Kathmandu Valley heritage: Bhaktapur, Patan and Nagarkot

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

• Boudhanath Stupa evening kora · 2 h. Join the clockwise kora at dusk when pilgrims light butter lamps; rooftop cafés overlook the dome. Foreigner entry about NPR 400.
• Thamel and Asan bazaar walk · 2 h. Walk from Thamel via Kathesimbhu Stupa to Asan and Indra Chowk; spice, bead and brass stalls. Bargain politely for souvenirs and trekking gear.

Local tip: Join the clockwise kora at dusk when pilgrims light butter lamps; rooftop cafés overlook the dome. Foreigner entry about NPR 400.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum & Golden Temple

Kathmandu

• Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum & Golden Temple · 5 h. Foreigner ticket about NPR 1,000 for the square; check at the counter whether Patan Museum is included. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) has a small separate fee — shoes and leather items off inside.

Local tip: Foreigner ticket about NPR 1,000 for the square; check at the counter whether Patan Museum is included. The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) has a small separate fee — shoes and leather items off inside.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Pottery Square day trip

Kathmandu

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Pottery Square day trip · 6 h. Foreigner entry about NPR 1,800 (lower SAARC rate), covering Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the Nyatapola Temple and Dattatreya Square. Try juju dhau before you leave.

Local tip: Foreigner entry about NPR 1,800 (lower SAARC rate), covering Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the Nyatapola Temple and Dattatreya Square. Try juju dhau before you leave.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Kathmandu → Nagarkot

Nagarkot · Kathmandu to Nagarkot, Taxi ~1.5h

• Sunrise from the Nagarkot view tower · 1.5 h. Leave around 5–5:30am with a torch; clear views of Langtang and, on good days, Everest are most likely Oct–Feb.
• Changu Narayan Temple · 1.5 h. The oldest temple in the valley and a UNESCO site; some carvings date to the 5th century. Small foreigner ticket.

Local tip: Leave around 5–5:30am with a torch; clear views of Langtang and, on good days, Everest are most likely Oct–Feb.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Nagarkot

Nagarkot

• Nagarkot to Changu Narayan hike · 4 h. Mostly downhill through villages and pine forest, about 3–4h. Paths fork, so use offline maps or a local guide; taxis wait at Changu Narayan.
• Tamang village walk and ridge sunset · 2 h

Local tip: Mostly downhill through villages and pine forest, about 3–4h. Paths fork, so use offline maps or a local guide; taxis wait at Changu Narayan.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Depart from Nagarkot

Nagarkot

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.