Join our half day of 3 hours sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. With our private half-day tour, witness the medieval culture, famous places, and UNESCO heritage sites, like Swayambhunath and KTM durbar square, accompanied by our expert English-speaking guide and comfortable transportation.
Speaking about the Kathmandu Valley, the city is traditionally known as the "Nepal Mandala" in the local Newari language. Similarly, it is the capital state of Modern Nepal.
Situated in the Central region, it has an average elevation of 1,400 meters (4,600 ft). The valley comprises three ancient royal cities: Kathmandu, also known as "Yen Desh"; Patan, also known as "Yala Desh"; and Bhaktapur, referred to as "Khwopa Desh," each holding their significance and myths. Before the unification of modern Nepal, these three districts had their own kings and royal authority.
Kathmandu, renowned as the "Living Museum of the World," boasts a vibrant culture, ancient attire, rich heritage, architectural marvels, age-old traditions, and a captivating lifestyle. Among the city's prominent attractions are its seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, which include the Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath (Jyarung Khashor), the Swoyambhunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple), the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and its Cremation Ghats, the historic Kathmandu Durbar Square, the exquisite Patan Durbar Square,the charming Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and the revered Changu Narayan Temple.
This Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour includes visiting 2 UNESCO Heritage sites – Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath.
These Mall heritages and stupa (entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddhaare) are an open museum of sorts. Besides that, experience the fascinating "Newar" settlements surrounding Durbar Square and savor the exotic local cuisine, featuring delicious meat dishes and fermented alcohol.
This half-day sightseeing in Kathmandu immerses you in the area's lifestyle, traditions, and artistic ambiance. You can take a beautiful walking tour to absorb the city's culture. Therefore Discover these captivating landmarks in a short time and at a reasonable cost. A detailed itinerary of the Kathmandu half-day tour is provided below for your convenience.
We offer flexible Kathmandu tour options to suit your needs. Whether you're planning a tour for two or a larger group of 10 or more, our extensive network of experienced guides, friendly drivers, and partner hotels allows us to create custom itineraries that perfectly match your preferences and budget.
This means you can customize your 3-hour half-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour per your interest and preferences and expand your tour up to a full one-day private tour too. Our tour generally comprises visiting two sites, Kathmandu Durbar Square and Shambhunath. But you can expand the exploring hours more and make it up to a full day too.
Leave the details to us, and we'll take care of everything.
Our Kathmandu Half-Day tour suits travellers of every kind, whether a solo adventurer, part of a group or prefer a private trekking experience; we've got you covered. We've already opened bookings for 2023 and 2024, so don't miss the chance to secure your spot. If you're a female traveller seeking a departure date in any of our trekking categories, we're here to assist you with group options or a private trekking group tailored just for you.
Our 3-hour Kathmandu Half-Day Tour Covers 2 Main Attractions
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu's Durbar Square, historically the site of coronations and rule by the city's kings (durbar meaning palace), stands today as the traditional heart of the old town and represents Kathmandu's most awe-inspiring display of traditional architecture. The devastating earthquake of 2015 took its toll on the square, causing the collapse of numerous temples and several towers within the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex. Despite this, the complex remains remarkable, and ongoing reconstruction efforts will span several years.
While most of the square's structures were built in the 17th and 18th centuries (though some were even older), extensive rebuilding took place after the destructive earthquake of 1934. Recognizing its cultural significance, the entire square earned the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site title in 1979.
History
The origins of Durbar Square are traced back to the Licchavi era, approximately during the 3rd century. However, it was during the reign of the Malla kings, spanning from the 13th to the 18th centuries, that the prominent temples, buildings, and monuments were predominantly constructed.
Festivals Celebrated around Kathmandu Durbar Square
Two main festivals take place in the Kathmandu Durbar Square area, i.e., Indra Jatra and Kumari Jatra.
Indra Jatra, the greatest religious street festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, is significant. Known as Yenyā in Nepal Bhasa, the festival's name combines "Ye," meaning "Kathmandu," and "Ya," signifying "celebration," together translating to "Celebration inside Kathmandu." Indra Jatra primarily consists of two major events: vibrant masked dances portraying deities and demons and impressive displays of sacred images and tableaus dedicated to the deity Indra, the king of heaven. Additionally, Kumari Jatra features a splendid chariot procession showcasing the living goddess Kumari.
The festivities extend over eight days, commencing from the 12th day of the bright fortnight to the 4th day of the dark fortnight of Yala, the eleventh month in the lunar Nepal Era calendar. Although celebrated throughout Kathmandu, the main venue for this extravagant event is Kathmandu Durbar Square.
The origins of Indra Jatra trace back to the 10th century, initiated by King Gunamkamadev to commemorate the founding of Kathmandu city. Kumari Jatra, another integral part of the festival, became established during the mid-18th century, around 1756 AD, during the reign of Jaya Prakash Malla, as per historical records.
Swayambhunath
The Swayambhunath Stupa, a magnificent example of Kathmandu Valley architecture, symbolizes great pride. Its exquisite design features a whitewashed dome that gracefully ascends to a gilded spire. At each cardinal direction, the stupa presents four iconic faces of the Buddha, casting a serene gaze across the valley. Although the 2015 earthquake shook the site severely, the main stupa remarkably endured only minor damage.
Deeply imbued with symbolism, the entire structure conveys profound meanings. The white dome represents the earth, while the 13-tiered tower atop signifies the 13 stages to reach nirvana. Below the penetrating eyes of the Buddha lies a nose-like squiggle, which is the Nepali number "ek" (one), symbolizing unity. Above, a third eye represents the all-seeing insight of the Buddha.
History
Emperor Ashoka's daughter constructed this stupa in the 14th century. Since its establishment, the stupa has remained the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destination for millennia, drawing countless global visitors and pilgrims.
The stupa was recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979; this stupa, along with Swayambhunath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple, ranks among Kathmandu's essential attractions.
Festivals Celebrated in Swayambhunath
Generally, three festivals are celebrated in the Swayambhunath temple: Gunla, Buddha Jayanti, and Lhosar.
In Swayambhu, Gunla stands out as a significant festival, celebrated annually in Newar Buddhism to mark the end of the monsoon retreat. During this auspicious occasion, devotees gather daily to recite scriptures and enjoy traditional Newar music. The festivities typically take place in August.
Moreover, the Buddha Jayanti, also known as Buddha Purnima, is another vital Buddhist festival commemorating the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. This joyous occasion honors his birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana (death). Buddha Jayanti usually falls between April and May.
Swayambhu's most important festival, Losar, joyfully celebrates the Buddhist New Year. The term 'Lo' means 'new,' and 'Sar' means 'year' in the context of this festival. Losar typically occurs in February.
