7 Kathmandu Market Tours to Build a Morning Around

1.Kathmandu Secret Food Crawl & Local Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 54 reviews · 2 hours · from $28Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at Chhaya Devi Complex and walk toward Ason Bazar and nearby local food stalls. Expect at least five foods and drinks, including possible Newari specialties, momos, laphing, lassi, and pani puri, plus stories about Kathmandu’s people, faiths, and traditions.

“Santosh was a fount of knowledge for all things Nepali. Easy to chat to, friendly and courteous. Whilst we were not particularly enamoured with food it was a good selection of Newari cuisine we wouldn’t have tried without this tour. Well recommended.”

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2.Kathmandu Food Crawl & Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $25Top rated

Meet your English-speaking guide at Chhaya Center in Thamel, then walk toward Ason Bazar for at least five local foods and drinks. Expect back-street eateries, market life, Newari flavors, and possible tastings such as chatamari, panipuri, laphing, lalmohan, and momo.

“What a fab way to start myNepal visit with a walk through the streets of Kathmandu and enjoy some ‘most delicious’ food. We found places that only a local would know about and tried a wide selection of savory and sweet treats. All were very tasty! Can highly recommend this tour. Information and most delicious!”

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3.Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $30

Start in Thamel with a guided market visit, learn about Nepali spices and cooking methods, then prepare and eat local dishes with Nepali cooks. The three-hour class includes ingredients, snacks, a full meal, recipes, and vegetarian or vegan options by request.

“We were four persons this day. Not room for any more in the small kitchen. A nice morning although it was a bit stressful and more like putting ingredients togheter, than a schooling.”

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4.Kathmandu Food Crawl & Market Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $28

Meet Santosh Pandey at Chhaya Devi Complex for a two-hour walk through Ason Bazar and nearby food lanes. You will try at least five local foods and drinks, including Newari specialties and street snacks, while learning about Kathmandu’s markets, customs, religion, and daily life.

“Such a fun way to sample some of the local delicacies off the beaten path. I loved all the dishes we sampled and the portions were huge! Combined, the samples were almost 2 full meals. The tour of the market was also very informative and our guide provided us with some great history along the way. Would highly recommend.”

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5.Oldest Local Market Walking Tour With Living Goddess Kumari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $39

Meet your English-speaking guide at Chhaya Devi Complex in Thamel, then walk through Ason market and Kathmandu Durbar Square while learning about Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The tour includes a chance to see Kumari, Kathmandu’s living goddess. Santos is one named guide associated with the experience.

“Her gaze is impressive!! I’m so happy and honored to have visited the living goddess Kumari”

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6.Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 3 hours · from $21

Meet an English-speaking chef in Thamel, walk to a local market, and cook four traditional Nepali and Newari dishes in a small group of up to eight. You choose from three menus, adjust the spice, make momos, and eat each course fresh from the pan.

“Wonderful family of cooks who grow there own spices. Very interactive group. We cooked a full menu. Good instructions. Delicious recipes.”

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7.From Bazaar to Hippie Hub: Ason & Freak Street in Kathmandu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 hours · from $15Best value

Start at Pumpernickel Bakery in Thamel for a three-hour English walking tour limited to five people. Follow your guide through Asan Bazaar, Annapurna Temple, Indra Chowk, Potey Bazaar, New Road, and historic Freak Street, with time for local customs, markets, and Kathmandu’s counterculture past.

“Very nice tour with knowledgeable guide. A great activity for my first day in Kathmandu”

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