3 Days in the Kathmandu Valley: A Relaxed First-Timer's Itinerary

Got three days in Kathmandu? This relaxed Kathmandu Valley itinerary covers the three royal squares, the two great stupas and Pashupatinath at dusk, with time to sit, eat and wander in between. Entry fees are included so you can budget as you go.

The valley packs seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones into a small area. It's tempting to rush them all. Don't. This plan groups sights by area so you spend less time in traffic and more time actually looking.

Before you start

• Base: Thamel is convenient for day 1. Patan (Lalitpur) or Boudha make calmer bases.

• Budget for entry fees: roughly NPR 5,400 (about US$36) per foreign adult for all six main sites in this plan, as of November 2026.

• Bring cash: heritage counters work best with rupees.

Day 1: Old Kathmandu and the Monkey Temple

• Morning: Asan and Indra Chowk. Walk south from Thamel through Kathmandu's oldest market streets, past the Annapurna temple and spice stalls, while the city wakes up.

• Late morning: Kathmandu Durbar Square. Visit the rebuilt Kasthamandap, the Kumari Ghar courtyard and Hanuman Dhoka. Entry NPR 1,000 (about US$7) for foreign visitors. The palace museum is usually closed on Tuesdays.

• Lunch: Newari snacks around Basantapur.

• Late afternoon: Swayambhunath. Climb the 365 steps for views over the whole city as the light softens. Entry NPR 200 (about US$1.30).

Day 2: Patan, then Boudha and Pashupatinath

• Morning: Patan (Lalitpur). Start at the Patan Museum, then explore Durbar Square, the Golden Temple and the hidden courtyards. Entry NPR 1,000 (about US$7), including the museum.

• Lunch: bara and chatamari near the square, or a café in Jhamsikhel.

• Mid-afternoon: Boudhanath. Walk a slow, clockwise kora around one of the world's largest stupas. Entry NPR 400 (about US$2.60).

• Evening: Pashupatinath. It's about 2 km south of Boudha. Explore the eastern bank, then stay for the evening aarti around sunset. Entry NPR 1,000 (about US$7). Non-Hindus can't enter the main temple, and photographing cremations is not allowed.

Day 3: Bhaktapur

• Morning: Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Arrive early to see the 55-Window Palace and Golden Gate in soft light. The heritage-area entry is NPR 1,800 (about US$12) for foreign visitors.

• Late morning: Taumadhi Square. Climb the steps of Nyatapola, Nepal's tallest pagoda-style temple.

• Lunch: a Newari set on a rooftop, then juju dhau, Bhaktapur's famous king curd.

• Afternoon: Pottery Square. Watch the potters at work, or take a short lesson.

• Optional overnight: stay in Bhaktapur, or continue to Nagarkot (about 17 km away) for sunrise over the Himalaya.

Tips for a relaxed trip

• Start early. Mornings are cooler, quieter and clearer.

• Leave buffers. Kathmandu traffic is unpredictable; don't schedule things back to back.

• Keep tickets handy. Staff may check them more than once.

• Dress modestly for temples, and remove shoes where asked.

• Walk clockwise around stupas and shrines.

• Ask before photographing people.

Loku's tip: build in one unplanned hour every day. Some of the valley's best moments happen on a temple step with a cup of tea and nowhere to be.

Keep planning

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