Tour operator
Social Tours
A Kathmandu Valley tour company founded in 2002 to link tourism with social good, running market walks, cooking classes and a Swayambhu sunset walk.
Mount Mania Kathmandu Heritage Walk
A guided day on foot from Thamel through Asan and Kathmandu Durbar Square to Freak Street and Swayambhunath, run by a licensed Thamel trekking company.
At a glance
- Type
- Guided heritage walking tour
- Area
- Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Official site
- mountmania.com
Good to know
- Hotel pick-up
- Professional guide
- Small groups
- Mineral water
Why we recommend it
Mount Mania Treks and Expedition is a Thamel-based trekking and tour company with its office on JP Road, and its one-day Kathmandu Heritage Walk is a straightforward way to see the old city and its greatest hilltop stupa with a guide. The company is registered with the Government of Nepal, licensed by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Department of Tourism, and is a member of the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal and the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
The walk begins with a pick-up from your hotel by a professional guide, so you simply give the name of your hotel when you book. From Thamel the route heads into Asan, which the company calls the oldest market in Kathmandu. Asan sits on the old trade route between India and Tibet, and its square, where six streets meet, is presided over by the temple of the grain goddess Annapurna Ajima. From there the walk continues through streets, shops, squares and temples to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the former royal palace complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Hanuman Dhoka palace and the Kumari's residence stand.
Next comes Freak Street, the lane just south of Durbar Square that was a famous stop on the hippie trail in the 1960s and 1970s. The final stop is Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa known as the Monkey Temple, which looks out across most of the Kathmandu Valley. At the end of the day you can walk back to Thamel or take a taxi from Swayambhunath.
The tour is graded easy, with a maximum altitude of around 1,400 metres, and groups are capped at ten people. The guide and mineral water are included, while entrance fees for the heritage sites, personal expenses and tips are not. The company advises bringing your passport or an identity card, comfortable shoes and cash for tickets and snacks along the way.
The walk suits first-time visitors who want an overview of the city on their first or second day, solo travellers, and anyone who would rather have a local explain what they are seeing. It covers a lot of ground on foot, so allow a full day. The office is on the second floor of the Hotel Central Prime on JP Road, and bookings can be made by phone, WhatsApp or Viber.
Mount Mania Kathmandu Heritage Walk FAQs
Who runs the Kathmandu Heritage Walk?
Mount Mania Treks and Expedition, a licensed trekking and tour company based in Thamel.
Where does the walk go?
From your hotel through Asan to Kathmandu Durbar Square, Freak Street and Swayambhunath.
How long does it take?
A full day.
Is hotel pick-up included?
Yes. The guide collects you from your hotel.
Are entrance fees included?
No. Entrance fees, personal expenses and tips are extra.
How hard is the walk?
It is graded easy, with a maximum altitude of about 1,400 metres.
How big are the groups?
Up to ten people.
How do I book?
Call or message +977 9841199435 on WhatsApp or Viber, or call +977 1 5139546.