Kathmandu Rickshaw Tour: Sunset through Durbar Square

Three neighborhoods, one rickshaw, temples and markets as the light changes

A guided rickshaw tour through Kathmandu's streets at sunset, starting in Thamel and ending at Durbar Square with entry included. The route passes through Asan Market's crowded lanes, stops at working temples like Annapurna and Seto Machindranath, and reaches the 12th-to-18th-century palace complex where your guide explains the monuments before the ride back. A local driver and English-speaking guide handle the navigation. Children under 6 ride free.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Asan Market50m
2. Kathmandu Durbar Square1h 25m · entry included

Evening Rickshaw Tour in Kathmandu

• Meet at Hotel Marshyangdi
• Board rickshaw at Thamel
• Ride rickshaw to Asan Market
• Explore Annapurna Temple and nearby temples
• Ride through narrow streets to Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Visit temples and monuments at Durbar Square
• Return by rickshaw to meeting point

The experience

You board your rickshaw in Thamel, the tourist quarter packed with hotels and shops, and head into the narrower streets toward Asan Market. This isn't a museum stop: Asan is where Kathmandu actually shops, a crowded maze of spice stalls, electronics vendors and clothing racks threaded with temples. You'll stand in front of Annapurna Temple, the Goddess of Abundance, and pass Seto Machindranath (also called Janabaha Dyo), a deity worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. The rickshaw winds through alleys tight enough that the city's noise and smell come straight at you, and your guide points out Aakash Bhairab, connected to the first king of Nepal. This is the part most visitors miss, not a curated route but the actual working heart of the city.

From Asan, the rickshaw carries you to Kathmandu Durbar Square, where more than 50 temples and shrines cluster within a few blocks. The complex of palaces, courtyards and wooden temples was built between the 12th and 18th centuries as the seat of the Malla kings. Among the ancient structures stands Gaddhi Baithak, a white European-influenced building from the Rana regime where ceremonial programs still happen from its balcony. Your guide walks you through the monuments and explains what you're standing in front of before the return ride to your starting point. Entry to Durbar Square is included, so you don't stop to buy a ticket.

The tour runs 2.5 hours and happens in the evening, which is when Thamel and Asan shift into their after-work rhythm. You're moving the whole time, rickshaws don't park, so you see the city from a seat that's low enough to catch details a car would miss but moving fast enough to cover ground. The driver handles the navigation. The guide handles the stories. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and children under 6 join free.

What’s included

• Rickshaw hire through Thamel, Asan Market and Durbar Square.
• entry to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
• local guide in English.
• stops at Annapurna Temple, Seto Machindranath and other working temples along the route.
• return transport to your starting point.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Night TourGuide in English · 18:00Departs at 6 PM

Evening tour in a small groupGuide in English · 18:00Evening tour in a small group, departing at 6 PM

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Intrepid Urban Adventures - India

Is this one for you?Pick the private option if you want to set your own stops and pace without coordinating with other travelers, or choose the small group if you prefer to split the rickshaw cost.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Kathmandu Durbar Square and why does it matter?

Kathmandu Durbar Square is a complex of palaces, courtyards and temples built between the 12th and 18th centuries that was once the seat of the Malla kings. It contains more than 50 temples and shrines within a few blocks, making it one of the most concentrated groupings of historical structures in the valley. Your entry fee is included in the tour.

Will I actually ride through the crowded parts of Kathmandu, or just the main streets?

You ride through the narrow lanes and backstreets, including the tight alleys of Asan Market where the rickshaw navigates between shoppers and stalls. The route is designed to show you how the city actually works, not just the polished tourist areas.

What temples will I see on this tour?

You'll stop at Annapurna Temple in Asan Market, dedicated to the Goddess of Abundance, and pass Seto Machindranath (Janabaha Dyo), worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists. You'll also see Aakash Bhairab, connected to Nepal's first king, and encounter many more temples as you move through Durbar Square, where your guide explains their history.

Is this tour private or will I be with other people?

You can choose between a private night tour for your group or a small group evening tour with other travelers. Both options include the same rickshaw route, guide and entry to Durbar Square.

How long does the tour take and when does it run?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and runs in the evening at sunset, giving you the city as it shifts from day to night. The exact start time depends on which option you book.

What's included and what do I need to pay for separately?

Rickshaw hire, entry to Kathmandu Durbar Square, and a local guide speaking English are all included. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included, so you can grab something in Thamel before or after if you want.