Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square Day Tour is a short journey that allows you to discover antique temples and religious shrines of the three medieval kingdoms, namely Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur (Patan). This day trip takes you into a mystical history where the past remains alive in the present, tradition tirelessly repeats itself into a culture that remains seeped into an ancient account created by the Kings of past generations, and religious doctrines strictly stay till this day.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
After breakfast, we will take you to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, where you will witness the unique culture and most pleasing display of craftsmanship. Bhaktapur is the only place in Nepal that has remained untouched by Western culture. Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupindra, Nyatopola Temple, and fifty-five-windowed Malla Palace are the living pride of Bhaktapur. You will tour all these places and drive you to Patan.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is one of the finest Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley; you will visit Patan to explore Patan Durbar Square, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple, and many other places; you feel like Patan has unveiled before you as an open museum showcasing intricately carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues of gods and goddesses, temples designed in pagoda style with erotic carvings and repose metalwork faces and many other exquisite facets. You will also see the handicraft center in Patan, then drive to your reserved hotel. End of the program.
Day trips of Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares can be made before or after your trekking or tours in Nepal, Tibet, or Bhutan. We also have other extended itineraries for Kathmandu Valley. We are an email away if you need more information or have any questions.
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A day tour of Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square can be a wonderful experience, as both these places are rich in cultural heritage and historical significance. Here is how we will do the day trip:
Duration: Approximately 5-6 hours (including travel time from Kathmandu)
Morning: Depart from Kathmandu (Please mention your hotel name)
9:30 AM: Start your day early to make the most of your time. Depart from your accommodation in Kathmandu and head towards Bhaktapur. The drive can take around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
10:00 AM: Arrive at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the three medieval palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. Purchase your entrance ticket and start your exploration.
Take a leisurely walk around the square, admiring the exquisite architecture, intricate wood carvings, and traditional Newari craftsmanship.
Visit the major attractions within the square, including the 55-Window Palace, Vatsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, and Bhairavnath Temple.
Don’t miss the Golden Gate, which leads into the courtyard of the Palace of 55 Windows. It’s a stunning example of Newari metalwork.
Lunch:
1:00 PM: Enjoy a traditional Newari lunch at a local restaurant in Bhaktapur. Newari cuisine is known for its unique flavors and variety of dishes.
Afternoon: Travel to Patan
2:00 PM: Depart from Bhaktapur and head towards Patan Durbar Square. The drive to Patan takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
Patan Durbar Square:
2:30 PM: Arrive at Patan Durbar Square and purchase your entrance ticket.
Explore the intricately designed temples, palaces, and courtyards that showcase Newari architecture at its finest.
Visit the Krishna Mandir, a stunning stone temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, also known as the Golden Temple.
Take a walk through the narrow lanes of Patan to discover hidden gems like traditional Newari houses and local workshops.
Patan Museum:
3:30 PM: If time permits and you’re interested in art and history, consider visiting the Patan Museum, which is just a short walk from Durbar Square. The museum houses a remarkable collection of art, sculptures, and artifacts from various periods of Nepal’s history.
Evening: Return to Kathmandu
4:00 PM: Start heading back to Kathmandu, which should take around 30 minutes to an hour.
Note: The above time is approximate. The time can be different depending on the traffic and the time you spend in each location.
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Payment: A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to book the tour with Himalayan Windows (HW). The remaining balance is to be paid three days prior to the departure date. Payment can be made via Wire Transfer or Credit Card. All credit card payments are securely processed and a bank fee applies.
Cancellation: For cancellations more than 30 days before the Tour Start Date, there will be no cancellation fee. If the cancellation happens within 29-4 days prior to the Tour Start Date, a charge of 30% of the total invoice amount will be applied. Cancellations occurring within 3 days or less of the start date or in the case of a no-show, 100% of the total invoice amount will be charged. Learn more about Terms and Conditions.
Accommodation: Accommodation is typically provided in twin rooms in cities, though a single supplement can be requested for an additional fee. During peak season, it can be difficult to find single or twin rooms in the mountains, so our lodges usually offer dormitory-style accommodation. Our priority is always to provide clean and safe rooms for our guests.
Meals: Our packages in Bhutan include full board meals, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. For treks, all meals are provided, but you will need to pay extra for drinking water and snacks.
Nepal Visa: If you are planning a trip to Nepal, you must have a valid passport and Nepal Visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa before your arrival. To be eligible, your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from your Tour Start Date. If you are planning on traveling to multiple countries on your trip, make sure to get a multi-entries Nepal Visa.
Bhutan Visa Clearance: All visitors to Bhutan must have a valid Bhutan Visa Clearance before their trip. To obtain it, you must submit a color-scanned copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your tour. Your tour operator will send you a Visa Clearance prior to your departure, which you must present at the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines counter during check-in. Once you arrive at Paro Airport, your passport will be stamped with the original visa.
Tibet Group Visa (TGV): All travelers from any nation intending to go to Tibet from Nepal must obtain a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) in Kathmandu with the help of a tour operator. To ensure the successful application of the TGV, you should plan to arrive in Kathmandu 3-4 working days before your travel date. If you are coming from China, you will not require a TGV; instead, you will need a Chinese Visa and Permit. To find out more about the process of entering Tibet, please look into the Tibet entry procedure.
Nepal & Bhutan: Visiting Nepal and Bhutan at the same time is ideal as they share a similar climate. From high mountains to low land sub-tropical plains and jungles, the two countries have similar weather. The best time to visit is from March to April (spring) and October to December (autumn and early winter). During these months, the air is clean and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder months, while June, July, and August (summer) are typically monsoon seasons.
Tibet: It is best to visit Tibet between April and October when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, from November to March, it is still possible to explore certain areas like Namtso, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash, as long as the roads are not blocked by snow. Temperatures during this time may be quite cold.
HimalayanWindows strongly recommends that anyone planning to travel in the Himalayas purchase Travel Insurance. This policy will provide coverage in the case of medical emergencies, evacuation, theft, loss of belongings, and last-minute tour/ticket cancellations. Having this protection in place will help ensure that your trip is safe and enjoyable.
