Nepal · TEMPLE & MONASTERY TOURS

Temples and Monasteries: The 15 Best Tours in Nepal

65 tours  ·  from $4

Boudhanath at lamp lighting, the ghats at Pashupatinath, the monkey stairs at Swayambhunath. The 15 below are compared on timing, on how much walking is involved and on whether the guide can explain what you are looking at.

Kathmandu Spiritual Sites: Bodhnath & Pashupatinath Tour - The short walk and local ride between the sites
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Kathmandu Spiritual Sites: Bodhnath & Pashupatinath Tour

1.Kathmandu Spiritual Sites: Bodhnath & Pashupatinath Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · from $60Our pick

This four-hour Kathmandu tour visits Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll turn prayer wheels, learn about Tibetan Buddhism and Hindu worship, see sadhus and Bagmati River cremation ghats from a respectful distance, and join the evening Aarati. Groups are capped at 12.

“I really liked the tour guide. He was very knowledgeable, kind and easy-going. I did not much like the fact that I was stuck with other people on the tour who were not so much fun to be around with. I guess its hit and miss. Next time I might get lucky and get to know some great people!”

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Kathmandu: Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike Tour to Changu Narayan - Before dawn, the drive to Nagarkot
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Kathmandu: Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike Tour to Changu Narayan

2.Nagarkot Sunrise and Hike Tour to Changu Narayan

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · from $55

Leave Kathmandu, Patan, or Bhaktapur before dawn for Nagarkot’s Himalayan sunrise, then walk about 12 kilometers through villages, forests, and countryside to Changu Narayan Temple. Your private English-speaking guide sets the pace, explains Nepalese and Hindu culture, and helps with the winding mountain roads.

“I can’t say enough great things about this tour! Our driver found the hostel easily and arrived on time. He drove carefully and smoothly. Our guide Subash was friendly from the moment we met him :) He explained all the different peaks we could see from the AMAZING view point (and even translated the meaning of the mountain names). During the hike Subash was mindful of how much food, water and rest we needed, plus any photos we wished to take (plus he was a great photographer when we wanted shots of the two of us!). He recommended a great breakfast restaurant and a place for post hike drinks :)…”

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Kathmandu: Chandragiri Cable Car and Monkey Temple Tour - The hotel pickup and drive to Chandragiri
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Kathmandu: Chandragiri Cable Car and Monkey Temple Tour

3.Chandragiri Cable Car and Monkey Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 139 reviews · 5 hours · from $3Best value

This private five-hour Kathmandu tour pairs a 15-minute Chandragiri cable car ride with Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, Himalayan viewpoints, momos, and Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple. Guides including Prakash, Biraj, Nilakantha, and Sampada provide cultural context in English or Hindi. Optional ziplining and an overnight hilltop resort stay are available.

“I loved the information provided as we went through the tour.. My guise was attentive and warm.”

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Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu - Nagarkot View Tower at sunrise
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Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu

4.Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · from $25

Leave Kathmandu at 4:15am with an English-speaking guide and private vehicle for Nagarkot sunrise. After breakfast at your own cost, walk through Rohini Bhanjyang, Kankre, Tanchok, Tusal, and Opi before reaching Changu Narayan. Guides such as Razz and Nutan have been praised for clear explanations, safe driving, and helpful pacing.

“The excursion to Nagarcot to see the sunrise was great. The guide and the driver were on time, despite the 4 a.m. appointment. The car was comfortable, the driving safe and our guide, sorry I can't remember his name, friendly and profRead more”

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From Kathmandu: 2 Stupas and Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour - Jamche Vijaya Stupa: a quiet first stop
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From Kathmandu: 2 Stupas and Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour

5.2 Stupas and Kopan Monastery Spiritual Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 115 reviews · 5 hours · from $6

Spend five hours visiting Jamche Vijaya Stupa, Kopan Monastery, and Boudhanath Stupa in a private car with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Pooja, Karma, Aneel, and Pranav explain Buddhist customs, lead reflection or meditation when available, and share local food tips. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“Well what can I say? Fantastic experience with one of the nicest tour guides I have come across. I really enjoyed my time with Pooja it made the trip and cost worthwhile. Yes, the sites are amazing but being in the company of a local and their knowledge and understanding of life was the better experience. Highly recommend this tour and you would be very lucky if you get Pooja!”

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Lunch with Nuns - Monastery - The climb to Nagi Gumba
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Lunch with Nuns – Monastery

6.Lunch with Nuns – Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $135

Leave Kathmandu by vehicle for Budhanilkantha and Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, then hike for one to two hours to Nagi Gumba. Your guide explains Buddhism and Nepali traditions before lunch with resident nuns. The private tour includes park fees, lunch, and Thamel-area hotel transfers, but not drinks.

“Simple and effective! Basically you walk up a mountain after a thoughtful discussion with your guide on religion/spirituality. Then meet a few nuns at the top and enjoy a nice meal. Maybe they can't speak English but you enjoy the purity of a a simple but valuable experience.”

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Kathmandu: Dhulikhel to NamoBuddha Day Hike with Lunch - Himalayan views and Newari village life
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Kathmandu: Dhulikhel to NamoBuddha Day Hike with Lunch

7.Dhulikhel to NamoBuddha Day Hike with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 62 reviews · 5 hours - 2 days · from $4

You’ll drive from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel, then hike about three hours through farming villages and the thousand steps to Namobuddha Monastery. Guides such as Prakash, Raj, Pratip, and Nilakantha are praised for patient pacing and cultural insight. Lunch, transport, and bottled water are included, with optional ziplining, Bhaktapur, and an overnight stay.

“Raj Tamang is a knowledgeable hiking tour guide who brings positive energy to this adventure. His ability to share insights makes the hiking experience enjoyable and engaging.”

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Monkey Temple - Swayambhunath Tour - Private/Small Group - Swayambhunath and the story of a valley
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Monkey Temple – Swayambhunath Tour – Private/Small Group

8.Monkey Temple – Swayambhunath Tour – Private/Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · from $15

Walk from Thamel to Swayambhunath with a local English-speaking guide, learning the legends of Kathmandu Valley, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and the meaning of the hilltop stupa. Groups are limited to five. Santosh is one guide praised for his history stories and care with solo visitors. Bring cash for the 200-rupee temple fee.

“As a female solo traveller I can totally recommend this tour! Santosh is a very experienced tourguide who has a lot of historical knowledge. He told as many stories about hinduism and buddhism. If you like walking and seeing the stunning stupa and view over Kathmandu, you should totally book this tour!!!”

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Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple Evening Aarati Tour - Starting from your hotel in Kathmandu
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Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple Evening Aarati Tour

9.Pashupatinath Temple Evening Aarati Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

You’ll visit Pashupatinath Temple in late afternoon, tour the complex with an English-speaking guide such as Ramesh or Rajat, then watch the Bagmati River Aarati around 6 p.m. Priests chant, ring bells, burn incense, and wave oil lamps to Lord Shiva. Hotel pickup, transport, entry, and drop-off are included.

“Ramesh was a fabulous guide. We have no hesitation in recommending this tour. Ramesh is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He provided us with liads of additional insights into Hindu culture and rituals. We had an amazing experience.”

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Dhulikhel, Namobuddha & Panauti: A Scenic Day Tour from Kathmandu - Dhulikhel: Himalayan views with a weather warning
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Dhulikhel, Namobuddha & Panauti: A Scenic Day Tour from Kathmandu

10.Dhulikhel, Namobuddha & Panauti: A Scenic Day Tour from Kathmandu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $65

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel, Namobuddha and Panauti with a certified guide. Expect Himalayan viewpoints, a working Buddhist monastery, old Newari temples and about 6 to 8 hours on the road. The tour is private, with hotel pickup and drop-off included.

“Excellent tour of an awesome working monestary. The old village was interesting and scenery along the was beautiful.”

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Chandragiri Cable Car & Monkey Temple Tour- Private/Group - From Thamel to Chandragiri by electric car
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Chandragiri Cable Car & Monkey Temple Tour- Private/Group

11.Chandragiri Cable Car & Monkey Temple Tour- Private/Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $5

Spend 5.5 hours pairing a cable car ride above Kathmandu Valley with Swayambhunath, the famous Monkey Temple. Your English or Hindi-speaking guide handles the route, while hotel pickup, an electric vehicle, and a lunch box keep the day simple. Private departures are flexible, and guides such as Punam, Sajina, Asmita, and Sujan are praised for clear explanations and friendly care.

“We had an amazing time with Anon! They were prompt, had the best tour vehicle we’d been in yet, and were filled with knowledge to share. Although the day was very wet, meaning we could not see the ranges, the trip was still awe inspiring. The gondola ride was stunning going in and out of the clouds and looking down at the jungle below and whole valley around. Once to the top, we learned so much about the temple, the mountain, religions, and Nepalese history. We had a lovely time. At the monkey temple, we literally stoped in awe. It was stunning with so much to learn and observe. Our…”

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From Kathmandu: Private Scenic Day Hike to NamoBuddha - The 8:00 AM pickup and drive toward Dhulikhel
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From Kathmandu: Private Scenic Day Hike to NamoBuddha

12.Private Scenic Day Hike to NamoBuddha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $5

You’ll leave Kathmandu by private vehicle, hike from Dhulikhel through a Newari village and past Kavrekot Kali Mandir’s thousand steps, then spend time at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery. The 6 to 7 hour outing includes hotel pickup, bottled water, lunch, entrance fees, and an experienced guide.

“Very nice hike and Namobuddha was an interesting sight to see. I was unlucky with the weather on the day as it was very cloudy but there would have been some amazing views to see from Namobuddha. I had a great day and I recommend it”

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Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour - Bhaleshwor Mahadev and the value of the hilltop stop
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Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour

13.Private Chandragiri Cable Car and The Monkey Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $5

You’ll travel by private vehicle from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills, ride the 2.4 km cable car to Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, and enjoy broad views from 2,551 meters. A guide then takes you to Swayambhunath, the hilltop Buddhist and Hindu complex known as the Monkey Temple. Cable car tickets, entrance fees, water, and momos are included.

“We recommend this trip highly for those looking for a nice half day trip with a fun cable car ride, nice views of the city and surrounding hills and several interesting temple visits. On a day with less haze, views of the Himalayas would have beRead more”

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Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple Aarti Night Tour - Hotel pickup and the ride to the river
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Kathmandu: Pashupatinath Temple Aarti Night Tour

14.Pashupatinath Temple Aarti Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 29 reviews · 3 hours · from $71

You’ll ride from your Kathmandu hotel to Pashupatinath Temple for a three-hour private evening visit. See the golden roof, silver doors, riverside cremation ghats, and the Bagmati Aarti ceremony while an English-speaking guide explains the site. Guide Madhu has led some departures, and hotel pickup, entry, transport, and return are included.

“Super interesting visit to this Hindu temple. Learned an awful lot that was fascinating! Unfortunately our driver was quite late and we missed the beginning of the ceremony but it was still a good visit.”

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Pashupatinath Temple, Hindu Crematorium and Aarati in-depth Tour - Sandhya Aarati beside the Bagmati River
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Pashupatinath Temple, Hindu Crematorium and Aarati in-depth Tour

15.Pashupatinath Temple, Hindu Crematorium and Aarati in-depth Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $90

Join Nabin, Nirajan, or another specialist guide for a four to five hour private tour of Pashupatinath Temple. You’ll explore sacred courtyards, learn about Hindu customs and cremation rites, then watch the evening Sandhya Aarati beside the Bagmati River. Pickup, transport, bottled water, entry fees, and guide service are included.

“It was an exciting, impressive tour, especially our guide Nabin made this tour an unforgettable experience! He told us many details and gave us an insight into what happened that we would never have had without him! He also responded very patiently to all our wishes and questions and explained everything to us very understandably.Auto-translated”

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New in Temple & Monastery Tours

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UNESCO World Heritage Tours55Durbar Square Tours18Historical Tours65City Tours33Walking Tours25Bhaktapur Tours40Patan Tours16
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