Kathmandu City Tour
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duration 3 days
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from usd 180 All inclusive
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difficulty Easy ⓘ
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best season Jan-Jun, Sep-Dec
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activity UNESCO World Heritage Sites visits, ancient temple exploration, cultural interactions
Trip overview
Three days is enough to see Kathmandu properly, if you know where to go and in what order.
This tour was built for travellers with limited time: a stopover before a trek, a standalone city break, or a first taste of Nepal before you come back for more. In 3 days, you cover the key UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley: the royal palace squares of Kathmandu and Patan, the great Buddhist stupas at Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, and the sacred Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath.
You get a private vehicle and a government-licensed cultural guide throughout. No fixed departure dates, you pick your own start day. And because this is Kathmandu, not a remote mountain village, the logistics stay simple: airport pickup on day one, departure on day three.
This tour is right for you if:
- You have 2 to 3 days in Kathmandu between flights or before a trek
- You’re visiting Nepal for the first time and want cultural context before heading into the mountains
- You want a private, guided experience rather than a shared group tour
Have more time? The Kathmandu Cultural Tour (6 days) adds Bhaktapur’s medieval streets, Nagarkot sunrise, and a proper half-day in Patan without the clock ticking
Your Day by Day
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day 01Arrival and Kathmandu Durbar Square
Your guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Thamel. Once you have checked in and had time to freshen up, you head to Kathmandu Durbar Square, about 10 minutes from most Thamel hotels.
This is the former royal palace complex and the best introduction to the city. Your guide walks you through 500 years of Malla and Shah dynasty history, points out Kumari Ghar where the living goddess of Kathmandu still resides, and explains the temple carvings that most visitors walk past without understanding. The square is at its best in the late afternoon when the light softens and the crowds thin.
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel
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day 02Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath
An early start. Swayambhunath sits on a wooded hill above the city and the views across the Kathmandu Valley are best before the haze builds. Your guide covers the symbolism of the all-seeing Buddha eyes painted on the tower, the rows of prayer wheels, and why this hilltop has been a pilgrimage site for over 2,500 years.
From there you drive to Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. The scale surprises most visitors. Your guide walks you around the outer kora, points out the Tibetan monasteries ringing the complex, and explains the difference between the two great stupas you have now seen in the same morning.
The afternoon is Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and one of the most important Shiva shrines in South Asia. Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner sanctum, but the ghats along the Bagmati River and the surrounding shrines are worth 90 minutes of your time. Arrive in the late afternoon and you will catch the light on the river and the activity that builds ahead of evening prayers.
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meal: Breakfast
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day 03Patan, then Departure
Patan Durbar Square is a 20-minute drive south and worth its own morning. The square is quieter than Kathmandu, the Newari architecture is better preserved, and the Patan Museum inside the old palace is one of the finest collections of Himalayan bronze art in the world. Your guide covers the main temples, the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar monastery, and the craftsmen’s courtyards tucked behind the square.
From Patan it is a straightforward drive to Tribhuvan International Airport.
Want more time? The Kathmandu Cultural Tour (6 days) picks up from Patan and continues to Bhaktapur, Nepal’s best-preserved medieval city, and Changunarayan, the valley’s oldest temple.
- Meal: Breakfast
What's Included
- Three star Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis with breakfast
- Airport pickup and drop-off transfers
- Private vehicle transportation for all heritage site visits
- Professional English-speaking cultural guide with expertise in Nepalese history and architecture
- All UNESCO World Heritage Site entrance fees and permits
- Traditional cultural experiences and temple visits
- All government taxes and official expenses throughout the trip
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Nepal visa fee (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, payable on arrival at Kathmandu airport)
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Personal expenses
Where You'll Stay
Kathmandu Hotels
Standard accommodation includes three-star hotels in Kathmandu with modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and daily breakfast. All rooms are available on both twin-sharing and single occupancy basis.
Accommodation Options:
- Standard: Three-star hotel accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and breakfast
- Upgrade Available: Four-star and five-star hotel options available upon request for enhanced comfort and luxury
- Room Types: Both twin-sharing and single room accommodations available to suit individual preferences
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is this a private tour or a group tour?This is a fully private tour. You travel with your own guide and vehicle throughout. You will not be joined by other travellers, and the pace of each day is set by you.
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Are entrance fees included in the price?Yes. Entrance fees to all heritage sites on the itinerary are included in the tour price. There are no extra admission charges on the day.
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What is the difficulty level?Easy. The tour involves light walking around temple complexes and open squares. There is no hiking, no altitude gain, and no physical preparation required. If you are comfortable walking for 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace, you will have no difficulty.
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How much walking is involved during the heritage tour?The tour involves moderate walking for 2-4 hours daily across uneven stone pathways, stairs, and courtyards. Most sites are accessible, but some temple areas require climbing steps. Basic walking ability is sufficient as the pace is leisurely with frequent stops.
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Where does the tour start and end?The tour starts and ends at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Your guide meets you on arrival and transfers you back to the airport on your departure day.
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Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Bring one passport photo and payment in cash: USD 30 for a 15-day visa or USD 50 for 30 days. Check the current entry requirements for your nationality before you travel.
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What accommodation is provided?The tour includes 2 nights in Thamel, Kathmandu, with breakfast included. Thamel is the main traveller neighbourhood and a convenient base for all the sites on this itinerary.
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Can I extend this tour?Yes. The Kathmandu Cultural Tour (6 days) continues from where this itinerary ends. It adds Bhaktapur, Changunarayan, Nagarkot, and a full day in the Kathmandu Valley, covering all seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region.
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Is travel insurance required?Yes. Travel insurance is required for all tours. Your policy should cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation.
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What meals are included?Breakfast is included each morning at your hotel. Lunches, dinners, and any other meals are not included in the tour price and are at your own expense.
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Can I customise the itinerary?Yes. If you want to spend more time at a particular site, swap in an additional stop, or adjust the daily order, speak with us when you book. We run private tours specifically so we can adapt to what you want.
Good to Know
Difficulty
Easy. This is a city and valley tour with no hiking involved. You will walk around temple complexes and open squares, but nothing requires fitness preparation. If you can walk comfortably for 2 to 3 hours at a relaxed pace, you will be fine.
Best Time to Visit
October and November are the best months. The monsoon has cleared, the Himalayan views are sharp, and Kathmandu is in festival season. March and April are a close second: spring temperatures are comfortable and the valley is green.
Avoid June through September if possible. The monsoon brings haze, intermittent rain, and reduced visibility. December and January are fine for sightseeing but mornings are cold.
Visa
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Bring a passport photo and payment in cash (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days). Check the current requirements for your nationality before you travel, as processing times and fees can change.
Group Size
This is a private tour. You travel with your own guide and vehicle throughout, not as part of a group.
Start and End Point
The tour starts and ends at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
Packing Checklist
Clothing:
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for heritage site exploration
- Modest, respectful clothing for temple visits (long pants, covered shoulders)
- Light layers for varying temperatures throughout the day
- Warm jacket for early morning and evening activities
- Comfortable casual wear for hotel evenings
Footwear:
- Comfortable walking shoes for extended heritage site visits
- Easy-to-remove shoes for temple entries
- Sandals for hotel and casual wear
Personal Items:
- Sun hat and sunglasses for outdoor heritage walks
- High SPF sunscreen and lip balm
- Small backpack or daypack for carrying essentials during site visits
- Scarf or shawl for temple entry requirements
Camera/Electronics:
- Camera with extra batteries and memory cards for heritage photography
- Portable charger or power bank
- Universal adapter for charging devices
Health/Safety Items:
- Personal first aid kit with basic medications
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Copies of passport and important documents
- Travel insurance documents
- Cash for shopping and tips at heritage sites
We give you the power to choose the departure date that suits your group best. A private trip is a perfect solution if you can’t find a published departure date that you and your companions agree on. You can set up a private departure for most of the trips we offer.
| Travellers | PRICING FROM (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 240 |
| 2-3 | 180 |
| 4-5 | 160 |
We never force our customers to follow our set itinerary. You can customize your itinerary exactly the way you want. Please share with us your ideas.
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