Kathmandu Heritage – 3 Days
Explore Tours
Explore Kathmandu’s Heritage: Ancient Palaces and Pagoda Temples
Country: Nepal
Duration: 3 Days
Difficulty: Easy
Activity: Cultural Tour & Sightseeing
Max. Altitude: 1,400 m / 4,593 ft
Best Season: Jan-Jun, Sep-Dec
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Included
Start/End Point: Kathmandu
Trip Highlights:
- Wander through the historical sites of Kathmandu and Patan.
- Immerse yourself in Newari culture.
- Explore medieval palaces, museums, and religious sites (Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas).
- Visit the iconic Monkey Temple.
- Enjoy a complimentary farewell dinner on the last day.
Trip Overview:
Embark on an inspiring journey through Kathmandu’s rich heritage, where ancient palaces and sacred sites await your discovery. This three-day Kathmandu heritage tour is a gateway to Nepal’s cultural treasures, a must for every traveler seeking to unravel the city’s essence.
Begin your adventure at Kathmandu Durbar Square, where history whispers through regal architecture, offering a glimpse into the lives of Nepal’s past rulers. Ascend to Swoyambhunath, the ‘Monkey Temple,’ where panoramic city vistas mirror the grandeur of both nature and human ingenuity.
The colossal stupa of Boudhanath will humble you with its serene aura and rhythmic Buddhist chants. Venture to Patan’s Durbar Square, a masterpiece of Newar craftsmanship and a living testament to the city’s artistic heritage.
Experience spiritual reverence at Pashupatinath, where ancient rituals blend with modern devotion along the sacred riverbanks. Throughout your journey, a knowledgeable guide will illuminate each site’s significance, while a private tourist vehicle ensures your comfort.
Rest in 2 or 3-star hotels, savoring tranquility as you reflect on the day’s marvels. The adventure culminates with the chance to collect authentic souvenirs – intricate carpets, exquisite handicrafts, and captivating Thankas – tokens of Nepal’s soul.
Embrace the allure of Kathmandu’s heritage as you wander through history’s corridors. Let the splendor of Durbar Square, the serenity of Swoyambhunath, the charm of Patan, the devotion of Pashupatinath, and the grandeur of Boudhanath etch an unforgettable chapter in your journey. This is more than a tour; it’s an odyssey into Nepal’s timeless spirit.
Included/Exclude
- All (international and domestic) airport transfers on a tourist vehicle
- Twin-sharing accommodation in a 3-star hotel for 2 nights in Kathmandu including breakfast (Private room accommodation can be organized at an extra cost)
- All ground transportation by private tourist vehicle
- Guided city tour in Kathmandu valley by a private tourist vehicle
- All Himalayan Trek and Expedition licensed English-speaking guide
- The required number of ground staff during the tour like Driver, Helpers etc.
- Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance, and medications for all staff
- Entry permits and fees for all temples, parks, monasteries, and cultural and historical sites.
- A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- All administrative expenses and government taxes
- International flight fare and airport departure tax
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu – about USD 15 to USD 20 per person per day
- Any beverages including bottled and boiled water
- Tips for hostess and driver. (Tipping is expected).
- Nepal Entry Visa (Visa can be acquired easily after your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a fee of USD 50 for 30 days visa and USD 125 for 90 days visa)
- Your travel insurance.
- Any expenses other than the Price Include section
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Our airport representative will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International Airport. You will be then transferred to your respective hotel in our private tourist vehicle.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th- century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also three museums inside the palace building.
Swoyambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple
Watches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swoyambhu is also known as Samhengu and the Monkey temple because of the countless monkeys living in the premises.
Patan City
Patan is an old Newar city where we will see the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Taleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabir (the golden temple), Mahabouddha with views of old carved wooden windows through the streets, curios shop and Bazaars.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world and lies 5 kms east of the city center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred Linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple’s existence prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati River flowing beside the temple.
Boudhanath
Later visit Boudhanath, the 2500 years old Buddhist stupa in the Valley built in 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.
In the evening, we host a farewell dinner in a fine restaurant. (Your guide(s) and an office staff will accompany you).
You have the option to extend your trip to continue onto Chitwan jungle safari, rafting adventure, Kathmandu valley shopping tour, scenic Everest flight, mountain biking and other activities.
Our Kathmandu heritage tour concludes – our airport representative will drop you at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.