Pashupatinath and Boudhanath tour: Hindu and Buddhist sites
Hindu cremation rites and Buddhist monasteries in one morning
A three-hour guided walking tour of Kathmandu's Pashupatinath and Boudhanath temples, available as a private tour for one person or a small group of up to five. Your guide explains the 16 Hindu rites of passage and the cremation process at Aryaghat on the Bagmati River, then walks you through Boudhanath stupa to teach the basics of Tibetan Buddhism, monastery life, and traditional thanka painting.
Options for this experience
3 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Pashupatinath and Boudhanath
- Visit Pashupatinath temple area
- Walk through shops selling religious items
- Observe Aryaghat crematoria and learn rites
- Hear story of Lord Shiva and explore area
- Rest and visit Guhyeshwari Temple
- Travel to Boudhanath and hear Satidevi story
- Explore Boudhanath stupa and Buddhism basics
- Visit Buddhist monastery and learn teachings
- Learn Thanka art and healing bowls at school
- End tour at Boudha gate
- Pashupatinath 15m
- Boudhanath 45m
What’s included
- An English-speaking guide who explains Hindu and Buddhist practices, the history of both temples, and the religious significance of each stop.
- entry to the temple grounds and surrounding areas (entry fees to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath are paid separately in cash at each site).
Times
- Every day 09:00 15:00
Before you book
Operated by Amazing Kathmandu Tours
Prices and times updated 17 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Pashupatinath is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu Valley, and your guide takes you to Aryaghat, the cremation grounds on the riverbank where you'll see and understand the last rites as they happen. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple, so the guide walks you through the surrounding shops selling religious items to pilgrims, explaining what each one means and why Hindus use them. At Aryaghat itself, you'll learn about the Shodasha Samskaras (the 16 rites of passage that mark a Hindu life), and hear stories like how Lord Ganesha received his elephant head. The guide also explains the concept of the Trinity God and why Lord Shiva came to this place.
After a rest, you walk toward Boudhanath, passing Guhyeshwari Temple and hearing the story of Guru Gorakhnath, then learning about Satidevi and the Shaktipeeth concept on the 20-minute walk to the stupa itself. Boudhanath is the world's second-largest stupa of its kind and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Here the guide covers the basics: prayer flags and the five elements, the four noble truths, the eightfold path, and the thirteen steps to nirvana. You'll also visit a working Buddhist monastery to see how monks live and learn about Guru Padmasambhava and the Dharma Chakra Pariwartana. The tour ends at a thanka painting school, where you'll see the intricate art of thanka and learn about mandalas and healing bowls.
You can book this as a private walking tour for one person with no vehicle, or add private pickup transportation if you're traveling with up to three people total. Small group departures run with a maximum of five travelers. Your guide will contact you within 24 hours of booking, and the operator offers a full refund if you need to cancel. Entry fees to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath are paid separately in cash at each site.
Is this one for you?Book the private walking tour if you're traveling alone and prefer to navigate on foot. Choose the private pickup option if you're with one or two others and want transportation included. Small group departures work well if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want to keep costs lower.
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Top questions
What happens at Aryaghat during the tour?
Aryaghat is the cremation ground on the Bagmati River where Hindu last rites take place. Your guide explains the process and teaches the 16 Shodasha Samskaras (the rites of passage that mark different stages of a Hindu life), so you understand the religious significance of what you're witnessing.
Can I enter the main temple at Pashupatinath?
Only Hindus are allowed inside the main temple at Pashupatinath. Your guide takes you through the surrounding area, the shops selling religious items, and Aryaghat instead, so you still understand the temple's importance and the practices centered there.
What will I learn about Buddhism at Boudhanath?
At Boudhanath stupa, the guide teaches the basics of Tibetan Buddhism: the meaning of prayer flags and the five elements, the four noble truths, the eightfold path, and the thirteen steps to nirvana. You'll also visit a working monastery and see traditional thanka painting, learning how monks live and how the intricate art connects to Buddhist practice.
How do I get to these temples if I don't book the transportation option?
The walking tour operates without pickup, so you'll meet your guide at the starting point in Kathmandu. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the meeting area.
What's the difference between the private walking tour and the private tour with pickup?
The private walking tour is for one person on foot with no vehicle. The private tour with pickup includes transportation and accommodates up to three people total because of vehicle space. Both follow the same route and guide.
Pashupatinath and Boudhanath tour: Hindu and Buddhist sites
3h · EN
from US$ 15 per person
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