Private Tour
Chandragiri Cable Car Ride & Monkey Temple Tour - Private/Group
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour offers a rare combination of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and spiritual insight—all within a convenient half-day format. The scenic cable car ride to Chandragiri Hills provides breathtaking views of the Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley, making it one of the few places where you can enjoy such vistas without a long hike. The peaceful hilltop temple adds a serene and spiritual atmosphere to the journey.
What sets this tour further apart is the visit to the iconic Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich in history and symbolism. Combined with professional guiding, hotel pickup, and a refreshing lunch box, this tour—offered in group, private, or all-inclusive formats by Relax Getaways—delivers comfort, cultural depth, and unforgettable experiences in just a few hours.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Chandragiri Hills is a scenic hilltop destination located on the southwestern outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, approximately 2,500 meters above sea level. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan range, including peaks like Everest, Annapurna, and Manaslu on clear days. Accessible via a modern cable car ride that lasts around 10–15 minutes, the journey itself is a highlight, soaring over lush forests and offering stunning valley vistas. At the top, visitors can explore the Bhaleshwor Mahadev Temple, a sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva with historical and spiritual significance. The hilltop also features landscaped gardens, a children’s playground, souvenir shops, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Chandragiri Hills is a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and family-friendly recreation, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking peaceful ambiance and majestic views away from the city bustle.
Swoyambhu Mahachaitya
Swayambhunath Stupa, commonly known as the Monkey Temple, is one of the most iconic and ancient religious sites in Nepal. Perched atop a hill in western Kathmandu, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a 360-degree view of Kathmandu Valley and is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus. Dating back over 2,500 years, the central stupa features a brilliant white dome topped with a gilded spire, upon which the all-seeing eyes of Buddha gaze out in four directions. The site is adorned with prayer flags, spinning wheels, and smaller shrines and temples, reflecting a rich blend of Vajrayana Buddhist and Hindu architectural influences. The nickname “Monkey Temple” comes from the sacred monkeys that inhabit the site, adding a lively and unique character to the spiritual atmosphere. With its deep historical roots, sacred symbolism, and elevated location, Swayambhunath offers visitors a profound cultural experience and a peaceful retreat from the city's chaos.
What‘s Included
Pick up from & drop off at hotel by private vehicle.
All-Inclusive Option: Includes Lunch Box, soft drinks, and cable car ticket and entrance fees.
English-speaking professional tour guide.
Lunch box: Water (500ml bottled water), Muffin, Donut, Banana, Seasonal Fruit, and Juice.
Air-conditioned private transportation.
Entrance fees to sightseeing monuments (applicable for Group and Private Tour options only).
Fees For SAARC Nationals: Total: USD 10 per person (Chandragiri Cable Car & Swayambhunath)
Personal expenses.
Tips.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Tour
Chandragiri and Monkey Temple: Private transportation with a dedicated guide, flexible start time, personalized experience, and lunch box included.
Duration: 5 hours: Approximately 5 to 6 hours.
Route of tour: Hotel → Chandragiri Cable Car Station → Chandragiri Hills → Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) → Hotel
Private Vehicles: Air-conditioned private car, SUV, or van based on group size and preference.
Pickup included
All Inclusive Option
All Inclusive Private Tour: Private transportation with a guide, flexible start time, all entrance fees included, and a lunch box with soft drinks.
Duration: 5 hours: Approximately 5 to 6 hours.
Route of tour: Hotel → Chandragiri Cable Car Station → Chandragiri Hills → Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) → Hotel
Private Electric Vehicles: Air-conditioned private car, SUV, or van based on group size and preference.
Pickup included
Group Tour / Shared Tour
Group Joining Tour: Shared AC transportation with a professional guide, fixed 9:00 AM departure, and a lunch box included.
Duration: 5 hours: Approximately 5 to 6 hours.
Route of tour: Hotel → Chandragiri Cable Car Station → Chandragiri Hills → Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) → Hotel
Vehicle type: Air-conditioned private car, van, or minibus (based on group size).
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent day trip from Kathmandu
Navarria1985,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Punam did a great job with this tour. It's a wonderful way to see Chandragiri Hills which gives you an excellent view of the Himalayas on a clear day. Skipping the queue was nice too. Punam explained everything in detail and had great communication.
Perfect day trip from Kathmandu
Paul N,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect way to see Chandragiri and skip the queue. Punam was my guide and she did a great job with communication and explaining everything on the tour. Great views of the Himalayas too
Excellent and unforgettable experience
B7302WIbrucec,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent experience on the Chandragiri Cable Car Ride. The views were absolutely stunning, and everything was well organized. Our tour guide, Putnam, was friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive throughout the trip. He explained the history and surroundings clearly and made the whole experience enjoyable and smooth. Highly recommended!
Informative, Well-Organised and Enjoyable Tour
Excursion37973612122,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a fantastic experience on today’s tour with Anon. As no one else was booked from the beginning, it ended up being a private tour, which made it even more special. Anon was extremely knowledgeable and very helpful throughout the day, and I learned so much about different cultures along the way. We took the cable car up to the temple where we received a blessing and enjoyed a cup of tea and beautiful views, we then continued on to the Monkey Temple. Everything was well explained and thoughtfully paced. Anon is excellent at what he does, very informative, and genuinely passionate. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to do this tour.
Chandragiri cable car ride
Passenger66072582797,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time with Punam our guide who was exceptional. She was friendly, patient and very knowledgeable giving us all the information we needed and answering any additional questions we had. Highly recommended!
A Delightful Tour with an Excellent Guide
126rayanf,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour guide Punam was a fantastic guide—warm, knowledgeable, and full of positive energy. She made the Chandragiri Cable Car ride and Monkey Temple visit smooth, fun, and insightful, turning a great tour into a truly memorable experience. Highly recommended!
Monkeys and Mountains, 5 stars!
842mld,,Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The monkey temple was amazing and the Himalayan view from the cable car and Chandagiri hills was a once in a lifetime experience and I felt very safe. We had excellent weather so no complaints! My guide Poonam was prompt, had excellent communication, knowledgeable and helpful. Our driver was very safe. The box lunch wasn't enough for me so we got a snack near the temple at the top. Overall, 5 stars 🤩!
Cable car ride and monkey temple tour
318crispinh,,Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic morning trip with an impressive cable car ride and outstanding views from the top. Punam our guide was very helpful and friendly with a wealth of local knowledge of culture and history.
Over-all a five star experience!
Neil C,,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I booked the Private Tour and Punam was my guide along with Krishna as the driver. They assigned a BYD electric car and the ride was comfortable. I chose the afternoon schedule as I wanted to see if I can catch the sunset at Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple), they happily obliged and accommodate my request. Albeit, I didn’t end up seeing the sunset as it was cloudy, I still had a great experience. Throughout the tour, Punam made sure the over-all experience was seamless. She explained the history and shared interesting stories, stood in line for me whilst waiting for a car to go down the base station, and allowed me to take videos and photos on my own whilst she waited. Over-all a five star experience!
Great cable car ride!!
Colin G,,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The view from the top of the cable is amazing, despite only seeing a little through the clouds. On a clear it would be breathtaking, I'm sure. The ride is worth the entrance fee alone though. The monkey temple was really good too.
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