6-Day Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour with Nagarkot Sunrise

• Arrive in Kathmandu and meet the airport representative, who will transfer you to your booked hotel.

Explore the historic monuments of Kathmandu:

• Visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, also called the Monkey Temple. Swayambhu is a World Heritage Site and one of the holiest places of both Buddhism and Hinduism. It is perched atop a hillock on the edge of Kathmandu city. The massive stupa is also a famous tourist site for the amazing view of the valley it offers, as well as the monkeys that flock to the premises, from which it derives its nickname, Monkey Temple.

• See Kathmandu Durbar Square, another World Heritage Site, built in the 12th-13th century, where the Malla King Dynasty ruled over the city. King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha district annexed the city almost 300 years ago. The Durbar features many different exotic architectural designs and intricate wood carvings on windows and doors. The courtyard, temples, and Kumari (the Living Goddess) are the main attractions of Durbar Square. Inside the square, there is also a museum that belonged to the kings and reflects their regime period.

• Visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, an opulently decorated pagoda temple of Lord Shiva and his Linga (phallic symbol of the Lord). Legend has it that the temple was constructed in 400 AD. You will be able to witness the cremation of the deceased and the holy baths that devotees take in the Bagmati River. Pashupatinath is next to a small protected forest, so you will likely encounter monkeys, deer, and other animals.

• Go to Pharping, which lies south of Kathmandu and is also known as Shikharpuri Mahanagari. The state is accepted as an independent Newari state, and there you can see a typical Newari culture.

• Visit Dakshinkali Temple, located 22 km from Kathmandu city via Pharping. It is a temple of Kali, a form of Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. The main goddess of the temple is a six-armed form of Kali carved on a black stone. Especially on Saturdays and Tuesdays, animal sacrifices are performed here.

• See Patan Durbar Square, decorated with artistic courtyards and beautiful pagoda temples. Patan Durbar Square is another World Heritage Site and has a notable temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, made of stone in the 17th century. There is also a museum containing bronze statues and religious objects. The trip to Patan also covers the Tibetan Refugee Camp and handicraft center.

• Visit Bouddhanath Stupa, the giant dome monument of Buddha, located on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu city. It is a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and draws thousands of people every day for prayers. The stupa is 36 meters high and presents a captivating specimen of stupa design.

• Go to Changunarayan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the countryside of Bhaktapur. King Hari Dutta Verma built the temple in 323 AD, and the structure is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings. The main god of the temple is Lord Vishnu, and its architecture is pagoda-style.

• Explore Nagarkot, one of the closest hill stations you can reach from Kathmandu. From here, you can see excellent views of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range in the east. Nagarkot is also one of the best places for a sunrise view.

• Get up early in the morning for a sunrise view over the Himalayas. From Nagarkot, in clear weather, you can spot Mt. Everest on the horizon.

• Return to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the largest royal kingdom of Nepal.

• Transfer to Kathmandu Airport with your tour guide for departure.