Patan / Lalitpur and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour is a wonderful combination of both adjoining cities within Kathmandu valley. Patan or Lalitpur which means a city of fine arts and crafts and Bhaktapur, a city of devotion. Both cities a wonderful place and worth visiting, although it has similar palace and royal courtyards.
But with a difference in historical, and religious backgrounds, at one time stood as three separate kingdoms within Kathmandu Valley. During the time of the Malla regime of the 9th to 17th Centuries, before it was annexed into one country Nepal. With the late Shah monarch, at present visitors can observe the ancient beautiful monuments of great masterpiece architecture. The skilled work of master craftsmen on magnificent pagoda temples, houses, and squares makes Patan and Bhaktapur amazing cities.
The tour of these cities leaves you spellbound with fascinating age-old cultures of ancient heritage that still exist. As it were for hundreds of centuries, truly marvelous cities that one can experience.
Patan and Bhaktapur are historic cities of Nepal, popular tourist destinations, due to their rich cultural heritage with stunning architecture.
Patan Durbar Square an early palace, is lined with many beautiful temples including Krishna Temple, the Bhimsen Temple, and Golden Temple.
The Mahaboudha, an amazing temple in Nepal, made with a unique terracotta, is located near the main Durbar Square.
After a tour of Patan, the next exciting place is Bhaktapur also known as Bhadgaon, 15 km. driving distance from Patan city. The city of the medieval era times with impressive temples and palaces, includes the famous Nytapola, the tallest temple in Nepal. The Bhairavnath Temple and palace with 55 windows, is located in the heart of the city square. Besides its magnificent temples and work of masterpiece art and handicrafts on windows and doors of the temples.
Bhaktapur is also famous for pottery made from local clays, visitors can observe the ancient art and skills of making pottery.
There are various many ways that one can enjoy the tour of Patan and Bhaktapur with the expert guidance of a Treklanders guide. Showing you the wonders of Nepalese ancient cultures and fascinating places. Bhaktapur is listed as one of the best world heritage sites in Nepal.
Short Tour Profile:
Tour Grade: Leisure to moderate short walks.
Tour Areas: Around Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.
Tour duration: From 8 a.m. Until 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. With short drives.
Best Seasons for Patan and Bhaktapur Full Day Sightseeing Tour:
The best season for tour is nearly year round, except the monsoon wet rainy months of mid-June to August. Where spring season from March to May are the most preferable times for visiting Nepal and all around the Himalayas.
The next best time is autumn / fall from September to November, as well around winter season also. Most days are clear but cold morning and nights, days are short due to sun-light hours.
From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or a maximum of 4 p.m. with a lunch stop.
The morning after breakfast not later than 8 a.m. Our city / cultural guide receives you for a short drive. Heading south of Kathmandu city crossing a bridge that separates the two districts of Kathmandu and Lalitpur. The drive soon leads to the heart of Patan within the city of Lalitpur, which means the city of arts and crafts.Enter the magnificent Patan old Durbar Square, steeped with old buildings from the Malla kingdom of the 6th to 17th century. Explore the exciting monuments around Patan Durbar Square and beyond. Patan Durbar Square: Located in the center of Lalitpur, witness the houses of ancient Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards within the palace Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk. Mul Chowk is the oldest one and is at the center of Patan square. Several multi-sized and old-styled temple houses the western part of the complex. The main among these are the Krishna Temple, Bhimsen Temple, and the Golden Temple of Hiranya.
Mul Chowk (royal court yard and verandah): One of the famous and largest courtyards among the three main chowks, the Bidya Temple is located at the center of the courtyard and the Taleju temples stand around the courtyard.
Sundari Chowk: Sundari Chowk is to the south of the Mul Chowk with a sunken tank known as Tusha Hiti Mul Chowk & Taleju Temple.
Keshav Narayan Chowk: Keshav Narayan Chowk on the northern part of Degutale temple is the site of the earliest Malla palace in Patan, the Chowk sits on the older foundations of a Buddhist monastery.
Krishna Temple: This temple dedicated to Hindu Lord Krishna was erected in the 17th century, considered to be the first one to be built in Shikara architecture, it commands a vital position around durbar square. The elegant Shikara-style temple is ranked as one of the gems of Durbar Square. The temple is compared with the sacred Mount Meru, which is the abode of the god Shiva according to Hindu scriptures.
Mahaboudha: The Buddhist temple of Mahaboudha, which is made of clay bricks, lies to the east of Durbar Square. Hundreds of Buddha images are engraved on the bricks. The temple is known for its fine terra cotta work.
Kumbheshwor: Just at the rim of Durbar square located the five-storied pagoda temple of Lord Siva built by King Jayasthiti Malla, inside the temple premises a natural spring, its source the belief is the famous glacial lake of Gosainkunda around Langtang Himal of Rasuwa district.
From Patan after a few hours of interesting tour, a short drive of less than an hour to Bhaktapur city. Where visitors can experience the old medieval time era by entering the beautiful Bhaktapur city and Durbar Square.
Places of main interest for visit in Bhaktapur.
The Durbar Square: Enter Bhaktapur city's old Durbar Square, where many ancient monuments are located within the palace courtyard. Most of the ancient buildings and monuments, listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflect the city's unique culture, and arts including architectural wonders, and a truly living museum.
Tour of the golden gate regarded as the world's most magnificent and richly carved of unique design and work of artistic skill, enjoy views of the palace with 55 windows.
Nytapola Temple: One of the main highlights of Bhaktapur is a pagoda roof Nytapola Temple, which means a five-storied temple at the height of 30 meters, the tallest temple in Kathmandu, and the landmark of Bhaktapur city. Built by King Bhupindra Malla in 1708 AD. On each step to the main temple entrance stands pair of figures, starting from the bottom with a statue of wrestlers, elephants, lions, griffins, and goddesses.
The Bhaktapur National Art Gallery: The gallery, situated within Bhaktapur Durbar Square treasures rare arts and paintings, with manuscripts with painted covers and illustrations. Also includes brass, bronze, stone, and wooden images of the medieval traditional arts of Nepal.
Bhairavnath Temple of Bhaktapur: In the early days built as a one-story pagoda during King Jagat Jyoti Malla's period, later added into a three-tier roofed temple in 1718 A.D. by King Bhupindra Malla, this temple stands as artistic grandeur. Bhairavnath temple is dedicated to Lord Bhairab - the god of Terror.
Dattatreya Temple: A little further another nice temple, built-in 1427 AD, was built from the wood of a single tree, visit and witness exquisitely carved peacock windows located near the temple area.
Pottery square and the market: Bhaktapur is also famous for pottery with two main areas, the first pottery square is called Suryamadhi east of Dattatreya temple, and the oldest pottery square.
The other pottery is located south and close to Nytapola square at Talako Pottery Square, where you can take a stroll along busy market streets to reach the pottery site. Watch the craftsman on wheels shaping the clay in a fine shape an old tradition handed from ancient times to these days.
Before or after a tour of Bhaktapur city enjoy lunch amidst the beautiful historic sites where most excellent restaurants are located.
After the tour and having a good lunch drive back to Kathmandu, after an exciting and wonderful day on Patan & Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour.
The Patan and Bhaktapur tour with Treklanders Adventures was a truly enriching cultural experience. Both cities are filled with history, art, and traditional Newari architecture, and the tour was very well organized from start to finish. In Patan Durbar Square, I was amazed by the beautiful temples, stone carvings, and peaceful courtyards. Our guide explained the history and religious significance clearly, which helped me appreciate the heritage even more. Bhaktapur felt like stepping back in time, with its narrow streets, ancient squares, and vibrant local life. The Pottery Square and Nyatapola Temple were especially memorable. The guide was knowledgeable, patient, and friendly, and the pace of the tour was comfortable with enough time for photos and exploration. Transportation was smooth, and everything was well planned. I also enjoyed tasting local Newari food, which added a nice cultural touch to the experience. Overall, this tour was a perfect way to understand Nepal’s rich history and living traditions in just one day. I highly recommend Treklanders Adventures to anyone who wants an authentic and well-guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley.
The Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour offers visitors the chance to take a full-day cultural tour and view two cities steeped in history and situated in the Kathmandu Valley. Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur are not only two of the most ancient cities but also UNESCO World Heritage Sites, known for their timeless palaces, temples, courtyards, and Newari lifestyle. The tour focuses on history, architecture, religion, and living culture rather than physical activity.
The tour is generally from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00–4:00 p.m., with the exact departure and arrival times depending on traffic and the duration of the visit to each heritage site. There is also a lunch break that adds to the comfort of this full-day experience.
The answer is yes. The tour is perfect for first-time visitors since it provides them with detailed knowledge of Nepal's medieval history, art, and culture in only one day. In addition, it serves as a perfect complement to Kathmandu sightseeing and helps visitors understand the cultural richness of the Kathmandu Valley.
It is a tour that welcomes all ages. There is minimal walking involved in the heritage squares and courtyards, and vehicle transfers are frequent. Families with children and senior travelers, thus, will find it quite comfortable, as the pace can be changed.
It is not necessary to have any special permits. Tourists should be wearing comfortable walking shoes and carrying water, sunscreen, and a camera, while also being dressed modestly for temple visits. This city-based cultural tour will require only basic preparation.
Yes, one can take the Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour at any time of the year. The tour continues through the winter and monsoon seasons, unlike trekking, which can be weather-dependent. As such, it is always one of the most dependable and enjoyable cultural tours in Nepal, regardless of the season.
Yes, the tour is suitable for all age groups, including children and senior travelers. Most of the walk is through level, stone-paved roads, and the walking speed can be changed as required.
Most of the sightseeing areas in Bhaktapur are pedestrian zones; thus, people can walk here safely and with pleasure, as there is no traffic. This also gives tourists a chance to visit different places and, at the same time, soak in the environment without the disturbance of vehicle noise.
The trip is generally 3 to 4 hours long, and the time refers to the walking pace and the devotional time at each monument. One may also take a half-day tour here or combine it with Bhaktapur for a full-day cultural experience.
Definitely, this tour is appropriate for people of all ages, including kids and elderly travellers. The walking distances are not long, and the speed can be changed according to the person’s level of comfort.
Typically, the tour is initiated at 9:00 a.m. after having breakfast and is completed by 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The exact finishing time is determined by factors such as the traffic conditions, time spent at sites, and lunch break. The tour schedule is planned in a way that one can comfortably cover all the essential highlights in a day.
Indeed, the Patan and Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour is available every day throughout the year, including holidays. This is very convenient to be a part of your travel plan, no matter if your stay in Kathmandu is for a few days or as a part of a longer itinerary in Nepal.
The sightseeing order is most of the time determined as per traffic and the number of people at the sites to avoid both. Nevertheless, the order of the locations can be changed based on the preferences of the guests, weather conditions, or special interests if it is a private tour. Also, your guide may rearrange the sequence on the day to provide you with a better experience.
Patan and Bhaktapur can be visited for 1.5 to 2 and 2 to 2.5 hours, respectively, on average. Such a timeframe enables one to walk around the squares, temples, and courtyards and even get glimpses of the local areas, and still be able to maintain a relaxed full-day schedule, not rushing at all.
At times, traffic in Kathmandu Valley is not very predictable. If there is some delay, the guide will efficiently manage the time and will adjust the schedule so that all key attractions can be covered. Slight changes can be made, but the total experience is still complete and enjoyable.
In the case of private tours, one may have the chance to finish the tour early or extend the time at some locations, depending on the requests. Any plan changes should be talked over with the guide beforehand to make sure everything runs smoothly and on time.
The main goal of the Bhaktapur Sightseeing Tour is the exploration of the city's major heritage areas. Among these areas are Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Dattatreya Square, Pottery Square, and the traditional Newari neighborhoods. The tour covers the topic of the architecture of the middle Ages, living culture, and local handicrafts.
The sightseeing tour normally lasts 4 to 6 hours. The tour time, however, depends on various factors, such as the tour pace, traffic, and the extent of time that is available for the visit to each site. It is a half-day cultural tour if one chooses to do it; a full-day combo-tour to Patan is also possible.
Definitely, The Newari culture that is helped to be preserved through the Newars is also one of the major features of Bhaktapur, and this involves the aspects of traditional architecture, pottery making, wood carving, local markets, and daily rituals, which are still practiced today.
The Patan Sightseeing Tour is mainly about Patan Durbar Square exploration along with the adjacent historical places. Among those are the Royal Palace complex, Krishna Temple, Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Keshav Narayan Chowk, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbheshwor Temple, plus traditional Newari courtyards and streets.
The city of Patan owes its fame to the remarkable Newari handcrafted works of art, metalwork, stone carving, wood carving, and traditional architecture. The majority of the finest temples and artistic details of Nepal are found in Patan Durbar Square.
Definitely, Patan is the one to offer you the combination of Hindu and Buddhist customs. The religious buildings, monasteries, stupas, and courtyards have been living next to each other for years, depicting religious unity and cultural fusion.
Visitors can take photographs in most of the open areas, yards, and streets. Nevertheless, taking pictures inside temples, shrines, and museums might be limited. Your guide will tell you where you can take photos.
Photography is acceptable in most open places, courtyards, and squares. Still, taking photographs may be prohibited in the interiors of temples, museums, and some monasteries. Your guide will let you know when it is acceptable to take photos.
Usually, transportation can be in a private car, a jeep, or a van, depending on how many people are in a group. The vehicle, thus, is mainly used for hotel pick-up and drop-off, as most of the sightseeing that takes place in Patan is done on foot inside the heritage area.
Indeed, hotel pick-up and drop-off within Kathmandu Valley are almost always included. Your driver or guide will come to your hotel to meet you and will take you to Patan and back, in a comfortable manner, after the tour is over.
The tour involves light to moderate walking on stone-paved streets and courtyards within Patan Durbar Square. The walking distances are short, and there are frequent stops for explanations and rest, hence, it is suitable for most travelers.
Generally, senior citizens and travelers with limited mobility can participate in the tour without any issues. Still, some locations have uneven stone paths and small steps, so it is better to be in your comfortable shoes. The speed of the tour can be changed according to the needs of the person.
Patan Durbar Square is always moderately busy, with the most people being present during peak hours and festivals. The guide is a great help when it comes to the quieter routes, and we can also decide the timing of our visit so that we have a nice experience without being overwhelmed.
Yes, if it is a private tour, you can change or upgrade your transportation anytime you want by simply asking. For example, you may choose to have a bigger vehicle if you want to be more comfortable or hire special assistance if you are a family or the elderly section of a traveler group.
A private car, jeep, or van is used to provide transportation, the choice of which depends on the size of the group. Besides hotel pick-up and drop-off, the vehicle is used minimally, as most of the sightseeing within Bhaktapur is on foot inside the heritage area.
Generally, the answer is yes for hotel pick-up and drop-off within Kathmandu Valley. After a relaxing drive to Bhaktapur, sightseeing on foot is followed by a trip back to your hotel.
Walking is easy on the tour, which takes place on flat, brick-paved streets and in open courtyards. Bhaktapur is almost traffic-free, which makes walking safe and comfortable. Regular stops are also included for rest and explanations.
Indeed, the tour is appropriate for the elderly, families, and children. The walking pace is slow, and the guide can change the route or take a break if necessary.
Yes, Bhaktapur heritage areas are nicely planned with spacious courtyards and large squares. There are steps in some temples, but the majority of the major sights can be reached without difficult climbing.
Yes, if it is a private tour, transportation can be customized or upgraded at a passenger's request, for example, by including larger vehicles or making special arrangements for elderly travelers or groups.
Yes, Patan and Bhaktapur both have several local eateries and cafés that are situated in close proximity to the Durbar Squares. These places serve traditional Nepali meals along with simple international options, thus making it very convenient to have lunch stops during the tour.
Absolutely! Patan and Bhaktapur are perfect places to get authentic Newari food. Visitors can have local delicacies like Bara, Yomari, Chatamari, and traditional snacks that are made following the old recipes.
Yes, vegetarian-friendly dishes are quite common in both cities. Plenty of restaurants offer vegetarian meals and mild food options that are suitable for travelers who have dietary preferences or restrictions.
| No of people | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 - 2 | $1,200 |
| 3 - 8 | $1,000 |
| 9 - 30 | $900 |
| No of people | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 - 1 | $50 |
| 2 - 3 | $35 |
| 4 - 8 | $30 |
| 9 - 30 | $22 |
| No of people | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 - 1 | $85 |
| 2 - 3 | $50 |
| 4 - 8 | $40 |
| 9 - 30 | $30 |
