$150
per person
2 Days
duration
All Round Year
best time to visit in
1400m.
max. elevation
NBCT-11541
trip code
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Private Car or Van
2-4hrs
Lodge to Lodge Trekking
The Bhaktapur City Tour takes you to amazing heritage sites filled with ancient historical and religious wonders. You will visit medieval towns that are full of interest and delight. You will be completely absorbed in this tour. Our guide will give you much information about Bhaktapur's culture and history. Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, means 'City of Devotees.'
The city has remained the same for hundreds of years. People still practice its immense culture and customs in daily life. Bhaktapur is close to Kathmandu, just 14 km to the east. Driving there on the Nepal & Tibet Friendship Highway takes less than an hour. The tour of Bhaktapur Heritage Sites lasts for a few hours. During this time, our guide will explain this great city's cultural and historical facts. You will learn and see so much in just a short time.
On the first day of our tour, our guide will pick you up at your hotel at 8:30 AM and drive you to Bhaktapur. We will explore the Durbar Square for 2 hours. You will see ancient temples, palaces, and beautiful architecture. After exploring, we will drive to Nagarkot. You will spend the night in Nagarkot, enjoying the fresh mountain air and peaceful surroundings.
We will wake up early to see the sunrise over the Himalayan ranges, including Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, and Gaurishankar. After enjoying the views, we will take a short downhill walk to the Changunarayan Temple, one of the oldest temples in Nepal. We will return to your Kathmandu hotel in the afternoon, ending our tour.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a beautiful and historic place in Bhaktapur. It is full of ancient temples, palaces, and statues. The square is famous for its stunning architecture and intricate wood carvings. The 55-Window Palace, Vatsala Temple, and Nyatapola Temple are here. It is a lively area where locals and tourists come to enjoy the sights and learn about the rich history.
Highlights of Bhaktapur include the landmark Nyatapola Temple, meaning “five-storied temple,” which stands 30 meters high and is the tallest temple in the Kathmandu Valley. It was built by King Bhupatindra Malla in 1708 AD. Each of its five terraces holds a pair of figures: wrestlers at the bottom, followed by elephants, lions, griffins, and goddesses.
Located within Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the museum treasures rare paintings and manuscripts with painted covers and illustrations. The gallery contains brass, bronze, stone, and wooden images reflecting the medieval art tradition of Nepal. The gallery is closed on Thursdays and public holidays.
The Bhairavnath Temple, located in Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot, and Dhulikhel, was originally built as a one-story pagoda during the period of King Jagat Jyoti Malla. It was later transformed into a three-story temple in 1718 A.D. by King Bhupatindra Malla. This temple now stands as a symbol of artistic grandeur and is dedicated to Lord Bhairab, the god of Terror.
There are two main pottery areas around Bhaktapur. The first pottery square is at Suryamadhi, east of Dattatreya Temple Square, and is the oldest. The other pottery area is Talako’s Potter’s Square, located south of Nyatapola Square. Walking along attractive market side streets, you will find pottery in full blaze. In the wide-open brick courtyard, you will see a mix of small grey and brownish-red clay pots. Each pot is examined by hand before being turned to face the sun at a new angle or dipped into a bucket of colored water.
Nepal’s oldest and ancient temple, Changu Narayan, is on a high hilltop called Changu or Dolagiri. The temple area is surrounded by a forest of champak trees and a small Changu village, which is north of Bhaktapur.
Changu Narayan Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Visnu. This temple is considered the oldest in Nepal. The pagoda-style temple has masterpieces from the 5th to 12th centuries, including excellent Nepalese art.
Nagarkot, a famous and popular viewpoint north of Bhaktapur, is a tourist spot at an altitude of 2,175 meters. It offers stunning sunrise and sunset views over the chain of Himalayan peaks, including Manaslu, Ganesh, Langtang, Jugal Himal, and the eastern Everest range.
This serene town is home to the Tamang ethnic tribe, a hill people of Nepal, with traditional farm villages and neat terraced fields within pristine woodlands of rhododendron, pine, oak, and fir trees. With its cool alpine temperatures, Nagarkot is a popular escape for city folks looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The town boasts nice lodges, hotels, and resorts, all with rooms facing beautiful views of snowcapped peaks.
Exploring Bhaktapur is a delightful experience all year round, but each season offers its own unique charm based on the two-day itinerary mentioned.
Spring (March to May): Spring is one of the best times to visit Bhaktapur. The weather is mild and pleasant, perfect for walking around Durbar Square and exploring ancient temples and palaces. The blooming flowers add vibrant colors to the city’s historic architecture. On the second day, the clear skies provide stunning sunrise views of the Himalayan ranges from Nagarkot, making your early morning experience truly memorable.
Summer (June to August): While summer brings monsoon rains, Bhaktapur’s lush greenery is at its peak, and the city looks vibrant. You can enjoy the fresh, cool air and fewer crowds if you don’t mind occasional showers. However, be prepared for some rain, and consider carrying an umbrella or raincoat. The sunrise view from Nagarkot might be a bit unpredictable, but the misty landscapes can be quite mystical.
Autumn (September to November): Autumn is another excellent time to visit Bhaktapur. The weather is clear and calm, providing the best conditions for sightseeing. The city’s festivals during this period add to the cultural richness of your tour. The clear post-monsoon skies offer breathtaking sunrise views from Nagarkot, showcasing the Himalayan ranges in full glory.
Winter (December to February): Winter in Bhaktapur is incredible, with chilly mornings and evenings. However, the days are usually clear and sunny, making it a pleasant time for a city tour. Exploring the ancient sites without the heat is enjoyable, and the crisp air provides clear views of the Himalayas from Nagarkot. Just be sure to dress warmly, especially for the early sunrise view.
The Bhaktapur City Tour is easy and suitable for most people. The main activities involve walking around Durbar Square and visiting various historic sites, mainly on flat ground. You will stroll through narrow alleys and see local artisans, but no strenuous activity is involved.
The tour also includes a short visit to Pottery Square. Overall, this trek does not require any physical difficulty. However, you must be prepared for a short hike and walk. Whether you are a child or an adult, this two-day tour will be perfect for you.
If these dates do not suit your plans, please contact us to request alternative dates. We are more than happy to customise the itinerary and schedule to better fit your needs.
There is no additional cost on the private trip. Group discount will be applied on checkout.
Sappa managed for us almost all of our trip to Nepal – from historical tours of Kathmandu to trek around Manaslu. Everything was prepared very well and what we agreed on was always firm. Sappa is a very nice guy and we can recommend it to everyone.
I like the way they arranged us with high privacy and not to mix with other group as we are travelled in dual pax. They are very professional and experienced where they could arrange based on our need and capabilities. Personally quite like our tour guide, Mr Suraj Lama where he is really patient, trustable, friendly and down to earth person. Would definitely recommend them to our friend. Mayagarchu ❤️
Im Oktober 2018 habe ich mit einer Freundin Nepal besucht. Über Sappa haben wir ein unvergessliches 6-tägiges Trekking über Gorephani in der Annapurna-Region gebucht. Die Trekking-Tour und Etappen wurden nach unseren Wünschen zusammengestellt sowie alle Angelegenheiten die Registrierung in der Annapurna-Region und den Transfer vom Hotel in Pokhara betreffend von Sappa und seinem Team erledigt. Auf der Trekking-Tour begleitete uns ein hochprofessionelles und zuvorkommendes Team (Bergführer Shyam und Träger Aita). Shyam informierte uns immer genau über den Verlauf der Trekkingetappen sowie die Region, Berg- / Pflanzenwelt und Dorfbewohner etc..
Die Lodges/Zimmer und Verpflegung entsprachen, besonders im Vergleich zu Gruppenreisen von deutschen Anbietern einem gehobenen Standard. Wir hatten in den Teahouses z.B. fast immer ein eigenes Bad mit Dusche und WC und Granatapfel zum Nachtisch J. Abschließend wurden wir zu einem traditionellen Dal Bhat Essen und einem farewell dinner eingeladen.
Neben der beeindruckenden Trekking-tour organisierte uns Sappa einen Guide für eine Tageswanderung von Nargakot bis Changu Narayan. Für die Besichtigung des Kathmanduvalleys (Bhaktapur, Dhulikel, Panauti, Patan, Nargakot (Sunrise)) stand uns ein Fahrer zur Verfügung, der uns zuverlässig über Stock und Stein zu allen gewünschten Dörfern und Zielen fuhr. Dieser brachte uns letztendlich noch mit Zwischenstopps in Mankamana, Gorkha und 1 Übernachtung im bezaubernden Bergdörfchen Bandipur bis nach Pokhara. Auch unseren unvergesslichen und unbedingt empfehlenswerten Mount – Everest – Rundflug mit Transfer vom Hotel haben wir über Sappa gebucht.
Ich bin sehr dankbar für die tolle Organisation und die Freundlichkeit von Sappa und seinem Team und kann diese ohne Einschränkungen wärmstens weiterempfehlen.
Warm wishes from cold Germany. Catrin
In English:
Amazing trip to Nepal! Best service, high professionalism and friendliness.
In October 2018, I visited Nepal with a friend. Over Sappa we booked an unforgettable 6-day trekking through Ghorepani in the Annapurna region. The trekking tour and stages were arranged according to our wishes and all matters concerning the registration in the Annapurna region and the transfer from the hotel in Pokhara regarding Sappa and his team were done. On the trekking tour we were accompanied by a highly professional and courteous team (mountain guide Shyam and porters Aita). Shyam always informed us exactly about the course of the trekking stages as well as the region, mountains / vegetation and villagers etc.
The lodges / rooms and catering corresponded to a high standard, especially in comparison to group travel from German providers. We had tea in the teahouses, for example. almost always a private bathroom with shower and toilet and pomegranate for dessert J. Finally, we were invited to a traditional Dal Bhat food and a farewell dinner.
In addition to the impressive trekking tour, Sappa organized a guide for a day hike from Nargakot to Changu Narayan. For the visit of the Kathmanduvalleys (Bhaktapur, Dhulikel, Panauti, Patan, Nargakot (Sunrise)) a driver was available, who reliably drove us over hill and dale to all desired villages and destinations. This brought us finally with stops in Mankamana, Gorkha and 1 night in the charming mountain village Bandipur to Pokhara. We also booked our unforgettable and absolutely recommendable Mount Everest sightseeing flight with transfer from the hotel via Sappa.
I am very grateful for the great organization and the friendliness of Sappa and his team and can warmly recommend them without any restrictions. Warm wishes from cold Germany.
Sapa amigo!!!! I can´t tell you how much we think of BEAUTIFUL NEPAL and of YOU! the wonderful time we spent together. We are totally planning to go back as soon as we can, and this time bring our son and daughter. BIG BIG HUG tere & walter
Plaza Principle S/N
Centro Malinalco,
Estado De Mexico
C.P.52 44o Mexico
In October 2015 I went to Nepal for the second time. This time I decided to take my family along, because my previous experience with Sappa and his team was so great, that I had no worries about taking my children to Himalayas. We spent almost 4 wonderful weeks of travelling, hiking and gaining cultural experience. My children loved Nepal, learned a lot about this wonderful country. I can highly recommend a family trip to everybody who is at least a bit fit and open-minded, it is a lifelong experience! We are all definitely coming back.
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per person USD 150
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Expertise spanning more than a decade, we are a Nepalese local trekking agency offering unparalleled treks, tours, & peak expeditions in the landscapes. View all blogs
Jul, 24, 2024
