Kathmandu is a city that truly comes alive in the early morning. For travelers who wake up early, the city offers a unique blend of calm streets, spiritual vibes, and breathtaking views before the crowds arrive. From the serene prayers at Boudhanath Stupa to the panoramic sunrise at Nagarkot, mornings in Kathmandu are made for exploration.
If you’re staying at Hotel Trekkers Home, most of these spots are just a short walk or drive away, and the hotel staff can guide you on the best routes, local rickshaws, and even ticket information for paid attractions. Whether it’s strolling through the colorful Asan Bazaar as the market wakes up, spinning the prayer wheels at Swayambhunath, or catching the first Himalayan sunrays at Nagarkot, early mornings give you a peaceful, authentic experience of Kathmandu.
From spiritual rituals at Pashupatinath to quiet birdwatching and local breakfasts, starting your day early means enjoying the city’s charm in its most magical, serene hours.
Kathmandu is a city for early risers. Kathmandu has many things to offer travelers who visit Nepal during both night and day, but in this post, we are going to talk about the things that Kathmandu promises to travelers who wake up early and want to explore. If you wake up early, you can visit these places for the best experience.
If your stay is at Hotel Trekkers Home, you can enjoy most of the places by walking, and you can get assistance about how to go and where to go. The mentioned places are not far from Hotel Trekkers Home, so you should experience them at least once.
Boudhanath Stupa
Boudha Stupa is such a peaceful place where the prayers of monks and the sound of the spinning wheels give peace to the heart and mind. In the early morning, it is very good to listen and watch spiritual activities and perform 'Kora' with the locals.
Things to enjoy at Boudha:
- Morning prayers done by monks
- Explore the local market
- Local tea and breakfast in the rooftop cafes around the stupa
Why in the morning:
- Less crowd
- Perfect to observe morning rituals
- Breakfast with the morning view from rooftop cafes around the stupa
- Watch the sunrays reflected by the stupa and see the stupa glowing
- To get the quiet spiritual vibe before the crowd arrives
Tips:
- Entry fee: NPR 1000 per person per entry for non-SAARC countries and NPR 100 per person per entry for SAARC countries
- Always walk clockwise around the stupa
- Do not take photos of monks without permission
Asan Bazaar
Asan Bazaar is the heartbeat of Kathmandu city, reachable by walking from Thamel. It is very crowded at nighttime and becomes hard to explore, but early in the morning, the crowded place turns into a peaceful heaven. Early in the morning, the streets are decorated with colorful flowers by the sellers, and you can see people selling fresh vegetables in the street.
Things to enjoy at Asan:
- Explore the traditional market
- Temple and devotees praying in the temple
- Taste local breakfast and street food
- Watch colorful spices, fabrics, and local life around the market
Why in the morning:
- To watch locals doing morning rituals
- To enjoy calm streets and peaceful vibes before it gets busy
- To watch the market waking up with fresh vegetables, fruits, and spices
- To taste fresh street food and traditional breakfast before the crowd
Tips:
- Entry fee : Free
- Do not block narrow paths or disturb local shoppers
- Respect locals performing prayers and local vendors
Swayambhunath
One of the most holy places of Kathmandu is Swayambhunath, and for travelers who love to take a walk in the morning, Swayambhu is the best place for a short walk from where you can see the panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. You can reach 15 minutes before the sun rays hit the stupa to have the perfect view to experience.
Things to enjoy at Swayambhunath:
- Spin the prayer wheels while walking around the stupa
- Climb the stairs and enjoy panoramic views of Kathmandu
- Watch monkeys playing around the temple
- See the stupa shining with Buddha eyes
Why in the morning:
- To enjoy calm and peaceful vibes before the crowd arrives
- To watch the sunrise lighting up the stupa and city
- To listen to monkeys and birds in the peaceful morning
- To watch the early morning prayers and rituals at the temple
Tips:
- Entry fee: 200 per person (Except SAARC & Indian citizens: Rs 50 per person)
- Do not tease or feed monkeys
- Spin prayer wheels respectfully
Nagarkot
If you want to see the first sunrays of the day from the top of the hill, Nagarkot is the best option to experience it. Nagarkot is a little far from Kathmandu, but it is a must-experience for all travelers. If you reach 15 minutes early before the sunrise, you can see the best sky view from there.
Things to enjoy at Nagarkot:
- Panoramic views of the Himalayas and nearby villages
- Bird watching
- Enjoy local meals and bites at small shops
- Hiking and trekking through nearby trails
Why in the morning:
- Perfect time for sunrise views as the Himalayas glow golden
- Clear skies and soft light for photography
- Cool and fresh morning air, perfect for walks
- See locals starting their day, which gives a real village vibe
Tips:
- Entry fee: Rs 340 per person for foreign visitors
- Take warm clothes — mornings in Nagarkot are 5–10°C colder than Kathmandu
Pashupatinath
For travelers who want to experience the deep spiritual side of Nepal, visiting the temple in the early morning is the best time to see the morning rituals and the Bagmati River in peace. You can witness devotees taking holy baths and sadhus performing their morning prayers.
Things to enjoy at Pashupatinath:
- Walk along the Bagmati River and see the ghats
- Walk around the temple and see its traditional pagoda design
- See sadhus (holy men) meditating and interacting with visitors
- Observe the cremation ceremonies and traditional rituals
Why in the morning:
- To watch devotees performing the morning Aarti
- To observe the ghats and river with soft morning light
- To feel peaceful and calm before it gets crowded
- To watch the temple glowing in the morning sunlight
Tips:
- Entry fee: 1000 per person (Indian and Nepali citizen can enter for free)
- Do not touch or feed monkeys
- Only Hindus can enter the main temple so respect the temple rules
Trekkers Home Assistance
How to Get There from Trekkers Home:
- Private Car/Taxi: Best option for early mornings (especially for Nagarkot or Boudha). Our front desk can pre-book a reliable driver for you the night before.
- Walking: Asan Bazaar and Swayambhunath are within a reasonable walking/short taxi distance from our location in Thamel.
- Local Experience: If you aren’t in a rush, we can guide you on how to take a local rickshaw to the nearby markets for a truly authentic vibe.
