Kathmandu Valley Heritage Sites by Car: A Two-Day Plan

The Kathmandu Valley holds seven monument zones that together make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site: three royal Durbar Squares and four great religious sites. They are all within about 20 km of each other, which makes a car the most flexible way to see them without rushing.

Day one: Kathmandu, Swayambhunath and Patan

• Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa known as the Monkey Temple, early in the morning before the crowds
• Kathmandu Durbar Square, best explored on foot from nearby parking
• Patan Durbar Square in the afternoon, with its museum and courtyards

Day two: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan

• Pashupatinath, the great Hindu temple on the Bagmati River
• Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, a short drive away
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the best preserved of the three old royal cities
• Changu Narayan, a hilltop temple north of Bhaktapur that many visitors miss

Parking and walking

The squares and their surrounding lanes are pedestrian-friendly and often closed to cars. Park at the edge and walk in. Each site charges its own entrance fee for foreign visitors; carry cash in Nepali rupees.

Timing tips

Start early, when the light is soft and the temples are busy with local worshippers rather than tour groups. Avoid crossing the city between roughly 4 pm and 7 pm, when traffic is at its worst. Hiring a driver for these two days is worth considering: you skip the parking hunt and can simply step out at each gate.