Kathmandu Full Day Exploration

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, is an architectural masterpiece and a historical treasure located in the heart of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to Nepal's rich cultural heritage, spanning centuries of history and enchanting visitors with its stunning architecture, sacred temples, cultural festivals, and historical significance. As one enters Kathmandu Durbar Square, it's impossible not to be awestruck by the architectural grandeur that surrounds them. The square is a veritable treasure trove of Newar architecture, characterized by its intricate woodwork, exquisite carvings, and pagoda-style temples. The Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Kumari, the living goddess of Kathmandu, is a prime example of traditional Newar design. Its intricately carved windows and doors showcase the architectural finesse of the era. The Kumari herself occasionally appears at a window, bestowing blessings.

   2 h

2. Swoyambhunath is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Buddhists and Hindus. For Buddhists, it holds great importance as one of the holiest stupas, believed to house relics of the Buddha himself. Devotees circumambulate the stupa in a clockwise direction, turning prayer wheels and offering butter lamps and incense as acts of devotion. Hindus revere the stupa as well, believing it to be the embodiment of the Adi-Buddha or the primordial Buddha. They worship it as a form of Lord Shiva, and the temple complex also features a Hindu shrine dedicated to Harati. Swoyambhunath Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Nepal's cultural and religious diversity. It is a place where people from all walks of life come to find solace, seek blessings, and experience a deep connection with spirituality. During Buddha Jayanti, the celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, the stupa is adorned with colorful prayer flags and offerings.

   1 h

3. Boudhanath Stupa, also known as Boudha or Bouddhanath, is an iconic religious and cultural site located in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. This magnificent stupa is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage SiteHistorical and The stupa itself is a marvel of architecture and symbolism. Its massive dome, adorned with whitewashed paint and gilded spires, stands as a visual testament to Tibetan Buddhist aesthetics. At the top of the stupa is a grand pinnacle, known as the harmika, which is adorned with Buddha's all-seeing eyes on all four sides. These eyes symbolize the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, and the third eye in the center represents insight. A towering spire, known as the gajur, crowns the harmika, with 13 golden steps leading to a parasol at the top. These 13 tiers represent the path to enlightenment, each step signifying a stage on the journey to nirvana.

   2 h

4. Pashupatinath Temple, located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the most revered and sacred Hindu temples in the world. This ancient temple complex is not only a center of religious significance but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts pilgrims, tourists, and spiritual seekers from across the globe. Pashupatinath Temple has a rich history that dates back over 2,000 years. It is believed to have been built in the 5th century during the reign of the Lichchhavi king Supuspa Deva. The temple's name is derived from the Hindu god Shiva, particularly in his form as Pashupati, which means "Lord of Animals." Shiva is the principal deity worshipped here. The Bagmati River, which flows beside the temple, is considered sacred by Hindus, and many cremation ghats (funeral pyres) are located along its banks. The tradition of cremating the deceased at Pashupatinath and then scattering the ashes in the holy river continues to this day.

   2 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 7 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Kathmandu

• Its from-price is 82% below the median of the 2812 experiences we list in Kathmandu.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 713 of 2812.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Kathmandu

Kathmandu is Nepal's ancient, colourful capital, a valley city of temples, stupas and royal squares and the gateway to the Himalaya.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal square, is crowded with pagoda-roofed temples and palaces, and nearby lives the Kumari, the city's living child goddess. Thamel, the travellers' quarter, is a tangle of lanes selling trekking gear, prayer flags and handicrafts, busy with cafés and rooftop restaurants.

Top-ranked sights in Kathmandu: Namche Bazaar, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur).

See all 2812 experiences in Kathmandu