Chandragiri Cable Car & Monkey Temple Tour: Kathmandu half-day
Himalayan views, a hilltop temple, and sacred monkeys in one morning
A private half-day tour from Kathmandu combining a 10–15 minute cable car ride to Chandragiri Hills with entry to Swayambhunath Stupa, a 2,500-year-old UNESCO site. Hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide are included. The all-inclusive option adds lunch box and monument fees. The cable car ascends to 2,500 meters, where clear days reveal Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu across the Himalayan range.
Options for this experience
4 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Chandragiri Hills and Monkey Temple visit
- Ride Chandragiri cable car
- Explore Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple
- Enjoy panoramic Himalayan views
- Visit Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)
- Experience cultural and spiritual sites
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned private vehicle.
- English-speaking professional guide throughout the tour. On the all-inclusive option: lunch box with bottled water, muffin, donut, banana, seasonal fruit and juice.
- soft drinks.
- cable car ticket and monument entry fees.
Times
- Every day 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00
Before you book
Operated by Relax Getaways
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Chandragiri Hills sits on the southwestern edge of Kathmandu Valley, reachable by modern cable car in about 10–15 minutes. The ride itself is the first draw: you rise over forested slopes with expanding views of the valley floor below. At the top, the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, a shrine to Lord Shiva, sits on landscaped grounds with gardens, cafes and shops. On clear days, the panorama stretches to the high peaks. On hazier ones, the valley spreads out in layers below. The cable car and hilltop temple form the first half of the day.
From there, the tour moves to Swayambhunath Stupa in western Kathmandu, the site known as the Monkey Temple. The stupa itself dates back over 2,500 years, its white dome topped with a gilded spire marked by the all-seeing eyes of Buddha facing four directions. Prayer flags, spinning wheels and smaller shrines fill the hilltop, blending Vajrayana Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The monkeys that gave the site its nickname move freely through the grounds, adding an unpredictable energy to the spiritual atmosphere. A 360-degree view of Kathmandu Valley opens from the elevated location.
Hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned private vehicle are included. An English-speaking guide accompanies the tour throughout. The all-inclusive option adds a lunch box (bottled water, muffin, donut, banana, seasonal fruit and juice), soft drinks, and monument entry fees. Without it, you pay entrance fees separately at each site. The full tour runs about five hours from pickup to return.
Is this one for you?Choose the all-inclusive option if you want entry fees and lunch handled upfront. The private tour option works if you prefer to pay monument fees on-site and bring your own food. Either way, the fixed five-hour window fits easily into a half-day schedule alongside other Kathmandu activities.
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Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the cable car ride to Chandragiri Hills like?
The modern cable car takes 10–15 minutes to ascend to 2,500 meters, rising over forested slopes with expanding views of Kathmandu Valley. On clear days, you can see Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu across the Himalayan range from the top.
What will I see at Swayambhunath Stupa?
Swayambhunath is a 2,500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site with a brilliant white dome topped by a gilded spire marked with Buddha's all-seeing eyes. Prayer flags, spinning wheels, smaller temples and sacred monkeys fill the hilltop, which offers a 360-degree view of Kathmandu Valley.
Does the tour include lunch and entry fees?
Lunch and entry fees depend on which option you choose at checkout. The all-inclusive option includes a lunch box (water, muffin, donut, banana, seasonal fruit and juice), soft drinks, and monument entry fees. The private tour option does not include entry fees, which you pay separately at each site.
How long is the entire tour?
The tour runs about five hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the cable car ride, time at Chandragiri Hills, the visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, and travel between sites.
Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?
Yes, all areas and surfaces on this tour are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.
Chandragiri Cable Car & Monkey Temple Tour: Kathmandu half-day
5h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 5 per person
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