Exploring Patan and Bhaktapur: Kathmandu Valley’s Other Kingdoms
Kathmandu, Nepal
From USD 97.00
Office phone number: +977 9801123617
Exploring Patan and Bhaktapur: Kathmandu Valley’s Other Kingdoms
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
Want to know what it was like to live in medieval times? Then hitch a ride on this Kathmandu tour that reveals two, ancient satellite cities often overlooked by travellers. With shrines and temples aplenty, just follow the smell of incense to these old-world towns.
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Highlights
- Get out of Kathmandu and into the fascinating Kathmandu Valley
- Explore Patan, one of Nepal’s ancient kingdoms and the ‘City of Living Art’
- Feel like you’ve been transported to another century in Bhaktapur
- Enjoy a definitive experience of the epicenter of this Himalayan Kingdom
- Enrich your Nepal travel experience by discovering more of the country than just its capital
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- Your tour includes the entrance fees for Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These fees help preserve cultural heritage sites of high importance.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 6 - 7 hours
- Meeting point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
Language: English
Inclusions: English speaking local guide, private vehicle, entry fees to Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur.
Exclusions: Lunch in Bhaktapur (local Newari cuisine options), beverages, entry fee to Patan Museum, gratuities for guide and driver, items of a personal nature.
There are some who say travel is about going places and doing things. When it comes to Patan and Bhaktapur, it’s simply about ‘being there’.
It’s easy to just explore Kathmandu, but we want to encourage you to discover the Kathmandu Valley’s two other former kingdoms – Patan and Bhaktapur. Between the buzzing markets, the artistry of the age-old temples and palaces, and the medieval feel of both cities, you’ll be sure to leave Nepal with a much deeper understanding of this incredible place.
We’ll take you on a tour from Kathmandu into another world, first to Patan, about a half an hour’s drive away. As you enter the ancient city, you’ll be taken aback by the vivid contrast to Kathmandu. Although these days Patan is part of the sprawl of the Kathmandu conurbation, Patan has an identify of its own, including the Centre of Sanskrit Learning (hence why you may see and hear of Patan by its Sanskrit name, Lalitpur, meaning City of Living Art).
The influences in Patan have transcended centuries, perhaps culminating in the 12th to 16th Century era of the Mallas and their extraordinarily creative Newar civilization. Surrounding the city’s main square are noble royal and religious structures, which highlight the Hindu pantheon, mainly of Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Patan’s excellent museum that features some superb artifacts from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, leaving you well informed of the glories of the past and the span of civilizations that have flourished and competed here in the Himalayas.
Leaving Patan behind, we’ll head for the medieval city of Bhaktapur, which will take us about 45 minutes. As if held in a time warp, the little city of Bhaktapur amazes everyone. Upon entering this ‘City of Devotees’, you’ll quickly realise that you have entered a time of feudal ways and medieval street-scenes, with a uniquely magical ambiance that confidently eschews modernity for tradition.
Bhaktapur is also a place where your eyes naturally want to shift skyward towards the pagoda rooftops, but don’t forget to come back down to earth to peer down bustling ancient alleyways. Challenge yourself to keep still and absorb the activity around you. As we like to say - all one’s five senses are employed, and then add to that a sixth sense – one of idle exploration!
The definitive building in Bhaktapur is the 30m high Nyatapola Temple, with its five pagoda roof lines towering above the market square. That being said, Nyatapola Temple is centre point and iconic landmark amidst thousands of palaces, temples, and shrines, constantly employed - enticing or warding off deities and demons with offerings (typically floral and food or percussion or horn music). As such, it’s well known that in Bhaktapur, there’s an ever present incessant clanging and tinkling of big and little bells. You get used to it – it’s all part of the Bhaktapur charm.
Senses enriched and fascinated, we’ll head back to Kathmandu, which will take us about an hour. You’ll be glad you got out of the capital and explored the Kathmandu Valley with us.
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Additional information
Inclusions: English speaking local guide, private vehicle, entry fees to Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur.
Exclusions: Lunch in Bhaktapur (local Newari cuisine options), beverages, entry fee to Patan Museum, gratuities for guide and driver, items of a personal nature.
Dress standard: Please dress in modest clothing – specifically, something that covers your shoulders and knees.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
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.
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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