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Swayambhunath Temple

Swayambhunath Temple: Our most recommended tours and activities

Kathmandu Valley Private 6-Hour Tour

1. Kathmandu Valley Private 6-Hour Tour

See the sights of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal on a 6-hour tour of an area that covers 218 square miles (350 kilometers). Kathmandu Valley contains 3 fabulous cities of great historic, religious, and cultural interest: Kathmandu (Kantipur), Patan (Lalitpur), and Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur). The Kathmandu Valley has often been described as an open-air art gallery with thousands of sacred shrines in brick, stone, metal, and wood scattered throughout it. On your tour, you will not be able to see the entire valley, but you will be taken to some of the most important and monumental sites. Many of these are squares or temples that are also designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu Durbar Square This square is home to a house full of woodcarvings of different gods and goddesses. In this 3-story palace you will also find the living Goddess Kumari. Both Hindus and Buddhists venerate her, and she serves as an illustration of the harmony between the Hindu and Buddhist people. One of the popular temples of Kathmandu Durbar Square is Kashamandap, locally known as Maru Sattal. It is believed that the name of Kathmandu City is derived from the name of this temple, and it is said that this temple is built by one single Sal (sorea robusta) tree. At the center of this temple, one can see the statue of a Hindu god Gorakhnath and in the 4 corners of the temple one can see Ganesh statues. The most visited temple of Kathmandu is Maru Ganesh. The people of Kathmandu Valley believe that the 4 Ganesh statues in the 4 corners of Kathmandu Valley protect the people living in Kathmandu. Every day people go to worship this temple, and especially on Tuesdays, you can see a long line of people waiting for hours to worship. Other interesting things to see here are Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old Palace, Saraswoti Temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big Drums, Kal Bhairav, Jagannath Temple, and Tal. Swayambhunath/Monkey Temple Swayambhunath / Monkey Temple is a 2,500-year-old Stupa situated overlooking Kathmandu Valley. Its name comes from the holy monkey living in part of the complex. The painted eyes on 4 sides symbolize the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, and the site is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath is a temple of Lord Shiva and the most sacred of the 275 Shiva temples worldwide. It is also the oldest temple in Kathmandu. The Bagmati River runs alongside the temple, and is the site not only of pilgrims who bathe in the river, but also contains a special area where members of the royal family are cremated. Boudhanath Stupa Boudhanath Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the biggest in the world. It is the most important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come here by the thousands during the winter festival to pay their respect. Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square is home to the former Patan Royal Family. The most photographed of Kathmandu’s 3 Durbar Squares, it features a remarkable display of Newari architecture. Its main attractions include the Krishna Temple, with its 21 golden pinnacles, Rudra Varna Mahavihar, a Buddhist Monastery that houses local treasures, and the central courtyard of Mul Chowk.

Kathmandu: UNESCO world heritage sites tour - 6 Hours

2. Kathmandu: UNESCO world heritage sites tour - 6 Hours

Explore the best of Kathmandu on a private sightseeing tour that takes you to four of the city's most iconic sites. Start at Pashupati Nath Temple, where you'll experience the spiritual heart of Nepal and witness ancient Hindu rituals. Next, head to Boudha Nath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage site that's one of the largest stupas in the world, where you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and observe the Tibetan Buddhist culture. Afterward, make your way to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a complex of palaces, temples, and courtyards that offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and architecture. Finally, visit Swyambhu Nath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, which sits atop a hill and offers stunning views of the city. Throughout the tour, you'll have a knowledgeable guide who will provide insights into the history and culture of each site. You'll also have the flexibility to customize the itinerary to your preferences and pace. Don't miss the opportunity to see the best of Kathmandu on this private tour.

Kathmandu: 1-Day Private UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour

3. Kathmandu: 1-Day Private UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour

Discover 4 different UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley including the Pashupathinath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swyambhunath Stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Learn the history from an English-speaking guide and embark on a 6-hour sightseeing tour of Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu Durbar Square Begin the tour at Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the royal palaces and known as one of the cultural and political hubs of Nepal. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kathmandu Durbar Square is also one of three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley. Though a few buildings collapsed after the devastating earthquake on April 25th, 2015, you can observe the spectacular art and architecture of the ancient Malla and Shah dynasties. Swayambhunath Temple Continue the tour and head to the Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the “Monkey temple”. Situated on a small hillock on the west of Kathmandu city, it is a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrimages from all over the world. The painted eyes on the 4 sides of the main stupa represent wisdom and compassion. One can still observe the art and architecture at Swayambhunath which is believed to date back to the beginning of the 5th century. Boudhanath Stupa Boudhanath Stupa is one of the biggest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world and a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrimages. Boudhanath is located on the ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of the Kassapa Buddha. Pashupatinath Temple On the last stop of the tour, you will visit the Pashupatinath Temple. The sacred Hindu shrine Pashupatinath is located on the bank of the Bagmati River on the eastern side of Kathmandu. The main temple of Pashupatinath was built using Pagoda-style architecture with four main doors. Though some of the buildings in the Pashupati area were damaged, the main building remained intact during the 2015 earthquake.

Kathmandu: Full-Day City Sightseeing Tour

4. Kathmandu: Full-Day City Sightseeing Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of the Kathmandu Valley on this guided tour. After getting picked up from your hotel, head to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Here, marvel at the architecture of the Royal Palace and admire several other buildings of religious and cultural importance including 3rd-century temples and courtyards. Continue your tour with a visit to Swyambunath Stupa. Here, get up close and personal with the site's resident monkeys and admire a range of shrines and temples before heading to your next stop, Bouddhanath Stupa. At Bouddhanath, pay your respects at the temple, which is considered to be the holiest temple in the world outside of Tibet, and marvel at the architecture at one of the world's largest stupas. Finally, visit Pashupatinath temple, which is one of the biggest Hindus temples in Nepal and believed to be the oldest in the country. Here, immerse yourself in Hindu traditions and learn more about why this temple is frequented by up to 7,000,000 devotees each year on the day of the Mahashivratri Festival. Get dropped off back at your hotel at the end of the day.

From Kathmandu: A Tour of Lord Buddha's Birth Place

5. From Kathmandu: A Tour of Lord Buddha's Birth Place

Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was born in Lumbini, Nepal, in the 6th century BCE. Lumbini is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, near the border between Nepal and India. According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha was born under a sal tree in a garden, and his mother, Queen Maya Devi, gave birth to him while standing up and holding onto a branch of the tree. The site of Buddha's birth is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world. On this trip, you will be exploring the Boudhanath at Kathmandu which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be exploring Swayambhunath as well in Kathmandu, where you will be exploring the harmony of Buddhist and Newari culture. You will also be exploring various other Buddhist sites in the vicinity such as Chitubihar in Kirtipur, Kapan Monastery, etc. At Lumbini, you will be exploring the Maya Devi Temple and Tilaurakot, which is believed to be the ancient palace of King Suddhodhana, father of Buddha. At Pokhara, you will be exploring Peace pagoda of Pokhara. You will also be exploring the Hemja Monastery, where you will be experiencing the Tibetan Buddhist arts and culture. You will also be exploring the city and various other tourist sites like Davi's falls. You will also be taken for a boat tour at Fewa Lake. Day 01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU Day 02: SIGHTSEEING TOUR Day 03: DRIVE TO LUMBINI Day 04: SIGHTSEEING TOUR Day 05: DRIVE TO POKHARA/ EVENING BOAT RIDE AT PHEWA LAKE Day 06: SIGHTSEEING TOUR Day 07: DRIVE BACK TO KATHMANDU Day 08: FINAL DEPARTURE

From Kathmandu: 11-Day Langtang Valley Trek with Porter

6. From Kathmandu: 11-Day Langtang Valley Trek with Porter

Day 01: Kathmandu (1,320m)  Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) where you will be received by a representative and transferred to the hotel. Overnight stay at 3-star hotel. Day 2 : Kathmandu to Syabru Bensi (2,581m)  Take an early drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Bensi via Dhunche (1,966m). Drive through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche. The first part of the drive up to Trishuli Bazar is quite smooth. Syabru Bensi is a beautiful village stretched out along the ridgeline and is the starting point of your trek. Overnight stay in Syabru Bensi at a teahouse lodge. Day 3: Syabru Bensi to Lama Hotel (2,470m) Trek from Syabru Bensi to Lama Hotel (2,470m). The trail goes along the ridge of Syabru Bensi’s main street, drops to the Ghopche Khola (2,050m), and then to Pairo (1,810m). From this point, the trail goes to Rimche (2,400m) through Bamboo (1,960m) and finally ends at Lama Hotel. Along the way, you may see red pandas, monkeys, and bears. Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 4: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3,430m) After having lunch at Lama Hotel, trek to Langtang village (3,430m) via Ghore Tabela (3,000m) which takes about 6 hours. See the grazing grounds of yak on the way where local people bring their livestock in the high pastures during the summer months. Pay a short visit to a monastery before reaching the destination of Langtang village. Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 5: Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m)  Trek from Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m). It takes about 3 hours to reach the destination. Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 6: Kyanjin Gompa Excursion Day  Acclimatize at Kyanjin Gompa and go for an excursion to utilize your time. Walk up the moraine to see the spectacular icefalls and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung, or ascend Kyanjin Ri (4350m). Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 7: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel (2,470m) From Kyanjin Gompa, have lunch at Ghora Tabela then trek the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 8: Lama Hotel to Sybru Bensi (1,460m)  Trek from Lama Hotel to Sybru Bensi (1,460m). Along the way, see red pandas, monkeys, and various species of bird. You may also be fortunate to experience the rich culture of the Tamang people and see how they weave clothes. Overnight stay at teahouse lodge. Day 9: Syabru Bensi to Kathmandu (1,320m)  Drive back to Kathmandu from Syabru Bensi, passing through the rural settlements on the way back to the hotel. Overnight stay at 3-star hotel. Day 10: Sightseeing in Kathmandu  Enjoy sightseeing in Kathmandu, including Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, and Patan Durbar Square. Overnight stay at 3-star hotel. Day 11: Transfer to Kathmandu Airport You’ll be dropped off at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) where the tour will officially end.

Kathmandu: UNESCO World Heritage Sightseeing Tour

7. Kathmandu: UNESCO World Heritage Sightseeing Tour

Kathmandu Day Tour‘ begins at 09:00 AM in the morning from your hotel and will take you to a full 7 hours day tour in the capital city of Nepal. The tour takes you to explore the historical civilization of Kathmandu Valley, get an insight into Unesco listed World Heritage Sites including Kathmandu Durbar Square with the living Goddess Kumari’s House, Swayambhunath ‘Mahachaitya’, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’, Pashupatinath Temple, a highly esteemed pilgrimage site for Hindus, Boudhanath and Patan Durbar Square among others. Outline Itinerary 09:00 AM: Tour begins from your hotel The tour begins early in the morning with a Tour Guide picking you up from your hotel. 09:15 AM: Kathmandu Durbar Square Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom and is one of three Durbar (Royal Palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. 11:00 AM: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) Swayambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to c. 450–c. to 750 ce. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on. The site has two access points: a long staircase leading directly to the main platform of the temple, which is from the top of the hill to the east; and a car road around the hill from the south leading to the south-west entrance. 12:30 PM: Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. This “extensive Hindu temple precinct” is a “sprawling collection of temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions raised over the centuries built on an area of 246 hectares (2,460,000 m²) and includes 518 mini-temples and a main pagoda house. 02:00 PM: Boudhanath Boudhanath, also known as Khasti Chaitya is a stupa with a massive mandala that makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world. The stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner and continues to the ancient and smaller stupa of Chabahil named Charumati Stupa (often called “Little Boudhanath”) 03:30 PM: Patan Durbar Square Patan Durbar Square in Lalitpur has the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. The Durbar Square is a marvel of Newar architecture. The square floor is tiled with red bricks. There are many temples and statues in the area including the most famous Krishna Mandir. 05:00 PM: Drop back to your hotel

Kathmandu: 5-Day Kathmandu Valley Tour

8. Kathmandu: 5-Day Kathmandu Valley Tour

Receive a wonderful introduction to the history, culture, and heritage of Nepal on a 5-day tour of the Kathmandu Valley. The tour is designed for those who want a more leisurely holiday with enough time to take in the rich cultural heritage Nepal provides. Start the tour with your arrival in Kathmandu with a meet and greet with your guide and transfer to your hotel. The next day, begin your sightseeing by taking the 8-mile drive outside of the city to Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa. Then, drive to Nagarkot - a village at the rim of the Kathmandu Valley with exceptional views of the Himalayas. Discover how Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by 7 groups of monuments and buildings: the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas Swayambhunath and Boudhanath and the Hindu temples Pashupati Nath and Changu Narayan.  On day 3, continue sightseeing in Nagarkot then head off to the ancient religious city of Kritipur. Return to Kathmandu in the evening. The next day, continue sightseeing in the city with another overnight stay. On the final day, check-out of your hotel where the tour will end.

Kathmandu Valley, Namobuddha and Panauti Tour

9. Kathmandu Valley, Namobuddha and Panauti Tour

On the first day of the tour, be picked up by your guide at 10:30 AM and begin your exploration of Kathmandu valley. First visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pashupatinath Temple. This temple is one of the most sacred locations in Hinduism, and is the oldest of its kind within Kathmandu, dating back to the 5th century. Afterwards, travel to see Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the most spectacular monuments within the valley. See also Boudhanath Stupa, one of largest stupas in Nepal. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square in front of the old royal palaces, another World Heritage Site. This site is notable for being the cultural and historical hub of the valley. After exploring all of these landmarks, be returned to your hotel or residence to complete the first day of the tour. Start the second day with a pickup by your guide at 10:30 AM. Travel for one hour southeast to Panauti, one of the oldest towns in Nepal. Here there are many temples dating back to the 15th Century or earlier. Visit Brahmayani Temple as you cross the Rosi and Punyamati rivers. Continue then towards Indreshwor Temple and Unmatta Bhairav Temple. Observe the various idols of Hindu gods and goddesses and wood carvings within the temples. Travel onwards to Namobuddha where the site of the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery is located. This is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It is known as the place where the Buddha, in a previous life, gave his body to a starving tigress and her cubs. Commemorating the famous story, there is a shrine and stone slab on the top of hill with great panoramic views of the Himalayas and surrounding villages. After exploring both towns, return to your hotel or residence.

Kathmandu Valley: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Day Tour

10. Kathmandu Valley: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Day Tour

Take a simple yet exciting full-day tour of Kathmandu’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city is brimming with ancient history and fascinating culture, and full of must-see sights on any visit to Nepal.   To start the day, your tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Kathmandu or Patan (Lalitpur) and take you first to visit the oldest temple in Nepal, Swayambhunath. Here, you’ll spend about an hour exploring the ultimate pilgrimage site and get amazing views of the capital from the top of the hill. Then, drive to Patan, a city known for its cultural and artistic heritage. Visit some of the city’s temples and admire its ancient architecture before enjoying a lunch of local cuisine.   Next up is a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most famous and sacred Hindu shrines in the world. Take a spiritual swim in Bagmati River, thought to wash away all sins. Learn from your guide about Lord Shiva's importance to Hinduism here. Finally, calm your mind and soul by visiting the nearby peaceful Boudhanath stupa. Famous for its 4 pairs of eyes facing 4 directions, this shrine is thought to be eternally watching over the people and their doings. Explore the Boudhanath spinning prayer wheels and take beautiful pictures to remember this experience. Your guide will drop you off at your hotel at the end of the day.

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What people are saying about Swayambhunath Temple

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 75 reviews

Excellent guide and driver, very well organized tour and friendly tour operator, who accommodated my schedule and pick up location. I would definitely use this company again.

A private visit not to be missed! Perfect service. Our guide Latan was really great. A visit that allows you to discover the main sites without losing energy.

The prepared and professional guide. Excellent company for touring! I would definitely recommend it and would go back with them! Thank you

The guide was very good, precise. Transportation excellent. In a short time, we had time to see the most significant sights.

the guide tour was great! he shared with me a lot of valuable information about Nepal and the culture I really enjoyed it!