Free walking tours are a great way to explore a city and learn about its history, culture, architecture and local life. A free walking tour is different from traditional guided tour packages.
Travelers are not obligated to pay anything upfront and the tour is usually conducted on a tip-based system. You can pay what you wish to and free walking tours do not have a fixed cost. It is an affordable and flexible option for travelers to engage with a destination.
These tours are guided by local guides. At the end of the tour, travelers can give a voluntary donation or tip to the guide, based on their satisfaction and the value they perceived from the tour.
Free walking tour in Kathmandu
To explore the city’s rich cultural heritage and historical Free walking tour in Kathmandu is the best choice. The walking tours cover various popular attractions in Kathmandu, including ancient temples, palaces, stupas and local markets. It is a beautiful experience walking through the city’s crowded streets.
This tour is conducted in the morning and afternoon. Free walking tours usually last a couple of hours. Time and group size depend upon the destination and the specific tour company ranging from 2 to 4 hours.
Meeting Point: Normally, the tours start from a designated meeting point in a central location, such as Thamel or Kathmandu Durbar Square which are easily accessible.
Free walking tour destination:
Swayambhunath Stupa: It is located on a hilltop of the city. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley and is an important religious site for both Buddhists and Hindus. It is also popular as the Monkey Temple as there are a lot of monkies around the temple. It is considered one of the oldest Buddhist stupas in Nepal.
The main structure of Swayambhunath is a large white stupa adorned with golden spires, prayer flags, and a pair of painted eyes on all four sides, which symbolize the eyes of Buddha. There are numerous other shrines, temples, statues and monasteries.
Visitors often circumambulate the stupa in a clockwise direction spinning prayer wheels, light butter lamps and offering prayers.
Shantipur at Swayambhunath – It is the place where a man who is still alive here from 5th century in an underground chamber. It is located at the Northwest of the main stupa which is a box-shaped temple.
According to history, it is said that a Tantric master named Shantikar has locked himself in an underground chamber since the 5th century. He vowed to remain inside until he is needed by the people of Kathmandu.
The best guide for a free walking tour in Kathmandu
There are many best tour guides in Kathmandu for a free walking tour and you can also evaluate and book a tour from Guruwalk free walking tour.
He offers 4 hours walking tour. He is an English-speaking Tour Guide. He got his tour guide license from the Ministry of Culture, tourism and civil aviation, the Government of Nepal and trained from NATHM (Nepal Academy of Tourism & Hotel Management).
Why do we recommend him?
We had the opportunity to meet him at his office back in 2013. He is a very kind and gentle person.