Kathmandu Valley Explorer – 5 Days
Into the Heart of the Kathmandu Valley:
Kathmandu welcomes you with a vibrant blend of colour, culture, and Himalayan energy .Your first day offers a gentle immersion into the city’s rhythm – whether you wander through the lively streets of Thamel, pause at a quiet stupa, or simply settle into your hotel and take in the atmosphere. As evening approaches, your guide will meet you for a short briefing, setting the stage for the days of exploration ahead.
Your journey begins in earnest with a deep dive into Kathmandu’s cultural and spiritual heart. Over the next two days, you’ll explore some of Nepal’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites – each one offering a window into centuries of devotion, artistry, and living tradition. From the royal courtyards of Durbar Square to the sacred riverbanks of Pashupatinath and the serene kora paths around Boudhanath, you’ll experience the city’s layered identity as both a historic crossroads and a thriving spiritual centre. A scenic mountain flight adds a breathtaking dimension, revealing the Himalayan giants from above before you continue exploring the valley’s ancient temples, palaces, and hilltop viewpoints.
Your final day in the valley brings a sunrise you won’t soon forget. From Nagarkot, the Himalaya stretch across the horizon in soft morning light, a quiet moment of awe before you descend into the medieval streets of Bhaktapur. Here, timeless craftsmanship, brick-paved squares, and towering temples offer a final, immersive glimpse into Nepal’s cultural soul.
As your time in Kathmandu comes to a close, you’ll depart with a richer understanding of the valley’s history, spirituality, and artistry.
Trek Cost Details (2025 & 2026)
Kathmandu Valley Explorer
Group Size – Cost PP (USD)
1-
2-3 –
4-6 –
7-8 –
9-10 –
11+ –
$820
$556
$504
$477
$454
Contact Us
Notes
• We do not merge travellers into mixed groups — your trek is private and personalised.
• Need a trek to fit your budget? Contact us — we’re happy to help tailor your experience.
Highlights
- Experience Kathmandu’s vibrant streets, stupas, and local culture
- Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, a living showcase of Newari architecture
- Visit Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the home of the Living Goddess, Kumari Ghar
- Experience the spiritual intensity of Pashupatinath Temple and its riverside rituals
- Walk the kora around Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world’s great Buddhist monuments
- Enjoy a scenic mountain flight with panoramic views of Everest and the Himalayan range
- Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) with sweeping valley views
- Discover Patan Durbar Square’s temples, museums, and exquisite craftsmanship
- See the sacred reclining Vishnu statue at Budhanilkantha Temple
- Sunrise over the Himalaya from Nagarkot Viewpoint
- Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nepal’s best-preserved medieval city
- Visit iconic landmarks including Nyatapola Temple and the 55-Window Palace
- Wander Pottery Square and witness traditional craftsmanship in action
Itinerary
Welcome to Kathmandu:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,355m)
Upon arrival at Kathmandu International Airport our staff will greet you and escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You may spend free time visiting nearby cultural sites, the bustling streets of Thamel or a nearby stupa, offering a gentle introduction to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Depending upon your arrival time, your guide will meet you early evening for a short briefing regarding your upcoming sightseeing tour. Overnight 3★ hotel. Driving 1 hour.
Explore Cultural and Spiritual Heritage:
Day 2: Full-Day Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Today is dedicated to exploring Kathmandu’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage through a guided tour of three of the city’s most important UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The day begins at Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic heart of the old city and once the seat of Nepal’s royal power. This remarkable complex is a living museum of Newari architecture, filled with intricately carved wooden temples, courtyards, and palaces. Highlights include the Hanuman Dhoka Royal Palace, once the residence of the Malla and Shah kings, and the Kumari Ghar, home of the Living Goddess Kumari. You’ll also visit several sacred temples, and the Shiva–Parvati Temple, each reflecting centuries of religious devotion and craftsmanship.
From here, the tour continues to Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu site. Set along the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple complex is an important centre of pilgrimage and ritual. Along the river’s sacred ghats, you may observe traditional Hindu cremation ceremonies, offering a powerful and respectful insight into Nepalese spiritual life and beliefs about death and rebirth.
The day concludes at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest and most significant Buddhist stupas in the world and a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism. The massive white dome rises above the surrounding neighbourhood, crowned by the all-seeing eyes of Buddha gazing in all four directions. Prayer flags stretch outward, while pilgrims and monks perform kora, walking clockwise around the stupa and spinning prayer wheels. The atmosphere here is calm and contemplative, with monasteries, rooftop cafes, and Tibetan shops encircling the stupa. After a full day of exploration, you return to your hotel with a deeper understanding of Nepal’s diverse religious traditions, history, and living culture. Overnight 3★ hotel.
Sky-High Views and Valley Wonders:
Day 3: Mountain Flight and Sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley
An early start takes you to the domestic airport for a spectacular one-hour mountain flight, offering unforgettable aerial views of Mount Everest and the Himalayan range. Weather permitting, you’ll see a sweeping panorama of snow-covered peaks stretching across the horizon before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Later in the day, sightseeing begins at Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple. Perched atop a wooded hill, this ancient Buddhist stupa offers panoramic views over the Kathmandu Valley. The site is unique for its blend of Buddhist and Hindu symbolism, with prayer flags, shrines, and resident monkeys adding to its lively and spiritual atmosphere.
The tour then continues to Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur, a centre of art, culture, and fine Newari craftsmanship. This beautifully preserved royal square is home to impressive landmarks such as Krishna Mandir, the Mahaboudha Temple, and the Patan Museum, which houses an excellent collection of religious art and artifacts. Wandering through Patan offers a quieter, more peaceful contrast to Kathmandu’s historic core.
The final stop is Budhanilkantha Temple, located at the base of the Shivapuri Hills. Here you’ll see the remarkable reclining statue of Lord Vishnu, carved from a single block of black stone and appearing to float on a pond. This serene and sacred site is one of the most important Vishnu shrines in Nepal. After a full day of experiences, you return to your hotel in Kathmandu. Overnight 3★ hotel.
Sunrise Over the Himalaya & Timeless Bhaktapur:
Day 4: Sunrise at Nagarkot (2,175m) and Bhaktapur Durbar Square
An early start at around 5:00am takes you on a scenic one-hour drive to Nagarkot Viewpoint, one of the best places in the Kathmandu Valley to watch the sunrise over the Himalaya. As the first light touches the peaks, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the snow-covered range, including Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu, along with many other surrounding peaks. You’ll have about 30 minutes to take in the views and capture photographs as the mountains gradually come alive with colour.
After sunrise, the journey continues to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where you spend around two hours exploring one of Nepal’s best-preserved medieval cities. Known for its rich Newari culture and architecture, Bhaktapur offers a step back in time. Highlights include the 55-Window Palace, the towering Nyatapola Temple, the nearby Bhairav Nath Temple, and Pottery Square, where traditional pottery-making techniques are still practiced. In the afternoon, you drive back to Kathmandu, bringing the day’s sightseeing to a relaxed close. Overnight 3★ hotel.
Farewell to Kathmandu:
Day 5: Departure from Kathmandu
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a final stroll through the city or a short visit to a nearby temple. Our staff will escort you to the airport for your onward journey. Or, if you’re keen to explore more of Nepal’s wonders, we can help to arrange a custom extension to your trip. Driving time 1 hour.
What’s Included in your Kathmandu Valley Explorer
Your adventure is thoughtfully designed to include everything you need for a safe, comfortable, and culturally rich experience — from airport transfers to guided tours.
- All private transportation as per itinerary
- Kathmandu 3★ hotel – 4 nights, bed & breakfast
- Entrance fees to all heritage sites
- English-speaking City guide for three days
- One hour mountain flight with certificate
- Fully licenced English-speaking guide for Nagarkot.
What’s Not Included
While we’ve covered the essentials, here are a few things you’ll need to arrange separately:
- International airfare and arrival/departure taxes to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fees upon arrival (please bring accurate USD cash and two passport-size photos)
- Personal travel insurance – you should have travel insurance for this package tour in case of emergency, maximum altitude 2,175m.
- Additional expenses (Wi-Fi, laundry, bottled drinks, speciality coffees (espresso, latte etc), snacks, bar bills, phone calls, etc.)
- Lunch and dinner during the 5 day tour
- Tips for guide and driver/donations
