Top Kathmandu Day Trips

Get a comprehensive tour of Kathmandu, focused on its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in a single day. With a guide in the lead, you'll follow a curated itinerary designed to show you the best of the city, including Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath, and Pashupati. Your guide will provide a primer on Nepali culture and tradition through narration as you travel.

Enjoy some of the best natural and cultural experiences in Nepal on an easy day trip from Kathmandu. Start by watching the sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot, one of the best mountain viewpoints near Kathmandu. Then hike through villages and farmland to the UNESCO-listed temples of Changu Narayan. A great trip for active travelers who are interested in both cultural and natural attractions.

Not many people can claim to have reached the top of Mount Everest. During this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime flight from Kathmandu, soar over the Eastern Himalayas, getting a bird’s eye panorama of the world’s tallest—and most legendary—mountain chain, including Everest. Enjoy the magic of the world-famous summit without the struggle to make it to the top. Tours include private hotel pickup and drop-off and a celebratory glass of sparkling wine.

Kathmandu’s top sights are spread throughout the sprawling capital, meaning most visitors end up missing key attractions. On this action-packed day tour, you’ll cover all of the region’s UNESCO-listed highlights. Travel in a comfortable private car between locations in the city, with a private guide on-hand to supply information and background. Of course, you'll venture to Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Enjoy a beautiful day out from Kathmandu without the hassle of catching buses. Your driver picks you up early for the drive to Nagarkot in time for sunrise. On a clear day, enjoy magnificent views of the mountains, including Everest and the Annapurna range. Hike through farmland and villages toward Changu Narayan with a guide leading the way. End with a visit to the UNESCO–listed Changu Narayan Temple.

Catching views of the mighty Himalayan mountains is a must-do Nepal activity, but trekking is strenuous and takes time. Enjoy views easily on a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Mt. Everest Base Camp, touching down for breakfast (own expense) in a prime mountain location. Get aerial views of the world’s highest mountain and other impressive peaks. Stop in Lukla to refuel and get a glimpse of the mountain town.

Many visitors to Kathmandu miss nearby Bhaktapur, a well-preserved medieval city-state and UNESCO-World Heritage site. Discover one of Nepal’s prettiest attractions during this behinds the scenes peek at the Newari city, famous for its intricate pagodas and delicate handicrafts. The in-depth tour also includes a visit to Panauti, where you’ll have a chance to meet with local entrepreneurs.

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Kathmandu Valley on this private tour. You'll enjoy dedicated attention from your guide and the ability to move at your own pace through the area's top attractions. Stops include UNESCO-listed sites such as Pashupati, Bouddha, Patan Durbar Square, and others.

The Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites—Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath Stupas, and Patan Durbar Square—cover both Hindu and Buddhist traditions across a valley that requires local knowledge to navigate meaningfully in a single day. This private tour connects all four with a thangka painting school (traditional Tibetan Buddhist devotional art) visit and a singing bowl demonstration included alongside the site visits.

Escape Kathmandu's bustle with a private day trip to Chandragiri Hills. Enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Himalaya beyond from a scenic cable car ride, rising up through pine forests. Avoid the hassle of catching taxis or buses from the city. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, cable car tickets, and free time to explore hiking trails or dine at on-site restaurants at the summit.

Kathmandu Valley is known for its unique Buddhist and Hindu heritage, reflected in its most popular landmarks. But cultural and religious attractions are spread out, making them difficult to cover with limited time. Visit four UNESCO World Heritage sites in a single day— Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square—during this full-day private tour, which also includes door-to-door transportation.

Learn more about Nepali culture through its food. During this fun, hands-on cooking class, participants will start from scratch by learning how to choose the best ingredients, and work through to complicated techniques, like making momos. Three different menus are offered, each containing four traditional Nepali dishes, so there should be something for everyone to enjoy. Foodies and enthusiastic cooks will especially enjoy this activity, but you don’t need to have cooking experience.

Hike to one of the world’s most sacred Buddhist sites on a private full-day trip to Namo Buddha from Kathmandu, traveling via scenic Panauti. With your private guide leading the way, hike to Namo Buddha village, at 5,741 feet (1,750 meters) altitude. At the top, visit the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and enjoy panoramic views of the Himalaya and foothills. Lunch, refreshments, and Kathmandu hotel transfers are included.

Learn about two ancient capitals in Nepal, Patan and Bhaktapur, on this half day tour that spends equal time in each place. Your guide will tell you all about the history, heritage, and culture as you walk through narrow lanes visiting different courtyards, temples, and pagodas along the way. Round trip transfers to/from your hotel in Kathmandu are included.

Experience the unforgettable journey blending history, culture, and natural beauty. We pick you up from your hotel and stop at Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll explore ancient courtyards, stunning temples, and the timeless charm of this Newari city. Next, we head to Dhulikhel, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayas and traditional Newari heritage. From here, the journey continues to the serene Namobuddha, a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site where legend meets tranquility. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance and take in the stunning surroundings. The final stop is Panauti, a charming town steeped in history and culture. Discover its ancient temples, intricate wood carvings, and the spiritual confluence of sacred rivers. While returning back we pass by the impressive Shiva Statue in Sanga, one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world. If you wish, we can stop for a closer look or capture a memorable photograph before heading back to your hotel.

Nepali food is delicious but if you want to do more than just taste it in Kathmandu’s restaurants, join a cooking class in a local family home. Start by visiting the local market and a private organic farm to choose your ingredients. Learn the techniques, tastes, and tricks of favorite dishes such as dal bhat (lentils and rice), momo dumplings, and sel roti (sweet fried bread).

In this tour we visit the temple in Kathmandu Valley that carries a history of almost 3000 years and visit Patan, the city of fine arts and Bhaktapur, the city of devotees which is a living heritage and cultural gem of Nepal, all of which are UNESCO Listed World Heritage Sites.

Escape the bustle of the capital and explore three attractions within the scenic Kathmandu Valley during this private full-day tour from Kathmandu. Visit multiple historic temples, including a popular pilgrimage site to the fearsome goddess Kali. Enjoy a sumptuous all-inclusive lunch of traditional Newari food. Learn about the valley’s indigenous inhabitants while admiring stunning panoramic views.

Spare yourself the hassle of haggling with cab drivers on this time-saving small-group tour. Experience three of Kathmandu’s signature sights: the royal palaces and temples of Patan Durbar Square, the Hindu structures and cremation places at Pashupatinath Temple, and the Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath. The day includes transport and guiding but excludes entrance fees.

Explore all 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley in one full-day sightseeing tour: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Changu Narayan Temple, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Travel by private or shared vehicle, depending on the option selected, with an experienced guide and a packed lunch of croissant, muffin, Danish pastry, biscuits, banana and juice. Learn about Nepal’s Newar culture, architecture, religious traditions and history across Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Choose the option with entry tickets if you want monument fees covered; otherwise carry Nepalese rupees for entrance fees. The day includes substantial walking and takes approximately 3–9 hours depending on the selected option and traffic.

You don’t need to travel too far from busy, crowded Kathmandu to experience the beauty of the Himalayan mountains and Nepal’s ancient culture. See the sunrise over the mountains from Nagarkot without having to haggle with taxi drivers after an early morning pickup. Then visit the ancient capital of Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide and driver handles all logistics, letting you enjoy these must-visit attractions without hassle.

Discover several of Kathmandu’s ancient UNESCO World Heritage–listed sites on a private guided city tour that covers more than you could trying to go alone. Travel comfortably by private vehicle with hotel pickup included, so there’s no need to haggle with taxi drivers. Explore up to seven historic temples, stupas, and palaces—such as Pashupatinath Temple, the Durbar Squares, and the stupas at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath—with commentary from your guide.

Explore beyond central Kathmandu on this small-group tour to UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur and a few impressive sites beyond the edge of the Kathmandu Valley. Learn more about Newari culture at Bhaktapur and Panauti, see the impressive Kailashnath Mahadev Shiva statue on the valley’s edge, visit the ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha, and enjoy views of the mighty Himalaya from Dhulikhel on a clear day. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.