Nepal · UNESCO Heritage Sites

4-Day Kathmandu Heritage Tour with Nagarkot Himalayan Views

4 Days Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Learn about the art, culture, and traditional lifestyles in the medieval city of Bhaktapur
02 Admire the spectacular sunrise or sunset views of the Himalayas from Nagarkot
03 Visit Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important religious sites in Asia
04 Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic seat of the Shah Dynasty
05 See Boudhanath, one of the biggest stupas in the world and a major Buddhist centre

This 4-day tour around Kathmandu combines Nepal's most important cultural and religious landmarks with breathtaking Himalayan views from Nagarkot. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur, and Patan Durbar Square while discovering the art, culture, and traditional lifestyles of the valley. The journey also includes the chance to admire either a spectacular sunrise or sunset over the Himalayas, with panoramic views that can include Mount Everest. It is an ideal introduction to Kathmandu's heritage and scenery.

Admire the magnificent sunrise view over the Himalayas from your hotel room.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kathmandu, Mount Everest, Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival and Kathmandu Durbar Square with Swayambhunath

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the historic seat of the Shah Dynasty. With its old temples and palaces, the Durbar Square epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that the Kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized.
Interesting things to see here include Taleju Temple, built by King Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D., Kal Bhairav, the God of Destruction, Nautalle Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, the Drum, and the Jagannath Temple. Swayambhunath Stupa, atop the hillock, is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and is enlisted as a World Heritage Site.

Day 02

Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur, and Patan City Tour

Pashupatinath is situated five kilometres east of Kathmandu and is the temple of Lord Shiva-Pashupatinath, with a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors that are famous for their superb architecture. The stupa of Boudhanath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. This ancient colossal stupa is one of the biggest in the world and a major centre of Buddhism. It was listed as a UNESCO Heritage Monument in 1979.
Bhaktapur is still on the fringe of the medieval age. Known as Bhadgaon, it is famous for mask-making, and its mask dance is awe-inspiring. The square around the palace, Durbar Square, has many temples built in pagoda style. The most famous is the five-storied Nyatapola Temple, built in 1708 A.D., along with Dattatreya Temple, built in 1427 A.D. The intricately carved Peacock Window and the numerous fountains inside the palace are other attractions. You can extend the tour to Changunarayan Temple, located on a hilltop.
At Patan Durbar Square, the most prominent place to see is Krishna Mandir, which was built in the seventeenth century. This temple holds a commanding position in the palace complex of Patan and is supposed to be the first specimen of Shikhara-style architecture in Nepal. It is the only temple in Nepal with 21 spires and is completely made of stone. The Golden Temple and Durbar Square are some other important places to see in Patan.

Day 03

Nagarkot Sunrise or Sunset Excursion and Overnight Stay

Depending upon your choice, either sunrise or sunset, set out for a fascinating drive towards Nagarkot. Nagarkot is situated 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 m above sea level. It is a popular destination for sunrise and sunset views, as well as panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest.

Day 04

Himalayan Sunrise and Departure from Kathmandu

Admire the magnificent sunrise view over the Himalayas from your hotel room.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Drive back to Kathmandu at a leisurely pace to check in for your final departure from Kathmandu.

Where this trip takes you

Nagarkot sunrise ridge, Mount Everest panorama, Boudhanath stupa

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kathmandu 44600 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Arrival and departure transfers by A/C car or coach
Sightseeing tour as per the programme in an A/C car or coach
English-speaking tour guide during the sightseeing tour
Hotel accommodation for 3 nights on a bed and breakfast basis in a 3-star hotel
All monument and entrance fees as per the programme

What's Not Included

All major meals (lunch and dinner) and personal expenses
Alcoholic and bottled beverages, laundry, and tips
Personal health and accident insurance

Know before you go

The tour guide can also speak French, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.
Best time to visit Nepal: spring (early April to May) and autumn (early October to late November) are the best times to visit Nepal. Late monsoon (September) and early December are equally nice, depending upon the trek regions.
Because of the word Himalaya associated with the trek, it is often asked whether snow is encountered during the trek. The answer is "no" if you are trekking in summer and spring below 4500-meter elevation. High areas and passes in the mountains above 5000 meters are generally covered with snow during early spring.
Safety situation: Visitors should be vigilant and be ready to move away to a safer place if they see strikes or demonstrations. While on the trek, you have your trek guide, so there is no need to worry about this issue. Road conditions are generally poor and difficult even in the best conditions. During the monsoon season (June to September), many roads outside the Kathmandu Valley are prone to landslides and can become impassable.
Nepal visa: Visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. The cost of a tourist visa for 30 days is US$40; for 15 days, the cost is US$25. Visas are multiple-entry. You can also apply online to save time.

Logistics