Bhaktapur City Tour

Introduction

Bhaktapur City Tour is one of the best city tour in a beautiful location east of Kathmandu city. A mere distance drive of 15 km / 9 miles takes an hour or less to reach magnificent Bhaktapur City. Bhaktapur was the capital and kingdom of the Kathmandu Valley during the Malla period around the 11th to 12th Century.

Regarded as one of the most striking Durbar Squares by UNESCO, it was added to the list of World Heritage in 1979. A marvelous place to visit not to be missed while visiting Nepal for various holiday activities. Bhaktapur is an old city known as ‘Khwopa’ by the early native Newar tribes and historically named Bhadgaon. Meaning a city of devotees, as you can notice on this exciting tour steeped in smaller to bigger shrines.

Bhaktapur City Tour takes you back to the medieval period, with its old historical buildings and monuments. It is also known as a Living Museum due to its ancient cultural background, which still exists. Truly a marvelous city to visit and experience the Nepali way of traditional life, as it was in the past centuries, with houses of intricate carvings and narrow alleys. This surely makes Bhaktapur one of the most sought-after cities around the Kathmandu Valley.

Best Seasons for Bhaktapur City Tour

For the Bhaktapur City Tour, visitors can enjoy nearly all seasons of the year; the best times are spring and autumn. Spring is from March to May, and autumn/fall starts from September to November; you can also visit during the winter season. The winter months, from December to February, have cold mornings and nights, but with clear sunny days for short hours.

Bhaktapur City Tour Itinerary

8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Short drive to Bhaktapur Parking and entrance gate.

In the morning, at the given time, our guide receives you for an interesting drive east from Kathmandu city. It is a smooth drive on the newly built, big highway, and then you leave the main road to reach the outskirts of Bhaktapur city. From the parking lot, there is a short walk uphill to the entrance gate of the famous Bhaktapur Durbar Square.

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tour of Bhaktapur Durbar with pottery areas.

On reaching the main Durbar Square of Bhaktapur city, enjoy the fascinating scene of lively wide-square. Lined by beautiful monuments, enter famous Golden Gate, the main entrance to 55 Window Palace and its lovely royal courtyard. After a glorious visit walk to another small square where the main landmark of Bhaktapur is located. The tall terracotta Temple of Nyatapola, means a 5 storied temple of pagoda roofed.

The steps to the temple are guarded by impressive statues of wrestlers, lions and mythological animals like Garuda and Griffon. This square is more lively with local passersby, from here walk to the pottery square. Observe the ancient traditional ways of handmade potteries from the local clay of various sizes and structures.

11:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. Walk to Dattatraya Square, witness Peacock Window:

From the pottery, walk towards east of less than half an hour through busy streets to reach Dattatraya another lovely square. It is the oldest place among the four beautiful squares, enjoy facing the local daily life. As the old temple stands ahead the area is named after the Dattatraya Temple of Trinity is worshipped.

Trinity of three main Hindu Gods Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, an interesting location. From here a short walk to the alley where a house is decorated with magnificent wooden window of a Peacock. One of the highlights of Bhaktapur city, from here walk to a nice restaurant.

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. At Bhaktapur for lunch break in a nice restaurant.

Bhaktapur city is a popular spot for tourists, where one can find and enjoy great meals in its fancy restaurants. Enjoy refreshing moments and options for lunch or snacks and observe the local daily life of great cultural interest. Bhaktapur is also famous for yogurt or rich curd called ‘jūjū dhau’.

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Drive to Changunarayan Temple and the old town.

After a refreshing lunch and exciting tour, walk down to car park and drive beyond Bhaktapur city. The road follows on winding uphill to a small farm town of Changu, where the famous ancient Changunarayan Temple is located. Stands on a high hill east of Kathmandu Valley, the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal. A magnificent temple with two tiers of pagoda roofed, dedicated to Hindu god Lord Vishnu. History of more than 2nd century built during the time of early rulers of the Lichhavi Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1702 AD.

Walk around the temple complex and observe locals in prayer and worship; get blessed by the priest. Then walk down to the parking lot, past a nice quaint town, and drive back to Kathmandu.

4 p.m. End of Bhaktapur City Tour.

After a pleasant and enjoyable tour of Bhaktapur city and Changunarayan Temple return to the hotel. After a great and interesting Bhaktapur City Tour.

Please Note:

The time above and tour places is just a guideline, can get changed the tour sites and times. According to season and festival time, as well depending upon the guide right decision.