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Kathmandu Durbar Square
7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Kathmandu Valley

Temples, courtyards & living tradition

Bagmati · Nepal
1,400 mAltitude
Oct–Nov · Mar–AprBest time
1h 30min flightFrom Delhi
₹2,500–8,000Budget/day
Not requiredVisa for Indians
Nepali, NewariLanguage

Kathmandu Valley holds seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, three ancient Durbar Squares, and a living culture spanning two millennia — the capital plus the historic towns of Patan and Bhaktapur, each with its own artistic character.

Highlights

Pashupatinath Temple darshan

One of the holiest Shiva shrines in the world. The evening aarti on the Bagmati river rivals Varanasi; the cremation ghats are a profound spiritual experience.

Boudhanath Stupa kora

Boudhanath Stupa kora

Walk clockwise around the massive white dome as monks chant and prayer wheels spin. Best at sunset when the stupa glows golden.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square

The finest collection of Newari architecture in Nepal — the Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple, and the Patan Museum.

Visit
Sunrise at Swayambhunath

Sunrise at Swayambhunath

Climb 365 steps to the Monkey Temple for panoramic valley views, watched over by the all-seeing Buddha eyes.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

A medieval city frozen in time — pottery square, the 55-window palace, and Newari life lived inside a UNESCO site.

Newari cooking class

Learn to make momos, sel roti and chatamari with a local family — a delicious way into Kathmandu’s indigenous culture.

Journeys in Kathmandu Valley

Beyond the sights

The feel of the place

Ancient temple architecture sits alongside vibrant street life; incense mingles with food aromas, and temple bells echo through medieval alleys. For Indian travellers the valley feels both familiar and distinctly foreign — Hindu temples reminiscent of Varanasi, prayer flags adding Tibetan mystique, and a unique Newari culture all its own.

Spiritual connections run deep: Pashupatinath is as sacred to Hindus as Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath, and the valley’s temples honour deities worshipped across India. At 1,400 metres the valley enjoys a year-round pleasant climate, at its best in autumn and spring when festivals like Dashain and Tihar fill the streets.

Taste it

Eat & drink

Samay baji
The Newari ceremonial platter — beaten rice, spiced potato, smoked buffalo — best in a Patan courtyard.
Momo
The city's dumpling obsession. The benchmark: buffalo, steamed, with sesame-tomato achar.
Lassi at Indra Chowk
Thick, saffron-flecked, served in clay at the old bazaar crossroads — join the queue.
From our guides

Know before you go

TemplesAlways remove shoes before entering; carry a small bag for them.
MoneyIndian notes above ₹100 are not accepted — carry smaller notes or withdraw NPR.
Best momosNot in Thamel — try local joints in Patan or Boudha for half the price.
TaxisNegotiate before getting in, or use the Pathao app for fair pricing.
PashupatinathVisit before 7am to avoid crowds and catch the most authentic atmosphere.
From / person
$2,480
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