visited during Kathmandu Touring Visit are Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath ‘Monkey Sanctuary’, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Every one of them has its own engineering, strict and verifiable worth form in the past by Rulers and some of them being Buddhist stupas and sacrosanct Hindu sanctuaries.

Outline Itinerary

Day01: Kathmandu Day Tour that includes Five world Heritage sights in the Heart of Nepal Capital Kathmandu

Cost Includes

A Car
A Driver with All parking fees.
A tour Guide. English Speaking
Bottle of Mineral Water
Pick from the Hotel and Drop ( City center only )

Cost does not Include

Entry fee for the temple and monastery.
All meals and Snacks.
Tips for driver and Guide

Swoyambhu Mahachaitya

Swyambhu is 3 km away from the West of Kathmandu. The ancient tale has it that thousands of years ago Swayambhunath was an island. Later a stupa was built. King Manadeva contributed to the making of the stupa in 460. After the invasions by the Mughals, it was distorted and had to undergo renovation in the 14th century. King Pratap Malla in the 17th century further enhanced the architecture. And also added a stairway to get to the stupa. At present, the stupa is a solid hemisphere of brick and clay, supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. And has Lord Buddha’s eyes adorned on all four sides of the spire base? Further, Buddhists regard it as the holiest place. Swayambhunath also offers a majestic view of the entire Kathmandu valley.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan is bounded by 4 stupas built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC as recorded in history. As, Patan is also called Lalitpur. There are several legends attached to the origin of the term, Lalitpur. One such legend says that in ancient times Kathmandu was engulfed with severe drought and three people were assigned to summon God Red Machhendranath from Kamaru Kamachhya, a place in Assam, India, into the valley for rainfalls. Among the three people, one was a farmer named Lalit who was believed to have contributed more. When the rain finally poured into the valley, people as a sign of gratitude Sanskritized the valley after his name and the term ‘pur’ meaning township, and was finally named Lalitpur. Similarly, Another tale boasts that the valley was named after king Yalamber.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the four most important religious sites in Asia for devotees of Shiva. Built in the 1st or 2nd century and later renovated by Malla kings, the site itself is said to have existed from the beginning of the millennium when a Shiva lingam was discovered here.

The largest temple complex in Nepal, it stretches on both sides of the Bagmati River which is considered holy by Hindus. The main pagoda-style temple has a gilded roof, and four sides covered in silver, and wood carvings of the finest quality. Further, Temples dedicated to several other Hindu and Buddhist deities surround the temple of Pashupatinath.

Bouddhanath stupa

Bouddhanath stupa is an ancient stupa regarded as one of the world’s biggest stupas and has been built on a stepped octagonal base and inset with alcoves representing Buddha and his teachings. After the Chinese invasion in 1959, Tibetans in thousands came to this famous Buddhist Chaitya and energized the stupa. The stupa is surrounded by various temples or ‘gompas’.

The atmosphere of the whole place lightens up with zest as the fragrance of incense drifts through the air. The chanting of monks and the creaking of prayer wheels can be heard while strolling around the base. It is one of the prime sites for pilgrims and tourists in the country.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

The mysterious tales that surround Katmandu Durbar Square along with its preserved art and architecture, history, and culture are noteworthy. The historic palace of Kathmandu is named after the Hindu monkey God, Hanuman. The crowning ceremony of the Kings of Nepal used to be conducted in the courtyard inside the palace. The statue of King Pratap Mall sitting on the stone pillar can be seen at the front along with the Jagannath temple which dates back to the medieval period. Within walking distance, you will find the temple of Taleju from 1549 AD, the large stone statue of Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, the Big Bell and Big Drum, and Hindu Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati peeping from the window. Visit the residence of the living Goddess Kumari, a virgin girl selected from a Buddhist family to act as a deity. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. Kasthamandap temple, just by its side is believed to be built from a single tree trunk. The name Katmandu is derived from this temple.

Interesting things to see in Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Kumari (The Living Goddess):
At the West end of the square, is a beautiful house decorated with a woodcarving of different Gods and Goddesses. This Palace is three storied and houses the famous living Goddess Kumari. Both Hindus and Buddhists equally venerate her. For Hindus, she is the reincarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali. She is equally worshiped by Buddhists because she is chosen from a Buddhist family.

Kastha Mandap:
Kashamandap locally known as Maru Sattal is another popular temple in Kathmandu Durbar Square. It is believed that the name of Kathmandu City is derived from the name of this temple. Kastha means wood and Mandap means pavilion. The temple is believed to be built from a single Sal (sorea robusta) tree. At the center of this temple, one can see the statue of the Hindu God Gorakhnath and in the four corners of the temple, one can see Ganesh Statues.

Ganesh Temple:
Small yet most visited, the Maru Ganesh is the busiest in Durbar Square. People of Kathmandu valley believe that the four Ganesh in four corners of Kathmandu valley protects the people living in Kathmandu. The worship of Ganesh is considered to bring a Lucky Charm if you are starting something new. Every day people go to worship this temple and on Tuesdays, one can see a long queue of people waiting for hours as this is the day considered the day of worship for Lord Ganesh.

Other interesting things to see here are Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old palace, Saraswoti temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Tal.

Detail Itinerary

Day01: Kathmandu Day Tour that includes Five world Heritage sights in the Heart of Nepal Capital Kathmandu

Kathmandu day tour Itinerary We have listed out the detailed itinerary on how you will be traveling in this Kathmandu valley day tour. This itinerary gives you proper details and insight on the Kathmandu full day tour. To know more read further below: 8:30 AM Drive from Hotel to Swayambhunath This 1 day city tour Kathmandu lets you enjoy the true colors of this beautiful city. You will be visiting many places this day. And the roads are quite busy during the first hour so your Kathmandu day tour begins early. After waking up, you freshen up and have your breakfast. Your guide will arrive at the hotel at sharp 8 AM. So be ready and don’t forget your cameras and phones. Boarding the tourist bus, you head towards your first destination of Kathmandu 1 day tour. During this hour, the roads are less crowded so there aren’t many traffic jams. Enjoying the company of the outside views you will arrive at Swayambhunath without much hassle. Swayambhunath is also known as the monkey temple. This ancient complex resides on top of a hill on the west side of the city. This is one of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu. It has a stupa and a variety of small shrines surrounding it that dates back to the Licchavi period. The stupa is painted with the Buddha’s eyes, nose, and eyebrows each in the four directions. There are two access points to reach the stupa. One is the long staircase on the east side of the stupa and the other is the roadways around the hill on the south from the stupa. You will be using the road that leads you to the south-west entrance. Besides, this place is quite popular among tourists as well as locals. From the top of this hill, you get a panoramic view of the beautiful city. Usually, this place is very crowded during the early morning and evening. Many locals who reside in this area step out for morning and evening walks. But don’t worry you will have the opportunity to enjoy the views without much disturbance. 10:30 Drive from Swayambhunath to Boudhanath After having a wonderful time, you now head towards the second destination of the 1 day city tour Kathmandu. During this hour, there is a high possibility of traffic jams in the routes. So, you might reach your destination later than at the usual time. During these jams, you can look out the window and see the busy and noisy streets. After about an hour’s drive, you arrive at your destination Boudhanath stupa. Boudhanath stupa also known as Boudha is a sacred place for Tibetan and followers of Tibetan Buddhism. This stupa is located about 11 km from the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu. It is a massive mandala making it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal. This stupa lies on the trials of the ancient trade route from Tibet to Kathmandu via the Sankhu village. This is one of the most visited attraction sites of the Kathmandu valley. They charge an entry fee for tourists. The stupa is surrounded by various houses that have shops and restaurants in it. As you enter through the gate, you get a satisfactory feeling of peace. You can hear the holy chants being played by shops. If you like you can buy souvenirs for your loved ones from any of the shops here. The ground and first floor are accessible for walking so you can roam around the sidewalks. After roaming, you have your breakfast while enjoying the marvelous view from the rooftop. 12:30 :Drive from Boudhanath to Pashupatinath After a healthy breakfast, you head towards your next Kathmandu 1 day tour destination; Pashupatinath. This site is not very far from Bouddha, it takes about half an hour drive from there. Retracing the road till Chabahil, you take a left turn and head towards the site. The roads are bumpy and dusty in some parts so don’t forget to carry a mask or scarf. Pashupatinath is a sacred Hindu temple and one of the UNESCO heritage sites as well. This temple lies about 5 km away from the eastern valley on the banks of the Bagmati river. The main temple is surrounded by several collections of temples inside and ashrams on the outside. The main temple is the holy shrine of Lord Shiva. This temple is mostly visited by the Shiva devotees. This site is always crowded with devotees. You are not allowed to wear shoes and click pictures inside the main temple. However, there is no restriction outside the main gate. The main temple has a pagoda-style architecture with four doors in each direction. And a big bronze statue of Nandi lies in front of the western door. There are a total of 518 temples and monuments on this ground. One of the major attractions of this place is their evening arati that is held every day at the same time. People gather around the temple to view the arati held on the opposite side. 2:30 PM Drive from Pashupatinath to Patan After learning a few things about the religious places, you head towards the next destination of Kathmandu full day tour. The next site is a bit far from this place so, relax and enjoy the view. You will be heading towards Patan that lies in another district which is Lalitpur. The bridge over the Bagmati river separates these two districts. It is located in the south-central part of the valley. Patan is mostly inhabited by the Newari people. This is the third-largest city in Nepal. It is well known for its cultural heritage, traditions, monuments, arts, and crafts. Patan Durbar Square is the major attraction of this place situated in the center of this district. This is a historical landmark and one of the three durbar squares. This square was once the royal palace of the Malla kings. It showcases the wonderful architecture of the Newari artists. All the main temples are aligned opposite the western palace. Some of the important buildings are Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, Taleju Bhawani Temple, and Vishwanath Temple. During the evenings, the locals gather around these temples to watch arati and have fresh air. About 10 to 15 minutes from here lies Pimbahal Pokhari. You can visit here as well. 4:30 Drive from Patan to Kathmandu Durbar Square Now you drive towards the last destination of your Kathmandu Valley day tour. You will now be traveling to Kathmandu Durbar Square. It takes about half an hour to 1 hour to reach this place from Patan. There is a high possibility of traffic jams during the evening time. So you can arrive later than the expected time. On your way to Durbar square, you will be passing the national stadium. Kathmandu Durbar Square is also as widely popular as Basantapur Durbar Square. Likewise, this square was also once the royal palace of the Malla and Shah kings. In sum, marvelous architecture surrounds the square that showcases the skills of the Newari people. There are several temples near this square. One of them is the Kumari temple, home of the living goddess. Another is Kasthamandap, a three-storied temple, and shelter made from a single tree. Nowadays, this place has been a major attraction for both tourists and locals. One of the palaces is being used as a museum that shows the history of the kings and queens. During the evening, people gather around this square for walks and to view around. There are several restaurants and cafes around this area. You have your lunch in one of the places. 6PM Drive back to Hotel After a wonderful time, your 1 day tour in Kathmandu has now come to its end. You will be returning back to your hotel from Durbar square. We hope you got to experience the culture and tradition closely. And learned a few things about the history of Kathmandu. We hope this Kathmandu day tour meet your expectations and you had fun on this tour.