Old Kathmandu Cultural Walk
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
This walking tour gives you deeper insight into the medieval culture and architecture of the Indian subcontinent that survived untouched in the valley of Kathmandu to date. We will discover the tranquil, hidden courtyards in the back streets of bustling Kathmandu, which shelter the gems of Newari Buddhist monasteries, temples, stupas, pavilion and shrunken water spouts having its own untold stories. The tour is not only about monuments, but it is also the best opportunity to encounter locals at their cultural practices, riuals and festival celebrations. This is a great transit tour that will give you a glimpse of Nepalese culture, history, and spiritual practices before heading to the mountains. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a spiritual person, just curious about the local culture, or looking to use your few hours in Kathmandu, this guided walking tour provides a brilliant opportunity.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
Itinerary
The 17th-century Kathesimbhu Stupa is one of the important pilgrimage sites in old Kathmandu. The stupa, stone Chaitye, and the Chi: Bahal, the Newari monastery in the hidden quadrangle reflects a perfect city planning based on a Vastu Shastra, the ancient science of architecture.
Walk past the lane with dental clinics to the 'God of Toothache'. Vaisha Dev (or Waa Shya Dya) is the Newar "God of Toothache" located at Bangemudha in Kilagal, Kathmandu. The shrine, a gnarled, ancient, nail-studded wooden stump, is visited by people with toothaches who nail coins onto it to transfer their pain to the deity.
The temple of Annapurna is located in the center of Ason market. Annapurna is a goddess representing bountiful grains. Annapurna Ajima is worshipped by both Buddhists and Hinuds considering her as the divine guardian of their livelihoods and prosperity. Devotees, especially traders, offer prayers daily seeking her blessings for bountiful business, family well-being, and freedom from hunger. The temple is a focal point for vibrant daily rituals (aartis), especially during the early morning and evening.
Jana Bahal or Machindra Bahal is one of the Buddhist Bahal (Newari Monastery), which has a full-fledged multistoried Hindu-style temple in the middle of the courtyard. The temple is worshipped as the Seto Machindranath and is also known as Janabaha Dyo, Aryavalokitesvara, and Karunamaya. Worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists, the god is also known as god of rain.
Freak Street is a historic street just south of Kathmandu Durbar Square, which was famous as the hub of the 1960s-70s hippie trail. Once renowned for government-run cannabis shops, it is now a quieter, nostalgic atmosphere with local cafes, tattoo parlors, and guest houses.
Itum Bahal is one of the largest and oldest monasteries, dating back to the 11th century. The temple complex of Itum Bahal is famous for the White Tara, Mahashanta Shweta Tara “The Great White Tara Who Turned the Wheel of Dharma”. She is famous as the Talking Tara.
Believed to be established in the 9th century, the Naradevi temple is famous for occult Tantric rituals. The goddess Swetakali of the temple received human sacrifice until 1950. The neighborhood is inhabited by famous Ayurvedic doctors' families and is full of Ayurvedic pharmacies and clinics.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
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Ratings come from 1 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
- Meeting point
- Ask the reception or just wait in the lobby. Your guide / represent will meet you there.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- iTour Nepal Private Day Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Kathmandu
- Its from-price is 94% below the median of the 2812 experiences we list in Kathmandu.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 1481 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).
Special offers in Kathmandu
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
