Top Kathmandu Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Soar across the Himalayas on a helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Mount Everest Base Camp, touching down for an optional breakfast at a hotel with spectacular mountain vistas. Along the way, you’ll get aerial views of glaciers, camps, mountaineering routes on the world’s highest mountain. A stop to refuel at Lukla offers a glimpse of the mountain town where trekkers set out for Mount Everest.

Not many people can claim to have reached the top of Mount Everest. During this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime flight from Kathmandu, soar over the Eastern Himalayas, getting a bird’s eye panorama of the world’s tallest—and most legendary—mountain chain, including Everest. Enjoy the magic of the world-famous summit without the struggle to make it to the top. Tours include private hotel pickup and drop-off and a celebratory glass of sparkling wine.

Kathmandu’s top sights are spread throughout the sprawling capital, meaning most visitors end up missing key attractions. On this action-packed day tour, you’ll cover all of the region’s UNESCO-listed highlights. Travel in a comfortable private car between locations in the city, with a private guide on-hand to supply information and background. You’ll also enjoy lunch in stunning Bhaktapur and venture to Changu Narayan, the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley.

Visit four of Kathmandu's top attractions on a private half-day tour. Start by traveling in your comfortable private vehicle from your hotel to the traditional heart of the medieval town. Visit Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site; watch the monkeys frolic around another heritage site, Swayambhunath Temple; and take in the sacred prayer wheels and incense. Explore Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, which has roots going back to 600 AD. Hear informative commentary from your guide throughout the day on this comprehensive tour.

Walking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal takes as long as two weeks, but on this convenient helicopter tour you can cut out all the hard work and fly straight there. As well as seeing the incredible rocky and icy landscape surrounding Everest, you will enjoy views of remote villages and lush farmland along the way. This is an ideal tour for travelers short on time, or those with mobility issues, who don’t want to miss out on seeing Everest while visiting Nepal.

Discover Nepal's scenery and culture during a leisurely hiking tour that includes an early morning arrival in Nagarkot for the sunrise. Watch the distant Himalayas catch the morning light, then take a hike to reach Changu Narayan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pass through Brahmin, Tamang, and Newari villages along the way, and stop to purchase breakfast and lunch at small restaurants for an authentic local experience. Includes round-trip transport in a private vehicle from Kathmandu.

Get a comprehensive tour of Kathmandu, focused on its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, in a single day. With a guide in the lead, you'll follow a curated itinerary designed to show you the best of the city, including Swoyambhu, Patan Durbar Square, Bouddha and Pashupati. Your guide will provide primer on Nepali culture and tradition through narration as you travel.

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Kathmandu Valley on this private tour. You'll enjoy dedicated attention from your guide and the ability to move at your own pace through the area's top attractions. Stops include UNESCO-listed sites such as Pashupati, Bouddha, Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhu, and others.

Don’t leave guiding to chance when it comes to Chitwan National Park. Book ahead to arrange a full package—including shared bus transfers from Kathmandu or Pokhara—and witness the spectacular wildlife of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Select between 1-night, 2-night, and 3-night packages, which feature everything from wildlife safaris and canoe rides to cultural experiences.

Spare yourself the risks of self-drive or the hassles of negotiating with taxis and relax in your own private vehicle on this guided tour of Bhaktapur and Nagarkot. Explore the medieval wonders of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, then soak up panoramic sunset views of the Himalayas from the hill town of Nagarkot.

A highlight of visiting Nepal is catching sight of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. But if you don’t have the time or stamina (or the wish!) to trek there, a convenient scenic flight is an ideal alternative. The flight leaves from Kathmandu early in the morning, to give you the best chance to seeing the mountain in clear conditions. Also check out Everest’s slightly shorter, but no less impressive, neighbors.

Opened in 2016, the Chandragiri Cable Car is the easiest way of ascending a mountain in Nepal. From the top you will see panoramic views of Kathmandu and the snow-capped Himalaya beyond, and the ride itself is exciting, too. On this hassle-free tour you will be picked up from your hotel so you don’t need to worry about hailing taxis or catching buses. Enjoy lunch with a view at the top.

Experience one of the world’s most iconic trekking routes during this small-group, all-inclusive excursion to Everest Base Camp. Visit high-altitude Sherpa villages along the way, and immerse yourself in Buddhist culture and Nepali hospitality. Excursions include domestic flights, a trekking guide and porters, most meals, the trekking permit, and accommodation.

If you’re short on time in Nepal but want to visit the incredible Chitwan National Park, this two-day tour from either Kathmandu or Pokhara makes it easy. Leaving the city early in the morning, you’ll be transported to your air-conditioned accommodation beside the park (included). Spot wildlife in the park with a naturalist guide, looking out for tigers, elephants, deer, crocodiles, and birds. An ideal trip for first-time visitors.

Take a full-day private tour that combines the sunrise viewing at Nagarkot with a sightseeing trip to Bhaktapur—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rise early to depart from Kathmandu and reach high altitude Nagarkot in time to watch the sun rise over the Himalayas. Continue to Bhaktapur after breakfast and visit top attractions in the culture-rich city, including Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapole Temple, Dattatreya Temple, and 55 Window Palace. Your tour includes breakfast, private guide and vehicle, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Ideally suited for travelers short on time, this enriching tour of Patan and Bhaktapur covers all the top highlights of both centuries-old former kingdoms. Discover the pinnacle of Newari architecture with a peek at traditional stone carvings and ancient Malla temples in two distinct, well-preserved city centers. Tours include a private guide, free time to shop for local handicrafts and comfortable, and round-trip transportation from your Kathmandu hotel.

Kathmandu is a fascinating city, but many travelers miss out on the natural splendor of the surrounding valley. Enjoy pine-covered hills and sweeping, snow-capped views of the Himalayan range during this relaxing day trip to Chandragiri Hill. Hike up shady trails, grab lunch at a nearby restaurant, or lounge in the park. The tour includes tickets to a brand-new cable car for a scenic ride up the mountain.

Rather than search for transport in the middle of the night, plan ahead to appreciate perhaps Nepal’s most beautiful sunrise. Photographers and Instagrammers will thrill to the serene beauty of the snow-capped Himalayas as seen from the hill-top village of Nagarkot—on a clear day, you can even see the tip of Everest.

Soak up two of Nepal’s most stunning locations on this scenic, multi-day tour—without the fuss of planning. Take in the highlights of Nepal, from UNESCO-listed historical attractions in Kathmandu to snow-capped mountains surrounding the lakeside city of Pokhara. Enjoy a relaxing, all-inclusive adventure, capped at only 14 people for a personalized and flexible experience. Upgrade to include domestic flights instead of ground transfers and a thrilling paragliding ride.

Many visitors to Kathmandu miss nearby Bhaktapur, a well-preserved medieval city-state and UNESCO-World Heritage site. Discover one of Nepal’s prettiest attractions during this behinds the scenes peek at the Newari city, famous for its intricate pagodas and delicate handicrafts. The in-depth tour also includes a visit to Panauti, where you’ll have a chance to meet with local entrepreneurs.

One of the most mesmerizing rituals at Pashupatinath Temple is the Pashupati Bagmati Aarati. Aarati is a ritual of worship in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) is offered to God. Pashupati Bagmati Aarati follows three priests conducting the custom with oil lamps, lanterns and other religious elements by chanting sacred mantra. The priests perform the Aarati by taking oil lamps and moving them in circular motion and dedicating their act to the Divine. Bhajan (songs with religious theme) are sung by devotees during the Aarati, creating blissful surrounding. The Aarati starts at 6 pm every evening. Monday is considered the right day to worship Lord Shiva ensuring a large number of followers that day. This is a ritual that allows everyone to be a part of it and creates an environment of union of God and the devotees. Aarati is marked by hailing for the wellness of every living soul and thanking God for his kindness.

See some of the finest ancient royal palaces of the Kathmandu Valley on this small-group day trip to Bhaktapur, a medieval capital of the Newar kingdom. Marvel at the temples and royal palace of the UNESCO-listed Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Then pass through Dattatreya Square and Nyatpole Temple Square en route to Patan Durbar Square, another World Heritage site located in the city of Lalitpur. Visit the Patan Museum for a look at Newari art with your informative guide before departing the ‘city of fine arts’ for Kathmandu.

Nepal, there are five awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Dating back over 2000 years, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites rank as some of the finest in architecture and spirituality in all of Nepal. We know you want to see them, but what can you do when you are strapped for time? Himalayan Advisor is the first company in Nepal to develop a one day tour of all five of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites City tour in Kathmandu, 5 Incredible World Heritage Sites tour in Kathmandu. The day runs from 9 am to 3 pm. Travel by private car for the fastest time between sites. This trip includes not only those places in and around Kathmandu. It is around 7 to 8 hr hours a full day city tour of five different incredible places, architecture, and deep spirituality as you explore Buddhist and Hindu heritage sites.       

Ever wonder to learn about about the Newar people, who are one of Nepal’s many distinct ethnic groups and the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. Come to Bungmati, Khokana and Kirtipur for exquisite architecture, hilltop temples, and sweeping city views. Wandering around its winding streets feels like walking through a traditional Nepali village, offers some of the finest views of sprawling Kathmandu and the hills and mountains beyond. It’s full of cobblestone streets, old brick houses with elaborately carved door and window frames, and multitier pagodas. Many travelers don’t visit these old Newari cities as part of Kathmandu trip, yet it’s worth visiting. Bungamati is the hometown of the deity Machhindranath, regarded as the patron of the valley and his large shikhara-style temple in the center of the village square. Kirtipur is one of several ancient kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley that were once independent, but now make up part of greater Kathmandu.