Kathmandu, the storied heart of Nepal, hums with centuries of trade, artistry, and devotion. Once the capital of the Malla kings, the valley blossomed into a mosaic of palaces, pagodas, and monasteries—many now UNESCO World Heritage sites. Between temple bells and bicycle bells, the city reveals a living museum where artisan workshops and tea stalls share the same lanes.

Expect contrasts: a pre-dawn hush at Boudhanath Stupa followed by the bustle of Asan Bazaar; momo steam rising in Thamel and butter lamps flickering at Pashupatinath. Add a Himalayan exclamation point with an Everest scenic flight or a Nagarkot sunrise, then dive into Newari cuisine—Nepal’s oldest culinary tradition—over a leisurely feast.

Practical notes: Kathmandu sits at ~1,400 m (4,600 ft); hydrate and pace yourself. Dress modestly for temples, remove shoes where posted, and note photography restrictions around cremation ghats at Pashupatinath. Cash is king; ATMs are common. Rideshares and taxis are plentiful, and mornings often bring clearer air and mountain views.

Kathmandu

Within an hour’s reach, the Kathmandu Valley holds Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and the royal squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. It’s a compact world of carved windows, prayer wheels, and rooftop cafés staring straight at snow peaks. Use Kathmandu as your base and weave in day trips to Patan, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, Chandragiri Hills, and Nagarkot.

• Top sights: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Patan Durbar Square & Museum, Bhaktapur’s Nyatapola Temple, Changu Narayan, Chandragiri Hills.
• Dining highlights: Newari tapas (samay baji), Tibetan momos, thakali sets, yak cheese, Nepali craft beer, and rooftop tea with stupa views.
• Fun facts: Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world; Patan’s metalwork tradition spans over a millennium; Kathmandu’s famed “juju dhau” (king curd) actually hails from Bhaktapur.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Dwarika’s Hotel (heritage luxury; exquisite Newari woodwork; home to Krishnarpan): Check availability
• Hyatt Regency Kathmandu (resort-style, near Boudhanath): Check availability
• Hotel Yala Peak (excellent-value Thamel base with friendly service): Check availability
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Getting there: Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Nepal has limited passenger rail; within the valley, use taxis or rideshares.

Day 1: Thamel Touchdown, First Tastes of the Valley

Morning: In transit. If arriving early, keep plans light. Hydrate, swap cash, and pick up a local SIM (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) at the airport or in Thamel.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs with a gentle Thamel wander. Browse Mandala-design notebooks, pashmina, and singing bowls; then pause for a flat white at Himalaya Java or a masala tea at Pumpernickel Bakery (great brown bread and cinnamon rolls).

Evening: Welcome dinner. For an elegant first-night immersion, book Krishnarpan at Dwarika’s (seasonal tasting menus tracing Nepal’s culinary regions). For a cozier heritage vibe, try Thamel House (Newari sets, warm courtyards). Nightcap at Purple Haze (live rock) or the Sherpa Brewery Taproom for a Khumbu Kölsch.

Day 2: Everest on the Horizon + Patan’s Art and Alleys

Morning: Catch the famed one-hour mountain flight (clear-weather best Nov–Apr, but popular year-round). Expect hotel pickup, boarding at dawn, and every seat by a window. From ~US$220–260.

Mount Everest Scenic Flight by Buddha Air with Free Transfers

Afternoon: Head to Patan Durbar Square (30–45 minutes by taxi). Tour the Patan Museum—arguably South Asia’s finest for Hindu-Buddhist art—then admire the Krishna Mandir and golden courtyards. Lunch at Dhokaima Café (reliably fresh Nepali-continental) or Café Swotha (seasonal plates, lovely brick courtyard).

Evening: Sunset rooftop tea around Patan’s square, then back to Kathmandu. Dinner at Yangling Tibetan (juicy jhol momos, thukpa) or The Old House near Durbar Marg (Nepali produce-forward). Jazz lovers: swing by Jazz Upstairs (Lazimpat) for live sets.

Day 3: The Big Three—Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath (UNESCO Day)

Morning: Join a guided UNESCO circuit to unravel Kathmandu’s spiritual layers without haggling over taxis. Start at Swayambhunath (“Monkey Temple”) for valley views and prayer wheels.

Private Full-Day Kathmandu All 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour

Afternoon: Circle Boudhanath Stupa clockwise with pilgrims and duck into a rooftop café for momos and views. Continue to Pashupatinath Temple; observe respectfully at the cremation ghats from designated areas (no photos of ceremonies). Expect 6–8 hours total with lunch and transfers.

Evening: Back in town, go casual: Bota Simply Momo (buff, chicken, veg; try the chili momo) or Roadhouse Café for wood-fired pizza. If you’ve energy, stroll the quieter backstreets of Thamel for handicrafts and lokta paper lamps.

Day 4: Ride the Clouds at Chandragiri + Kirtipur’s Newari Feast

Morning: Taxi 40–60 minutes to Chandragiri Hills and ascend by cable car for a sweeping Himalayan panorama—on clear days, you’ll trace a skyline from Manaslu to Everest. Budget ~US$15–25 for the round-trip ticket and allow 2–3 hours for the trip and viewpoints.

Afternoon: Continue to Kirtipur (30 minutes) for a slow lunch at Newa Lahana, a community-run hub for traditional Newari plates. Order samay baji (beaten rice, black soybeans, buff, spiced potato, pickles) and bara (lentil pancakes). Wander the old brick lanes and temple squares afterward.

Evening: Back in Kathmandu, treat yourself to a thakali set (rice, lentils, gundruk greens, curries) at Jimbu Thakali. Dessert: juju dhau (Bhaktapur-style “king curd”), sold widely in clay pots. Early night recommended for tomorrow’s deep dive into Bhaktapur.

Day 5: Bhaktapur’s Timeless Squares + Evening Food Tour

Morning: Leave after breakfast (45–60 minutes by car). In Bhaktapur, explore Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square (Nyatapola Temple), and Pottery Square where clay bowls dry in the sun. Stop for a mid-morning snack of hot sel roti (ring-shaped rice bread).

Afternoon: Feast on juju dhau and a Newari set at a traditional bhansa ghar near the square; pop into workshops for woodcarving and paubha painting. Return to Kathmandu mid-afternoon, avoiding rush hour if possible.

Evening: Join a guided food and drink walk to sample street eats and hidden kitchens without guesswork—think choila (spiced meat), yomari (sweet rice-dough dumplings), and local raksi tastings.

Kathmandu Food and Drink Walking Tour

Day 6: Nagarkot Sunrise and Changu Narayan Hike

Morning: Pre-dawn pickup to Nagarkot (1.5–2 hours) for a Himalayan sunrise over Langtang and, on crisp days, a glint of Everest. After soaking it in, begin a gentle 3–4 hour countryside hike to Changu Narayan—Nepal’s oldest temple site—through terraces and small villages.

Nagarkot Sunrise Trip & Day Hike with Lunch from Kathmandu

Afternoon: Visit the Changu Narayan museum and temple complex, then return to Kathmandu. Expect 7–8 hours round-trip. Rehydrate and rest those legs.

Evening: Spa time. Consider a treatment at your hotel (Hyatt Regency has a relaxing pool-and-spa setup) or a reputable city spa. Dinner at Le Sherpa (excellent seasonal grill and wine list) or Kotetsu (beloved Japanese; book ahead).

Day 7: Asan Bazaar, Last Sips, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Kar.ma Coffee (social enterprise, careful sourcing) or Café Soma, then weave through Asan Bazaar for spices, tea, bronze lamps, and textiles. This is souvenir central—arrive early for thinner crowds.

Afternoon: Brunch at OR2K (Middle Eastern vegetarian, comfy floor seating) or Evoke Café & Bistro (smoothies, all-day plates). Pack and transfer to the airport—domestic travel time to KTM can swell in traffic, so allow generous buffer.

Evening: In transit. If your flight is later, a final stroll at the Garden of Dreams or a quick rooftop tea near Boudha offers a calm goodbye to the valley.

Optional Swap-Ins (If You Want to Tweak):

• Adrenaline day: Trishuli River whitewater (seasonal day trip) or mountain biking in Shivapuri.
• Deeper culture: Add an evening aarti experience at Pashupatinath or a metalwork workshop in Patan.
• Extra mountains: If you skipped Day 2’s flight, consider an Everest heli flyover (premium, weather-dependent).

Bookable Everest Heli (premium alternative): Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour landing at Everest View Hotel

Getting here and around: Search international flights to KTM on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Within the valley, taxis are plentiful (most rides US$2–8). For intercity trains elsewhere in Asia, browse Trip.com Trains.

In one week, you’ll have traced the Kathmandu Valley’s royal squares, walked with pilgrims beneath prayer flags, tasted Newari classics, and watched the Himalayas blaze at daybreak. It’s a trip that balances depth and delight—temples in the morning, spice and song at night—anchored by practical pacing and memorable meals.