Things to do in

Patan

See the sights of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal on a 6-hour tour of an area that covers 218 square miles (350 kilometers). Kathmandu Valley contains 3 fabulous cities of great historic, religious, and cultural interest: Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan (Lalitpur), and Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur). The Kathmandu Valley has often been described as an open-air art gallery with thousands of sacred shrines in brick, stone, metal, and wood scattered throughout it. On your tour, you will not be able to see the entire valley, but you will be taken to some of the most important and monumental sites. Many of these are squares or temples that are also designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu Durbar Square This square is home to a house full of woodcarvings of different gods and goddesses. In this 3-story palace you will also find the living Goddess Kumari. Both Hindus and Buddhists venerate her, and she serves as an illustration of the harmony between the Hindu and Buddhist people. One of the popular temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square is Kashamandap, locally known as Maru Sattal. It is believed that the name of Kathmandu City is derived from the name of this temple, and it is said that this temple is built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree. At the center of this temple, one can see the statue of a Hindu god Gorakhnath and in the 4 corners of the temple one can see Ganesh statues. The most visited temple of Kathmandu is Maru Ganesh. The people of Kathmandu Valley believe that the 4 Ganesh statues in the 4 corners of Kathmandu Valley protect the people living in Kathmandu. Every day people go to worship this temple, and especially on Tuesdays, you can see a long line of people waiting for hours to worship. Other interesting things to see here are Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old Palace, Saraswoti Temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big Drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Tal. Swayambhunath/Monkey Temple Swayambhunath / Monkey Temple is a 2,500-year-old Stupa situated overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Its name comes from the holy monkey living in part of the complex. The painted eyes on 4 sides symbolize the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, and the site is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath is a temple of Lord Shiva and the most sacred of the 275 Shiva temples worldwide. It is also the oldest temple in Kathmandu. The Bagmati River runs alongside the temple, and is the site not only of pilgrims who bathe in the river, but also contains a special area where members of the royal family are cremated. Boudhanath Stupa Boudhanath Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the biggest in the world. It is the most important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come here by the thousands during the winter festival to pay their respect. Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square is home to the former Patan Royal Family. The most photographed of Kathmandu’s 3 Durbar Squares, it features a remarkable display of Newari architecture. Its main attractions include the Krishna Temple, with its 21 golden pinnacles, Rudra Varna Mahavihar, a Buddhist Monastery that houses local treasures, and the central courtyard of Mul Chowk.

Get picked up from your hotel in Kathmandu and head straight to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Explore this incredibly diverse and historic city with your expert guide and take some time to marvel at the breathtaking Newari architecture of the Kumari Temple and Taleju Bhawani Temple. Then travel 13 kilometers east to the city of Bhaktapur where you can see the world-famous Golden Gate of Bhaktapur for yourself. Wander through massive royal courtyards and admire some fine displays of craftsmanship in Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Finally, visit Patan, also known as the City of Beauty, and experience its unique Durbar Square where you can visit the museum famous for its traditional sacred Nepalese art pieces. Sample some traditional cuisine here and experience the hospitable nature of the locals. At the end of your tour, get dropped off back at your hotel just in time for dinner.

Patan and Bhaktapur were separate kingdoms in early times and are filled with age-old palaces, temples, shrines, monasteries, and courtyards. These two medieval cities boast otherworldly views and extensive historical centers, and are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Patan Durbar Square, the main attraction, comes equipped with a museum, palaces, Hindu temples, and ancient courtyards, whereas Bhaktapur, about 12 km from Kathmandu city, has retained its medieval spirit.   Within the centuries-old atmosphere of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, find Nyathapole Temple, Golden Gate, 55 Window Palace, and a fascinating museum. Enjoy a pleasant drive back to your accommodation.

Take a simple yet exciting full-day tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is brimming with ancient history and fascinating culture, and full of must-see sights on any visit to Nepal.   To start the day, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu or Patan (Lalitpur) and take you first to visit the oldest temple in Nepal, Swayambhunath. Here, you’ll spend about an hour exploring the ultimate pilgrimage site and get amazing views of the capital from the top of the hill. Then, drive to Patan, a city known for its cultural and artistic heritage. Visit some of the city’s temples and admire its ancient architecture before enjoying a lunch of local cuisine.   Next up is a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most famous and sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Take a spiritual swim in Bagmati River, thought to wash away all sins. Learn from your guide about Lord Shiva's importance to Hinduism here. Finally, calm your mind and soul by visiting the nearby peaceful Boudhanath stupa. Famous for its 4 pairs of eyes facing 4 directions, this shrine is thought to be eternally watching over the people and their doings. Explore the Boudhanath spinning prayer wheels and take beautiful pictures to remember this experience. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel at the end of the day.

Receive a wonderful introduction to the history, culture, and heritage of Nepal on a 5-day tour of the Kathmandu Valley. The tour is designed for those who want a more leisurely holiday with enough time to take in the rich cultural heritage Nepal provides. Start the tour with your arrival in Kathmandu with a meet and greet with your guide and transfer to your hotel. The next day, begin your sightseeing by taking the 8-mile drive outside of the city to Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa. Then, drive to Nagarkot - a village at the rim of the Kathmandu Valley with exceptional views of the Himalayas. Discover how Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by 7 groups of monuments and buildings: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and the Hindu temples Pashupati Nath and Changu Narayan.  On day 3, continue sightseeing in Nagarkot then head off to the ancient religious city of Kritipur. Return to Kathmandu in the evening. The next day, continue sightseeing in the city with another overnight stay. On the final day, check-out of your hotel where the tour will end.

Visit four of Kathmandu's top attractions on a private half-day tour. Start by traveling in your comfortable private vehicle from your hotel to the traditional heart of the medieval town. First, visit Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then watch the monkeys frolic around Swayambhunath temple. Next, take in the sacred prayer wheels and incense as you explore the Pashupatinath Temple and then Boudhanath stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal with roots going back to 600 AD. All along the way, hear informative commentary from your guide on a comprehensive tour of four unmissable sights in the city.

Day 1: On your first day you will arrive to Kathmandu, after which you will check-in to your hotel. You will then be free to explore the town at your own leisure, before spending the night in a 3-star hotel. Day 2: Your second day will consist of sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will explore Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar Square, and the Swayambhunath monkey temple. The square, situated in the heart of the city, consists of an enchanting assortment of palace buildings, artistic courtyards, and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks, named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. You will later spend the night in your 3-star hotel, with leisure time in the evening. Day 3: Following breakfast on the third day you will drive/fly to Lumbini. After arriving, you will check-in to the Hotel Peace Palace or similar. Day 4: Your fourth day will consist of Lumbini sightseeing, where you will discover an area that is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupendahi district of Nepal. It is sometimes claimed to be the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. Lumbini is one of 4 magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being in Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath. Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi Temple and others under construction. You will later spend the night once more at the Hotel Peace Palace or similar. Day 5: On your fifth day you will drive/fly back to Kathmandu, where you will overnight in a 3-star hotel. Day 6: Following breakfast at your hotel, you will have free time until your departure, at which point you will be transported in private for your departure at the airport.

On this 10-day Ghorepani Poonhill trek, explore the tourist hubs of Kathmandu and Pokhara, beautiful mountains, local eateries, ethnic villages, and experience the real beauty of Nepal. Receive constant guidance from trek guides and vast knowledge regarding every corner of the trek. Ghorepani Poonhill is one of the most exciting and enjoyable treks in Nepal. It is a relatively easy trek that’s focused on enjoying the environment and ethnic villages. The trek combines the beautiful scenery of the rhododendron forest and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The trek starts with an optional transfer from Tribhuvan International Airport to your accommodation in Kathmandu. After a brief stay in Kathmandu, the trip begins. During your stay in Kathmandu, visit several historical landmarks and cultural heritage sites. See UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Basantapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Visit the monkey temple (Swayambhunath) and the famous Buddhist stupa (Boudhanath). Later, the flight to Pokhara is filled with amazing sceneries of high mountains. Enjoy the sunrise from Poonhill, walk through the forest, and witness the warm hospitality of locals. Along the trek, enjoy the exquisite views of giant snowcapped summits like Dhaulagiri (8167 m) and Annapurna (8091 m) and get a chance to explore the local villages and be a part of the local culture. Full trek itinerary: Day 1: Arrival, pickup, and transfer to your hotel with orientation. Stay overnight. Day 2: Sightseeing and trek preparation day. Spend 4 hours sightseeing. Day 3: Drive to Charaudi and start a full day of rafting. Then, head to Pokhara. Day 4: Drive to Nayapul for approximately 1.5 hours. Start 6-hour trek at Ghandrung (1951 m). Day 5: Trek to Tadapani (2630 m) for 6 hours. After breakfast, trek up to Ghorepani. Day 6: Trek to Ghorepani (2926 m) for 6 hours. Day 7: Trek to Nayapul for 7 hours. Then, drive to Pokhara. Day 8: Full-day sightseeing tour of Pokhara Valley. Day 9: Fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu. Day 10: Free time until final departure. Get transferred back to Tribhuvan International Airport or your accommodation in Kathmandu.

After being collected from your hotel, you will begin your day exploring the beautiful city of Patan, which lies in the Lalitpur district. The best point to start your sightseeing is Patan Durbar Square, which includes the Royal Palaces. These are temples which depict the amazing skills of the area's ancestors. Bhimsen Temple is dedicated to Bhimsen, the god of trade and business, and from there you will explore the Vishwanath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Krishna Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. You will then explore the Golden Temple, a unique monastery which is a few minutes’ walk from Durbar Square. Your next destination will be Bhaktapur, which is the third-most major town in the valley and the best place to start sightseeing in Bhaktapur. It covers a larger area than the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu and Lalitpur, and is far less crowded. After this exploration you will encounter the Mahaboudha Temple and Rudra Varna Mahabihar, before you end your sightseeing for the day and drive back to Kathmandu.

Enjoy a complete package experience that combines a gorgeous sunrise viewing with a 4- to 5-hour hike through the mountains of Nagarkot to Dhulikhel. You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Kathmandu or Lalitpur (Patan) at around 5:00 AM for the 1.5-hour drive to Nagarkot. Once arrived, take in the exotic mountain views and embrace the stunning beauty of the sunrise, which will be sure to soothe your soul and get you ready for the day. Learn all about Nagarkot (the “Angel’s Place”) from your guide.   From here, embark on a 4- to 5-hour hike through the forested mountains between Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. If you’re lucky and it’s a clear day, the intensely blue sky makes a perfect backdrop for views of the amazing landscapes, high mountains, and village life. Admire the biodiversity of the region and learn about cultural aspects of Dhulikhel from your guide. It’s a long hike, but nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment and peacefulness when you reach Dhulikhel.   Your tour ends after this full day with a return to your hotel via bus, during which you can reflect on the amazing day and prepare for tomorrow.