Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess
Description
Old Kathmandu Tour is a one-of-a-kind trip that starts right at your hotel lobby if you are in tourist town Thamel, or we pick you up and bring you to the starting point by a mere 20-minute drive. As the journey begins, you will explore the heart of Old Kathmandu with knowledgeable local guides, indulging lesser-tourist corners rich in ancient culture, bustling markets, and revered religious sites dating back over a millennium. Experience the authentic rhythm of local life against the backdrop of historic Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples that often stand together. The journey also includes UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kathmandu Durbar Square and living goddess Kumari's Shrine, as it is a profound tour combined both less visited and popular sites. Finally, have a tea/coffee together with our guide and reflect on the journey in a casual conversation. Remember! if you are thinking of one tour to understand Kathmandu and Nepal, this is the one!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rarely visited by tourists, this old Buddhist monument of native Newar people is also known as Thambahil. In fact the tourist town Thamel is named after this historic monument.
Asan is the oldest living market of Kathamndu where locals buy and sell goods of daily usage from vegetables to clothing and metal items to spiritual items. We have a saying that at Asan Bazaar, you find things from 'Salt to Gold!'
It's a native deity of Kathmandu and Tibetan Buddhists, known as Avalokitesvara, or god of compassion the shrine has 108 engraved icons of Avalokitesvara representing all his major forms. Local devotees visit the shrine to receive blessings in hope to fulfill all their wishes.
Itum Bahal used to be one of the largest Buddhist Monasteries in ancient Kathmandu. The 11th-century monastic complex has a remaining section of the original monastic building and courtyards of goddess Tara and Manjushree. The area also has other monuments nearby. The small museum room in the monastic complex provides visitors with a glimpse of local Newari art, architecture, and spiritual practices.
Kathmandu Durbar Square, the 17th century palace of kings of Nepal is a perfect example of Nepali's traditional art and architecture. The Square is surrounded by various temples. The Kumari Temple among them is the house of living goddess Kumari.
Within Kathmandu Durbar Square, home of Kumari the Living goddess is not to miss. The three hundred years old artistic building is a fine example of Nepal's traditional art and architecture. Besides, if lucky, you can see the living goddess who sometimes appears for the audience to the visitors and worshipers from her private chapel on the top floor of the Kumari Temple.
From Kathmandu Durbar square tour proceeds through old town to this Buddhist Stupa complex of Kathesimbu or Dharmakirti Vihara. The Complex houses replica of Swayambhu Stupa the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The Stupa complex houses Buddhist monasteries of Tibetan, Newari Vajrayana and Theravada monasteries. It's only such place where one can witness monasteries of different Buddhist sects.
End the tour back in tourist town thamel at this nice cafe with a drink of your choice (included) and reflect the day with guide in a casual chat or question answer.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
They can send a message to us on Whatsapp or e-mail for any changes or pick up details.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(23)
Highly recommend this walking tour. I saw all of the highlights including local areas. My guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about the history of Kathmandu.
It was a wonderful experience and the guide, Mr. Mahesh Shreshtha was very experienced. I walked around the city with him and enjoyed the tour.
An interesting and informative tour i visited a lot of places I'd never have managed on my own. A great introduction to the history and religions of Nepal
My tour went super enjoyable with my experienced guide Mani, who was very knowledgeable about all cultural things, which really enriched my experience and he was open to all kind of questions. I was guided to small alleys and encountered daily life of Nepalese that usual visitors may seldom have chance to see. Something unexpected happened before my tour and I really appreciated Three Jewels to accommodate my special need. Highly recommend them if you are looking for something exceptional.
I stayed in Tameru for four days. As I was traveling alone, I was anxious and lacking knowledge, so I joined this tour. The tour was very intense, and it went around efficiently, explaining a lot. They helped me a lot with everything I wanted to know and was having trouble with, even if it was about something other than what I was visiting on tour. I've seen many different guides in different countries, but I've never been so kind. I hope to revisit Nepal again soon to participate in another tour. Thank you very much.
I had such a fun and educational day with my tour guide, Amber. I had the chance to see Kumari, the living goddess, and enjoyed delicious street food as well as Nepali and Indian sweets at a hidden gem of a shop. This tour really deepened my understanding of Nepal's religion and history. I shared with Amber where I had already visited (Pokhara and Bandipur), and he made connections, helping me understand the significance of those places in a new light. I highly recommend this tour—it truly makes every temple and view more meaningful and contextual!
This was a one of a kind city tour in Kathmandu. I discovered the neighbourhoods where tourist do not come in, visited several temples and saw the living goddess Kumari at the former royal palace. Other sights included local medicine plant stores, pottery workshops and public baths. My guide Amber was very kind, knowledgeable and able to answer all my questions. At the end of the trip, I had dal bhat which is a delicious traditional meal in Nepal. I heartfully recommend this tour and guide, if you want to experience Kathmandu off the beaten track.
NICE GUIDE, A WONDERFUL TRIP ROUND KATMANDU WITH GOOD DESCRIPTION OF THE PLACES WE SAW. THE MEAL WAS TYPICAL NEWARI, WE ADVICE THIS TOUR
I am really glad I did this tour. It perfectly combines some of the must-see popular places in Kathmandu with strolls down the lesser-path streets. Which was a perfect, much-preferred way of travel for me. Especially if someone has limited time. I was presented with much history and information to help me understand Nepal as I embark on a two-month trip here. And we closed it off nicely with a great meal at the end of the tour. Highly recommend.
The Old Kathmandu Tour with Three Jewels Adventures was outstanding! Such an amazing, rich experience and at an unrivaled value. Amber Tamang provides a unique, indigenous, historical perspective of Old Kathmandu city. He is an incredibly articulate, kind, wise and well-educated professional. I knew Amber Tamang from our trek together the previous week from Pokhara, and was eager to continue to learn from him in the city as he is a Kathmandu resident. Amber met me at my hostel at 8:30 am and we finished at 1:00 pm with lunch near Swayambhu temple. I was so lucky to have a one-on-one experience on the tour. They take care not to over-book tours so you’re not left in the back of a tour group missing crucial historical facts. At the end of the tour you sit down for lunch to connect over dal bhat (traditional delicious Nepali lunch) so you can continue to ask questions about what you witnessed on the tour. You’ll walk a very manageable amount and also take taxis across town when needed. All taxis, food, tea and treats are included. If I tried to go to these places by myself I would end up paying way more as a Westerner... And it is crucial to have a good guide to explain nuances that you would otherwise never notice or have access to understanding around Kathmandu- trust me, I tried to go on my own walking tours for a week before booking a formal tour with Three Jewels Adventures! I experienced and learned so much about Kathmandu, temples, the Durbar square and culinary experiences in ways I was unable to achieve on my own. We visited the site of ancient marketplaces, temples, the square, museums, the Kumari, Swayambhu and many more epic spots! Having someone local to speak to and ask questions of transforms the experience entirely. I would take this tour again just to ask more questions and retain more! Thanks so much Amber and Three Jewels Adventures!
