Kathmandu City Tour
●●●●● 4.9 · 60+ TripAdvisor reviewsA full day with a private guide at four of Kathmandu's UNESCO sites. Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath with hotel pickup and drop-off. The easy way to see the city before or after your trek.
Friends paying separately still get the group price.
On the Trip
What It Really Looks Like
Kathmandu City Tour: What to Expect
Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in one day
A licensed guide who explains what you are seeing at every stop
No queues at ticket counters. Your guide sorts it all out
We collect you from any hotel in Kathmandu and drop you back in the evening
This Kathmandu city tour shows you four of the valley’s UNESCO World Heritage sites in one full day. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the morning and takes you to Swayambhunath on its hill above the city. Then you walk through the old royal palace square at Kathmandu Durbar Square. After lunch you visit Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River and end the day at Boudhanath as locals walk around the great stupa.
It is the easiest way to see Kathmandu if you only have one free day. Many of our guests book it before or after a trek. You travel in a private car with your own licensed guide. Entry tickets are included so you never wait at a counter. The walking is easy and you set the pace.
What you will see and do:
- Swayambhunath stupa and its views over the whole valley
- The palace courtyards and temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square
- The home of the Kumari, the living goddess of Kathmandu
- Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal
- Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, at dusk
Have more time? The Kathmandu Cultural Tour covers all seven UNESCO sites in 6 days with a night at Nagarkot. The Kathmandu and Pokhara Tour adds the lakes and mountains of Pokhara in 7 days.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Kathmandu Heritage Day
Your guide picks you up at 8:30am. Start at Swayambhunath before the tour groups arrive and look out over the whole valley. Then walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square and the old palace courtyards. Stop for lunch at a local place your guide trusts. In the afternoon visit Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River, then finish at Boudhanath as the light fades. You are back at your hotel by about 6pm.
3D Route Map
Includes & Excludes
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Hotel pickup and drop-off Any hotel in Kathmandu. Pickup at 8:30am
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Private car and driver For the whole day
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Licensed English-speaking guide With you at every stop
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Entry fees Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath
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Lunch Budget $6 to $12 per person
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Drinks and snacks
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Tips for guide and driver Up to you
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Hotel and airport transfers Ask us if you need either
Add to Your Trip
What Our Trekkers Say
“A great introduction to Kathmandu”
We booked the Kathmandu City Tour for our first day in Nepal, and it was a great decision. Our guide showed us the main cultural sites but also explained the stories and history behind them, which made the visit far more interesting. A relaxed, well-organized day, and MountainKick were very…
“Fascinating day in Kathmandu”
There were three of us, and we really enjoyed the tour. The temples, old streets, and heritage sites were beautiful, but having a local guide made the experience much more meaningful. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to look around and take photos, a lovely way to…
“Excellent cultural tour”
Our family of four had a wonderful day exploring Kathmandu. The guide was knowledgeable and patient with our children, and explained everything in a simple and interesting way. We especially enjoyed the contrast between the historic sites and modern Kathmandu, MountainKick handled the tour very professionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much walking is there?
Not much. You walk around each site at an easy pace and the car takes you between them. The 365 steps up to Swayambhunath are the only climb and you can take them slowly. There is also a road to the top if you would rather skip the stairs.
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You take your shoes off at some temples so slip-ons are handy. Bring a hat and water in the warmer months and a light jacket from November to February.
Is it respectful to take photos at Pashupatinath?
You can take photos of the temple area and the river from the far bank. Cremations take place at Pashupatinath every day. Your guide will tell you where it is fine to take pictures and when to put the camera away. Only Hindus can enter the main temple itself.
Will I see the Kumari?
Maybe. The Kumari is a young girl worshipped as a living goddess. She lives in a palace in Kathmandu Durbar Square and sometimes appears at her window. It is never guaranteed and photos of her are not allowed. Your guide will tell you her story either way.
Can I do this tour before or after a trek?
Yes, that is when most people book it. It works well on your first full day in Nepal or on a spare day after you come back from the mountains. Tell us your trek dates and we will fit it in.
Can I change the sites we visit?
Yes. It is a private tour so you can swap a site for Patan or Bhaktapur, or spend longer at one place. Bhaktapur is further away so it may add an hour to the day. Tell us when you book.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Kids usually love the monkeys at Swayambhunath and the prayer wheels at Boudhanath. The day is long so we plan breaks for snacks and rest. Tell us their ages and we will set the pace.
What if I want to see more of the valley?
Take the Kathmandu Cultural Tour. It covers all seven UNESCO sites over 6 days with Patan, Bhaktapur, a night at Nagarkot and an easy walk to Changunarayan.
Departure Dates & Pricing
No upcoming fixed departures are scheduled at the moment. Contact us to arrange a private departure on dates that suit you.
Your dates, your group, your way
Same route and guides, just your group. Tell us when you'd like to go and how many of you there are, and we'll send you a day by day plan with a price.
- Nothing to pay now
- Plan and price by email
- Confirm with a 20% deposit
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20% deposit: due on booking Secures your place on the departure. The deposit is non-refundable. We also need a copy of your passport.
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80% balance: due on arrival Pay the rest in Kathmandu before the trip starts. Bank transfer, cash, or card (4% card fee).
| Cancel before you arrive | Deposit not refunded, nothing more to pay |
| Cancel after the pre-trip meeting | No refund |
| Date or name change | USD 200 per person |
| MountainKick cancels trip | Full refund or reschedule |
Weather delays and extra days cost extra, so travel insurance is required. We give you documents for any claim.
Read the full terms and conditionsKathmandu City Tour
Talk to Kumar and the team before you commit. Ask about pace, hotels, a private group or adding extra days.
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