Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Tour

Explore 4 or 7 Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and lunch included.

Getting started

Begin your day with pickup from Kathmandu or Thamel, according to the option you select. Meet your expert English-speaking guide and join your shared or private group for a full-day guided tour of 4 or 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once everyone is on board, you will drive toward your first stop in the Kathmandu Valley and start your sightseeing program.

What to expect

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Perched on a hill above the city, Swayambhunath is one of the oldest religious sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

Features

• At Swayambhunath, you see the iconic stupa and hillside complex that has given the site its nickname, Monkey Temple.
• Your expert English-speaking guide introduces the first of your Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites here, as part of your guided tour of 4 or 7 sites, depending on the option you choose.

Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath is a major Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River and a key religious site in Nepal.

Features

• Inside the Pashupatinath area, you observe temple architecture and sacred spaces that illustrate living Hindu traditions.
• Entry to this UNESCO World Heritage Site is included in your tour of 4 or 7 Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites when you choose an option that features Pashupatinath.

Boudhanath

Boudhanath centers on one of the largest spherical stupas in the region and is an important focal point for Buddhist practice.

Features

• You circle the great stupa at Boudhanath and watch daily rituals unfold around this UNESCO-listed site.
• With your guided sightseeing in English, Boudhanath becomes one of the key stops covered in your shared or private guided tour of Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the historic heart of the capital, lined with palaces, courtyards, and temples.

Features

• As you walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square, you see traditional Newar architecture and important royal and religious buildings recognized by UNESCO.
• Entry to Kathmandu Durbar Square is included through your entry to Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites, forming part of the 4 or 7 locations you visit.

Patan Durbar Square

Located in the city of Patan, this Durbar Square highlights Newar art and courtly life.

Features

• In Patan Durbar Square, you explore palace courtyards and shrines that reflect Nepal's Newar culture, architecture, and religious traditions.
• Your guide continues the English-language commentary here, ensuring Patan Durbar Square is fully covered within your guided tour of 4 or 7 sites.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square showcases another royal center of the valley, with its own distinct layout and monuments.

Features

• While walking through Bhaktapur Durbar Square, you experience a different historic core of the Kathmandu Valley, with temples and former palaces gathered around the main square.
• Entry tickets to all 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Bhaktapur Durbar Square on the 7-site options, are taken care of for you so you can focus on the visit.

Changunarayan Temple

Changunarayan Temple is one of the valley's oldest temples and a key UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Features

• At Changunarayan Temple, you see a hilltop temple complex that reflects centuries of religious practice in the Kathmandu Valley.
• This temple completes the circuit of all 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Shared 7 UNESCO Sites Guided Tour with Lunch and Entry Tickets and the Private 7 UNESCO Sites Guided Tour with Lunch and Entry Tickets.

Features

• During the day, lunch is included so you have a scheduled break from sightseeing before continuing to the remaining UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Pickup from Kathmandu and Thamel is part of every option, and you can choose between a Shared 7 UNESCO Sites Guided Tour with Lunch and Entry Tickets, a Private 7 UNESCO Sites Guided Tour with Lunch and Entry Tickets, or a Shared 4 UNESCO Heritage Sites Guided Tour with Lunch, according to how many sites you want to visit and your preferred group type.
• Throughout the itinerary, your guided sightseeing in English covers Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Changunarayan Temple as per the option you select.