The 12 Best Day Trips from Kathmandu

How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur

It’s pretty easy to get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, as the two places are well-connected. The bus goes from Bagbazaar (Kathmandu) to Bhaktapur frequently, almost every 10-15 minutes. The bus drops you near the Siddha Pokhari (pond) in Bhaktapur. It takes a bit over an hour and costs Rs. 50 (USD 0.30).

For taxis, use one of the taxi apps in Nepal, such as Pathao. I like the taxi apps as they have fixed prices, and you don’t have to bargain for a fair price. The taxi fare is around Rs. 1,000 (USD 7).

🏠 Where to stay in Bhaktapur: Hotel Bhadgaon, the best hotel in Bhaktapur with comfy rooms and a swimming pool!

2. PATAN

• Highlights: Patan Durbar Square, lesser-known temples, restaurants and bars in Jhamsikhel

Patan is very close to Kathmandu, located just 15 minutes drive south of Kathmandu. Patan can be visit as a half-day trip, or as a full one-day trip if you have more time to spend in the area.

The Patan Durbar Square is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. What I love about Patan the most is that there are many hidden temples in the area that are lesser known to tourists.

Apart from the Patan Durbar Square, I also recommend visiting the Kumbeshwar Temple, Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, and the Ashoka Stupa. They are all in walking distance from the Patan Durbar Square.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan

Patan is only about 15-20 minutes away from central Kathmandu, and it is very easy to get there. The two places are well-connected by public transport, but it is easier to just take a taxi.

Taxi costs around Rs. 500 (USD 3) from central Kathmandu to Patan. For the best prices, book it through taxi apps like Pathao or InDrive. The public buses leave from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan. The bus fare costs Rs. 25.

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3. NAGARKOT

• Highlights: Hiking, sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas

Nagarkot is the perfect getaway if you want to spend some time in nature. It is famous for its sunrise views over the Himalayas. The best chance for clear views of the mountains is in autumn and spring, however, weather can be unpredictable, so the views are never guaranteed.

Nagarkot is like the perfect escape from Kathmandu. You can relax, go hiking, visit the Nagarkot Waterfall and Suspension Bridge, see the view from the View Tower, and there is even a small Buddhist park with the statue of Buddha.

It is best to spend at least two days in Nagarkot, but if you are short on time, you can also visit it as a day trip. For a day trip, it is best to book a trip with a private car that takes you to Nagarkot early morning to see the sunrise, then you have time to explore the area, and head back to Kathmandu in the evening.

How to Get to Nagarkot

The easiest to get to Nagarkot is by taxi, but there is also an option to take the public bus. I have taken the bus many times to Nagarkot, and it takes longer than by taxi, but it is safe.

There is no direct bus from Kathmandu to Nagarkot. So first, you have to take a bus from Bhaktapur Bus Park (Bagbazaar, Kathmandu) to Bhaktapur. Then in Bhaktapur, take another bus from Bhaktapur’s Nagarkot Bus Park to Nagarkot.

🏔️ Book a day trip to Nagarkot: escape Kathmandu and spend the perfect day hiking in nature! On this trip, they even take you to the Changu Narayan Temple which is the oldest temple in Nepal.

4. DHULIKHEL

• Highlights: Sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas

Dhulikhel is similar to Nagarkot, and it is famous for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas. While most local and international travelers visit Nagarkot, Dhulikhel remains less touristy.

It’s best to visit Dhulikhel as part of an overnight trip, but if you go by taxi/private car, then you can also visit it as day trip. Make sure to leave early morning, so have the whole day to explore the town.

I love walking around Dhulikhel and explore its temples. There is also a short hike from the town center to the Kalika Temple through the 1,000 Steps (it’s like a long staircase through the forest).

How to Get to Dhulikhel

There is a direct bus that goes from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel about every 20-30 minutes. The bus leaves from Ratna Park, and takes around two hours to get to Dhulikhel. In case you are going to Dhulikhel from Bhaktapur, then go to the Jagati Bus Stop and take the bus from there.

As Dhulikhel is around two hours from Kathmandu, so for a more comfortable trip, it is better to take a taxi. A one-way taxi fare to Dhulikhel is around Rs. 1,700 (USD 11).

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5. NAMO BUDDHA

• Highlights: Namo Buddha Monastery, Namo Buddha Stupa, hiking

Namo Buddha is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It is the most famous for the Namo Buddha Monastery, but you can also visit the Namo Buddha Stupa, shrines, and go hiking to Panauti or Dhulikhel.

According to a legend, Prince Mahasattva (a previous incarnation of Buddha) came across a weak tigress and her cubs in the forest where Namo Buddha is located today. He sacrificed his body and let the tigress eat him, so that she and her cubs can survive, symbolizing compassion and selflessness.

If you are short on time, the best is to visit Namo Buddha by private car, this way, you can visit it within a day. Namo Buddha is 40 km east of Kathmandu, and while that doesn’t look like a big distance, it can take a two-hour drive to get there. So, for a day trip, it is best to go by taxi and leave early morning.

We spent a few hours exploring Namo Buddha, but with the drive to and from Kathmandu, it took up the whole day. When we arrived in Namo Buddha, we started exploring the Namo Buddha Stupa first, then hiked up to the monastery.

There is also a guesthouse at the Namo Buddha Monastery that you can book in advance and stay for a few days. If you only have a short time, visiting Namo Buddha in a day by private car is totally manageable, but if you want to learn more about Buddhism, see the monks pray, then I recommend staying at the monastery for a few days.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Namo Buddha

If you are planning to visit Namo Buddha only for a day, then I recommend hiring a taxi or book a day tour. It takes too long to get there by public transport, and you would get very tired if you took the bus from Kathmandu to Namo Buddha and back in one day.

In case you are planning to spend a few days in Namo Buddha, then it’s fine to take the public bus. The buses go from Kathmandu (Ratna Park) to Banepa, then you have to change to another bus from Banepa to Namo Buddha.

Here is a short video I took of Namo Buddha:

➡️ Book a day trip to Namo Buddha, and visit the monastery and the stupa. It includes a private car and guide. During the trip, you also go on a side trip to visit a giant Shiva statue, and get to visit Dhulikhel (small town near Namo Buddha known for its views of the Himalayas).

6. CHANDRAGIRI HILLS

• Highlights: Chandragiri Cable Car, Himalayan views, Bhaleshwara Mahadev Temple, hiking

Chandragiri is one of my favourite day trips from Kathmandu. It’s just in the outskirts of Kathmandu, so it’s easy to get there whether you go by taxi or public transport.

Chandragiri is famous for its cable car, and once you get to the top, you get nice views of the Himalayas. The weather is not always clear to get a good view, especially if there are a lot of smog or clouds, then it’s not worth to go there as the views will be clouded.

I visited Chandragiri during the monsoon season. It was not raining while I was there, but I didn’t get to see the Himalayas. I did enjoy the cable car ride to the top, even though it was a scary at times!

To get the best views at Chandragiri, the best time to go is in autumn/early winter (mid-October to December). The second best time to go is in the spring, but the views are not guaranteed. In recent years, there has been a lot of air pollution in the spring, which has limited the views of the Himalayas.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri

First, take a public bus to Kalanki, then, once you are in Kalanki, change to another bus going to Chandragiri.

Taking a taxi to Chandragiri is the easiest, most comfortable option. You can use one of the taxi apps in Nepal, like Pathao or InDrive, to book a taxi. The taxi fare is around Rs. 1,000 (USD 6.50) one way.

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7. SUNDARIJAL

• Highlights: Sundarijal Waterfall, hike to Chisapani/Nagarkot

Sundarijal is a popular place for hiking near Kathmandu. A few years ago when I was staying in Nepal, all my friends ever wanted to do was to go to Sundarijal (like there was no other place to go, only Sundarijal).

In Nepali, “sundari” means “beautiful”, and “jal” means “water”, so Sundarijal means beautiful water. There is a waterfall in Sundarijal which is one of the main attractions in the area.

Sundarijal is located 15 km northeast of Kathmandu in the Shivapuri National Park. The park has nice hiking routes. One of the most popular hiking routes go from Sundarijal to Chisapani. After Chisapani, you can either take a bus back to Kathmandu, or continue the hike to Nagarkot.

I have done this hike a few times, and I only recommend the section from Sundarijal to Chisapani, it’s a proper hiking trail in nature. The section from Sundarijal to Nagarkot follows a road for the most time, and it’s not that enjoyable.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Sundarijal

There is a bus that goes from Ratna Park to Sundarijal frequently throughout the day. If you want to save time, it’s better to take a taxi, it’ll get you there faster.

8. KIRTIPUR

Kirtipur is originally a Newari settlement, and it’s the perfect place for a short trip from Kathmandu to learn more about Nepali culture. There are a few Hindu temples in town that are worth exploring, as well as a stupa and a Thai-style temple.

Kirtipur is located on a hilltop, and you get great views of the Kathmandu Valley. The best views are from the Bagh Bhairav Temple and the Uma Maheshwar Temple. If the weather is clear, you also get to see the Himalayas. Kirtipur can be visited all year around, but the Himalayan views are most likely in autumn and spring.

In Kirtipur, you can also see many houses built in traditional Newari architecture (wood carved windows and red bricks). It’s also a good place to have Newari food. In fact, Newa Lahana, the most popular Newari restaurant is located in Kirtipur. Many people only go to Kirtipur to eat at this restaurant. Plus, the views of Kathmandu Valley from Newa Lahana is epic!

How to Get to Kirtipur

The buses go from Kathmandu (Ratna Park) to Kirtipur and takes around 30 minutes to get there. The bus is not too bad and the fare is Rs. 35 (USD 0.20). Still, if you want a more comfortable trip, you can also just go by taxi. The taxi from Thamel to Kirtipur costs around Rs. 600 (USD 4).

9. PANAUTI

Panauti is also originally a Newari settlement, and it is close to Dhulikhel and Namo Buddha. Panauti is known for its ancient temples, but it is not that touristy. It’s similar to Bhaktapur but it’s like a smaller version of it.

Panauti is great for a day trip from Kathmandu if you have already visited major places like Bhaktapur. It is around two hours from Kathmandu, and can be visited as a day trip. I recommend leaving early morning, so you have more time to explore Panauti.

If you plan to go by public transport, I recommend staying in Panauti for the night, as it would be too tiring to take the bus there and back on the same day, and still have energy to explore the town.

The best things to do in Panauti is to visit the Indreshwor Temple, the Panauti Museum, Tribeni Ghat, and just walk around the narrow streets. It’s also a good place to have some Newari food.

As Panauti is a bit further away from Kathmandu, it is also worth considering booking a private trip. The good thing about booking a tour is that you don’t have to stress about organizing the logistics yourself. There is hotel pick-up and drop-off, private car, and an English-speaking guide to tell you all the interesting facts and legends about Panauti.

How to Get to Panauti

There are public buses that go to Panauti, but if you want to make it easy, you can also just take a taxi.

There is a direct bus to Panauti from Kathmandu. The bus leaves from Ratna Park (opposite Bir Hospital) in Kathmandu and takes around two hours to get there.

➡️ Book a stay at the Panauti Community Homestay and get to know Nepali culture while staying with a local family!

10. KAKANI

• Highlights: hiking, trout fish, strawberries

Kakani is the most famous for its trout fish, strawberries and mountain views. It’s popular in Kathmandu to go for a day trip to Kakani, only just to have some fish, and then come back to Kathmandu in the evening.

I once visited Kakani, at that time the road was in horrible condition, but the trout fish was so good, it was totally worth it!

If you have more time, it is worth staying in Kakani for a night and go hiking in the area. If the weather is clear, you also get nice views of the Himalayas. The best time to visit for the views is in autumn and spring, but clear views are never 100% guaranteed.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Kakani

The public buses go from Balaju (Kathmandu) to Kakani. The bus stop is at the Balaju Bypass and it takes around 1.5 hours to reach Kakani.

11. GODAWARI

• Highlights: Godawari Botanical Garden, hike to Phulchowki Hill

Godawari is located south of Kathmandu and it is only 1 hour by car. It is mostly known for the Godawari Botanical Garden, but there are also a few short hiking routes here including the Phulchowki Hill hike.

The best time to visit the Godawari Botanical Garden is in the spring (March-April) when the flowers are in bloom. As for hiking, the best times are in autumn, spring, and even early winter (like December), are great. You have the best chance for views of the Himalayas once you hike up to the top of Phulchowki Hill.

Godawari is great for a day trip from Kathmandu as it can be easily accessed by public transport. If you want to visit both the botanical garden and hike to Phulchowki Hill, then it is better to spend two days here. In one day, you can visit the botanical garden and explore temples in the area, and the next day you can go on the hike starting early morning.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Godawari

Getting to Godawari is pretty easy, and the public transport is well-connected from different parts of Kathmandu. The public transport can be hectic, so if you want a more comfortable trip, it’s better to take a taxi.

The public bus goes from Ratna Park and Ring Road to Satdobato. Once you are in Satdobato, change to another bus/minivan that goes to the Godawari Bus Park. Another alternative is to take a bus from Lagankhel to Godawari.

12. CHANGU NARAYAN

• Highlights: Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan is known for its temple, the Changu Narayan Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in Nepal. It was built in 4th century, and it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Most people come to Changu Narayan just to see the temple. There are also two museums in the area, the Changu Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. I only visited the Changu Narayan Temple as a quick trip from Kathmandu, and next time if I went back, I would spend more time exploring the area and the museums.

Changu Narayan is located close to Bhaktapur, so generally, it’s best to visit Changu Narayan in one go together with Bhaktapur. It is possible to get there by public transport, but it is faster and more comfortable to go by taxi.

To visit Changu Narayan, I recommend taking a taxi or booking a private trip, as it takes a long time to get there. There are tours that include visiting all (or a selected number) of the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, and it makes visiting Changu Narayan easier. Some tours include sunrise in Nagarkot with visiting Changu Narayan, which is also a good option if you are short on time.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Changu Narayan

It’s also possible to get to Changu Narayan by public transport. You can take the bus from Kathmandu (Bagbazaar) to Bhaktapur first (ticket costs Rs. 40). The, once you are in Bhaktapur, walk over to the Dekocha Changu Narayan Bus Stop, and take the bus from there to Changu Narayan.

➡️ Book a trip to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, including Changu Narayan: including private car, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and an English speaking tour guide!