Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 23 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess worth booking?
Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess is a 4-hour experience in Kathmandu, Nepal, from $25 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 23 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (23)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $25 per person
Old Kathmandu Tour is a one-of-a-kind trip that starts right at your hotel lobby if you are in tourist town Thamel, or we pick you up and bring you to the starting point by a mere 20-minute drive. As the journey begins
What you get
- Tea and coffee
About this experience
Old Kathmandu Tour is a one-of-a-kind trip that starts right at your hotel lobby if you are in tourist town Thamel, or we pick you up and bring you to the starting point by a mere 20-minute drive. As the journey begins, you will explore the heart of Old Kathmandu with knowledgeable local guides, indulging lesser-tourist corners rich in ancient culture, bustling markets, and revered religious sites dating back over a millennium. Experience the authentic rhythm of local life against the backdrop of historic Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples that often stand together. The journey also includes UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kathmandu Durbar Square and living goddess Kumari's Shrine, as it is a profound tour combined both less visited and popular sites. Finally, have a tea/coffee together with our guide and reflect on the journey in a casual conversation. Remember! if you are thinking of one tour to understand Kathmandu and Nepal, this is the one!
What's included
Included
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Entry Fee to Kathmandu Durbar Square Premises and Swayambhu Stupa
- Not mentioned in included section.
What you'll see and do
Rarely visited by tourists, this old Buddhist monument of native Newar people is also known as Thambahil. In fact the tourist town Thamel is named after this historic monument.
15 minutes here
Asan
Asan is the oldest living market of Kathamndu where locals buy and sell goods of daily usage from vegetables to clothing and metal items to spiritual items. We have a saying that at Asan Bazaar, you find things from 'Salt to Gold!'
15 minutes here
It's a native deity of Kathmandu and Tibetan Buddhists, known as Avalokitesvara, or god of compassion the shrine has 108 engraved icons of Avalokitesvara representing all his major forms. Local devotees visit the shrine to receive blessings in hope to fulfill all their wishes.
15 minutes here
Itum Bahal used to be one of the largest Buddhist Monasteries in ancient Kathmandu. The 11th-century monastic complex has a remaining section of the original monastic building and courtyards of goddess Tara and Manjushree. The area also has other monuments nearby. The small museum room in the monastic complex provides visitors with a glimpse of local Newari art, architecture, and spiritual practices.
30 minutes here
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, the 17th century palace of kings of Nepal is a perfect example of Nepali's traditional art and architecture. The Square is surrounded by various temples. The Kumari Temple among them is the house of living goddess Kumari.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Kumari Chowk
Within Kathmandu Durbar Square, home of Kumari the Living goddess is not to miss. The three hundred years old artistic building is a fine example of Nepal's traditional art and architecture. Besides, if lucky, you can see the living goddess who sometimes appears for the audience to the visitors and worshipers from her private chapel on the top floor of the Kumari Temple.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
From Kathmandu Durbar square tour proceeds through old town to this Buddhist Stupa complex of Kathesimbu or Dharmakirti Vihara. The Complex houses replica of Swayambhu Stupa the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The Stupa complex houses Buddhist monasteries of Tibetan, Newari Vajrayana and Theravada monasteries. It's only such place where one can witness monasteries of different Buddhist sects.
20 minutes here
End the tour back in tourist town thamel at this nice cafe with a drink of your choice (included) and reflect the day with guide in a casual chat or question answer.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kathmandu
At the entrance of Chhaya Center
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Ends at
We can drop tour participants to their respective hotels if it's out of meeting point area.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Three Jewels Adventures
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 23 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
23 verified traveler reviews for Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend this...
Highly recommend this walking tour. I saw all of the highlights including local areas. My guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about the history of Kathmandu.
via Viator
Defintely Recommend This Tour!
It was a wonderful experience and the guide, Mr. Mahesh Shreshtha was very experienced. I walked around the city with him and enjoyed the tour.
via Viator
Kathmandu half day trip
An interesting and informative tour i visited a lot of places I'd never have managed on my own. A great introduction to the history and religions of Nepal
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional Walking Tour
My tour went super enjoyable with my experienced guide Mani, who was very knowledgeable about all cultural things, which really enriched my experience and he was open to all kind of questions. I was guided to small alleys and encountered daily life of Nepalese that usual visitors may seldom have chance to see. Something unexpected happened before my tour and I really appreciated Three Jewels to accommodate my special need. Highly recommend them if you are looking for something exceptional.
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend!
I had such a fun and educational day with my tour guide, Amber. I had the chance to see Kumari, the living goddess, and enjoyed delicious street food as well as Nepali and Indian sweets at a hidden gem of a shop. This tour really deepened my understanding of Nepal's religion and history. I shared with Amber where I had already visited (Pokhara and Bandipur), and he made connections, helping me understand the significance of those places in a new light. I highly recommend this tour—it truly makes every temple and view more meaningful and contextual!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 13+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Price range
- $25 to $36
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kathmandu.
How much does Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kathmandu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kathmandu is not rushed.
Is Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 23 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kathmandu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 13. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 4-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess?
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Around 8 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kathmandu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kathmandu and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Old Kathmandu, UNESCO Heritage Durbar Square and Living Goddess start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kathmandu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kathmandu?
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On Outty we rank every Kathmandu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour | UNESCO World Heritage sites, Classic Everest Base Camp Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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