Private Kathmandu Full Day Sightseeing Tour

5.0(13)

This one-day private Kathmandu sightseeing tour covers four major landmarks in a single day, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with private vehicle transport and a personal guide. Price starts from USD 55 per person, group sizes run from 1 to 30 travelers, and you choose a start time between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

Duration

7 Hours

Day tour

Group Size

1–30

people

Trip Highlights

Visit four major Kathmandu landmarks in one day: Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath
Private vehicle (car, van or Hiace) for the whole day
Flexible start times from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Group size from 1 to 30 travelers
Price starts from USD 55 per person
Experienced English-speaking guide explains the history, architecture and religious meaning of each site
Hotel pickup and drop-off included

Trip Overview

This full-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour takes you to four major landmarks in the valley in a single day, in a private vehicle with your own English-speaking guide. Price starts from USD 55 per person, and the tour runs for groups of 1 to 30 travelers, with start times between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

Full Day Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour Highlights:

Visit the major attractions of Kathmandu in one day, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.
Observe the architectural designs of the old royal palace and the craftsmanship on windows, doors, pillars and balconies.
Learn about Newar culture, art and tradition from your guide as you walk through the Durbar Square area.
Understand the religious and cultural significance of each site, from Buddhist stupas to the Hindu temple at Pashupatinath.

What will I see on this tour?

The tour covers Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. At Kathmandu Durbar Square you see the old royal palace complex, with its carved windows, doors, pillars and balconies, and learn about the Newar community, one of Nepal's dominant ethnic groups, and their customs. At Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, your guide explains the shrines, monuments and statues and what they mean to Buddhist and Hindu communities in the valley.

How does the day work?

The tour begins with a hotel pickup at a time you choose: 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM. On the drive to the first stop, your guide introduces the day's itinerary and gives background on Kathmandu's history and culture. Travel time to Kathmandu Durbar Square is about 10 to 30 minutes from your hotel, and you spend roughly 1.5 to 2 hours there before moving on to the remaining sites. You travel the whole day in a private car, van or Hiace, and are dropped back at your hotel at the end.

What should I know before booking?

Bring your passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sunhat, and comfortable shoes and clothes. Carry Nepalese rupees in cash for entrance fees at the sites, as these are not included in the tour price. Lunch is also not included, and typically costs about USD 4 to 7 per meal depending on where you eat.

This tour is organized by Himalayan Social Journey, a local Kathmandu-based company, and is built to fit the highlights of Nepal's art, culture and architecture into one guided day.

Last updated 31 October 2026

Tour Plan

Tour Highlights: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple. Start Time Options: 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM / 9:00 AM / 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM / 10:30 AM. Hotel Pickup: Begin your Kathmandu sightseeing tour with a convenient pickup from your hotel. As we travel to our first destination, your guide will introduce you to the day's itinerary and share insights into Kathmandu's history, culture and traditions. 1. Kathmandu Durbar Square - Travel Time: approximately 10-30 minutes from your hotel. Tour Duration: approximately 1.5-2 hours. Explore the historic heart of Kathmandu at Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former royal palace complex of the Malla and Shah kings. Your guide walks you through the courtyards, temples and carved wooden windows, doors, pillars and balconies, and explains the role of the Newar community in building and maintaining this architecture. 2. Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) - From Durbar Square, you continue to Swayambhunath, one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the valley, set on a hillside above Kathmandu. Your guide explains the stupa, its surrounding shrines and statues, and the significance of the site for Buddhist pilgrims. 3. Boudhanath Stupa - Next is Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the valley and a center for Kathmandu's Tibetan Buddhist community. You walk around the stupa and learn about the prayer wheels, flags and the monasteries nearby. 4. Pashupatinath Temple - The tour ends at Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple complex on the bank of the Bagmati River. Your guide explains the temple's religious significance and the rituals performed there, before you are dropped back at your hotel.

What’s Included

Included

Private transportation (car, van or Hiace) for the full day, as per the itinerary

Experienced, English-speaking tour guide

Government tax and service charge

Hotel pickup and drop-off

One bottle of drinking water

Not Included

Lunch (about USD 4-7 per meal, depending on where and what you eat)

Sightseeing entrance fees (NPR 200 + 400 + 1000 + 1000 for the four sites)

Personal expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

How long is the Kathmandu full-day sightseeing tour?

It is a one-day tour. You choose a start time of 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM or 10:30 AM, and you are dropped back at your hotel after visiting all four sites.

How much does the Kathmandu day tour cost?

The tour starts from USD 55 per person.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour is private and suits groups from 1-10 travelers.

Which sites does the tour visit?

Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No. Lunch is not included and costs about USD 4 to 7 per meal, depending on where and what you eat.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees to the sightseeing sites (NPR 200 + 400 + 1000 + 1000) are not included and should be paid in Nepalese rupees.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation, an experienced English-speaking guide, government tax and service charge, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a bottle of drinking water.

What should I bring on the tour?

Your passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sunhat, comfortable shoes and clothes, and Nepalese rupees in cash for entrance fees.

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Traveler Reviews

Overall rating

5.0/5

Based on 13 reviews of this trip

Aliyajiv1

Verified booking

5.0

The trip to Nepal was incredible thanks to Usha and the team at Himalayan social journey. They organised all the sightseeing tours for Kathmandu and Pokhara with drivers and guides which were all amazing . We had to reschedule a few things and Usha helped us a…

Tonks28

Verified booking

5.0

We recently did a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with a private car/driver, visiting Swayambhunath temple, Patan durbar square, Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Our driver was punctual and patiently waited while we took our time at the sights. Overall…

Ele1686

Verified booking

5.0

I had a wonderful tour of 5 days between Kathmandu and Pokhara organized by Himalayan Social Journey company. From the very beginning Usha was extremely helpful and patient to answer all my questions regarding the planning of the tour. I would like to thank in…

Regina C

Verified booking

5.0

Great tour, we had the chance to see many Kathmandu attractions in one single day. Our driver and guide were very professional and friendly. The tour was also flexible with our preferences and the time we wanted to expend at each site.