What to do on a day trip from Kathmandu?

Kathmandu offers more things to do on a day trip than anywhere else in Nepal - best of all there are many types of day trips available. Whether you are an independent traveler or looking for a package tour everyone can easily do a day trip around Kathmandu.

Panauti in Kathmandu
Panauti in Kathmandu makes for a great cultural day trip

Do understand that Kathmandu has two distinct areas that fall under the broad term of "Kathmandu." There's Kathmandu city, which is within the Kathmandu Valley.

Both Kathmandu city and the Kathmandu Valley have a whole host of activities and day trips that tourists and travelers can venture to.

It's about a maximum of 2 hours from Kathmandu city to the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. While most of the country can be reached within a day from Kathmandu, we'll look at what most people can do on a half-day or on a full day out from Kathmandu city by leaving in the morning and coming back in the evening.

The best online guide to Nepal

This page will often refer to the best guide to the Kathmandu Valley found on this website. It will also refer to the many free guides on this site that will help you make the most out of each place mentioned. Do explore the guides thoroughly as there are plenty of tips in every section not shown anywhere else.

Taleju temple in Kathmandu

Some tour companies will include places like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, or Swayambhunath as "day trips."

However, they really are a part of Kathmandu city proper and don't take up a full day. Do read my guides on what to do in Kathmandu city and indeed my full guide on Kathmandu city to learn more.

Let's take a quick look at the most popular quick trips around Kathmandu city, remembering you can add many of them all together to make up a full day trip!

Kathmandu Durbar Square & old city heritageKathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of Nepal's most touted attractions. By adding in an old city heritage walk, you can easily make this outing into a half-day trip or, for historians, a full-day trip. Try to do this on a Saturday morning when there's less congestion. Read my full guide to Kathmandu Durbar Square and my free walking heritage tour of Kathmandu. (5+ min journey time from Thamel)

SwayambhunathSwayambunath

One of Kathmandu's oldest buildings that overlooks the whole Valley. Affectionately known as the monkey temple, Swayambhunath is an amazing stupa surrounded by temples, shrines, and rhesus monkeys. It's easily visited by foot or taxi with an average visiting lasting about 2 hours. Swayambhunath is often a part of popular full-day trips and can easily be visited independently with plenty of transport options nearby to whisk you off. Read my full guide to Swayambhunath. (10+ min journey time from Thamel - taxi, 60+ min foot)

BoudhanathBoudhanath stupa

The big white Stupa known as Boudhanath is one of the most important Buddhist buildings outside of Tibet. The massive white dome and pedestal were reconstructed in 2017 following the earthquake. Surrounding the stupa are monasteries, souvenir stalls, restaurants, and hotels. There's an air of peace around the stupa as it stands in a huge courtyard area away from the hustle and bustle. A walking distance from Pashupatinath, it can easily be reached together to make a great full-day excursion. Read my full guide to Boudhanath. (20+ min journey time from Thamel - taxi)

Pashupatinath

This ancient temple and cremation area is located near Kathmandu Airport. Pashupatinath ghats However, it is also very close to Boudhanath (walking distance), so a half or full-day trip can easily be made by visiting both areas. Do eat at Boudhanath though, as there are no facilities at Pashupatinath. Read my full guide to Pashupatinath. (25+ min journey time from Thamel - taxi)

Budhanilkantha

A huge floating black stone statue of Vishnu awaits to the north of Kathmandu. Budhanilkantha is a popular stopping-off point for those doing the nearby Shivapuri hike. Budhanilkantha Vishnu statue For Hindus, Budhanilkantha is an important place to visit in Kathmandu. For casual tourists, it's an interesting but very short visit. Budhanilkantha's location is close to Kathmandu, but the traffic can make it an unnecessary half-day trip. If you would like to see the statue, then it's worth it to leave early in the morning and come back before rush hour starts (8 am). Read my full guide to Budhanilkantha. (35+ min journey time from Thamel - taxi)


Morning or half-day trips from Kathmandu


Many tour companies will include places like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, or Swayambhunath as rushed "day trips" (that have many hidden extras).

It's important to note that these locations are really a part of Kathmandu city proper and can easily be visited independently. Do read about them above. Meanwhile, let's move on to real full morning or half-day trips you can enjoy around Kathmandu.

Kirtipur half-day tripThe Bagh Bhairab Temple, Kirtipur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Kirtipur is a historical city based on a rocky outcrop on the outskirts of Kathmandu city (5km). It's a quaint Newari township that is largely off the main tourist trail. It's an interesting place to visit for lovers of culture or those wishing to see a non-touristy city so close to the capital. Read my full guide to Kirtipur. (25+ min journey time)

Thimi half-day tripSiddhikali Temple, Thimi, Nepal

Thimi is known as the middle place and located halfway between Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. It's another historical township that's off the beaten path yet very accessible if you are coming or going to Bhaktapur. As most of its sites are very central, you could literally "do Thimi in an hour+)." Read my full guide to Thimi. (20+ min journey time)

Gokarna half-day tripGokarna temple in Nepal

Located 10km to the north of Kathmandu city is this impressive temple beside the Bagmati river. Surrounded by more shrines and statues than any other single temple in Nepal, it's worth visiting here for them alone. It's easy to reach Gokarna by taxi or local bus, but there are no restaurant facilities there to speak of. Visiting time will be dependent on how much interest you have in Nepali or Hindu culture. As a side note, the Bagmati river is relatively clean in this area, which makes for a refreshing change. There's also a rather plush golf course nearby. Read my full guide to Gokarna. (45+ min journey time)


Full-day trips from Kathmandu


Patan and Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square in Nepal

Patan Durbar Square is on just about every itinerary for Nepal. Deservedly so. It's one of the finest ancient royal city squares in the world. Filled with wonderfully diverse temples unlike anywhere else, the square alone is worth a half-day trip. What many people don't realize is that there's more to Patan than just the main square. There's the northern area, southern, and western areas of the old city, which are also filled with contrasting temples and shrines. All of these areas are described (with maps) in my guidebook to Nepal in detail. Some of which are not found anywhere else in the world, like the Balkumari temple. So yes, a full-day trip to Patan is well worth exploring! Do read my free online guide to Patan.

Bhaktapur and the many Royal Squares

One of Nepal's premier cultural attractions, the old city of Bhaktapur is one of the must-visit sights in all of Nepal. Bhaktapur Durbar Square Again, there's more to Bhaktapur than just "Bhaktapur Durbar Square." The old city is actually made up of three large squares, a smaller pottery square, and near on countless fascinating streets and small squares. Visiting Bhaktapur is often like stepping back in time. Stone-paved streets, Newari-style buildings, shrines, temples, and a living heritage culture that's a rarity anywhere in the world. Old-world heritage walks via my Nepal guidebook will show you many of these incredible sights along with many unknown places not found anywhere else. Bhaktapur is far more worthy of a two or more day trip rather than just a single day-trip as there are some great accommodation options available for all budgets. Do read my free online guide to Bhaktapur.

Panauti

Panauti in Nepal

If you are looking for a day trip in the outer reaches of the Kathmandu Valley, then Panauti is the place. It's easier getting to Panauti than you may at first think. Once you get there, it's easier still with, in my opinion, some of the best-preserved heritage buildings in all of Nepal. Yes, Panauti rivals Bhaktapur (on a much smaller scale), in terms of preservation and presentation. It's a Newari township that gets little press, write-ups, or visitors. It's off the tourist tours, and this makes it even more appealing. There's a full chapter dedicated to Panauti in my Nepal guidebook. If you want to visit a unique place that's still every bit as untouched as Kathmandu was 50 years ago, then Panauti should be on your must-visit list. Do read my free online guide to Panauti.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot in Nepal

A favorite location for many people visiting Kathmandu seeking greener areas with mountains. A 2-hour ride to Nagarkot from Kathmandu will take you from dusty city to pristine valleys with Himalayan views. While a day trip to Nagarkot is very easy and feasible, the real secret is to stay overnight and enjoy the sunrise from one of the mountain viewing platforms. An alternative is to spend overnight in Bhaktapur and leave early for sunrise on a day trip to Nagarkot. Do read my free online guide to Nagarkot.

Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel in Nepal

Another cultural and hiking location that's somewhat off the typical tourist trail. Technically, Dhulikhel is just outside the Kathmandu Valley, but that doesn't matter as the road is good and it's reachable within a 2-hour ride. Within a day-trip to Dhulikhel, you can easily visit all of the old heritage sights in the city and hike up to the Kali Shrine, which is part of the Namobuddha hiking circuit. Spending an overnight in Dhulikhel is well worth it for culture lovers and those who like to do day hikes as there are many that surround Dhulikhel. Once again, Dhulikhel is off the main tourist trail, and many tours don't stretch out this far, so you'll get to enjoy it that bit more. Do read my free online guide to Dhulikhel.


Online package day trips around Kathmandu


All of the above half-day and full-day trips around Kathmandu can be done independently with the transport and visiting details available in their individual guides. However, sometimes you may want to book ahead from home if you are short on time. Better yet, get all the details in my guidebook.

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The following are some recommended day-trips around Kathmandu that you can book online. If you'd like to use a local company that provides private tours with your own jeep and driver/guide then feel free to contact me.

Throughout this guide you will have read about places noted as being off the beaten path or not on any tourist trails. These places like Panauti, Thimi or even parts of Bhaktapur are not on typical package day trip tours.

You can reach them independently or via private cars. If you'd like to book a private jeep or car with a guide from a fully qualified local guide then feel free to contact me. However do realize that while private tours with your own car can help you see places no one else does, or visit places faster they can cost more than a typical package tour.

The main different in a private tour is that you'll have a comfortable car or jeep to yourself alone with a driver and guide so you easily spend more time in one place than another, or drive off to another place you may spot on the way.

 


Budget day trips around Kathmandu


Everything listed on this page can be visited by local public transport. I do encourage you to spend some time reading through each section of what many people consider the best guide to Nepal. Each section will tell you how to reach a place independently by public transport which will be the cheapest way to reduce your budget costs.

Next, do read my free dedicated budget travelers guide to Nepal which will give you even more tips on show to safe money not just around Kathmandu but all around Nepal.

Finally, no matter your budget do consider purchasing my full guidebook to Nepal. Every section has much more detailed transportation costs, entry fees and budget considerations than found here. The trekking section alone will save you $100's which is something to consider.

Moreover, the Kathmandu Valley section contains exclusive independent walking tours found nowhere else!


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