1 Day Kathmandu Valley Tour
Kathmandu Valley Tour – 1 Day is the best way to explore the ancient temples and the rich historical and cultural depth of Nepal. The rich and ancient valley lies in the central region of Nepal – Kathmandu also called the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu city is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites that totally reflect the ancient history, culture and craftsmanship of ancient art, culture and traditions.
In the Kathmandu Valley tour, we will cover the major destinations of Kathmandu city which include Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swyambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square. A private car/jeep will be our means of transportation so that we can enjoy exploring all the destinations with ease.
Also, the Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour is popular among different travelers who have limited time in Nepal but want to explore the beauty of Nepal. So, if your days are fewer and you and to dive into the beauty and history of Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley Tour is just an ideal package for you.
Places to Travel during the Kathmandu Valley Tour
As we just have a day to cover up the majority of the places of Kathmandu city, sightseeing every place when driving through the targeted destinations can be beneficial. Kathmandu city tour has different available locations which we can cover in a day.
Pashupati Nath Temple – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Pashupatinath Temple is the holiest temple in the Hindu religion. The temple complex lies at the bank of the Bagmati River; a sacred river for the Hindu community worldwide. Many devotees around the world come to Pashupatinath to witness the presence of Pashupati; the incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple has different shrines, statues and other temples dedicated to various deities.
The main temple of Pashupatinath is made of a pagoda-style structure with a gilded roof and intricate woodcarvings. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the main temple, while non-Hindus can view it from the eastern side of the temple.
Swayambhu Nath – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Swayambhu also called the Monkey Temple is one of the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu city. It is an ancient Buddhist stupa situated on a hilltop in the western part of the city. The stupa is believed to be more than 2,000 years old and is one of the oldest and most sacred stupas in Nepal.
The stupa at Swayambhunath is a dome-shaped structure adorned with a golden spire and a pair of large Buddha eyes painted on all four walls. These eyes symbolize wisdom and compassion and are considered a protective symbol.
Swayambhunath holds immense religious significance for Buddhists. It is considered one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and is believed to be an important center for Buddhist learning and medicine.
Patan Durbar Square – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Patan Durbar Square also a UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its architectural and artistic treasure. It is one of the three Durbar Square of Kathmandu Valley which is a popular center for both Hindus and Buddhists. It has numerous temples, statues, and courtyards that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Newar community.
The major attraction of Patan Durbar Square is the Patan Museum complex. The palace has ornately carved wooden columns, windows, and gateways. Inside the museum, we can see different religious arts, bronze statues, and wooden carvings.
Other major attractions of Patan Durbar Square are its Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, Vishwanath Temple, etc. Patan Durbar Square has a variety of architecture and another wooden carving that enhances the history of the Malla Period.
Boudhanath – Largest Spherical Stupa
Among different other cultural heritages of Kathmandu valley, Boudhnath is also one of the major sites of Kathmandu. It is one of the largest spherical stupas because of its biggest mandala. The stupa stands on a massive mandala-shaped platform and is surrounded by a circular path known as the kora, where devotees walk in a clockwise direction while spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras.
The stupa attracts different pilgrims and visitors from around the world, who come to circumambulate the stupa, offer prayers, and soak in the spiritual ambiance. Boudhanath is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds immense religious and cultural importance, particularly for Tibetan Buddhists.
Kathmandu Durbar Square – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar square which holds a historically and culturally significant site in Kathmandu. The square has different palaces, temples, statues and courtyards, representing the architectural grandeur of ancient Nepal.
The square is surrounded by several beautiful and intricately carved buildings including the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, which is the main attraction of the area. Although the square had significant damage during the devasting earthquake, extensive restoration efforts have been undertaken to preserve and rebuild the historical structures.
Best Time for the Kathmandu Valley Tour
The best time to travel to Kathmandu Valley depends on the preferences of the travelers and the kind of activities you are willing to do. Though, generally the best time to explore Kathmandu city is Autumn (late September to November) and Spring (March to May).
During the Autumn (September to November) season, the weather remains pleasant with a warm environment and you can enjoy the close-up views of the mountain ranges around the Kathmandu Valley. At this time, the normal temperature of the Kathmandu valley is nearly 20-25 degrees which is an ideal temperature to have a Kathmandu sightseeing tour. During this time, there is likely to be rainfall which leads to exploration of the Kathmandu city being more exciting and disturbance-free.
During the Spring (March to April) season, we can experience clearer skies and lush forests around because this season falls after the monsoon season. Because of the clearer skies, and mild temperature, the Spring season is more popular for the Kathmandu Valley tour. During this season, many trekkers find ideal walking by different locations of Kathmandu favorable.
Not just Autumn and Spring, you can have the Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour during the winter season too. Although the temperature is lower during winter, the daytime is quite sunny which offers a moderate balance in temperature making it ideal for different trekkers.
Permit Fees – Kathmandu Valley Tour
The Entrance fees may depend on the places you are willing to visit and the activities you wanna accomplish in the city.
Pashupatinath Temple: To enter the Pashupatinath Temple, it costs NPR 1,000 to non-SAARC nations and NPR 100 to SAARC nationality.
Bouddhanath Stupa: The entrance fee for non-SAARC nations is NPR 400 and NPR 150 for SAARC nations.
Swayambhunath Temple: To explore the Swayambhu Temple, the entrance fee for Non-SAARC nations is NPR 200 and NPR 50 for SAARC nations.
