Culture Trip / Kathmandu Valley / Nepal

Panauti Homestay Trek with Bhaktapur

2 days

Moderate

USD 200

Trek from Sangha to Panauti through picturesque villages, unwind with an overnight stay in the charming town of Panauti, and discover the timeless beauty and vibrant culture of Bhaktapur the next day.

Overview

2 days Total Duration

Kathmandu Trip Start Point

Kathmandu Trip Finish Point

1,750m / 5,741ft (Valentine Hill) Highest Point

Moderate Difficulty Level

Experience Nepal’s beauty and culture with a hike from Sangha through scenic landscapes, traditional villages, and stunning mountain views. Arrive in the charming town of Panauti to stay at a community homestay, where welcoming locals open their homes to you, offering a warm, authentic experience. The next day, head to the ancient city of Bhaktapur to explore its exquisite temples, lively squares, and rich cultural heritage. This journey provides a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and genuine local connection—an ideal introduction to Nepal.

Sangha to Panauti Hike

Start your trek from the largest statue of Shiva at Sanga. Enjoy scenic strolls through lush terraced fields, immersing yourself in the agricultural life of the region. Marvel at the breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan range on the way, offering a tranquil retreat from city life.

Authentic Homestay experience

Experience authentic Nepalese culture with a community homestay in Panauti, where you’ll be welcomed into a local family’s home, enjoy traditional meals, and immerse yourself in the daily rhythms of village life. Share stories, learn about local customs, and connect with the warmth and hospitality of the community in this unforgettable cultural experience.

Bhaktapur and Changu

The medieval city of Bhaktapur (UNESCO World Heritage site) is a time capsule and known for its quaint courtyards, pottery shops and landmarks like Nyatapola, 55-windows palace, pottery square 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.

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
2 pax	USD 280
4 - 7 people	USD 200
8 people & above	USD 145

	1 homestay
	1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
	Reserved vehicle

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

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Itinerary

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Day 1

Kathmandu - Panauti

	Pick up from residence/hotel and drive to Sangha 1 to 1.5 hrs
	Trek from Sangha to Panauti 4 to 5 hrs
	Cook and eat with the locals

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Community Homestay Panauti

Day 2

Panauti - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu

	Explore the old town of Panauti 1 hr
	Drive from Panauti to Bhaktapur 1 hr
	Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changu 4 to 5 hrs
	Drop off at residence/hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

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Prices

Group Size	Price per person
2 pax	USD 280
4 - 7 people	USD 200
8 people & above	USD 145

Valid until Dec 31st, 2024

Includes

	Accommodation 1 night in Panauti Community Homestay
	Transportation Reserved vehicle throughout the trip (vehicle carries luggage)
	Food 1 breakfast 1 lunch (packed sandwich) 1 dinner
	Crew An experienced guide with medical kit An expert local culture guide for sightseeing An assistant guide and a driver Salary, board and insurance for the crew
	Misc 13% Government taxes

Excludes

Lunch on Day 2
Soda, tea/coffee and alcoholic beverages
Travel Insurance
Any item not mentioned in Price Includes

Important Details

Health & Safety

You will be accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable tour guide equipped with a first aid kit. Always follow their instructions and stick to designated paths.

While Nepal is generally very safe, there is still a possibility of pickpocketing in touristy areas. Pack your passport, flight tickets, phone, wallet, camera equipment, cash, and all your valuables in your day pack or waist belt. Please don’t bring or carry expensive items like jewelry etc or a large sum of cash while traveling for security reasons.

Water safety is very crucial as one can easily contract waterborne diseases. Drinking tap water is not advised and we recommend drinking boiled/ filtered or bottled water only.

Logistics

Accommodation Accommodation is on twin-sharing basis, which means there will be two people to a room. For families with kids, room allocation depends on your preference and room availability. A separate single room can be arranged for an additional charge.

Vehicle We provide reserved private vehicles to drive you around for pick-ups and drop-offs as per the itinerary. The vehicle type (car, jeep, van, etc) will be allocated depending on the number of people and terrain.

Water Carrying your own water bottle/hydration pack is mandatory. It is always best to have a bottle (1.5-2 liters) during the tour. You can refill your bottle with boiled or bottled drinking water available at lunch spots and hotels. We highly discourage buying plastic water bottles for environmental reasons.

Toilets While you will find Western-style toilets in hotels and proper restaurants, squat toilets are common in public places and near heritage sites. Toilets may not have running water at all times, resulting in an unpleasant smell. Make sure to bring your own toiletries. Females are advised to carry their sanitary napkins.

Connectivity & Wifi For cellular service, a reliable and hassle-free option is to purchase an international calling plan from your home cell service provider. Another alternative is to buy a local SIM card. NCell and Nepal Telecom are common carriers, both of which offer good network coverage in major cities and towns. Wi-Fi is generally available in most hotels and restaurants, and it’s usually quite fast.

Crew

Tour Guide One lead licensed tour guide and assistant guides (depending on the group size) will accompany you on the trip. All our tour guides speak fluent English, and are highly experienced with an in-depth knowledge of local culture.

Driver You will be accompanied by a driver most of the time. For multi-day trips, vehicle and driver may vary from day to day.

Money

Extra costs to expect Possible expenses, other than meals, could be drinks, tipping, and shopping. Please make sure you have read the Price section thoroughly so you know what you might need to pay for while traveling.

Currency You are advised to carry the local currency (Nepali rupees) as all the service providers transact in rupees.

ATMS and Credit cards In cities, you will find ATMs in numerous locations. Additionally, most hotels, restaurants, and big shops accept credit cards, with an additional fee (usually around 3-5%) applied on top. However, outside of cities and in smaller shops and eateries, cash is the preferred payment method, and ATMs are limited.

Tipping A service charge with tips is included by most hotels and eateries in their bills. For the crew, you are welcome to give some gratuities if you like their service. A good reference is around USD 15-20 per day for the guides and USD 10-15 per day for the drivers, as a group. Feel free to tip higher if you love their service.

Checklist

What to pack

Outfit

•	Comfortable walking shoes
•	A warm layer
•	Sun hat or cap
•	Full sleeved clothes for entering heritage sites

Accessories

•	Day bag
•	Rain gear
•	Sunglasses
•	Water bottle
•	Trail snacks and energy bars (optional)

Electronics

•	Camera with charger and extra batteries
•	Power bank (Optional)

Toiletries and Meds

•	Sunscreen (SPF 30 or above)
•	Sanitizer
•	Bug / Insect repellent
•	Toiletries

Documents & Money

•	Original passport
•	Extra cash (for meals, shopping, etc)
•	Credit card (VISA & MasterCard)

How to pack

Anything that you will need during the day, like rain gear, a warm layer, a water bottle, sunscreen, basic toiletries, your phone, and camera, money, important documents, and a few snacks, goes in your day bag. A 15-25 liters bag is your ideal daypack. It is advised to buy a good quality bag with adjustable waist straps, as good load distribution makes all the difference.

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!

Panauti Homestay Trek with Bhaktapur