Kathmandu Stopover: Two-Day World Heritage Highlights

See Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in two days, with an optional early Everest mountain flight.

Suited to travelers on a trek or with a layover. On day one, walk from the Old Town Royal Palace through Asan Bazaar to Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the evening, head up to Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for city views. On day two, you can take an early Everest sightseeing flight. After returning, visit Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, which are close to each other, then head straight to the airport in the afternoon. Patan and Bhaktapur are saved for next time.

Everest sightseeing flights have the best visibility from October to April. They are often cancelled during the monsoon.

Day by day

Day 1 · Old Town Royal Palace and Monkey Temple at Sunset

Kathmandu（Asan Tole & Indra Chowk、Kathmandu Durbar Square、Kumari Ghar、Swayambhunath）

A taxi from the airport to Thamel takes about 30 minutes. Walk through Asan Bazaar to Durbar Square. In the evening, take a taxi or walk about 30 minutes up to Swayambhunath.

Both Durbar Square and Swayambhunath require tickets. Swayambhunath has many steps, and monkeys will grab food.

Stay: Thamel

Day 2 · Mountain Flight and Two Holy Sites

Kathmandu（Everest Mountain Flight、Pashupatinath Temple、Boudhanath Stupa）

Depart early from the domestic terminal, about 1 hour. Then take a taxi to Pashupatinath, walk about 30 minutes to Boudhanath, and take a taxi back to the airport, about 20 minutes.

Flights depend heavily on the weather, so it is safer to schedule them the day before you leave. Only Hindus may enter the main temple at Pashupatinath.

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