Kathmandu 2-Day Private Tour: 5 UNESCO Sites & Nagarkot Sunrise

Five UNESCO sites tour: temple carvings, Himalayan sunrise, Newar craftsmen's old squares

This 2-day private tour in Kathmandu visits five UNESCO World Heritage sites—Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur—with a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and water included. Day one moves through the carved temples and monasteries of the Kathmandu Valley; day two starts before 4am at Nagarkot for sunrise views of the Himalayas, then continues to Bhaktapur's four major squares and its 55-windowed palace. Entry fees to the UNESCO sites are an additional charge per person.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kathmandu UNESCO Sites Tour

• Visit Pashupatinath Temple
• Explore Boudhanath Stupa
• Climb to Swayambhunath Temple
• Tour Patan Durbar Square
• See Golden Temple in Patan
• Visit Thanka Painting art school

Day 2 — Nagarkot Sunrise and Bhaktapur Tour

• Drive to Nagarkot for sunrise
• View Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley
• Visit Bhaktapur ancient city
• See Siddhi Laxmi Temple
• Visit Dattatreya Temple
• Explore Pottery Square in Bhaktapur

The Experience

Pashupatinath Temple opens the first day—a major Hindu shrine on the Bagmati River where you see the main Shiva Temple and the cremation ceremonies that make it one of Kathmandu's most sacred sites. From there, Boudhanath Stupa draws you into Tibetan Buddhist culture; the monasteries surrounding the main stupa and the strong Tibetan influence make it feel separate from the city's noise. Swayambhunath, known as the Monkey Temple, sits at the top of a long staircase where monkeys accompany the climb. The complex holds several shrines, temples, a Tibetan monastery, library and museum—all at the summit where you can stand and look back over what you've climbed.

Patan Durbar Square fills the afternoon with Newari architecture at its height. The Krishna Temple shows off stone carving from the old Malla palace; the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), plated in gold and surrounded by Buddhist monasteries, dates to the 12th century. You also visit a traditional Thanka painting art school, where artists work with natural colors on cotton cloth—designs range from mandalas to Buddha life stories to single-point meditation paintings.

Day two starts at 4am for the drive to Nagarkot, about an hour and a half from Kathmandu. The sunrise and views of the Himalayas—including Mt. Everest on clear mornings—frame the Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur city below. After breakfast, Bhaktapur's four major squares unfold: Dattatraya Temple Square, Nyathpol Square (home to a five-story temple dedicated to Goddess Siddhi Laxmi), Pottery Square where artisans make and sell traditional work by hand, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square with its 55-windowed royal palace, temples and monuments. The Dattatraya Temple honors a mixed incarnation of three major Hindu gods; the Bhairab Temple stands nearby. UNESCO listed this entire city as a World Heritage site.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off by car.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• a bottle of water per person.
• visits to a traditional Thanka painting art school and a singing and healing bowl center.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Attractive Travels and Tours Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you speak English and want a guide's commentary as you move through the temples and squares; the early 4am start to Nagarkot means you'll see the sunrise and Himalayan views before the day fills up, then spend the afternoon exploring Bhaktapur's carved palaces and pottery squares without rushing.

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Top questions

What temples will I see on the first day in Kathmandu?

Day one includes Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River, Boudhanath Stupa with its surrounding Tibetan monasteries, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) at the top of a long staircase, and Patan Durbar Square with the Krishna Temple and the 12th-century Golden Temple.

What time does the Nagarkot sunrise tour start?

The drive to Nagarkot leaves around 4am from Kathmandu, taking about an hour and a half to reach the hilltop viewpoint for sunrise and Himalayan views.

What are the four major squares in Bhaktapur?

Bhaktapur has Dattatraya Temple Square, Nyathpol Square (with its five-story temple), Pottery Square where traditional crafts are made, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which holds the 55-windowed royal palace and many temples and monuments.

Is the guide included, and what language does he speak?

A professional guide in English is included with the tour and provides commentary throughout both days.

What is the Thanka painting art school visit?

Thanka painting is a traditional art form where artists paint designs on cotton cloth using natural colors; designs include mandalas, wheels of life, Buddha life stories and meditation paintings.

Are UNESCO site entrance fees included in the tour price?

Entry fees to the five UNESCO World Heritage sites are not included and are paid separately at each location; the operator charges an additional fee per person for these entries.