Kailash Yatra Fixed Departure Date 2026 Click Here
Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Tour
The Chandragiri and Monkey Temple tour is one of the best day trips you can do while staying in Kathmandu. You get to explore two famous hilltops: the Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath Stupa) and Chandragiri Hill. This day tour promises an enriching experience blending cultural heritage with stunning Himalaya views.
At first, the trip begins towards Chandragiri Hill by cable car. You’ll enjoy a relaxing ride on the Chandragiri Cable Car. The cable car glides smoothly over pine forests and offers serene views of green hills, the Kathmandu Valley, and the Himalayan range. The ride is safe, reliable, and comfortable, with backup power and emergency services in place. At the top of Chandragiri Hill, you can visit the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, enjoy fresh mountain air, and soak in the quiet surroundings.
Next, you visit the Swayambhunath, also known as Monkey Temple. It is one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Nepal, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. To reach the top, you walk up a steep stone staircase decorated with colorful prayer flags. While walking, you’ll see playful monkeys, old shrines, and statues. At the top, the shrines and temples shine brightly, and you can see the whole Kathmandu Valley.
This Chandragiri Cable Car with Monkey Temple day tour is easy, fun, and perfect for everyone, including families, kids, and older travelers, as it combines a short spiritual walk or day hike with a comfortable cable car ride. It’s a great way to enjoy both the cultural side of Kathmandu and Nepal’s natural and cultural beauty in a single day.
Best Season
All Season
Travel Duration
8Hours
Destination
Nepal
Transportation
Private Vehicle
Start / End
Thamel/Thamel
Meals
N/A
Trip Type
Day Tour
Major Highlights of Monkey Temple and Chandragiri Hill Day Tour
- Enjoy a smooth 10-12 minutes scenic ride above lush green forests to reach the Chandragiri viewpoint.
- Take in stunning views of Mt. Everest (8,848.86m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Langtang Lirung (7,234m), Langtang Ri (7,205m), and others from Chandragiri.
- In the colder months (Dec-Feb), Chandragiri often turns into a snowy wonderland, making it a magical spot for visitors.
- Visit the peaceful Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple at the Chandragiri hilltop.
- Explore the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Witness the whole view of Kathmandu Valley from the top of Swayambhunath.
- Spot playful monkeys around the Monkey temple, adding fun to your visit.
- Immerse in the cultural and spiritual ambiance of prayer wheels, shrines, and colorful prayer flags
Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Tour Outline Itinerary
Day 01:
Drive To Chandragiri, Ride Chandragiri Cable Car, And Drive To Swoyambhunath
Itinerary of the Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Tour
Day 01: Drive To Chandragiri, Ride Chandragiri Cable Car, And Drive To Swoyambhunath
| Itinerary Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Time: | 09:00-17:00 |
| Ascent: | N/A |
| Travel Duration: | 8Hours |
| Travel Distance: | 28KM/17Mile |
At 9:00 AM, we will pick you up from your hotel or your preferred location to start the Chandragiri and Monkey Temple tour. Then we will drive you to the Chandragiri Cable Car Base Station in a comfortable private vehicle. From the base station, you will take a 10-12 minutes Chandragiri cable car ride tour to the hilltop. The ride is 2.4 km long. At the hilltop of Chandragiri, there is a Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple. It is a sacred Hindu shrine for Lord Shiva. You can pay respects at the temple. From the top, you will also enjoy the Himalaya vista, including Mount Everest, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, etc. Take photos and relax.
After some hours, you will again take the cable car back from Chandragiri Hills. Next, you will drive to Swayambhunath Temple, commonly known as the Monkey Temple. Monkey Temple is the major temple for Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal and dates back to the 5th century. At first, you will stop at the Statue of Peace to toss a coin for good luck. After that, you will walk past smaller temples and shrines. The tour ends at 5:00 PM. We will drop you back at your hotel. You will leave with memories of Himalayan views, spiritual sites, and Kathmandu culture.
| Itinerary Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Meals: | N/A |
| Accomodations: | N/A |
Explore with Local Experts! Our experienced guides, porters, and staff are locals who know every trail, culture, and hidden gem. Travel with us for an authentic adventure!
Build your Custom Trip
We believe that our programs are just the beginning of what’s possible! We’re here to work with you to make your dream trip a reality. Simply send us an email with your personal desires and we’ll be glad to help you plan the perfect itinerary.
Experts for help
Reach out to travel experts for any trip customizations you want to do on your trip, we are here to help.
Ask Questions
Ask Questions
"*" indicates required fields
What Makes Chandagiri & Monkey Temple Special?
Chandragiri is a famous tourist destination in Nepal. This hilltop, located at the southwest side of the Kathmandu Valley, gives a calm escape from the bustling city life. You can take a cable car ride to reach the top of the Chandragiri hill; no need to hike for several hours. Once at the top, enjoy mesmerizing views of Kathmandu and the Himalayas, including the Himalayan ranges from Annapurna to Everest on clear days. Atop a hill, there is also a Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple. Also, many legends say that King Prithvi Narayan Shah is said to have looked over the valley from here and imagined a united Nepal.
Likewise, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) is special due to its spiritual and cultural vibe. The temple complex has a large white stupa, small temples dedicated to both Hindus and Buddhists, and colorful prayer wheels. It houses many Buddhist and Hindu deities. You will find Adi-Buddha, Buddha Shakyamuni, and the five Dhyani Buddhas. There are also Hindu deities like Ganesh, Saraswati, Bhairava, etc. Visitors spin the wheels, light butter lamps, and offer prayers around the temple premises. Furthermore, for locals, Swayambhunath is a central place of worship, especially for the Newar community. Tibetans also consider it the second most important Buddhist site after Boudhanath. Swayambhunath is such major destination in Kathmandu Valley that it is included in any Kathmandu Day Tours. So if you are visiting Kathmandu then, you are most likely visiting Swayambhunath.
FAQs for Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Tour
How much is the Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Day tour?
Who can join the Chandragiri and Monkey Temple Day tour?
How much is the Chandragiri Cable Car Ticket?
Why is Swayambhunath called the Monkey Temple?
How many steps are there to Monkey Temple Kathmandu?
What are the eyes of Swayambhunath?
Travler Reviews
USD 33 per person
Tailor-Made
Adventures Await
Adventures Await
Wherever you want to go,
we’ll make it extraordinary and uniquely yours.
we’ll make it extraordinary and uniquely yours.
Create a travel experience that reflects your style and preferences.
With expert guidance, every moment of your trip is uniquely tailored to you.
