The abundance of timeless ancient architecture and traditional Newari culture in Kathmandu Valley makes it a true haven for day tours. Whether you’re on a family tour in Nepal or a couple for a honeymoon, the city has everything to offer. The tour of marvelous crafts and iconic sites in the valley with underrated wonders isn’t possible in just a day. Hence, to amuse yourself with the ancient wonders and beauty of the city, two days are a must. Our two-day complete Kathmandu City Tour takes you to ancient royal palaces, museums, and three prominent pilgrimage sites full of ancient culture, enriched heritage, and architecture.

Before we explore this tour package in-depth, here’s our blog on the Ten best places to visit in Kathmandu in 2024. Please go through this blog to learn more about multiple places you might be interested in visiting.  You can write us at mailtoneptrek@gmail.com to plan this tour exquisitely.

This section includes a brief of each place you’ll visit during your two days of the Kathmandu City Tour. Also, we’ve put the price of entry tickets to each site you’ll tour.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Durbar Square)

Once a hippie haven, Kathmandu Durbar Square is now a tourist place. Close to Thamel, where most tourists stay, reaching here by narrow bustling alleys is just a 10-minute walk. However, you’ll take a private vehicle drive on your guided two-day Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour with us.

The first construction of this site dates to the 3rd century. However, the complex structures are from the 15th and 16th century. Hence, while touring here, you’ll get the timeless vibe of every monument.

You’ll take a detailed tour around Kumari Chowk, the Nine-Storied Palace, the Royal Museum, and another popular place on the site.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square was once a royal palace of Malla Kings of Patan. Out of three Durbar Squares, it is the most beautiful, with the best museum. Also, the grassy courtyard, gold water sprout, magnificent woodwork, and overall architecture are the best.

Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, and Taleju Bhawani Temple are major structures sitting west of the royal palace. Inside the museum are three courtyards where the Malla kings and queens once stepped on.

Apart from the temples and palaces, the rooftop cafes around the site make it more appealing. You can enjoy the unobstructed aerial-like view from the rooftop cafes.

Have plans to buy Thangka Paintings or other souvenirs? The handicraft and art shops in the alleys close to the site are worth the visit.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square sits 16 km east of Kathmandu Valley. It’s the largest among the three Durbar Square in the city.

Fifty-five windows palace, a five-storied temple, a statue of Ugrachandi, Golden Gate, and Taleju Bell are the prominent visiting monuments here. You’ll complete the tour in two hours with the museum visit and others on the site.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square was near-destroyed by an earthquake in 2015. However, with recent renovation, this place is back to life.

Local Newari cuisine and JuJu yogurt are a must while in Bhaktapur. To the south side of the site are rooftop cafes, best for snacks and elegant views of temples and alleys.

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. It sits 11 km northeast of Kathmandu Valley.

The history of Boudhanath Stupa is associated with the Lichhavi Dynasty of Nepal and the Tibetan Empire. Your tour guide will give you in-depth information on Boudhanath and its history while you visit here.

The humungous dome with the towering golden spire with Buddha’s eyes makes it a grand-sized stupa. You’ll circumambulate around the dome and visit the ritual places around the site.

On the periphery of the stupa are the finest handicraft shops. Here, you can buy exquisite souvenirs at the best rates. And if you want to taste Tibetan cuisine, ask your guide to take you to a restaurant.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Atop a hill, west of Kathmandu Valley, sits Swayambhunath, the most sacred Buddhist Stupa. The word ‘Swayambhu’ translates to self-evolved. In Tibet, people call this site sublime trees due to the abundance of varieties of trees.

Considered a Buddhist site, Swayambhunath Stupa is equally significant in Hinduism. A Hindu Temple, Ajima Temple, next to Swambhunath, shows that Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist.

Since it’s a Buddhist site, we recommend you to circumambulate around the stupa. From the periphery of this site offers a near-360 panoramic view of the entire Kathmandu valley.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva. This world heritage site is popular among Hindus worldwide and most prominently in the Indian subcontinent. The conception of this holy abode dates back to the 5th century. It spans over 2460000 sq. meters, with more than 519 temples.

This temple has four entrances. However, foreign nationals other than Hindus are not allowed to enter the sacred premises of the temple. Foreigners can explore the Bagmati river bank, open cremation site, and view the temple from the east side, across the Bagmati River.

On your visit here, you’ll attend Aarti during the evening. Thousands of pilgrims gather at the Bagmati river bank to experience the heavenly ritual of Aarti.

Chandragiri Hills

Chandragiri Hills is a beautiful hill station on the southwest of Kathmandu Valley. It’s a must-visit site during the Kathmandu City Tour. From here, you’ll get a complete panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley and the mountains surrounding it. Also, touring here lets you enjoy the serenity away from the bustling alleys of Kathmandu city.

It sits at 2,551 meters altitude, the highest point in Kathmandu Valley. And on a clear weather day, from here, you’ll get a panoramic view of Annapurna, Langtang, and Ganesh Himal. More to it, if the weather becomes 90-100% clear, you’ll get a glimpse of Mt. Everest also.

You’ll visit and pray at Bhaleshwor Temple. And with a beautiful breakfast, you’ll take a cable car and return to the valley to visit other popular sites.