Tours/Kathmandu/Swayambhu and Kathmandu Durbar Square Half Day Tour
Viator · Private tour

Swayambhu and Kathmandu Durbar Square Half Day Tour

4.8(4)Kathmandu1 hour
VIATOR5.0(1)TRIPADVISOR4.7(3)

Description

The Kathmandu Valley is awash in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A total of seven, these places represent the unique spirituality and historical significance here in the heart of the Himalayas. Two of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites are Swayambhu and Kathmandu Durbar Square. These famous places can be toured in just a half-day adventure.  Swayambhu is the oldest of the sacred Buddhist holy places in the Kathmandu Valley. Dating back over 2000 years, their lofty height overlooks the beautiful Kathmandu Valley below. Here are many sacred places to both Buddhists as well as Hindus, signifying the unique blend of and Buddhism as only found in Nepal.  Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is home for the Kumari, the living goddess who can be seen at different times during the day. The old royal palace is here as well as so many ancient and beautiful places.

Tour Options

Swayambhu and Kathmandu Durbar Square Half Day Tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission included45 min

Also known as Monkey Temple, Swayambhu is situated on a high hill overlooking the city of Kathmandu and the valley beyond. It gets its unique nickname of Monkey Temple because of the large numbers of rhesus monkeys that inhabit the place. The monkeys are popular with visitors because of their zany antics. Swayambhu is actually a collection of Buddhist and Hindu temples. While a Buddhist site, the blending of the two major religions is unique to the Kathmandu Valley. The main stupa is the focal point of the site as Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate the stupa as they celebrate a prayerful devotion to the teaching of Lord Buddha. There are monasteries, reflecting pools and temples on and around Swayambhu. Swayambhu dates back over 2000 years and is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. Every day you will see Buddhist pilgrims from all across the world coming here to worship as they pay homage to Lord Buddha.

Admission included15 min

What an interesting part to visit this small place which you visit inside the Monkey temple. There is a big statue of 3 symbols and Buddha and rare tourists to visit this place and its an opportunity to visit you with our guide.

Admission included30 min

For well over 1000 years, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square has been home to the various royal dynasties that ruled the Kathmandu Valley until 2008. Here the kings were crowned, lived, and reigned. And it was here that the various ancient temples of Hinduism were erected to provide spiritual guidance to the ruling monarchs. Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is home to nearly 60 unique Hindu temples. Built over the course of many centuries, these are a collection of unique spiritual buildings reflecting a style of architecture as exhibited by the various royal dynasties. Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is also home to the Royal Kumari, known as the living goddess. Every few years, a young girl is chosen who the embodiment of a certain Hindu goddess becomes. This tradition dates back hundreds of years; its origins obscured by time. She holds this deified position until puberty when she is then replaced by another young girl. The Kumari lives in her own temple/palace and appears to visitors at certain times of each day. The Swayambhu/Durbar Square Adventure will try to accommodate those times when she will appear from her balcony to bless devotees below. The old royal palace is also at Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Be sure to see the unique erotic carvings of the Kama Sutra that adorn some of the temples, using the teachings of the ancient Hindu religion to instruct devotees on the proper techniques of love in marriage. All of this can be done easily within a half-day. Your private car will pick you up around 9 am or 2 pm at your hotel and you’ll be back in around four hours.

Admission included15 min

Kumari Chowk is one of the popular places inside the Durbar Square. You may have a great chance to see live Goddess Kumari and the finest peacock window and finest carving.

Pass by

The busiest local shopping market in Kathmandu. It is on the way to Kathmandu Durbar square and enjoys watching local shopping around here.

Admission included15 min

Hanuman Dhoka is a popular place that is inside the Durbar square. Enjoy visiting the local life, learn about the people and their culture. It is a quite an interesting place to see.

Admission included15 min

This is an open area around the durbar square. A quite busy and freak street place which you can buy some handicraft and enter the durbar square area.

Admission included15 min

This is a small place but one of the busiest places in town. You can enjoy the small Temple of Akash Bhairav temple and you can have delicious lassi here.

Highlights

All Entrance fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Transport by private vehicle

What's included

Included
All Entrance fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
Transport by private vehicle
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

We pick up all travelers from their hotel inside ring road including Boudha area.

Traveller Ratings

4.8
4 reviews
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(4)

J
Jason_G
March 28, 2025
Perfect half day tour for a quick adventure

This tour is perfect for a taste of Kathmandu. My guide Pankaj was very informative and fun. He was able to give us a lot of knowledge of Hindu and Buddhist culture in a half day trip. The monkey temple and the palace were very cool spots to visit in Kathmandu.

Operator response

Hi Jason, Thank you for taking half day tour in Kathmandu with us and glad to know you loved this trip with your guide. Have a safe journey ahead.

S
Sakerand
February 28, 2023
Shanti Karki - our guide - was very professional, informative and serviceminded. We can highly recommend her.

The ”monkey montain” with stupa and Durban square (including the living godess); a very good introduction of Nepal and it’s history as well as some inportant landmarks of Kathmandu

Operator response

Hi Kerstin, Thank you very much for taking service with us. Glad to know you liked this trip with our guide Shanti. Looking forward to serve you again in the future. Have a great trip ahead. Namaste!

W
WelshTourist1
November 11, 2022
Interesting tour

Rabina was very knowledgeable about the sites that we visited today. She took time to explain all the different temples and the history behind them. I booked this tour as I was travelling alone in Nepal. It was just me Rabina (the guide) and the driver which I felt safe with.

Operator response

Hi Sally, Thank you for taking service with us. Glad to know that our guide Rabina able to give you good service and information as well as keep you safe for solo female traveler to get a female guide. We hope you will recommend us to you friends, relatives and circle to have female guide in Nepal for future trip. Have a great weekend.

Z
zb315
April 9, 2019
Great Tour by Rabina!

Great tour of the must see temples in Kathmandu. Rabina is a very knowledgeable and polite guide. She was even kind enough to stop for me when I needed a coffee. She took some wonderful picture as well!

Operator response

Hi, Thank you very much for your review and glad to know you are satisfied with our guide and service. We are looking forward to serve you again in coming days. Namaste.

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