3-Day Kathmandu Itinerary

Day 1: Sacred Squares — Kathmandu

Daily cost: $135

8:00 AM — Kathmandu Durbar Square

Medieval palaces and temples showcase Newari architecture in the historic royal square.

Category: UNESCO Site · Cost: $8

Tip: Enter through the north gate to avoid most tour groups.

12:30 PM — Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Ancient stupa crowns a hill with panoramic valley views and resident monkeys.

Category: Buddhist Temple · Cost: $2

Tip: Climb the eastern stairs for fewer crowds and better photo angles.

3:30 PM — Thamel District Walking Tour

Narrow alleys packed with shops, cafes, and traditional architecture in tourist hub.

Category: Cultural District · Cost: $0

Tip: Duck into hidden courtyards behind main streets for authentic local life.

6:30 PM — Garden of Dreams

Neo-classical garden oasis with pavilions and fountains from 1920s restoration.

Category: Historic Garden · Cost: $3

Tip: Visit during golden hour for the best lighting on white pavilions.

8:00 PM — Traditional Newari Cultural Show

Live music and dance performances showcase Nepal's ethnic heritage with dinner.

Category: Cultural Performance · Cost: $12

Tip: Sit on floor cushions for the most authentic experience.

breakfast: Himalayan Java Coffee

Thamel · Modern coffeehouse, local business crowd

Must order: Nepali breakfast set, Himalayan coffee

Cost: $8/person

lunch: Krishnarpan Restaurant

Dwarika's Hotel · Upscale traditional, cultural immersion dining

Must order: 22-course Nepali thali, Raksi rice wine

Cost: $35/person

dinner: Thamel House Restaurant

Thamel · Heritage building, authentic Newari cuisine

Must order: Choila, Bara bread

Cost: $18/person

Stay: Hotel Yak & Yeti

Durbar Marg · $58-$75/night

Day 2: Spiritual Heights — Kathmandu

Daily cost: $125

7:00 AM — Boudhanath Stupa

Massive Buddhist stupa surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and prayer wheels.

Category: UNESCO Site · Cost: $3

Tip: Join the morning kora (circumambulation) with local pilgrims at dawn.

11:00 AM — Pashupatinath Temple

Sacred Hindu temple complex along Bagmati River with cremation ghats.

Category: UNESCO Site · Cost: $8

Tip: Observe ceremonies from the eastern bank if not Hindu to respect traditions.

2:30 PM — Nagarkot Himalayan Viewpoint Hike

Hill station trek with panoramic Himalayan views including Mount Everest on clear days.

Category: Mountain Adventure · Cost: $15

Tip: Take the forest trail to the tower for fewer tourists and better photos.

7:30 PM — Patan Durbar Square Evening

Medieval royal palace complex with intricate woodwork and metalwork craftsmanship.

Category: UNESCO Site · Cost: $6

Tip: Visit the Patan Museum for the best collection of Buddhist and Hindu art.

10:00 PM — Local Bar Hopping in Jhamel

Traditional raksi tasting and live music in authentic Nepali bars.

Category: Nightlife · Cost: $20

Tip: Try tongba (millet beer) served in bamboo containers with hot water.

breakfast: Cafe Cheeno

Boudhanath · Tibetan monastery cafe, peaceful morning

Must order: Tibetan butter tea, Thenthuk noodles

Cost: $6/person

lunch: Roadhouse Cafe

Thamel · International comfort food, traveler favorite

Must order: Wood-fired pizza, Everest beer

Cost: $12/person

dinner: Dhokaima Cafe

Patan · Rooftop heritage views, contemporary Nepali

Must order: Gundruk soup, Sekuwa grilled meat

Cost: $22/person

Day 3: Living Heritage — Kathmandu

Daily cost: $136

8:00 AM — Bhaktapur Durbar Square Full Tour

Medieval city with preserved architecture, pottery squares, and living cultural traditions.

Category: UNESCO Site · Cost: $12

Tip: Visit Potter's Square early to see artisans throwing clay before tourist crowds.

1:30 PM — Traditional Cooking Class

Learn to prepare dal bhat, momos, and traditional spices with local family.

Category: Culinary Adventure · Cost: $25

Tip: Ask about fermenting gundruk vegetables - rarely taught to tourists.

5:00 PM — Asan Bazaar Spice Market

Centuries-old trading post with aromatic spices, textiles, and street food vendors.

Category: Local Market · Cost: $0

Tip: Buy Himalayan pink salt and Timur pepper - unique to Nepal region.

7:30 PM — Indra Chowk Temple Complex

Active Hindu and Buddhist temples with evening prayer ceremonies and oil lamps.

Category: Religious Site · Cost: $0

Tip: Watch the evening aarti ceremony at 7:45 PM with local devotees.

9:30 PM — Farewell Dinner with Cultural Music

Traditional Nepali feast with live folk music performance in heritage courtyard.

Category: Cultural Experience · Cost: $18

Tip: Request the newari wine ceremony - a traditional blessing for travelers.

breakfast: Mayur Restaurant

Bhaktapur · Local family restaurant, heritage city

Must order: Juju dhau yogurt, Wo lentil pancake

Cost: $5/person

lunch: Cooking Class Meal

Thamel · Homemade feast, hands-on experience

Must order: Dal bhat, Homemade momos

Cost: $0/person

dinner: Bhojan Griha

Dilli Bazaar · Cultural performance, heritage mansion dining

Must order: Newari feast, Local raksi

Cost: $28/person

Your itinerary

3-Day Kathmandu Itinerary

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Trip Overview

Hotel

Day 1

Kathmandu

$135

Est. daily spend

Sacred Squares · 22°C, clear skies, light layers

Durbar Square gets very crowded after 10 AM

Book Krishnarpan lunch in advanceBook hotel →

Need a ride from the airport?

Book transfer →

breakfast· Thamel

Himalayan Java Coffee

Modern coffeehouse, local business crowd

Nepali breakfast setHimalayan coffee

Opens 7 AM

4.31,393 reviewsTripAdvisor →

~$8

/person

Medieval palaces and temples showcase Newari architecture in the historic royal square.
4.14,806 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Enter through the north gate to avoid most tour groups.
Book tours
Heritage entry fee
Taxi via Taxi to Swayambhunath15 min
Ancient stupa crowns a hill with panoramic valley views and resident monkeys.
4.56,365 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Climb the eastern stairs for fewer crowds and better photo angles.
Taxi via Taxi to Thamel20 min
lunch· Dwarika's Hotel
Krishnarpan Restaurant
Upscale traditional, cultural immersion dining
22-course Nepali thaliRaksi rice wine
Reservations essential
4.5237 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$35
/person
Narrow alleys packed with shops, cafes, and traditional architecture in tourist hub.
4.25,786 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Duck into hidden courtyards behind main streets for authentic local life.
Walk through Walk to Garden of Dreams8 min
Neo-classical garden oasis with pavilions and fountains from 1920s restoration.
4.34,105 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Visit during golden hour for the best lighting on white pavilions.
Walk through Walk to dinner5 min
Live music and dance performances showcase Nepal's ethnic heritage with dinner.
4.51,681 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Sit on floor cushions for the most authentic experience.
Book tours
dinner· Thamel
Thamel House Restaurant
Heritage building, authentic Newari cuisine
ChoilaBara bread
Cultural show included
4.2512 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$18
/person

While you're here

Freak Street

6 min walkFree

Historic hippie trail street with budget cafes and vintage vibes.

Your stay

3 nights

Hotel Yak & Yeti

Durbar Marg · $58–$75/night

Heritage hotel with modern amenities in central location near major sites.

Book on Expedia →

Group? Try vacation rentals →

Next up

Day 2 → Boudhanath stupa + Pashupatinath temple→

Day 2

Kathmandu

$125

Est. daily spend

Spiritual Heights · 24°C, partly cloudy, comfortable hiking

Himalayan views depend on clear weather conditions

breakfast· Boudhanath

Cafe Cheeno

Tibetan monastery cafe, peaceful morning

Tibetan butter teaThenthuk noodles

Opens 6:30 AM

4.339 reviewsTripAdvisor →

~$6

/person

Massive Buddhist stupa surrounded by Tibetan monasteries and prayer wheels.
4.69,103 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Join the morning kora (circumambulation) with local pilgrims at dawn.
Heritage site fee
Taxi via Taxi to Pashupatinath12 min
Sacred Hindu temple complex along Bagmati River with cremation ghats.
4.45,123 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Observe ceremonies from the eastern bank if not Hindu to respect traditions.
Taxi via Taxi to Nagarkot25 min
lunch· Thamel
Roadhouse Cafe
International comfort food, traveler favorite
Wood-fired pizzaEverest beer
Popular lunch spot
4.31,864 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$12
/person
Hill station trek with panoramic Himalayan views including Mount Everest on clear days.
4.8710 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Take the forest trail to the tower for fewer tourists and better photos.
Book tours
Taxi via Return taxi to Kathmandu45 min
Medieval royal palace complex with intricate woodwork and metalwork craftsmanship.
4.6137 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Visit the Patan Museum for the best collection of Buddhist and Hindu art.
Taxi via Taxi to Jhamel15 min
Traditional raksi tasting and live music in authentic Nepali bars.
4.9173 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Try tongba (millet beer) served in bamboo containers with hot water.
dinner· Patan
Dhokaima Cafe
Rooftop heritage views, contemporary Nepali
Gundruk soupSekuwa grilled meat
Rooftop seating preferred
4118 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$22
/person

While you're here

Tibetan Refugee Camp

5 min walkFree

Carpet weaving workshops and authentic Tibetan handicrafts near Boudhanath.

Next up

Day 3 → Bhaktapur heritage city + cooking class→

Day 3

Kathmandu

$136

Est. daily spend

Living Heritage · 26°C, sunny, perfect for walking

Bhaktapur requires early start for pottery demonstrations

Book your ride to the airport

Book transfer →

breakfast· Bhaktapur

Mayur Restaurant

Local family restaurant, heritage city

Juju dhau yogurtWo lentil pancake

Famous for curd

4.6158 reviewsTripAdvisor →

~$5

/person

Medieval city with preserved architecture, pottery squares, and living cultural traditions.
4.61,727 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Visit Potter's Square early to see artisans throwing clay before tourist crowds.
Book tours
Heritage area entry
local bus via Local bus to Kathmandu45 min
Learn to prepare dal bhat, momos, and traditional spices with local family.
4.9304 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Ask about fermenting gundruk vegetables - rarely taught to tourists.
Book tours
Walk through Walk to Asan Bazaar10 min
lunch· Thamel
Cooking Class Meal
Homemade feast, hands-on experience
Dal bhatHomemade momos
Included in class
4.7651 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$0
/person
Centuries-old trading post with aromatic spices, textiles, and street food vendors.
4.3254 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Buy Himalayan pink salt and Timur pepper - unique to Nepal region.
Walk through Walk to Indra Chowk8 min
Active Hindu and Buddhist temples with evening prayer ceremonies and oil lamps.
4.286 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Watch the evening aarti ceremony at 7:45 PM with local devotees.
Walk through Walk to Thamel12 min
Traditional Nepali feast with live folk music performance in heritage courtyard.
4.312 reviewsTripAdvisor →
Request the newari wine ceremony - a traditional blessing for travelers.
Book tours
dinner· Dilli Bazaar
Bhojan Griha
Cultural performance, heritage mansion dining
Newari feastLocal raksi
Cultural show included
4.3191 reviewsTripAdvisor →
~$28
/person

While you're here

Kumari Ghar (Living Goddess House)

4 min walkFree

Traditional home of the living goddess Kumari with occasional public appearances.

$396

$240 – $450 range

~$132/day · mid-range

Budget pace88% of max

Accommodation$131

Food$85

Activities$120

Transport$60

Day 1 Kathmandu$135

Day 2 Kathmandu$125

Day 3 Kathmandu$136

Compare hotel prices

See rates from Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com & more on Trivago

→

Book Your Trip

Flights to Kathmandu→Book hotels on Agoda→Compare hotel prices on Expedia→Group? Try vacation rentals→Rent a car→Airport transfer→Tours & activities→Travel SIM card→Buy airline miles→

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