I remember my first time in Nepal, I Googled the words “day trips from Kathmandu.” A bunch of posts came up for tour companies charging a fortune to take you an hour away. It was disheartening since I couldn’t afford to spend $100 a day at the time (or even now for that matter). It seemed you either needed to pay a tour company or you needed to know how to drive a motorbike. Both of those weren’t options for me. This year, I’ve been focusing on things to do around the Kathmandu Valley. I’ve also been working hard to understand and navigate the local buses. It isn’t always easy, but I’ve discovered some amazing places nearby that don’t require a $100 tour or a motorbike.
Day Trip to Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is one of my favorite cities in Nepal. Don’t let the word “city” fool you because this one is small and full of charm. Dhulikhel is one of the best places to see the Himalayas while also having great road access. There are tons of things to do in town including historical temples, an old city, great food, and amazing viewpoints! I’d recommend waking up early to go to Dhulikhel as views of the mountains are always best before 10am. If you can, arrive the night before so you can be there at sunrise.
How to get there: Take a local bus from Ratna Bus Park to Dhulikhel. The bus generally costs less than $1 USD per person.
How long it takes: 1.5 hours from Kathmandu
More information: Dhulikhel City Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Chandragiri Cable Car
The Chandragiri Cable Car is one of the easiest day trips you can take in Kathmandu. I always thought it would be overrated, but it completely blew me away. There’s a temple, restaurant, and playground at the top. The views are spectacular on a clear day, and it’s easy to get there. I recommend going in the morning to ensure the best possible view. Spend some time walking around and eat lunch at the restaurant up top. There’s a local food stall and a fine dining option.
How to get there: There’s a free shuttle that runs every morning. It stops at Bhat-Bhateni supermarkets along the Ring Road. I recommend taking a taxi to the Bhat-Bhateni near Kalanki, and then, grab the shuttle around 11am. If you’d like to go on your own, you can also take a cab the whole way. It’s about $10 USD.
How long it takes: About 1 hour by car, possibly longer if you take the free shuttle.
More information: Chandragiri Cable Car Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Pharping
Pharping is a very religious city just over an hour away from Kathmandu. The roads there are pretty smooth making it a great day trip option with little hassle. Here you can see lots of monasteries, temples, and an old city. It’s the sort of place where you can get lost and stumble upon amazing places. You can’t walk more than five minutes without seeing something beautiful and fascinating. There’s a few day hikes nearby including the very popular Champa Devi hike which can be done in one afternoon.
How to get there: Get a local bus from Ratna Bus Park. The bus generally costs less than $1 USD per person.
How long it takes: 1.5 hours from Kathmandu
More information: Pharping City Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Kirtipur
Kirtipur is one of the closest places to Kathmandu. It’s just a half hour ride by car. I’m surprised it’s not more popular considering how many people go to Patan which is the same distance away. Kirtipur is a cool city stacked on the side of a hill. It’s interesting to walk through the winding alleys. Although motorbikes can go through the tiny streets, there’s limited access to cars, making this a cool place to explore by foot. There’s a few temples with amazing views of the valley. Just be prepared to walk up and down a lot of stairs while exploring.
How to get there: Take a local bus from Ratna Bus Park. The bus generally costs less than $0.50 USD per person.
How long it takes: 30 minutes from Kathmandu by cab. More by bus depending on how many stops it makes.
More information: Kirtipur City Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is becoming more and more popular every year. It’s famous for being a “living museum” because it’s maintained it culture so well over time. I used to think Bhaktapur was a little far away, but it’s only an hour from Kathmandu. This is one of the easiest places to navigate taking a bus because so many tourists go there on a regular basis. It’s a great place for a day trip, but it’s also the kind of place you could spend a week without getting bored.
How to get there: Get a local bus from Ratna Bus Park. The bus generally costs less than $1 USD per person.
How long it takes: 1 hour from Kathmandu (maybe longer if there’s traffic)
More information: Things to do in Bhaktapur * Best Restaurants in Bhaktapur
Day Trip to Patan
Patan is my favorite place to go when I need a break from being in a foreign country. That probably sounds terrible, but it’s got a lot of western comforts. Even I get homesick or overwhelmed sometimes. Patan has a large expat community, so you can find a lot of westernized restaurants and things you might do back home. There’s a painting studio, archery range, great coffee shops, malls, and more. If you’ve been on the road for a long time and want a break, it’s really refreshing. It also has great culture, but I tend to recommend Bhaktapur over Patan for that.
How to get there: Get a local bus from Ratna Bus Park. The bus generally costs less than $0.50 USD per person.
How long it takes: 30 minutes from Kathmandu by cab. Longer by bus, depending on how many stops it makes.
More information: Things to do in Patan * Best Restaurants in Patan
Day Trip to Panauti
Panauti is my favorite off the beaten path city. I like to call it “little Bhaktapur” because it’s kind of like the undiscovered or non-touristy version of Bhaktapur. It’s a two-hour bus ride on the local bus, but it’s worth the trip. I could spend all day just wandering through the tiny alleyways of this city. It’s so full of life. There’re people and farm animals all over the place, and it’s chock full of charm. I felt like I was so far away from the tourist track when I arrived. It’s how I imagine most cities in Nepal were 10-20 years ago.
How to get there: Get a local bus from Ratna Bus Park. The bus generally costs less than $1 USD per person.
How long it takes: 2 hours from Kathmandu (maybe more if there’s traffic)
More information: Panauti City Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Namo Buddha Monastery
Namo Buddha is a Buddhist monastery about 2 hours from Kathmandu. You can walk around and explore the monastery and temples or sit and meditate with the monks. On a clear day, you can see the mountains. It’s a great place to take in a little Buddhist culture. If you have time, you can spend a night in the monastery guesthouse. If you like meditation, this is a great place to do a one-day self-guided meditation near Kathmandu.
How to get there: Ask for a direct bus at Ratna Park. If you can’t find one, then you’ll need to take the bus to Dhulikhel, and then, change for the bus to Namo Buddha. The bus generally costs less than $1 USD per person. If you need to change buses, it may cost a little bit more.
How long it takes: 2 hours from Kathmandu, possibly longer if you have to change buses.
More information: Namo Buddha Monastery Guide & Photography
Day Trip to Shivapuri National Park
Shivapuri National Park is a little harder to get to, so I’d recommend paying for a cab for the day. If you take the local bus, you’ll have to walk about an hour or two before reaching the park. At that point, it’s better to spend a night inside the park and hike the next morning. If you take a cab to the top and have them wait for you, you can spend more time inside the park and do it in a day. Shivapuri is the perfect place to go hiking away from the dust and noise of Kathmandu. Entering the park feels like another world. It’s also great on hot days as you’ll get shade from the trees and an increase in altitude always makes it cooler. I’ve been told it’s best to hike in a group since there are wild animals in the park and the trails are generally empty.
How to get there: Get a local bus from Ratna Bus Park to Buddhanilkantha. Then, take a cab to Shivapuri National Park. The bus generally costs less than $0.50 USD per person. The cab can be a little expensive if you need him to wait while you hike and then take you back. It may be around $10 or more. If you walk back down to Buddhanikantha then it won’t be so expensive since the cab won’t need to wait for you.
How long it takes: 30 – 45 minutes from Kathmandu (depending on where you start your hike)
More information: Shivapuri National Park
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Michelle Della Giovanna
Writer at Full Time Explorer
I’m just your average New Yorker who quit her job in the fashion industry to explore the world. Come find out what it’s like to trade in five-inch heels for squat toilets.
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