Culture Trip / Kathmandu Valley / Nepal

Mystics, Mountains and Old Town

8±1 hrs

Easy

USD 100

From Namobuddha’s quiet hilltop monastery to Changu’s intricate temple carvings and Bhaktapur’s vibrant medieval squares and streets, this tour is all about experiencing Nepal’s culture up close.

Overview

8±1 hrs Total Duration

Kathmandu Trip Start Point

Kathmandu Trip Finish Point

Easy Difficulty Level

Namobuddha Monastery – Nestled on a hilltop, Namobuddha is one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites, renowned for its tale of the Buddha’s sacrifice to save a starving tigress and her cubs. Its monasteries, stupas, and serene views offer a spiritual retreat and an unforgettable experience of Nepal’s Buddhist heritage.

Bhaktapur, the “City of Devotees,” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a journey through time as you explore its well-preserved medieval streets, stunning architecture, and rich Newari culture. The tour begins with a stroll through the city’s narrow, cobblestone alleys, where you’ll encounter intricately carved temples, ancient courtyards, and vibrant markets. Along the way, you’ll experience Bhaktapur’s unique blend of history, local life, and exquisite craftsmanship, culminating in an interactive visit to Pottery Square, where you can try your hand at pottery. Depending on your interests, we can also visit thangka artists, experience Himalayan singing bowl therapy, and explore more traditional paper factories. We’ll break for the famed “Juju Dhau” (king curd) and enjoy local tea in beautiful, serene courtyards. Bhaktapur also offers a fantastic opportunity to shop for unique souvenirs, from pottery and handicrafts to traditional textiles and artwork.

Changu Narayan- It is Kathmandu Valley’s oldest temple dedicated to Vishnu and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched on a hill with panoramic Himalayan views, it features intricate wood and stone carvings that reflect centuries-old artistic and religious traditions, making it a sacred and historical highlight.

Namobuddha Monastery

Nestled on a hilltop within striking distance from the city, Namobuddha is one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist monuments, known for its tale of the Buddha’s sacrifice to save a starving tigress and her cubs. Moreover, picturesque views from the monastery offer a spiritual retreat and an unforgettable experience of Nepal’s Buddhist heritage.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu

The medieval city of Bhaktapur is a time capsule and known for its quaint courtyards, pottery shops and landmarks like Nyatapola and Dattatraya Temples. It serves as a living museum of Newari culture, showcasing stunning architecture and myriad of festivals. A short distance away is the expertly carved Changunarayan, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and considered the oldest temple in Nepal.

UNESCO Heritage Site

Highlights

	Panoramic Himalayan Views: Perched on a hilltop, the monastery offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and surrounding valleys, making it an ideal spot for peaceful reflection.
	Attend Prayers with Monks: Visitors can participate in morning and evening prayers, experiencing the serene and meditative chanting alongside resident monks.
	Ancient Alleyways and Temples: Wander through Bhaktapur’s cobblestone streets, discovering centuries-old temples like Nyatapola Temple and Dattatraya Temple, along with the intricately designed 55-Window Palace in Durbar Square.
	Artisanal Experiences: Visit a traditional paper-making factory and try your hand at pottery in Pottery Square, where local artisans showcase their craft.
	Local Flavors and Souvenirs: Savor Bhaktapur’s famous "Juju Dhau" in the beautiful Taumadhi Square or Dattatraya Courtyard, while shopping for unique souvenirs like pottery, handicrafts, and textiles.
	Ancient Architecture and Carvings: Changunarayan features exquisite wood and stone carvings from the 4th century, showcasing Nepal’s rich craftsmanship.
	OPTION TO ADD ON: Cooking momo or samay baji (local newari food dish) at a beautiful architectural space in the farmlands of Bhaktapur. (2-3 hours)
	OPTION TO ADD ON: Overnight stay at Namobuddha Monastery: eat and pray with the monks.

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

JanFebMarAprMayJun

JulAugSepOctNovDec

Outdoors in the Kathmandu valley is amazing in spring (March to May). The average daytime temperature is 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). The forests are green, and rhododendrons bloom, making the trail vibrant.

Kathmandu valley receives a lot of rainfall in monsoon, so it will be very wet, humid, slippery and leechy. Nonetheless, the valley will be gorgeously green and beautiful during monsoon. Temperatures range from around 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F). While early June and late September are still advisable for trekking, July and August are not very ideal.

It is the most popular time of the year to visit with clear skies and stable weather conditions. The monsoon rains will have subsided, and visibility of the mountain ranges is excellent. The temperatures range between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). As the region is very accessible, trails and hotels can be busy this time around.

Winter is a great time to be outdoors in Kathmandu valley. The far-off mountains on the horizon look sparkling white on clear days. The temperatures go between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) during daytime and can go lower at night. It is very pleasant and not very cold. The trails are not very busy and lodges are operational.

Group size	Price per person
4 -7 pax	USD 100
8 pax & above	USD 75

	n/a
	Reserved vehicle

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

50% for children below 10 years. Note: For smaller group sizes, taking taxis instead of a reserved vehicle can help reduce the cost.

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Itinerary

Download Map

1.5hrs (Approx)	Pick up from residence/hotel and drive to Namobuddha
2hrs	Explore Namobuddha Monastery and see the chanting and lifestyle of monks
1hr	Drive to Changu
1hr	Explore Changunarayan Temple and old streets
25mins	Drive to Bhaktapur Durbar Square
4hrs	Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and explore the many alleyways and potter’s square
1hr (Approx)	Drop off at residence/hotel

This is a tentative schedule and subject to change depending on your preference, road traffic, departure time and so forth. Duration to first site depends on pickup location.

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Prices

Group size	Price per person
4 -7 pax	USD 100
8 pax & above	USD 75

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

Includes

	Transportation Reserved transfers according to the itinerary (incl holding charge for full day)
	Crew Experienced and knowlegeable tour guide with medical kit Assistant guide (depending on group size)
	Food Light refreshments like juju dhau (Bhaktapur's special yogurt) and local tea
	Misc All heritage sites permits 13% Government Taxes

Excludes

Food and beverage
Tips for the crew
Any item not mentioned in Price Includes

Important Details

Distance, duration and pace Our foot tours are generally between 4kms (2.5mi) to 7km (4.3mi), depending on the area. The total walking time, including breaks, will be 4 to 5 hours. The tours maintain a leisurely pace, catering to people of all fitness levels. The leading tour guide will set the pace. We need to ensure we move as a group and that nobody is left behind or worse, lost.

Transportation We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. Opt-out options are available for one or both journeys if you prefer arranging your own transfer or live nearby, with corresponding price reductions.

Pickup locations and schedule For convenience, we have several pick up locations (see Itinerary). Pickup schedule will be finalized and updated on the website on Friday night, around 7pm. (This is because we cannot make the schedule until sign ups are sealed.)

Breaks Short breaks (5-10 minutes) will be provided every hour, along with a tea break at a restaurant halfway through the tour. Additionally, there will be a longer break (1-1.5 hours) at a restaurant for lunch/dinner and drinks before heading back home.

Loo While you will find Western-style toilets in hotels and proper restaurants, squat toilets are common in public places and near heritage sites. Rest assured, we will guide you to restaurants with clean facilities during breaks. Remember to bring your own toiletries.

Finish point Our tours end at a cafe or restaurant, so you can unwind, have lunch/dinner, buy a drink or two and use the loo. Based on what everybody prefers this leisure time can be between 1-1.5 hours.

Food There’s one stop for lunch/dinner at the end and a smaller tea break half way through the tour. You’re welcome to purchase additional food from shops along the way. We provide light munchies like cookies, crisps, sour candies and water.

Water We provide light munchies like cookies, crisps, sour candies and water. Besides, there’s one stop for lunch/dinner at the end and a smaller tea break. You’re welcome to purchase additional food from shops along the way.

Tour Guide One licensed lead tour guide with in-depth knowledge of the local culture and additional assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip.

Expenses Additional expenses may include lunch, drinks, and shopping. Please bring change if you plan to make purchases from shops along the way.

Dress code for entering heritage sites Dressing in a respectful manner is important while entering heritage sites. Kindly avoid half pants/skirts or any kind of revealing clothes. When encircling temples, monasteries and stupas, always remember to walk in a clockwise direction.

Photography and Drones It’s advisable to ask the guide or look for a sign before taking photos inside museums and heritage sites, as there are strict photography policies in several places.

Tipping Tipping is optional. If you like the guides’ services, you are welcome to set aside a few hundred rupees as tips. This can be centrally collected and handed over before you get on the vehicle on the way back.

No Handouts of any kind Giving money or handouts of any kind to beggars and children is strictly prohibited, as it only promotes begging culture.

Leave no Trace Please don’t litter, and also dispose any trash properly (you can hand them to your guide). We’ll leave the beautiful trails and sites as we found them.

Checklist

Please don’t forget your passports.

What to pack

•	Original passport (for permits)
•	Comfortable walking shoes
•	Full sleeved clothes for entering heritage sites
•	Small backpack
•	Water bottle
•	Sun hat or cap
•	Sunscreen
•	Sunglasses
•	Toiletries
•	Rain gear
•	A warm layer (for mornings and evenings)
•	Trail snacks and energy bars (optional)
•	Extra cash (for food, drinks, shopping, etc)

How to pack

Sign Up

1. Fill up the Booking Form

Please print and fill up the Booking Form. It’s pretty simple and short, please let us know if we can help you with it.

2. Pay to confirm

We’ll send terms and conditions, along with payment details. To confirm your spot, please pay 50% of the trip cost in advance.

Note: Full payment to be made at least 7 days before trip departure.

A few days before the trip, the lead guide will host a small briefing to discuss logistics and safety matters, and also answer any questions you have.

3. Prepare for mountains

Do some light training and set your gears. Then off to the mountains we go!

Mystics, Mountains and Old Town