Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour - 6 days

Welcome to the city of temples, Kathmandu! The verdant hills and the majestic mountains surrounding the valley will greet you as you set your foot at the airport. You will be greeted by our Third Rock Adventures representatives in the terminal. From there, we will transfer you to the hotel located in Thamel.

Thamel is a major tourist hub located only 5km from the airport. Depending upon your arrival time, you can take a stroll around the area and even spot temples and shrines situated in alignment with the modern buildings. After relaxing at the hotel, you can visit the many eateries in the streets selling all sorts of cuisine. At night enjoy a warm welcome dinner with Nepali delicacies to spice up your taste buds.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.

After having breakfast, you will visit our office located nearby the hotel and make plans for the tour. Your guide will explain all the detailed itineraries, and you can pack your bags accordingly. As needed, the guide will inform you of getting all the documents and permits ready.

Today's trip will circle the different UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley.

Your first place of visit for the day is the Kathmandu Durbar Square, located within a short walking distance from the Thamel area. It is also known popularly as Basantapur or Freak Street. Immediately, you can see a huge white building and adjoining ancient buildings, which were the palaces of the ancient Shah dynasty. It has now been turned into a museum called Hanuman Dhoka Museum. You will witness the armories, personalized items, and different artifacts used by the royalties of ancient Kathmandu.

From Kathmandu Durbar Square, you will drive to the western hills of Kathmandu for an uphill walk to the majestic Swayambhunath stupa. Also called the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath is a beautiful dome with the eyes of Buddha overlooking the entire valley floor. 

Your next and last stop for the day can be the holiest Hindu temple, Pashupatinath, located in the northeastern part of Kathmandu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. While a non-Hindu tourist cannot enter the main temple, you can witness its pagoda-style gold-plated roof from afar and even explore the surrounding vicinity with a hundred more shrines.

Return to your hotel, relax and make preparations for the next day before you sleep.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Today you will be taking a short ride to one of the holy religious sites in the valley, Dakshinkali, located about 23 km from your hotel. The drive starts in the city's heart before leaving the hustle-bustle and driving on a dirt road to Pharping.

Pharping is a typical Newari town on the southeastern outskirts of Kathmandu. You will witness green farmlands covered with Maize or rice plantations and a couple of scattered ancient Newari houses. The pleasant town is peaceful and shows the traditional lifestyle of the locals living there. A little further away from the town, we drive to Dakshinkali temple.

Dakshinkali is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali, the protector of devotees and children, as per Hindu mythology. The main temple hosts the main idol of Dakshinkali, while there are other shrines as well. While the temple is silent most times of the year, during special occasions, particularly during the Dashain festival, it is tough to set foot here. Many Hindu pilgrims come for prayers and sacrifice animals to appease the Kali.

After exploring the area and engaging in some prayer, head to Patan.

Patan Durbar Square, located in Patan, Lalitpur, is the ancient royal palace of Malla Kings, which has been turned into a museum. The Patan Museum holds different metal works, woodworks, and other artworks on display. After visiting the museum, you can stroll around the courtyards and check out the architectural Krishna temple and other temples before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Early in the morning, after breakfast, you will take a drive to the northeastern outskirts of the valley to visit the Boudhanath temple, one of the largest domes in Nepal. After circumambulation, you can stroll around the streets and try some Tibetan Buddhist cuisine like Lhaphing.

Following Boudhanath, drive off to the eastern hilltop in the Kathmandu valley to visit Changunarayan temple. The Hindu temple is dedicated to the supreme Lord, Vishnu. It is the oldest temple of Nepal which was built in 325 AD. There are special pujas held here during festivals like Haribodhani Ekadashi, Jugadi Navami, and more. You can explore the Chhinnamasta temple, Historical Mandev Pillar, Kaileshwor temple, and different stone structures of Lord Vishnu.

Following the enjoyable day, we will drive you to Nagarkot in the evening. Nagarkot is a hill station located east of Kathmandu and has been a popular tourist and picnic spot for ages. You can witness the amazing sunset from the hills on your way to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Nagarkot.

You will begin your day before dawn with a short hike to the tower top of the hill. From there, you will witness the amazing sunrise over the hills and mountains. On a clear day, the views of Mt. Jugal, Langtang range, Ganesh Himal, and other mountains are vividly visible. After clicking pictures and enjoying the views, you can hike back to your hotel.

Enjoy the breakfast at your hotel, then head to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, located in the Newari town of Bhaktapur. It is the oldest city in Nepal and is known best for its well-preserved heritage sites. You can visit the National Art Museum of Bhaktapur, Brass and Bronze Museum, Nyatapol temple, 55 window palace, and more. Make sure to grab a 'Juju Dhau' - the King curd on your way back to Kathmandu.

On your final evening in Kathmandu, buy some souvenirs from the streets of Thamel to take back home and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

This is the day of your departure from wonderful Nepal. You will be transferred to the international airport for your flight after breakfast. Our representatives will bid you farewell in hopes that you will return for a similar exciting journey to other parts of Nepal.

You might reminisce about the amazing tour around Kathmandu, Hindu and Buddhist temples, Newari towns and villages, and more on your way back home.

Following the tour, if you want to extend your stay in Nepal to visit other tourist destinations like Chitwan, Pokhara, and Lumbini, you can let us know, and we will arrange the same for you.