Lonely Planet Experiences: Kathmandu Living
Kathmandu, Nepal
From USD 66.00
Office phone number: +977 9801123617
Lonely Planet Experiences: Kathmandu Living
Kathmandu, Nepal
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Ever visit a place and wonder what it's like to live there? This Kathmandu tour not only shows you the markets, squares, backstreets, temples, and courtyards of Nepal's capital but also includes a visit to a family home for a Nepalese-style lunch.
Experience the best travel stories for yourself. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this city adventure hand-picked by the world's leading travel publisher. Lonely Planet Experiences powered by Urban Adventures bring stories to life in the best-loved cities around the globe.
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Highlights
- Turn yourself into a typical Kathmandu citizen for a day
- Join the stream of locals in their morning activities in historic markets, and Buddhist and Hindu devotees in the temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhunath
- Explore the local market and shop (optional) for fresh vegetables and necessary ingredients for a traditional lunch
- Prepare the lunch with a local family
- Each Lonely Planet Experience comes with six-months free access to Lonely Planet’s Guides App which includes over 8,000 destinations guides and unbeatable discounts to Lonely Planet Guidebooks
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- This tour helps preserve cultural heritage as you visit sites of high cultural significance, and in particular, because the tour pays entrance fees to Swoyambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Entrance fees go toward helping to maintain these cultural attractions.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Meeting point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 7.00 AM
- Ending point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, taxi ride from Kathmandu Durbar Square to Swoyambhunath (one-way), entry fees to Swoyambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square, meal and meal preparation with a local family.
Exclusions: Beverages, purchase of vegetables and fruits, tips or gratuities for the guide.
With your expert local guide, join the early morning stream of locals as they go about their daily activities in the ancient streets of Ason. Pick up some fresh vegetables, purchase some aromatic spices and all the other necessary ingredients for a local lunch (the purchase is optional; it’s your choice and we’ll put all our confidence in you to find the right ingredients!)
Offer your prayers like the locals do at the majestic temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square, then visit Swoyambhunath, also known as the “Monkey Temple” atop a hillock. Follow the path of Hindu and Buddhist devotees, circling the holy stupa and spinning the prayer wheels.
After the spiritual experience of mesmerizing wafts of incense, hypnotic chants of prayers and the surreal sound of ringing bells, head to your local hosts' home. Lead the way or lend a hand as your host unveils the secrets of Nepalese cooking. Truly Kathmandu living - just like a local!-
Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, taxi ride from Kathmandu Durbar Square to Swoyambhunath (one-way), entry fees to Swoyambhunath & Kathmandu Durbar Square, meal and meal preparation with a local family.
Exclusions: Beverages, purchase of vegetables and fruits, tips or gratuities for the guide.
Dress standard: When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. In many rural areas in Asia women will need to wear modest clothing even to swim. Singlets, tank tops and topless sun bathing are all unacceptable. When visiting religious sites men often need to wear long trousers and women a long skirt or sarong.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Please bring comfortable walking shoes and a water-bottle. If you’re travelling during monsoon season in Kathmandu, you might want to carry a rain-proof jacket or an umbrella.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +977 9801123617
Email address: info@kathmanduurbanadventures.com
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