Kathmandu Valley Tour
- Duration
- 2 days
- Max altitude
- 1,400 m
- Difficulty
-
Easy
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Monsoon (Jun–Aug) · Spring (Mar–May) · Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $170.00
Overview
Seven UNESCO World Heritage sites sit within an hour of each other in this valley. This is the unhurried version over two days: Boudhanath, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur on the first, Pashupatinath, Patan, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhu on the second, with a licensed guide and time to actually stand still.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party. Entry fees for every site are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- All seven UNESCO World Heritage sites of the valley
- Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu Durbar Squares
- Licensed heritage guide
- Private vehicle, your own pace
Day by day
The itinerary
-
Day 1: Boudhanath, Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square 1,400 m Full day hrs Hotel D
Boudhanath, the great white stupa on its giant mandala, thought to date from the 5th century and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal; legend says relics of the Kasyapa Buddha lie at its base. Then Changu Narayan on its hilltop above Bhaktapur, considered the oldest temple in the valley, dedicated to Vishnu and a masterpiece of Licchavi-era stone, wood and metal carving. The afternoon is in Bhaktapur Durbar Square, built by the Malla kings, with the five-tiered Nyatapola, the Palace of 55 Windows, the Vatsala, Bhairavnath and Dattatreya temples and the Golden Gate. Welcome dinner in the evening.
-
Day 2: Pashupatinath, Patan, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath 1,400 m Full day hrs B/D
Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the world, on the Bagmati 5 km east of the centre. Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, with its Newar temples, carved windows and the Golden Temple. Kathmandu Durbar Square, the seat of the Malla kings, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, with a 17th-century inscription in 15 languages set into the palace wall. And Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, on its hill above the valley, sacred to Buddhists and Hindus alike. Farewell dinner in the evening.
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $205.00 | Comfortfrom $241.90 | Luxuryfrom $297.25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: One night in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast
- Included: Welcome and farewell dinners in Kathmandu
- Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off in a tourist vehicle
- Included: All ground transport by private tourist vehicle
- Included: Entry fees for every temple, monastery and heritage site in the itinerary
- Included: Government-licensed English-speaking guide
- Included: Driver and other ground staff as needed
- Included: Wages, meals, insurance and other costs for all staff
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: International airfare
- Not included: Lunches in Kathmandu, about USD 10 to 15 per person per day
- Not included: Drinks, including bottled and boiled water
- Not included: Tips for your guide and driver
- Not included: Nepal entry visa (on arrival: USD 30 for 15 days, 50 for 30 days, 125 for 90 days)
- Not included: Travel insurance
- Not included: Anything not listed under what is included
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $205.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $170.00 | $35.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $160.00 | $45.00 |
| 7 or more | $150.00 | $55.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug)Wet and cloudy on most routes, though Mustang and Dolpo sit in the rain shadow behind the main range and stay walkable.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)Cold and quiet, with the clearest skies of the year at lower altitude. High passes and very high routes are best avoided.
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