Kathmandu: Spiritual Nepal Experience

Highlights

  • Mix with the holy Hindu men in Pashupatinath temple and speak with the Monks of Boudhanath

  • Gain expert insight into Hinduism and Buddhism

  • Witness a special ritual called “Aarati” – an offering of lights to the Lord at Pashupatinath Temple

Summary

Cover all the spiritual bases on this multifaith Kathmandu tour. Learn about Buddhism in Boudhanath, meet holy Hindu “sadhus” in Pashupatinath, and then look into your future with a local palm-reader. Fingers crossed there's travel, glory, and a lottery win ahead!

Tour info

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour: 

Your Spiritual Nepal tour includes entrance fees to the UNESCO-listed Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, which helps preserve local cultural heritage and ensures these important sites are maintained. Should you choose to have your palm read during the tour, the fee for the reading supports the local palm-readers who would otherwise have no access to tourist money. 

Meet up with your guide and fellow travelers at the meeting point and hop in for a ride in a cab (local taxi for up to 2 people, private cab for more than 2 people) to the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal: the Boudhanath Stupa. Rotate the prayer wheels along with the locals as you circumnavigate the magnificent white spherical dome and offer prayers to Lord Buddha by lighting a traditional butter lamp. After this spiritual experience, walk for around 15 minutes to Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu pilgrimage site of Nepal. At Pashupatinath, go on an insightful spiritual journey of Hindu beliefs, the cycle of birth and death, and the stories of Sadhus - Hindu Holy Men, who renounce their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction). You can also get your future read by a local palm-reader! Witness one of many cremations along the banks of Bagmati River, and interact with soot-smeared, saffron-clad, dreadlocked Sadhus. As the sun goes down, brace yourself to be overwhelmed by throngs of locals as they gather around on the banks of Bagmati River on the eastern side of Pashupatinath Temple. Watch along with them the mesmerizing everyday ritual called “Aarati,” which is an offering of lights to Lord Pashupatinath. Make sure you keep near your guide and your group lest you get lost in the crowd of locals! Return a transformed person after this divine (and truly local) experience!

What’s included?

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • Entry fees to Boudhanath and Pashupatinath

  • Transportation costs (from the meeting point to Boudhanath and from Pashupatinath temple to the endpoint).

  • Lunch/dinner

  • Tips/gratuities for your guide

  • Alms to holy men and monks

  • Palm reader’s fees

Things to know

Covid Policy

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • COVID-19 vaccination required for guides

While we strongly recommend that all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Urban Adventures tour. 

Cancellation Policy

    Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Redemption information

    While we strongly recommend that all travellers are vaccinated against COVID-19 to reduce the risk of transmission and avoid putting undue strain on healthcare services, vaccinations are not a requirement to join an Intrepid Urban Adventures tour. For further information, please review COVID-19 Health & Safety at https://www.urbanadventures.com/en/about-us/covid-19-customer-info

    When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. In many rural areas in Asia women will need to wear modest clothing even to swim. Singlets, tank tops and topless sun bathing are all unacceptable. When visiting religious sites men often need to wear long trousers and women a long skirt or sarong.


    Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption

About operator:

Imagine a network of local friends all around the world, people you can call on in any city to show you the secrets of their hometown. That’s us!


We are a global community of thousands of foodies, history buffs, street art fanatics, beer connoisseurs, wine lovers and active adventurers, and together we lead day tours about these passions in cities around the world.


Most of all, we are 100% committed to creating a positive impact whenever and wherever we travel, whether that's by showing you how to go plastic-free in our destinations, or how to make sure your tourism dollars go where they're needed most. We believe that every time we travel, we can support communities. And we can do that together, globally.

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