Kirtipur Day Tour

Weather and Best Season for the Tour

The day tour of Kirtipur can be spent all year round, though spring (February-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most appropriate months to visit Kirtipur. Spring brings the bright colours of arching flowers and warm days, which create an opportunity to enjoy the Kirtipur Day Tour in the valley as a cultural and historical trip.

The autumn has clear skies and crisp air following the monsoon, which is breathtaking to watch over the distant Himalayan peaks. Both seasons are characterised by fresh weather, ideal for exploring the historic streets, temples, and stupas of Kirtipur.

Summer monsoon (June-August) brings down heavy and damp rainfall and cloudy skies; a rain jacket or an umbrella is advisable. But the rains make the town and hills surrounding it swell up, and they are a beautiful place to be.

It is cold in the morning and evenings in winter (December-January), but mostly sunny in the middle of the day with Himalayan views shining in crystal-clear weather. Although all seasons are appealing, spring and autumn are the most popular in the case of the memorable Kirtipur Day Tour.

Altitude Sickness

There is no problem of elevation sickness in the Kirtipur Day Tours since the town is moderate with an altitude of about 1,520 meters (4,987 feet), only slightly high compared to Kathmandu, which is 1,400 meters. This is much lower than the altitude at which acute mountain sickness usually follows, so no specific acclimatisation is needed in this Kirtipur Day Tour.

The breathing and the level of comfort have no overall change throughout the day in the majority of the travellers. The breaks of the tour are in a slow rhythm, and its peak is at the Uma Maheshwar Temple.

The amount of oxygen in the air is pretty close to Kathmandu, and this allows one to go sightseeing without a strain. It is always a good practice to drink and not to overexert oneself, but the majority of visitors are not afraid at all.

Even the traveller who is coming from sea level can normally tell that the difference in density of air is extremely slight and has no noticeable difference. This Kirtipur Day Tour allows you to fully experience the rich culture of the town, historic temples, and breathtaking valley scenery without any concern for the altitude.

Visa and Permits

In the case of the Kirtipur Day Tour, the special trekking permit and other charges are not necessary. It is situated in Kathmandu Valley, without being a part of a limited region, and thus, any traveller can roam in Kathmandu Valley, as long as they have a regular Nepal tourist visa.

Any foreigners (except the Indians) would need a valid visa as a way of entry into Nepal, which is readily available upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or land entry points. The visa can also be obtained beforehand at a Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country.

The visa fee also differs depending on the period of stay, and visitors can obtain a 15-day, 30-day, and 90 days visa. In this case of visiting Kirtipur on a day tour, a 15-day visa is normally enough to visit this place.

Passports must be a minimum of six months before arrival. All temple entry fees in Kirtipur are included, which means that you spend the day without any hassles on the Kirtipur Day Tour.

Transportation

Transportation for the Kirtipur Day Tour is fully organised, making your journey comfortable and stress-free. You are then fetched by a personally hired vehicle, car, jeep, or van (depending on the number of people) all the way to Kathmandu hotel, and the short 8-kilometre trip to the not-so-large Kirtipur is made to take about 30 minutes.

This is against local buses, which may be congested, slow, and uncomfortable. This is a better option because it guarantees comfort and flexibility during your Kirtipur Day Tour.

The car is there with you the entire day, and you can have photos and views or any other order that you can have. Most of the roads leading to Kirtipur are paved, and some roads are few lanes to the hill, but a good driver will guarantee a safe and smooth journey.

The same vehicle picks you up at the end of the sightseeing and drives you back to your hotel or the drop-off destination of your choice in Kathmandu.

Kirtipur Day Tour is also a hassle-free, comfortable, and dream package service by this door-to-door service, and will be thoroughly pleasing to the family, small groups, or even the single travellers in need of a relaxing cultural tour.

Your Extra Expenses on the Trip

The Kirtipur Day Tour package is nearly all-inclusive, but a few personal expenses should be noted. There is also no complete coverage of meals; lunch in a local restaurant in Kirtipur is self-paid, costs around 5-10 dollars depending on your appetite.

Non-alcoholic drinks like water, soda, or beer are not prepared, and so it is better that one has some cash in Nepal Rupees because the smaller restaurants and stores do not take cards.

Tipping is not mandatory and is still welcome. Tourists usually leave about 10 per cent of the tour fee or a token as an appreciation of the guide and driver. Other costs are souvenirs or snacks sold in the local stores in Kirtipur.

There is no fine print in this day tour of Kirtipur, everything, such as transportation, entrance charge, and sightseeing are all set. The additional costs are very low and are absolutely in your hands, whereby you can have fun in the cultural experience.

Language & Communication

Kirtipur Day Tour is conducted in English, and thus it is simple to follow it by international tourists. Our guides have good English and usually speak more languages. You can also inform us of your choice when you make a booking.

In the course of the tour, your guide would play a beneficial role in breaking any communication barrier that may exist between you and the locals, making the interactions between you a smooth ride during the entire day tour of Kirtipur.

The town of Kirtipur is a typical Newar town, and the local language is Newari (Nepal Bhasa), although Nepali, the national language, is spoken. A significant number of locals, especially the younger generation and tourism or student groups, know basic English, so you can even meet or speak to them in English easily. Your guide takes care of all the temple entries, ticket buying, and translation services for sightseeing.

Coverage is also good with the mobile network, meaning that you can be in touch with someone or even engage in translation software as you wish. To have an even more fulfilling cultural experience, the guides might also teach you a few local phrases, such as Namaste (hello) or Dhanyabad (thank you).

Don’ts on This Trip

When taking the Kirtipur Day Tour, it is necessary to observe the local customs and manners in order to make the visit a pleasant experience. Wear simple clothes that cover the shoulders and knees in temples.

Shoes and other leather materials should be taken off before visiting Hindu temples or other places of worship. Never capture the image of people, monks, and ceremonies without their consent, and do not touch or step on offerings such as the flowers or rice.

Children should not be given money or sweets because it may lead to begging. It is also discourteous to smoke or drink alcohol at sacred places, and thus, they should not engage in this act when they are near temples and stupas. Always make sure that Kirtipur is clean by carrying your garbage until you get a trash bin.

These few tips will make sure that your Kirtipur Day Touris culturally aware and accepted by the local community. You should also talk to your guide in case you do not know what the town does when you are doubtful about what they do, so that you have time to appreciate the history, temples, and rich culture of a town in a local manner.

Trip Extension

Unless you are in a hurry, you can extend your Kirtipur Day Tourwith the additional adventures like Chandragiri Hill or Champadevi Hill. Once you are here in Kirtipur, it will be possible to take a quick trip to Champadevi Hill (2,285 m) and do a moderately difficult 2–to 3-hour-long hike to the top.

On top, you have stunning birds-eye views of the Kathmandu Valley and peaks of the Himalaya such as Langtang and Ganesh Himal. This is an extension of a day tour of the places in Kirtipur with a fresh dose of nature and exercise.

Instead, Chandragiri Hill (2,552 m) is a more leisurely activity. Driving 30 to 40 minutes will take you to the cable car station, and in 10 minutes, you will be at the top. Firstly, go to the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple at the top and enjoy the fantastic view, and relax in the restaurants or the children’s park.

The two options are both possible to be organised with us, and you may decide to prolong the itinerary on the same day or put in the additional day to the Kirtipur Day Tour so that the tour can become more memorable.

Photography & Drone Rules

Kirtipur offers excellent photo opportunities, and you are urged to take photos of the colourful streets, temples, and panoramic scenes during your day tour to Kirtipur. The use of traditional houses, colourful stupas, and scenic points of view ensures memorable shots during the day.

Photography is also usually permitted in most of the sites; however, it is always prudent to seek approval to photograph locals or religious events. In most cases, they will agree to do so provided you enquire nicely.

There might be some restrictions in certain temples or shrines, and your guide will tell you about any section where you are not allowed to take photos, particularly when you are near sacred idols or during prayer hours.

The use of drones in Nepal is highly controlled. When you are on the Kirtipur Day Tour, do not fly a drone without permission, as it is strictly prohibited by the authorities of the Kathmandu Valley. The unlicensed drone flights may lead to either the imposition of fines or equipment seizure.

For drone photography, consult us beforehand to obtain the required permits. Otherwise, one will only need a smartphone or camera to find the beauty of Kirtipur without violating local traditions and laws.

Major Attractions

Kirtipur Day Tour is full of historical and cultural attractions, and it is a good one-day tour. The trip starts with Chilancho Stupa, which is a white-domed Buddhist monument that is located during the Licchavi period. It is located in a set in a courtyard with the traditional Newari houses, with prayer flags, and learns about the Buddhist heritage of Kirtipur.

Then go to Bagh Bhairab Temple, a well-known Hindu temple of Lord Bhairab in the form of a tiger (Bagh means tiger). The temple is characterized by tiered pagoda architecture and elaborate wood carving design, and the old swords and shields are exhibited on the walls. It is also a courtyard that acts as a point of view, where it provides breathtaking views of Kathmandu Valley and the city down below.

At last, there is the Uma Maheshwar Temple, which is the highest point of the town. Constructed in the 17th century, this beautiful three-layered pagoda offers a 360-degree sight view of the surrounding valley, and on a clear day, it is possible to view snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Along with these highlights, the Kirtipur Day Tour is made quite attractive by strolling down into the lanes of the old-town, seeing the daily routines, traditional arts, and centuries-old brick structures. The town of Kirtipur is a living museum as every street has a window to the world of pure Newari culture.

Cultural Festivals in the Area

Kirtipur Day Tour presents a very special opportunity to explore the colourful Newar community, more so when the day of your visit is a festival in another locality. Another festival that takes place in the town is Indrayani Jatra in late autumn (October-November) in honour of Kirtipur’s patron goddess of marriage.

In this festival, the idol of the goddess mounted on the beautifully decorated chariot (made of wood) is carried through small streets by the devotees in traditional dress code, accompanied by music, dances, and other merry activities. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience upon experiencing this during your Kirtipur Day Tour.

Another notable festival is Gai Jatra (Festival of Cows) in August/September, when the families who lost relatives take the cow -or a boy who has been dressed like a cow- to the streets. The participants wear costumes, perform traditional music, and make the carnival-like atmosphere.

Kirtipur has major Nepali festivals, including Dashain, Tihar, and winter Yomari Punhi, whereby residents of this place cook some special food which includes steamed dumplings. Although there is an element of culture in everyday living, attending a festival in your Kirtipur Day Tour will give additional colour, music, and energy to your experiences.