Kathmandu City Day Tour: 1 Day

"An interesting city, Kathmandu, is a blend of modernity with ancient glory."

Introduction: Kathmandu City Day Tour

Welcome to Kathmandu, the vibrant capital city of Nepal! This enchanting destination is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and natural beauty. Welcome to the Kathmandu City Tour! Get ready to embark on a captivating journey through this ancient city, where you will have the opportunity to explore Nepal's rich history, experience its diverse culture, and marvel at its stunning architecture. Welcome to this exciting itinerary, where you can embark on a journey to discover the wonders of Nepal. 

Over the course of a day or more, you will have the opportunity to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites, immerse yourself in the beauty of majestic temples and stupas, wander through bustling markets, and indulge in the delightful flavors of traditional Nepali cuisine. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with cultural treasures and culinary delights. Early morning, around 8 a.m., where our company representative will come to pick you up at your hotel lobby. 

This tour is a delightful prelude or postlude to your major adventures in Nepal, such as trekking in the Himalayas. It provides an insightful introduction to the local culture and way of life, preparing you for your explorations throughout Nepal. The tour commences in the morning after breakfast, with short drives to the designated sites of great interest. An expert guide will accompany you to unveil the wonders of Nepal, making your day tour an unforgettable experience.

How does the Kathmandu Day Tour Start and End?

Kathmandu City Day tour begins with a discovery of cultural and historical treasures in the city's center. The first stop is the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with pagoda-styled monuments depicting Nepal's history. Visitors will come across Kumari Ghar, the Living Goddess's abode, and Hanuman Dhoka, a medieval royal seat. The trek continues to the legendary Taleju Temple, the resounding Great Bell, the Big Drums, and the legendary Golden Gate guarded by Hanuman.

The exploration extends to the unique Kasthamandap Temple, constructed in 1596 A.D. from a single tree and a namesake for the city. Then, the tour leads them to Boudhanath Stupa, South Asia's largest Buddhist shrine, where visitors will meander through its three-tiered terraces and experience the vibrant local market, often referred to as "Little Tibet" due to its Tibetan origins and culture.

Visitors can even savor local Nepali cuisines at a restaurant within the Boudhanath complex, all while basking in the stunning presence of the stupa. The journey proceeds to the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, known for its splendid three-tiered golden pagoda rooftop dedicated to Lord Shiva. As non-Hindus are not permitted within the main temple premises, a guide offered by Holiday Planner Nepal will provide a suitable vantage point to observe the temple and its spiritual activities along the Bagmati River so that visitors don’t miss out on anything.

The tour concludes with a visit to Budhanilkantha, known as Narayanthan, which is home to an enthralling Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu. Visitors will be able to see the magnificent figure of Lord Vishnu lying on a bed of serpents in a sacred pool.

History of Kathmandu city?

First, before starting the trip, we need to know about the history of Kathmandu city. The history of Kathmandu is a mix of mythology, art, and resilience, which makes this city a vital point for the identity of Nepal. The nickname of Kathmandu is the city of a thousand temples because the city possesses a lot of Hindu and Buddhist shrines, temples, art, architecture, and sculptures. The original name of Kathmandu was Kantipur before it was renamed with the name Kathmandu. In the modern period after 1951 AD, Kathmandu has been the hub for tourism, receiving travelers from all over the world, especially those who want to visit the Himalayas.

So, let's go back in time; it is believed that the Kathmandu Valley, then known as Kantipur, was once a vast lake. According to mythology, the Bodhisattva Manjushree drained the lake by cutting a gorge at Chobar, making the valley habitable. That’s why the elders say the soil is fertile and scientific studies say the soil is black, has organic clay, and slits are dark gray to black; the soil is best for agriculture but is not good for the foundation of buildings as it is highly compressible.

Some archeological studies provide evidence that a human settlement existed and people were habituated here before 185 BC when the Kirat dynasty ruled.

After the Kirat dynasty, the Licchavi dynasty took over Kathmandu from 400 AD to 750 AD. The Licchavi period is credited widely for laying the foundation on which modern Kathmandu is today. During the Licchavi period, iconic structures, temples, palaces, and stupas were constructed, in which, to this day, the most famous are Swyambhunath (monkey temple) and Pashupatinath temple. It is said that Bouddhanath was built during the Licchavi era, and the history of this place is complex, as multiple kings and personages are associated with its construction.

After the Licchavi dynasty, Kathmandu was ruled by the Malla dynasty from 1200-1768 AD, which transformed Kathmandu. Licchavi laid the foundation for construction, but the Malla rulers transformed that and made Kathmandu the center of art, culture, and architecture. During the Malla period, the Kathmandu Valley was divided into Kantipur, Bhadgaon, and Patan, which in the modern generation are known as Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square were constructed during this time.

What is the specialty of the Kathmandu city tour?

The specialty of the Kathmandu day tour is the bonding between Hinduism and Buddhism, their culture, and the harmony between them, as both Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries are located together. The age-old culture, traditions, history, and exquisite art.

The cultural diversity of Kathmandu holds various ethnic groups. Newars are the original ethnic groups habituating in Kathmandu. The culture, festivals, and cuisine, of Kathmandu has been preserved by the Newars which in today’s date travelers love the most.

Kathmandu is known as the "City of Thousand Temples" and is a living museum of Nepalese tradition, art, and architectures. Kumari, known as the living goddess, resides in Kathmandu and is one of the top attractions and topics for people worldwide.

The food of Kathmandu is really popular as well, especially the street foods and Newari foods. Foods such as MO: MO, Samosa, Yomari, Chatamari, Bara, Choila, Chow mein, and Sekuwa are most famous foods.

Kathmandu also owns four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Custom wood carvings, custom stone carvings, brickwork excellence, and pagoda-style architectures can be seen around the houses of Kathmandu. The bustling local markets, festivals, and modern hustle make Kathmandu a famous destination to visit. A lot of tourists and foreigners can be seen taking a tour of the city with a guide capturing its beauty.

Tour Fact: The Kathmandu city tour is done by at least 90 percent of the tourists and foreigners who come to Nepal.

What are the entry fees and contact number for UNESCO heritage sites and other sites during Kathmandu city tour?

The entry fees for various sites are different according to the nationality and age of the tourist. The entry fees as per 2025 is mentioned below.