5 days in Kathmandu

Day by day

1. Day 1: Kathmandu Durbar Square and Freak Street

   Kathmandu Durbar Square, Freak Street and Swayambhunath, then Boudhanath in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Kathmandu Durbar Square

      Arrive early to see morning worship before tour groups; keep your ticket, which is checked at several entry points around the square. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Freak Street

      Have a cheap lunch here after visiting Durbar Square, away from the square's tourist restaurants. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Momo

      Everywhere, from street stalls in Asan to Tibetan kitchens in Boudha and restaurants in Thamel.

   4. Afternoon

      Swayambhunath

      Climb the eastern stairs early in the morning when pilgrims circle the stupa, and keep food and loose items away from the monkeys. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Boudhanath

      Come in the late afternoon, walk the kora clockwise with the pilgrims, then watch the stupa from a rooftop café as butter lamps are lit.

2. Day 2: Pashupatinath Temple and Patan Durbar Square

   Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square and Everest mountain flight, then Thamel in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Pashupatinath Temple

      Watch cremations quietly from the east bank and never photograph mourners up close; a licensed guide helps explain the rituals. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Patan Durbar Square

      Spend the afternoon here, then stay for dusk when locals gather on the temple steps. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dal bhat tarkari

      Local bhojanalayas and Thakali restaurants across the city; Thakali-style sets are especially good.

   4. Afternoon

      Everest mountain flight

      Book for one of your first mornings so there is time to rebook if the flight is cancelled for cloud. (About 1 hour in the air, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Thamel

      Compare prices across several shops before buying trekking gear, and check stitching and zips carefully.

3. Day 3: Patan Museum and Asan and Indra Chowk market walk

   Patan Museum, Asan and Indra Chowk market walk and Garden of Dreams, then Thamel in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Patan Museum

      Visit before exploring Patan Durbar Square; the displays will help you read the temples outside. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Asan and Indra Chowk market walk

      Walk it in the morning when the vegetable sellers are out, and step into side courtyards such as those off Kel Tole to find hidden shrines. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Newari khaja set

      Newari restaurants in Patan, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur, and some in central Kathmandu.

   4. Afternoon

      Garden of Dreams

      Bring a book for an hour's escape from Thamel's traffic. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Thamel

      Live-music bars, pubs and rooftop terraces packed with trekkers and young Nepalis, especially on Friday and Saturday.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Bhaktapur

   About 45 minutes to 1 hour by road each way. Getting there: Taxi, app ride or local bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Bhaktapur

      About 45 minutes to 1 hour by road (Taxi, app ride or local bus); about 13 km.

   2. Day

      Bhaktapur

      The best-preserved of the valley's royal cities, with three main squares, the five-tiered Nyatapola temple, Pottery Square where potters work in the open and streets largely closed to traffic. Best for first-timers, culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Kathmandu

      Dinner: try Bara.

5. Day 5: Narayanhiti Palace Museum and Kopan Monastery

   Narayanhiti Palace Museum, Kopan Monastery and Chandragiri Hills cable car, then Jhamsikhel in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Narayanhiti Palace Museum

      Cameras and phones usually have to be deposited at the entrance, so plan to look rather than photograph. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Kopan Monastery

      Check the monastery's schedule for short meditation sessions open to visitors. (1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bara

      Newari snack shops in Patan and Bhaktapur and khaja houses in the old city.

   4. Afternoon

      Chandragiri Hills cable car

      Go on a clear morning between October and March for the best mountain views; afternoons often cloud over. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Jhamsikhel

      Wine bars and relaxed restaurant bars favoured by Kathmandu's expat and professional crowd.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Everest mountain flight before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Thamel keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Lazimpat ($$$) suits quiet stays, couples and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–27 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in December to 13.9 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Kathmandu
• 2 days in Kathmandu
• 3 days in Kathmandu

Questions travellers ask