Popular Half day tour in Kathmandu Valley is a pleasing journey across the heavenly wonders found on Earth.
The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is a bustling city, with a plethora of traffic. But what makes the city more admirable is the lively and historic architectural structures and religious monuments.
The traditional bazaars of Asan tole, Indra Chowk, Newroad Gate, and Basantapur area offer you the perfect sight to behold. In those bazaars, the interaction with local Newars and other Nepalese populations generates tremendous happiness. Moreover, these lively markets of Kathmandu are the best souvenir shopping places in Nepal.
To join this tour all beloved Kathmandu Sightseers will leave their hotel room in Kathmandu for the best Kathmandu Half Day Tour where they visit UNESCO-listed world heritage sites inside Kathmandu Valley.
Along with experienced Nepal travel guides, visitors will traverse the major attractions of Kathmandu. Depending upon the preferences of the visitors, the guide will take them to the Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath, or Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Durbar squares are the ancient legacy attracting huge crowds from both inside and outside of the country. The architectural wonder on the Durbar Square scattered in Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur somehow gives the vibe of being in the era of kings and queens of the formed kingdom.
Besides UNESCO sites, the ancient valley also offers half tours around monasteries and hills amplifying the city’s beauty.
Half Day Kathmandu sightseeing Tour is an exploration tour to explore the treasures of Kathmandu Valley which are scattered in every single walk.
With a tour guide by your side, you will get to know the real Kathmandu on this half-day tour in Kathmandu. Winding through the alleys of this buzzing town, you can experience Kathmandu in a way locals do.
Your traverse of each street of Kathmandu Valley lets you know the unique story of each. It is where you can see both, the most ancient history as well as the most modernized form of Nepal.
Familiarize yourself with the history and culture of Kathmandu Valley in a half-day tour.
Enjoy capturing a glimpse of selective prime historical and religious landmarks of Kathmandu Valley. This helps lighten your knowledge about the past and present of Kathmandu.
6 Popular Half Day tour in Kathmandu:
Swayambhunath and Patan half-day tour:
The half-day tour to Swayambhunath and Patan is a perfect match for travelers who have a predilection for the cultural and monumental probe of Nepal. Before your actual visit, have a look at the paragraph below and know these places in brief.
Swayambhunath:
Swayambhunath is an ancient stupa, that is perched on the Kathmandu valley’s peak. It is also known as the Monkey Temple and is venerated by Hindus and Buddhists. Enumerated in the UNESCO World Heritage site, Swayambhunath grants you to appreciate the ancient architectural and cultural splendor.
Explaining more about the journey, reaching uphill to the main dome. You have two optional routes. One is a western entrance route where you have to walk for around 7 minutes to reach the summit. Alternatively, you can take an eastern route where you have to climb 365 staircases.
Swayambhunath’s half-day tour might be a long hike to reach the summit. However, once you are there, be prepared to be startled by the panoramic view of the Kathmandu vale.
On a clear day, spect. the whole Kathmandu valley with some mountain vistas at a distance. Upon reaching the summit and spending a fruitful time there you follow the downhill route and head forward for another destination.
Patan:
- Royal Bath Place Tap at Patan Durbar Square
The Patan half-day tour will be one of the most fantastic visits, where you can get to view the ancient architecture and community of the Newari folks. Visiting the century-old palace and observing the ancient sculpture in the present time access the next level of satisfaction.
If you enter the Patan from the south side, you will be welcomed by the main square on the right and a collection of temples on the left. The surrounding of the Patan Durbar Square pavement is coated with red bricks.
Talking about the half-day tour, the Patan Durbar Square is separated into three pavilions, each of which you will tour one by one. Let’s enter the first pavilion i.e. Sundari Chowk which is known as the stone architecture area. Then secondly Mul Chowk, and the last pavilion Patan Museum.
A Patan half-day sightseeing tour will be historic because in each pavilion visit you will observe the great sculpture of stone statues of Ganesh, Hanuman, and other divinities and stone temples i.e. Krishna Mandir.
Boudha and Pashupatinath half-day tour:
Dive into the religious and artistic beauty of both Hindu and Buddhist renowned sites by joining this half-day Kathmandu Sightseeing tour.
At first visit the Great Stupa with 35m in height i.e Boudhanath Stupa. It is surrounded by more than 50 gompas. Some various monuments and shrines depict the life stories of the Gautam Buddha.
As you reach the Boudhanath grounds, you’ll notice a large dome-shaped edifice with flapping prayer flags. The aroma of incense sticks fills the air as these flags extend from the four corners and float in the sky.
If you arrive at the stupa during a prayer service, the chimes and prayer sounds will give a goosebumps. Boudhanath’s half-day tour must be done once in a lifetime.
- Boudhanath Half-Day Tour
As soon as you complete the round of Boudhanath Stupa a private drive takes you to the Pashupatinath Temple. Pashupatinath Temple is a world-famous and largest Hindu pilgrim site that portrays Lord Shiva’s temple. There is no better place than Nepal to pursue transcendence if you are into religious beliefs. It is a fact that Nepalese devotees have high religious values and visit many historic shrines.
Aside from the temples, visitors may see Sadhus performing daily rites on the riverbanks. It will be great if you complete the half-day tour during the evening time. It is because you will get a chance to attend the evening Aarati at the Pashupatinath river bank.
Keep in mind, that you must be Hindu to enter the main shrine. If you are else, you can greet from the outside. In addition, whichever religion you follow you can see the evening aarti from the other side of the Bagmati riverbank.
Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square half-day tour:
This half-day tour in Kathmandu takes you to the pleasing destination of holy Swayambhunath and ancient Kathmandu Durbar Square. With a comfortable drive, you can complete this tour easily within a half day time.
Thamel suits are perfect for the accommodation of most International tourists in Nepal. Thus after the luxurious sleep, wake up in the morning and head first to the Swayambhunath Stupa for the best morning Kathmandu view.
As the Swayambhu Nath Stupa is perched in the middle of the huge trees you have to pass through the many shrines and gift-tented shops to be at the top. In addition, you can get to see monkeys roaming freely throughout the trail.
As you are permitted to snap a photograph never miss a chance to capture the strike pose of the monkeys. Make a video of the monkey fights. However, we suggest you not hold the food bags in your hands in front of naughty monkeys. They might snatch it.
You’ll notice a massive gold-plated thunderbolt as you approach the final stairs (Vajra). It is a significant historical monument. As a result, Swayambhunath has been proficient in luring more than 10 thousand international travelers annually.
After your half-day tour to Swayambhu ends, you will return strolling downhill towards Buddha Parkway to see three giant golden statues of the Buddha.
The majority of visitors avoid visiting Buddha Park but it is also one of the important spots to visit where you can get to witness the Sakyamuni Buddha shrine. where you can get to see three giant golden statues of the Buddha.
- Monkey Temple Half-Day Tour
Further, it is where you can get on a cab for a Kathmandu Durbar Square sightseeing.
Kathmandu Durbar Square half-day tour will be a historic tour where you will spend time remarking on the ancient skills and beauty of Nepal.
This Kathmandu palace is also well known as the Hanuman Durbar Square Basantapur Durbar Square. Because you will witness the huge statue of the Hanuman in the courtyard.
On your half-day tour, you will visit Kasthamandap, Nautale Durbar, and other fascinating historic buildings on this tour. The building was built during the Malla and Shah periods and is the prime attraction of Kathmandu Durbar Square.
If you have good fortune, you will get a chance to visit the Kumari temple and see the living goddess, Kumari. It is considered the jewel and tourist-attracting place of Nepal.
Bhaktapur half-day tour
- Bhaktapur Half-Day Tour
Most of the half-day tours are combined, however, the only Bhaktapur tour will be pleasant. Because there are numerous places to visit throughout the half-day tour in Bhaktapur.
You will visit the ancient Dattatreya Temple, Taleju Bhawani Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Ceramic Plaza, 55 Window Temple, 5-level Nyatapola Temple, and many more in your Bhaktapur tour.
Moreover, you will also visit Siddha Pokhari, Bhaktapur’s ancient pond, and have a terrific experience there. Bhaktapur is a culturally rich city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site which you will visit one by one for half of the day.
Half-Day Monastery Tour in Kopan Boudha:
On the outskirts of Kathmandu city in the village of Kopan is the landmark of Kopan Monastery. The Buddhist landmark with a peaceful setting is a paradise for meditation lovers. Further, so far the monastery has been succeeding to lure tourists with its pristine location, spiritual vibes, and stunning architecture.
Under the supervision of the Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Kopan monastery is the monastery in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.
To make your reach to the monastery is not that difficult. It is around a half-hour away from the heart of Kathmandu city. A visit to this place makes you fall for Thanka paintings and Buddhist philosophy to the sheer level. Furthermore, the view of Kathmandu City from this hilltop Kopan monastery is of the next level.
Half-day Hiking Tour in Nagarjuna Hill:
- Nagarjuna Hill Half-Day Hiking Tour
Normally hiking lasts for a whole day. But, if you wish you can complete the hike around Kathmandu in half-day if you start early. Among many hiking, the hike to Nagarjuna Hill suits well for the half-day hike.
The commencement of the hike to Nagarjuna Hill occurs after your private drive from the hotel room to the hiking point which is near Raniban. In no time you will reach the hilltop of Nagarjuna. Bestowed with a view of Gaurishankar, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and a few others, Nagarjuna Hill is a beautiful place to be. Furthermore, to add to your happiness twofold, the stupa of Nagarjuna has its role. Appreciating the panoramic view of Kathmandu distantly from the terrace of the hilltop stupa is rewarding.
After feasting on the elegant nature and religious beauty, it’s up to you now to rejoin the hiking trail for the descent to Raniban. Thereafter a private drive takes you back to your designated place.
What if the mentioned schedule doesn’t fit you?
Apart from these above-listed 6 popular Kathmandu half-day tours, you can enroll in other various half-day Kathmandu city tours. The city has no dearth of fascinating places to spend a quality half day time. If you have your favorite place to be on the half-day Kathmandu sightseeing tour, don’t hesitate to open up your thoughts.
Consulting with your tour guide you just dress up and head to capture the flaunting beauty of the Valley.
Final Words:
Keep in mind that the half-day tour in Kathmandu is of short time so don’t plan to cover more than two places. In addition, if you are worried about the best time for a day Kathmandu tour, don’t bother much. You can do this tour all year round.
Be it the muddy streets, chilly cold, flowering seasons, or the festival flairs of Nepal, the tour bestows its best every single day.
Birendra Duwadi by profession a trekking and tourist guide and an enterpreur whose passion is trekking in the himalayas start Mission Himalaya Treks in 2015 with a new vision to introduce Nepal Himlayas to the world. his vision is explore and documentation new trekking routes . Birendra leads Mission Himalaya, a small company that change the qualities of trekking in Nepal.
