4 h

Private

Half Day

Instant confirmation

About this activity

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square or Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, the plaza in front of the old royal palace of the then Kathmandu Kingdom. It is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The royal palace was originally at Dattaraya square and was later moved to the Durbar square location. The Kathmandu Durbar Square holds the palaces of the Malla and Shah Kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles revealing courtyards and temples. It is known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, at the entrance of the palace.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Swayambhunath Temple, Swayamhu Circle Road, Kathmandu 44620 Nepal

Swayambhunath Temple, colloquially known as the 'monkey temple' because of the large tribe of roving monkeys who guard the temple. Situated on the top of a hill, it provides an excellent view of the Kahmandu Valley. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. The stupa is one of the most ancient in this part of the world and its worshipers come from diverse ethical backgrounds. Huge prayer wheels and fine Buddhist paintings are displayed in the monasteries, as well as the largest Buddha statue in the country.

After visiting the temple, you will be dropped off at the airport or back to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Duration: 2 hours

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Included

Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or airport
Transport by private vehicle
English speaking local guide
2 Mineral water bottles per person
Entry/Admission - Kathmandu Durbar Square
Entry/Admission - Swayambhunath Temple

Not included

Food and drinks
Gratuities

Additional

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infants must sit on laps
Adult pricing applies to all other travelers
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Features

Tourism

95%

Cultural

80%

Reviews

4.9

6

s

sgopal2

5 | 2018-07-10

My guide's name was Bishnu, who is a Nepali national, and grew up in Kathmandu. The tour was separated into two parts: Durbar Square and Swayambunath Stupa. Bishnu picked me up in my hotel, and we started our way to Durbar, which was only about 20 mins away. The Durbar square unfortunately experienced a lot of destruction since the earthquake of 2015. Many of the old temples have been badly damaged. The Nepali government has only recently started making repairs. Bishnu told me of the history behind most of the monuments. Even though there were quite badly damaged, they were still quite beautiful. We walked throughout the square and saw all of the interesting architecture. There was a small museum setup to display some of the artifacts found during the excavation after the earthquake. We also saw the Kumari's palace, and Bishnu told me of the history. We then went off to see the Swayambunath temple. Although this is considered a Buddhist temple, there are several small temples dedicated to Hindu gods interspersed throughout the complex. The view from the top is simply spectacular. An almost 360 degree view of all of Kathmandu valley is visible. To reach the top, be prepared to climb up several flights of stairs. There are some nice souvenir shops at the top. I asked Bishnu to help me select a singing bowl, and he explained the differences between the cheap ones found in Thamel vs a handmade bowl. Overall I was very pleased, would highly recommend. Great way to get an overview of Nepali culture and history in one afternoon.

G

Gregory S

5 | 2018-04-02

This was an excellent way to see Kathmandu! As a solo traveler only in Kathmandu for 2 days, having a guided tour really helped me to make the most of the city in a short amount of time. My guide was really kind and knowledgeable and we had a driver that took us around to multiple locations in Kathmandu. Highly recommended.

P

Peter W

5 | 2017-04-23

What an amazing city Kathmandu is. Frontier town still resonates with me, especially with the ravages of the 2014 earthquake, but the beauty still shines through. The highlight has to be a fleeting blessing from the Kumari goddess.

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