Breakfast
Hotel buffet in Kathmandu, and eggs, toast and fruit at Bhaktapur and Nagarkot
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All destinationsKathmandu Valley Cultural Tour
4.924 reviews
A guided tour of the three medieval cities of the Kathmandu Valley at a relaxed pace and in a planned order, with a guide who explains the carvings and a night on the valley rim at Nagarkot.
- 5 days
- Easy
- Max 2,175 m (7,140 ft)
- Duration
- 5 days
- Grade
- Easy
- Max altitude
- 2,175 m (7,140 ft)
- Start and end
- Kathmandu
- On foot
- 3 to 4 hours a day
- Best season
- Oct to Apr
- Accommodation
- Hotels
- Meals
- Breakfast daily
- Group size
- Private, from 1
- Getting around
- Private vehicle
Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour Overview
A guided tour of the three medieval cities of the Kathmandu Valley at a relaxed pace and in a planned order, with a guide who explains the carvings and a night on the valley rim at Nagarkot.
Tour overview
Four guided days in the Kathmandu Valley, which contains seven UNESCO monument zones within an area about twenty miles across. Three of them are the royal squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. These were rival kingdoms until 1769 and spent three centuries competing to build the finest monuments. That rivalry explains much of what you see in the valley today.
The order of the visits
Many itineraries cover all three squares in two days, which makes them hard to tell apart. We visit Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath first, so that you understand the Hindu and Buddhist background. We then visit one square each day and finish with a night on the valley rim, where you can see the whole valley. By day 4 you will be able to understand the buildings, not only photograph them.
Your guide
The guide is central to this trip. A carved roof strut in Patan can look like simple joinery, but it may also record a three-hundred-year-old dispute about kingship, and a guide can explain this. We work with licensed cultural guides who have many years of experience in the valley, and we pay them fairly so that they stay with us.
Who this trip is for
Anyone who wants to see Nepal without trekking: first-time visitors, families, people with a few days at the start or end of a longer trip, and trekkers returning from the Everest region who want to see the cultural side of the country. It runs for one traveller or more.
Key highlights of the Kathmandu Valley Cultural Tour
- All seven of the valley's UNESCO monument zones, with a guide who explains their history
- Bhaktapur in the late afternoon, after the day visitors have left
- Patan's metalworkers and woodcarvers working in their own courtyards, not in a showroom
- Sunrise from the Nagarkot ridge, with views from Ganesh Himal to Everest on a clear morning
- The walk down from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the valley
Itinerary
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to rest after your flight. In the evening we take you on a one-hour walk around Thamel so that you can find your way back to the hotel on your own, and we go through the plan for the tour over dinner.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- None, arrival day
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Dinner
You climb the east stairway to Swayambhunath early in the morning, while pilgrims are walking around the stupa and mist still lies over the valley. In the late morning you visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, where the guide explains what the 2015 earthquake damaged and what has since been rebuilt. In the afternoon you visit Pashupatinath, where cremations take place in public on the ghats. We explain what to expect before you arrive.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- 3 to 4 hours on foot
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Breakfast
You spend the morning in Patan Durbar Square, the finest and least crowded of the three squares. You then walk through the back lanes, where lost-wax metal casters and woodcarvers still work in family courtyards. After lunch we drive east to Bhaktapur and check in to your accommodation inside the old city. The square outside empties of visitors at five in the evening.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- 4 hours on foot
- Night in
- Guesthouse inside the old city, Bhaktapur
- Meals
- Breakfast
You set out at six, when the square is still empty. This is the main reason for staying overnight in Bhaktapur. You visit Taumadhi Square, the Nyatapola temple, the pottery square and the Golden Gate, then the vegetable market as it opens. After lunch we drive for an hour up to the Nagarkot ridge at 2,175 m, where you spend the evening watching the sunset over the mountains.
- Altitude
- 2,175 m (7,140 ft)+775 m
- On foot
- 3 hours on foot
- Night in
- Hotel, Nagarkot
- Meals
- Breakfast
You rise before six for the sunrise. On a clear winter morning the view extends from Ganesh Himal to the summit of Everest. After breakfast you walk down the ridge for two and a half hours to Changu Narayan, a fifth-century temple on a spur that most visitors do not reach. From there we drive you back to the airport or your hotel.
- Altitude
- 1,540 m (5,050 ft)−635 m
- On foot
- 2 to 3 hours downhill
- Night in
- No overnight
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
- Airport transfers and all transport in a private vehicle with a driver
- Four nights of accommodation: two in Kathmandu, one inside old Bhaktapur and one at Nagarkot
- A licensed cultural guide for the whole of days 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Breakfast every morning, and dinner on the first evening
- All monument entry fees for the seven sites, which total about $55
- The walk from Nagarkot to Changu Narayan, with the guide, and a vehicle waiting at the end
- A map of the valley and a short written guide to the sites
Not included
- International flights and the Nepal visa
- Lunch and dinner from day 2 onwards, which are inexpensive in Kathmandu and allow you to choose your own restaurants
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Optional extras: the Everest scenic flight, a cooking class, a rickshaw evening
Route map
The trail from start to finish, at a glance.
Photos
A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.
Packing list
- A sun hat. The valley is at 1,400 m and the sun is stronger than the temperature suggests
- Sunglasses
- A warm hat for the evening at Nagarkot from November to February
- Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, which are expected at every temple and appreciated elsewhere
- One warm layer for Nagarkot, which is seven degrees colder than Kathmandu
- A light waterproof jacket in any month, as the valley has afternoon storms outside winter
- Smarter clothes for the final dinner, if you wish
- Shoes with good grip that you can take off quickly, as you remove them at every temple
- Clean socks for standing on temple floors
- Shoes that are already worn in, as four days on cobbles can cause blisters
- A dust mask or buff for the Kathmandu traffic, which is the most common complaint from visitors
- Hand sanitiser, and your usual remedy for an upset stomach
- Sunscreen, factor 30 or above
- Your prescription medicines in their original packaging
- A daypack, which is the only bag you carry
- A refillable water bottle, to avoid buying plastic bottles
- Your camera, and a spare battery for the Nagarkot sunrise
- Passport valid for at least six months, and two passport photographs for the visa
- US dollars in clean notes for the visa counter
- Travel insurance details, on paper as well as on your phone
Getting there and back
The flights and long drives on this itinerary, and what happens if one is delayed or cancelled.
Getting to Kathmandu
Most travellers arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. Connecting flights run through Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. There are no direct flights from Europe or North America.
Visa on arrival
Complete the form at the kiosk before joining the queue, pay $30 in cash for a 15-day visa at the bank counter, then go through immigration. Bring clean US dollar notes. Indian nationals do not need a visa. The process takes about forty minutes when the airport is quiet and up to two hours when several large aircraft land at the same time.
Late arrivals and early departures
There are no activities on day 1 apart from your arrival, so a late flight is not a problem. On day 5 we can take you directly to the airport from Changu Narayan, arriving at about one in the afternoon. If your flight leaves in the evening, we recommend booking a day room.
Adding a mountain flight
The Everest scenic flight leaves at first light from the domestic terminal and returns by eight, so it can be added before either of the two full days. It depends on the weather and is refunded in full if it does not operate.
Accommodation
You spend two nights in Kathmandu, one inside old Bhaktapur and one on the Nagarkot ridge at 2,175 m. The night in Bhaktapur is central to the design of the tour.
4 nights, and where
| Where | Nights | Type | Room | Bathroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | 2 | Three-star hotel in or near Thamel | Twin or double | Private, hot water |
| Bhaktapur | 1 | Guesthouse inside the old city walls | Twin or double, some with a square view | Private, hot water |
| Nagarkot | 1 | North-facing hotel on the ridge | Twin or double with a mountain view | Private, hot water |
- Kathmandu
- Nights
- 2
- Type
- Three-star hotel in or near Thamel
- Room
- Twin or double
- Bathroom
- Private, hot water
- Bhaktapur
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- Guesthouse inside the old city walls
- Room
- Twin or double, some with a square view
- Bathroom
- Private, hot water
- Nagarkot
- Nights
- 1
- Type
- North-facing hotel on the ridge
- Room
- Twin or double with a mountain view
- Bathroom
- Private, hot water
Heat, hot water, power and signal
- Hot shower
- Available every night in your own bathroom. Some hot water at Nagarkot is solar heated, so shower in the evening rather than early in the morning.
- Wifi
- Available in all three hotels and generally reliable. The connection at Nagarkot is the weakest.
- Charging
- Mains power is available everywhere, with Indian and European round-pin sockets. Bring an adaptor.
- Heating
- The Nagarkot hotel has heaters in winter. Most hotels in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur do not, and indoor temperatures on January nights are colder than many visitors expect.
- Drinking water
- Filtered water is available at all three hotels. Do not drink tap water, and bring a refillable bottle to avoid buying plastic bottles.
- Luggage
- There is no luggage limit. The vehicle carries your bags, and you only carry your daypack.
- Laundry
- Same-day service in Kathmandu, charged by the kilo and inexpensive.
- Cash
- There are many cash machines in Kathmandu and Patan, one in Bhaktapur and none at Nagarkot. Cards are accepted in hotels but rarely elsewhere.
Meals
Lunch
Near wherever you are visiting that day. The guide can recommend good places for dal bhat
Dinner
With us on the first night, then at a restaurant of your choice. Kathmandu has an excellent choice of restaurants, so we recommend eating out rather than at the hotel
Tea
Milk tea and a samosa, usually from a street stall
If you eat differently
- Vegetarian
- Very easy. Much Nepali food is vegetarian, and Newari cuisine offers a wide range of dishes.
- Vegan
- Straightforward in Kathmandu and Patan, with fewer options at Nagarkot. Tell the guide on day 1 and they will choose restaurants accordingly.
- Gluten free
- Manageable. Rice, dal, curry and grilled meat are safe. State your requirement clearly, as soy sauce and wheat flour are used in unexpected dishes.
- Nut allergy
- Tell us when you book. Kathmandu kitchens use peanuts and cashews widely, so each restaurant needs to be told. The guide will do this for you.
- Halal
- Available in Kathmandu. Tell us when you book and we will choose lunch venues accordingly.
A typical day
Days start early, include a long lunch and finish before dark. The pace is relaxed throughout.
Difficulty and preparation
This is one of the two easiest trips we offer. You spend three to four hours on foot each day, all at 1,400 m or slightly higher, and the vehicle is never more than ten minutes away. The main source of fatigue is walking on cobbles and climbing temple steps.
- Three to four hours a day on foot, on uneven stone surfaces rather than paths
- Several hundred steps at Swayambhunath, taken at your own pace
- One optional downhill walk of two and a half hours on the last morning
- No significant altitude. Nagarkot, at 2,175 m, is the highest overnight stop
- A vehicle and driver with you all day, every day
Getting ready, week by week
Written for somebody who walks a bit and does not train. If you already run or cycle regularly, start partway through. Nothing here needs a gym.
- Trek
Before you book, stage 1 of 3
Understand the trip
This is a walking tour of medieval cities, not a trek. Each day includes three to four hours on foot and a long sit-down lunch. If you want more height and distance, consider the Chisapani ridge walk instead, or add it at the end.
Weather by month
The tour runs in every month. This section shows which months usually give Himalayan views from Nagarkot and which do not.
- Best
- Good
- Hard
- We do not run it
January
Best- Day in Kathmandu
- +18°C
- Night in Kathmandu
- +2°C
- Day at Nagarkot
- +9°C
Cold mornings, bright days and the clearest mountain views of the year from Nagarkot. Bring a warm layer for indoors.
Averages for the valley floor at 1,400 m, with the Nagarkot ridge figure alongside because the difference decides what you pack.
Guides and porters
Your guide and driver
You have one licensed cultural guide for the four touring days and one driver with a private vehicle throughout. On the day 5 walk the guide walks with you and the driver meets you at Changu Narayan. For groups of eight or more we add a second guide, as one guide cannot be heard easily in a crowded square.
The guide's role
The guide explains the buildings, handles tickets at the gates, sets a comfortable pace and recommends places for lunch. They do not take you to shops that pay commission, because we do not work with those shops. If you would like to buy a thangka or a singing bowl, tell the guide and they will take you to a workshop where you can see it being made.
Tipping
Tipping is not required but is appreciated. Most travellers give forty to seventy dollars each, shared between the guide and the driver at the end of the tour. Nobody will ask you for a tip.
Responsible travel
Entry fees
The Bhaktapur fee of NPR 1,800 may seem high, but it funds the restoration of the buildings you have come to see. Pay it at the gate and keep your ticket. The fees help the valley protect its heritage.
Buying from workshops
In Patan, families still cast bronze using the lost-wax method in their own courtyards and carve windows by hand. The shops on the main tourist streets mostly sell imported goods. The guide will take you to the workshops, where the money goes directly to the maker and prices are usually lower.
Photography at Pashupatinath
Please be respectful when photographing cremations. The accepted practice is to take wide shots from across the river without showing faces, and the guide will explain what is appropriate. At the monasteries, ask before photographing a monk. Most people are happy to be asked.
Drinking water
Kathmandu has a serious problem with plastic bottle waste and with its water supply. Every hotel on this trip provides filtered water for refilling. If you bring your own bottle, you will avoid about twenty plastic bottles during the week.
Booking and payment
How to book
Email us or send a WhatsApp message with your arrival date and the number of travellers. We confirm within one day, and usually on the same day.
Deposit
A deposit of twenty per cent secures the hotels. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu or by bank transfer one week before. In October and November the Bhaktapur guesthouse needs to be confirmed earlier than the other hotels.
Cancellation
If you cancel more than twenty-one days before the start date, the deposit can be transferred to another date within one year. Within twenty-one days the hotels have already been paid and we retain the deposit. As this is a short trip, the amount at risk is small.
Changes during the trip
Changes are easy to make. If you would like a second day in Bhaktapur, the guide can rearrange the plan over breakfast. This is a private trip, and the itinerary can be adjusted to suit you.
Adding a trek
Tell us when you book rather than later. Permits, guides and domestic flights need a few days of notice, and a single combined itinerary costs less than two booked separately.
Optional extras
Priced per person, arranged before you travel, and none of them included in the price above.
- 1 morning
Everest scenic flight
$220A one-hour flight along the Himalaya with a guaranteed window seat, returning to Kathmandu before breakfast. It can be added to day 2 or day 5 without changing the rest of the itinerary. It operates only at first light, and if it is cancelled you receive a full refund.
- half a day
Newari cooking class
$45Held in a family kitchen in Patan rather than a hotel demonstration room. You shop at the market first, cook six dishes and eat them with the family. We consider it the best value option on this list.
- one evening
Boudhanath at dusk, with a monastery visit
$55You join the kora (circuit) around the stupa at lamp-lighting time, when several thousand people walk around it together, and attend evening prayers at one of the Tibetan monasteries nearby. Added to the evening of day 2.
- 2 extra days
Two extra days: Panauti and Namobuddha
$240An extension east of the valley. It includes Panauti, a rarely visited Newari town, a hilltop stupa at Namobuddha with a very good monastery guesthouse, and a walk between the two. This is the extension we recommend most often.
- adds 3 days
Chisapani to Nagarkot ridge walk
$349Our five-day ridge trek, combined with the end of this tour rather than booked separately. It includes Shivapuri forest, two nights in lodges and views of the Himalaya on your left throughout.
- same day
Airport day room on departure
$35A hotel room kept until the evening if your flight home is late. Recommended after four days of sightseeing on foot.
Other trips with little walking
4 versions of this journey. They use the same guides and the same lodges; what changes is the length, the comfort and how much of it you walk.
- Kathmandu Valley Cultural TourYou are hereThis trip. The seven monument zones and a night on the Nagarkot ridge.5 days$447
- Spirit of NepalThe Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Pokhara, finishing with Himalayan views. A tour of the country in ten days.10 days$1,187
- Kathmandu Valley Day HikesThe same base, with a day hike on a different hill each day instead of temple visits.6 days$497
- Holi and Festival Cultural TourThe same cities during Holi, the festival of colours.6 days$497
Reviews
Exceptional5.0 out of 5Reviews from Tripadvisor
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Geart Experience!
March 2017, Tripadvisor
It can be very difficult to choose between lot of trekking companies in Nepal and choice of going with a non-local European Company. I am very happy with the choice I made of going with Earthbound Expeditions, keeping it local to add more to the local economy. Rajan is the most professional, friendly business owner I have ever met. Bishal Rai (my guide) were experienced and informative, clearly having excellent knowledge of all the issues regarding trekking in Nepal, as well as having excellent communication skills and being very conscious of safety and low impact on the environment. Above all they were friendly, flexible to my travel needs and very accommodating. I received everything promised and was very happy with my accommodations that were better than expected and I can highly recommend them.
Arun SRead on Tripadvisor
A remarkable and unforgettable experience with Earthbound!
April 2017, Tripadvisor
This amazing and much awaited trip began with the meticulous and efficient planning by Rajan! I was thoroughly impressed with his prompt and timely response to all my request and changes. Even before the trip began, I knew I was in good hands and will enjoy this much desired birthday gift to Nepal! From the first impression at the airport till the last moments, Rajan and his team went the extra miles. The tour around Kathmandu was excellent with the services of Arjun, our guide. The days that followed where we visited Pokhara, Nagarkot and Bhakhtipur were seamlessly planned and detailed attention was given to all our needs. His recommendation of the Heritage Hotel was remarkable! We simply loved the authenticity and service delivery of the hotel! The hotel itself was a destination and attraction! The cultural dance experience at our dinner in Kathmandu with Rajan's lively and entertaining company was so memorable. After having rendered such remarkable service, Rajan's final touch of presenting his hand picked flowers from his garden as a birthday bouquet to me was just so unforgettable! And his parting gifts to my family will also remain close to our hearts! I am so glad that i chose my special vacation with Earthbound and I am looking forward to many more trips in Nepal with them. Surely, I will be sending many more of my friends to them! Kudos to the team at Earthbound! Thanks Badri..i wouldn't have experienced this if not for you!
NishaabmSingapore, SingaporeRead on Tripadvisor
Amazing Ganesh Himal Trek
December 2016, Tripadvisor
During December 2016 / January 2017, my mother and I did an incredible camping trek: the Ganesh Himal Charity Trek, booked with Earthbound Expeditions in Kathmandu. This was our second trek with booked with the company, after the very good experiences we had the first time. The trek through the Ganesh Himal area is something I highly recommend doing due to its adventurous character and the camping on high altitudes. We passed through villages only on the first and last day of the trek, camping close to the homes of locals who do as much as possible to deliver you a memorable stay. We never encountered more hospitable people than the Nepalese. However, camping in nature, at high altitudes with incredible views of the Himalayan peaks was absolutely an unforgettable experience. The nights were so cold that the tents were frozen from the outside when we woke up in the morning. This was no problem because hot tea and hot water for washing were immediately served after waking up. Do not think that this will be your only cup of tea for the day or that you will have to survive on simple breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was really of high quality, better than we are used to at home. Cook Kadji was doing the best he could to serve us delicious and varied food during the trek. All the food, cooking utensils and camping equipment (with a toilet / shower tent included) was carried by the porters, who are as well responsible for our wonderful time in the mountains. It took time to get used to 7 porters carrying all the heavy stuff for you. Especially because we are used to carrying our own stuff as lightweight as possible. Then again, it is a charity trekking and this way they earn some money for them and their families. It was also nice to have some company to talk to and they were amazing at building fires when the sun set and the temperatures dropped rapidly. The highlights of the trek were Sing-La Pass and Sing-La Top. From here we had amazing views on the Annapurna massif, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung. Where we had to share the view with hundreds of other travelers on Poon Hill, we were the only ones on Sing-La Top. Our trek ended in the beautiful and tranquil village Darkha, in the Dhading District, where we stayed for three more nights in the homestay of our guide and friend Gopal. This was a warm and happy reunion of me and my Nepalese family with whom I got so close in less than two weeks in April / May 2015.
FyodoronDelft, The NetherlandsRead on Tripadvisor
“wonderful tour with Earthbound Expeditions”.
March 2017, Tripadvisor
Did Annapurna trek with group of 38 trekkers. Best ever organised trek with so much fun and laughter from guides and Porters ..made me feel part of family. Food was excellent...accommodation was great ..could not fault Earth expeditions at all. Highly recommend them for any kind of treks..! big thanks to Badri Gajurel, kedar Gajurel Rajan Simkhada & there team effort with porters and guides made this trek and very successful journey to remember and treasure for a life time. Would Highly Recommend them and will trek with the Again very soon in near Future..
radhahalaiLondon, United KingdomRead on Tripadvisor
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the 12 questions travellers ask us most often. If your question is not here, contact us and we will answer it.
You need to be able to walk for three to four hours a day on flat ground and cobbles, and climb a few hundred temple steps. The only sustained walk is two and a half hours downhill on day 5. If you prefer not to walk it, the vehicle takes you round by road instead.
Four days are enough for the seven monument zones if the time is well planned. They do not leave time for the less visited parts of the valley, such as the bahals (courtyards) behind Patan, the Newari festivals and the hill temples. If you would like to include these, you can add two days and we will arrange them.
Bhaktapur charges an entry fee at the gate, and most visitors who pay it leave by five in the evening. From five in the evening until nine the next morning, the old city is used mainly by the people who live there, and it feels very different. We consider this the most important part of the itinerary.
From October to March you usually will, and in December and January it is very likely. During the monsoon it is rare. If the morning is cloudy, we still walk down to Changu Narayan, which is worth visiting in its own right.
Cremations take place in the open on the ghats, and you will see one. Once the guide has explained the customs, most visitors find the experience dignified rather than distressing. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple courtyard, and photographing the pyres is not permitted. If you prefer not to visit, we can spend the afternoon at Boudhanath instead.
Less than most people expect. Most of Kathmandu Durbar Square has been rebuilt, Patan is largely restored and Bhaktapur was less damaged than either. Some buildings are still supported by props and a few temples were lost. The guide will point out where the restoration work has been done.
The fees come to about $55 per person for the seven sites and are included in your price. Kathmandu Durbar Square is NPR 1,000, Patan NPR 1,500, Bhaktapur NPR 1,800, Pashupatinath NPR 1,000, Boudhanath NPR 400, Swayambhunath NPR 200 and Changu Narayan NPR 350. We pay them at each gate on your behalf.
Yes. The trip is private by default. There is no group departure, the vehicle is for your use only and the guide works at your pace. Most bookings are for two people, and we have run it for one traveller and for groups of up to eleven.
Yes, and many travellers do. The Chisapani to Nagarkot ridge walk starts an hour from your Kathmandu hotel. Alternatively, you can fly to Pokhara and walk the Ghorepani circuit. Tell us when you book and we will combine both into a single itinerary.
October and November offer clear air and warm weather. December to February gives the clearest mountain views and cold mornings. March brings rhododendrons and festivals. April is hazy. The monsoon is green, quiet, cloudy and lower in price, and it is a good time to visit if your main interest is the architecture rather than the mountains.
Yes. Children usually enjoy the pottery square in Bhaktapur and the monkeys at Swayambhunath. Children under ten enter every monument free of charge. Tell us their ages and the guide will adapt the day for them.
Cover your shoulders and knees at the temples, wear shoes you can take off easily, and bring a warm layer for the evening at Nagarkot, which is seven or eight degrees colder than the valley floor. Leather belts and bags are not allowed in the inner precinct of Pashupatinath.
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5 days
$447 per person
