Kathmandu ValleyHeritage
3
Day Itinerary •
Nepal
Three days in the Kathmandu Valley delivers the most extraordinary concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Asia, where the remarkable Pashupatinath burning ghats, the extraordinary Boudhanath stupa, the fine Patan Durbar Square medieval temples, the remarkable Swayambhunath Monkey Temple and the extraordinary Bhaktapur medieval city combine seven UNESCO heritage zones within a single valley. This focused route covers the essential Kathmandu Valley heritage. The extraordinary Pashupatinath Hindu cremation ghats and the remarkable Boudhanath Great Stupa on Day 1, the fine Patan Durbar Square and museum, the extraordinary Swayambhunath and the remarkable Bhaktapur medieval city on Day 2, and the extraordinary Nagarkot Himalayan sunrise panorama, the fine Namobuddha monastery and the remarkable Thamel quarter on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
October to November and March to May for finest mountain views
Getting There
Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Kathmandu
Getting Around
Taxi or hired car essential. Walking within heritage sites.
Budget Per Day
Approx 50 to 120 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat heritage sites with some steps
DAY 1
SACRED SITES
MORNING
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE AND BAGMATI GHATS
The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal and one of the holiest Shaivite sites in the world, the extraordinary Pashupatinath Temple complex on the banks of the holy Bagmati River where the remarkable open-air cremation ghats burn continuously and the fine sadhus in saffron robes meditate on the extraordinary stone steps. The remarkable temple precincts, the fine lingam shrines and the extraordinary atmosphere of living Hindu religious practice on the Bagmati river ghats are unlike any other religious site in Asia. Non-Hindus approx 1,000 NPR entry to outer precincts. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
BOUDHANATH STUPA
The most extraordinary Buddhist monument in Nepal and one of the largest stupas in the world, the remarkable Boudhanath rising 36 metres from the extraordinary mandala-shaped platform. The fine all-seeing eyes of Buddha painted on each face of the remarkable white dome watch over the extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist community that surrounds the stupa. The remarkable circumambulation of the fine stupa on the extraordinary circular road lined with Buddhist monasteries and the fine prayer wheel spinning devotees creates the most extraordinary Buddhist atmosphere outside Tibet. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE
The extraordinary Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the remarkable Kumari Ghar where the living goddess Kumari resides, the fine Kasthamandap pavilion from the 12th century whose extraordinary wooden construction gave Kathmandu its name, and the remarkable Hanuman Dhoka old royal palace. The extraordinary Taleju Temple towering above the fine square and the remarkable 17th-century stone temples create the finest medieval religious complex in the Kathmandu Valley. Entry approx 1,000 NPR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rato Machhendranath Temple in Patan, the most remarkable chariot festival temple in the Kathmandu Valley, is dedicated to the rain-bringing deity pulled through the streets in an extraordinary 60-metre bamboo chariot during the remarkable Rato Machhendranath festival in April and May. The fine temple complex is the most extraordinary example of Newar Buddhist-Hindu syncretic architecture in Nepal.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe du Temple, Pashupatinath Simple good breakfast near the extraordinary Pashupatinath before the early morning cremations and sadhus. | Lunch: Boudhanath cafes Outstanding Tibetan food in the remarkable Boudhanath monastery restaurants. Extraordinary tsampa, momos and fine butter tea. | Dinner: Thamel House Restaurant The finest traditional Newar restaurant in Kathmandu. Extraordinary thakali set meal and remarkable local raksi grain spirit.
DAY 2
VALLEY HERITAGE
MORNING
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE AND PATAN MUSEUM
The most extraordinary Durbar Square in the Kathmandu Valley, the remarkable Patan Durbar Square with its extraordinary concentration of Newari temples, the fine Krishna Mandir from 1637 with 21 spires, the remarkable Bhimsen Temple and the outstanding Golden Temple. The extraordinary Patan Museum in the former royal palace wing is the finest museum of Newar art in Nepal, with remarkable bronzes, extraordinary stone sculptures and the fine collection of Tantric art objects. Entry approx 1,000 NPR for Patan, approx 500 NPR for museum. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SWAYAMBHUNATH MONKEY TEMPLE
The extraordinary Swayambhunath, the oldest Buddhist monument in Nepal on its remarkable hilltop above Kathmandu with the fine all-seeing eyes on the great white stupa visible from across the valley. The remarkable 365-step climb through the extraordinary Buddhist monument complex past stone Buddhas, fine prayer flags and the remarkable resident monkey troops leads to the most extraordinary elevated view of the Kathmandu Valley and the distant Himalaya on clear mornings. Entry approx 200 NPR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE AND POTTERY SQUARE
The extraordinary Bhaktapur, the finest medieval city in the Kathmandu Valley, where the remarkable 55-Window Palace, the outstanding Nyatapola Temple with its remarkable five-tiered pagoda and the extraordinary Dattatreya Square create the finest Newari urban heritage in Nepal. The fine Pottery Square in Bhaktapur where remarkable traditional potters still work at their wheels in the extraordinary open square with the fine pagoda above is the most extraordinary living craft tradition in the Kathmandu Valley. Entry approx 1,800 NPR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Changu Narayan Temple on the hilltop above Bhaktapur, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal with a remarkable documented history from the 4th century CE, is the finest and most overlooked UNESCO heritage site in the Kathmandu Valley. The extraordinary Licchavi-era stone carvings from the 5th to 7th centuries CE are the finest ancient sculpture accessible in Nepal. Entry approx 300 NPR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or Patan cafe Good breakfast before Patan Durbar Square. Arrive early before the tour groups at the museum. | Lunch: Cafe de Patan Outstanding modern Nepali restaurant in the extraordinary Patan museum courtyard. Fine set lunch. | Dinner: Bhojan Griha, Kathmandu The finest Newar dining experience in Kathmandu in a remarkable 100-year-old mansion. Extraordinary traditional Newar feast.
DAY 3
HIMALAYAN VIEWS
MORNING
NAGARKOT HIMALAYAN SUNRISE
The extraordinary Nagarkot, the finest sunrise viewpoint in the Kathmandu Valley, 32km east of Kathmandu at 2,175 metres where the remarkable panorama of the Himalayan range stretches from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kangchenjunga in the east on clear mornings. The extraordinary view of the entire central Himalayan arc including the remarkable profiles of Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and the fine Annapurna massif simultaneously from the Nagarkot tower is the finest mountain panorama accessible by road in Nepal. Leave by 5am from Kathmandu. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
DHULIKHEL AND NAMOBUDDHA
The extraordinary Dhulikhel, the finest traditional Newar hill town in the Kathmandu Valley, with the remarkable Himalayan views from the old town streets and the fine 13th-century temples. The remarkable Namobuddha hilltop monastery 10km east of Dhulikhel, one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal where the remarkable legend of the compassionate prince who gave his body to feed a starving tigress took place, is the finest monastery setting in the valley with the extraordinary Himalayan backdrop. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
THAMEL QUARTER AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary Thamel quarter, the finest trekking supply and cultural bazaar in Asia, where the remarkable concentration of trekking gear shops, fine traditional Thangka painting studios, the outstanding gem and craft markets and the fine rooftop restaurants create the most extraordinary travellers' neighbourhood in the Himalayan region. The remarkable Freak Street adjacent, Nepal's extraordinary 1970s hippie trail quarter, retains the finest authentic Kathmandu character.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kopan Monastery on the hill north of Boudhanath, a remarkable Tibetan Buddhist monastery offering extraordinary meditation retreats from one day to one month, is the finest meditation experience accessible from Kathmandu. The remarkable daily puja ceremony at sunrise is open to visitors and the extraordinary monastery garden viewpoint gives the finest panorama of the Kathmandu Valley. Free entry to the monastery grounds. ourhiddenearth.com
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Nagarkot lodge Extraordinary dawn breakfast at the Nagarkot viewpoint with the remarkable Himalayan range turning gold at sunrise. | Lunch: Dhulikhel village Outstanding traditional dal bhat tarkari set meal at a fine Dhulikhel local restaurant with Himalayan views. | Dinner: Fire and Ice Pizzeria or OR2K Fine Thamel farewell dinner. Extraordinary Kathmandu pizza or remarkable Middle Eastern food before departure.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Thamel, Kathmandu Hotel Yak and Yeti or Hotel Malla. Fine Thamel location. Approx 60 to 200 USD per night. Quiet Area Hotel Tibet or Dwarika's Hotel. Fine heritage hotel. Approx 100 to 300 USD per night. Budget Kathmandu Guest House or Potala Guest House. Approx 15 to 50 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Visit Pashupatinath early morning (6 to 8am) for the most extraordinary cremation and sadhu activity.
2. The Nepal Heritage Entry ticket covers multiple Kathmandu Valley sites. Buy at the first site.
3. Leave for Nagarkot by 4:30am for the finest pre-dawn Himalayan sunrise. Clear days are finest October and November.
4. Bhaktapur entry is expensive but worth every rupee. Allow 3 hours for the extraordinary medieval city.
5. Boudhanath circumambulation is finest at dawn and dusk. The extraordinary atmosphere peaks at these times.
6. Always remove shoes before entering temples. Check with local guides for current temple access rules.
Total Budget
50 to 420 USD/day