Patan, Bungamati and Khokana: A Newar Day Trip South of Kathmandu

Last updated 7 October 2026.

Patan, Bungamati and Khokana make one of the best Newar days you can spend south of Kathmandu. Patan is the old city of metalworkers. A short drive south are two village communities, Bungamati, known for carved wooden windows and craft workshops, and Khokana, known for its mustard oil. The day is gentle, mostly on foot, and suits anyone who wants culture without crowds.

It is our Patan, Bungamati and Khokana Day Tour. We collect you from your Kathmandu hotel in the morning and bring you back in the late afternoon.

Why spend a day in Patan, Bungamati and Khokana?

Because it shows you Newar life at three scales. Patan is a royal city of temples and courtyards, Bungamati is a village built around one deity and Khokana is a working village of oil mills. Most visitors see Kathmandu Durbar Square and then Bhaktapur. This is the quieter way to understand how the valley's older communities live.

What will you see in Patan Durbar Square?

Patan, also called Lalitpur, lies south of the Bagmati river, and its Durbar Square is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Much of what you see grew up in the Malla period. The stone temple of Krishna dates from 1637, built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla. Behind the square, the narrow lanes are full of workshops where metalworkers still make bronze and brass pieces, which is why Patan has a name for metalwork.

The entrance fee for Patan Durbar Square, including the museum, is included in our price. Our Patan guide goes deeper into the history, and our Kathmandu Durbar Square guide will help you compare the two squares.

What is Bungamati like?

Bungamati is a Newar village on a spur of land above the Bagmati valley. Its life is closely tied to Rato Machhindranath, the red-faced patron deity of the valley, whose large shikhara-style temple stands in the village square. He spends part of the year in Bungamati and part in Patan, and the procession that moves him between the two is one of the most important annual festivals in the valley.

We walk the lanes past carved wooden windows and small craft workshops. Walk slowly and let your guide explain what is made where. Many houses were damaged in the 2015 earthquake, and restoration is still under way.

What is Khokana known for?

Khokana is a traditional Newar village about 8 km south of central Kathmandu. It is known for mustard oil. Seeds are crushed in old mills, and in the traditional method a heavy wooden beam does the pressing. Khokana was also the first town in Nepal to be lit by electricity, in 1911, and the village has been nominated for World Heritage listing as a village with a mustard-oil industrial heritage.

We finish the day here with a walk through the old lanes before the drive back to your hotel.

How is the day arranged?

You are collected from your hotel in the morning and taken to Patan Durbar Square for the palace courtyards, the Krishna temple and the metalworking lanes. After lunch we drive south to Bungamati, then on to Khokana, and return to Kathmandu in the late afternoon. The transport is a private car or van with a driver, sized to your group, and a licensed guide goes with you.

Standard and Luxury include lunch at a good restaurant, and Luxury adds all non-alcoholic drinks. On Budget, meals and drinks are not included. Hotel accommodation is not included, since this is a day tour.

Is it affected by the 2015 earthquake?

Some buildings in Patan and in the villages are still being restored, so part of a lane or square may be closed on the day. Your guide will tell you what is open on the day. It does not spoil the visit. Seeing a place rebuild itself is part of how these communities live today.

Who is this day for?

It suits travellers who want a slower day than a Kathmandu temple circuit, people who love crafts and old lanes, and anyone starting or finishing a trek who wants an easy cultural day. If you want the big temples first, start with our Kathmandu Valley World Heritage guide. If you are looking for more ideas, our guide to things to do in Kathmandu before and after your trek will help.

The best months are September to November and February to May. Summer is hot and wet, and winter mornings are cool and often hazy. Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and steps, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees at temples.

Groups are up to 12, and you can also book solo. The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice to any date within one year. The balance is paid on arrival in Kathmandu in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

Questions people ask

How far are Bungamati and Khokana from Patan? They are a short drive south of Patan. Khokana is about 8 km south of central Kathmandu.

What is Khokana famous for? Mustard oil, pressed in traditional mills, and being the first town in Nepal lit by electricity in 1911.

Can I join Patan with another tour? Yes. It combines well with our Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Day Tour on a separate day.

Is it a walking day? It is gentle walking on cobbles and village lanes. The vehicle is with you for the drives between the stops.

Do I need to carry cash? The entrance fee for Patan Durbar Square is already included. Bring a little cash for tips or craft purchases.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.