Manakamana Temple and Gorkha Tour
Experience a 1 night, 2 days tour to Manakamana Temple and Gorkha, exploring historical sites, sacred temples, and enjoying scenic cable car rides with Asian Hiking Team.
Gorkha, located 141 km west of Kathmandu, is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal. The Gorkha Palace and Kalika Temple rest atop a hill, offering stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The palace was originally built in 1560 by the legendary King Drabya Shah. From 1604 to 1641, the Shah dynasty rose to power and ruled over Gorkha. Today, the legacy of that era lives on through the Gorkha Royal Palace, Gorkha Bazaar, and Gorkha Durbar. Prithvi Narayan Shah is celebrated for assembling his Gorkha soldiers and launching a campaign to unify Nepal by conquering Kathmandu. After his historic victory in the 18th century, Kathmandu was declared the capital of Nepal. Gorkha is also renowned for its brave Gorkhali soldiers, who impressed even the British Indian Company.
The sacred Manakamana Temple, located on a scenic ridge west of Kathmandu Valley, is a revered pilgrimage
Trip Facts
Group Size
Limiting group sizes to a maximum of 20 to reduce environmental pressure.
Maximum Elevation
1135 m (for Gorkha)
Location
Gorkha, located 141 km west of Kathmandu. Manakamana Temple, located on a scenic ridge west of Kathmandu Valley.
Route
Kathmandu to Kurintar, then to Gorkha. Gorkha to Kathmandu/Pokhara/Chitwan.
Best Season
Autumn (September–November) and Spring (March–May) are best for trekking. Winter (Dec–Feb) for lower-altitude treks and tours. Monsoon (June–August) for rain-shadow regions.
Accommodation
Accommodation during the tour: Single/Twin-sharing room as itinerary. Asian Hiking Team provide on cost 2-3 star hotel. Overnight at Hotel Gorkha. Transfer to hotel in Kathmandu.
Transportation
Kathmandu to Gorkha/Kathmandu land transport as itinerary. Cable car for Manakamana Temple. Private vehicles (car, jeep, or van) are commonly used for comfort and flexibility.
Visit the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified Nepal. Explore the historic Gorkha Palace, Kalika Temple, and Gorkha Durbar, all rich in royal heritage.
Join pilgrims at the revered Manakamana Temple, dedicated to the wish-fulfilling goddess and believed to be the younger sister of Goddess Kali.
Take a scenic 10-minute cable car ride from Kurintar to Manakamana Temple, offering panoramic views and a pleasant journey.
Participate in traditional worship at the Manakamana Temple and experience the deep spiritual importance of this sacred site among Hindu devotees.
Enjoy sweeping views of the Himalayan range and picturesque hills from both Gorkha and the Manakamana Temple ridge.
Learn about the rise of the Shah dynasty from 1604 to 1641 and how Gorkha’s brave soldiers helped establish the modern nation of Nepal.
A perfect 1 night, 2 days tour crafted by Asian Hiking Team, offering a mix of spiritual exploration, historical insight, and natural beauty.
After visiting Gorkha Palace and Museum, continue your journey to Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Chitwan as per your travel plans.
- Kathmandu to Gorkha/Kathmandu land transport as itinerary.
- Accommodation during the tour: Single/Twin-sharing room as itinerary. Asian Hiking Team provide on cost 2-3 star hotel. If you want higher star, please add on option cost.
- Breakfast: All breakfast are includes on the cost with hot drinks Tea/Coffee (black, milk tea, or ginger lemon honey tea) etc.
- National Park permit /entrance fees.
- Conservation permit / Entrance fees.
- Entrance fees: Temple, Monastery, Durbar Square, Museum etc
- A First Aid and Eco trained & Government licensed holder professional equipped English-speaking Tour guide.
- Tour Map /Itinerary: Asian Hiking Team provides free a copy of tour map /Tour Itinerary to our client.
- T-short: Asian Hiking Team provide the company T-short for a souvenir.
- Certificate: Asian Hiking Team provide tour success certificate for your memory and awardees.
- First Aid: First aid is the immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or ill until professional medical help is available. Its goal is to preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. Asian Hiking Team staff carry the basic first aid. You need to bring your own personal medicine with you.
- Farewell dinner: Asian Hiking Team provide a farewell dinner with Nepalese cultural programs the last day of the trip.
- Accommodation: If you stay an additional day, you need to pay an extra cost.
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner are not includes.
- Personal tour gears & clothing (some of the equipment is possible to rent in Kathmandu): please check in check list for equipment list
- Internet / Wi-Fi/Telephone: There are almost all tour area are internet/ Wi-Fi service. It is also possible to buy the NCAL or NTC Sim card for telephone or use data.
- Medical evacuation in case of emergency, expenses incurred due to mishaps, landslide, strikes, political unrest etc. in such case extra will be charged as per actual.
- Pack energy bars, nuts, chocolate for quick energy boosts between meals.
- The tips for tour guide or hotel: It's a way to show appreciation for good service and is often left as a small present or in addition. Tips are a common practice in many cultures and are often expected for services. It is not fix amount, so you can own decide. If you want to donation to school or Charities.
- If you are looking your own language tour guide, yes it is possible, but you need to pay extra so add on option cost.
Tailored add-ons in Nepal trips refer to customizable essentials that enhance and personalize your travel experience, allowing you to align your journey with specific interests, preferences, and schedules. These add-ons can be combined into various types of trips, including trekking, expedition, climbing, cultural tours, wildlife safaris, and adventure activities.
Customized Accommodations: Choose from a range of lodging options, from luxury hotels to homestays, to match your comfort and budget preferences. Upgrade your stay to accommodation featuring attached bathrooms during your trek. Enjoy additional comfort at select stops.
Helicopter/mountain flight: if you have short time frame, we recommended you that one hour Mountain flight or helicopter flight to visit Everest base camp or Annapurna base camp or Langtang (Kyanjin Gomaba) or Gosaikunda, Muktinath. The cost depends on number of members, destination etc.
Adventure Activities: Incorporate thrilling experiences such as paragliding in Pokhara, bungee jumping over the Bhote Koshi River, zip-lining, mountain biking, or...
In Gorkha, hotels range from luxurious heritage properties to budget-friendly guesthouses, catering to a diverse array of travelers. Some of recommended hotel in Gorkha:
Hotel Yatri Gorkha Gorkha Bisauni Gorkha Garden Hotel Hotel Gorkha Palace, Pvt. Ltd Universal Hotel & Lodge
Gorkha
Gorkha are accessible by road and are often included in overland tours between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Private vehicles (car, jeep, or van) are commonly used for comfort and flexibility. The drive from Kathmandu to Gorkha takes around 5–6 hours via Prithvi Highway, with scenic mountain views. Public buses run from Kathmandu and Pokhara to nearby towns, but last-mile transport often requires a local jeep or walk. Both towns involve walking to explore heritage sites.
General Climate Overview
Nepal's climate is incredibly diverse due to its dramatic range in altitude—from the lowland Terai plains (around 60 meters above sea level) to the Himalayan peaks above 8,000 meters. The country experiences five main seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, and winter.
Kathmandu
Monsoons (June–September): Heavy showers, high humidity—weekly thunderstorms common in July, with ~324 mm rainfall in July and ~238 mm in August.
Best times: Spring (March–May) and autumn (mid‑Sept to Nov)—clear skies, mild temps (daytime ~25–30 °C, nighttime ~10–15 °C)
Winter (Dec–Feb): Cool & dry, lows can approach 0 °C but rarely snow in the valley.
Pokhara
Climate: Humid subtropical with warm summers (25–35 °C) and mild winters (–2 to 15 °C).
Best seasons: Spring (Mar–May) & autumn (Oct–Nov) offer clear skies—perfect for trekking/paragliding
Lumbini
Climate type: Humid subtropical with hot summers (up to 40 °C pre‑monsoon) and mild winters (~10–20 °C).
Best times: Winter (Dec–Feb) with clear skies and comfortable daytime temps, and autumn/spring
Chitwan
Chitwan, located in the subtropical Terai lowlands...
Tour entry fees in major city
Here are the latest entrance fees (as of 2025) for major heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Prices are typically in Nepalese Rupees (NPR) and often differ for foreigners, SAARC nationals, and Nepali citizens:
Gorkha
Gorkha Durbar (Palace)
Foreign Nationals: NPR 100
SAARC Nationals: NPR 50
Gorkha Museum
Foreign Nationals: NPR 100
SAARC Nationals: NPR 50
Nepali Nationals: NPR 25
Nepali Students: NPR 10
Photography Fees: NPR 200 for cameras
Asian Hiking Team’s tour Guides are professionals with recognized records of honesty and personal integrity, committed to environmentally responsible trekking practices that minimize ecological impact.
Asian Hiking team Tour guide has licensed by the Government of Nepal through the Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management (NATHM) and Nepal Mountain Academic. They have several years of experience in the field, especially in cultural, religion, heritage, and adventure tours. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals. Experts in UNESCO sites (e.g., Kathmandu, Bhaktapur), fluent in history, architecture, and local customs. All certified guides speak fluent English and additional languages as your request. Friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Our guide are friendly, professional, and well-mannered. Trained in customer service, problem-solving, and group handling. Skilled in storytelling, sharing legends, myths, and spiritual meanings behind temples, mountains, and rituals.
We provide to all tour guide:
Insurance: Mandatory coverage for medical...
Credit card and foreign currency
Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are accepted at major hotels, shops, Travel Company and restaurants. 3.5 to 4 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATMs are widely in use such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan-Sauraha, Bhairahawa, Namche, Lukla, Jomsom, Nepaljung, Biratnagar, Lumbini and other major cities and district head office.
All major cities or touristic place have money changer or Exchanger counter or Bank exchange counter. Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) provide service for exchanging foreign currency too.
At Asian Hiking Team, we believe that every journey should be both transformative for the traveler and respectful to the host environment and communities. Responsible tourism isn’t just a practice—it’s a core value that shapes how we operate, lead tours, and engage with people and places.
Environmental Responsibility
We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our operations while encouraging a greener way of traveling.
Our eco-conscious practices include:
Limiting group sizes to a maximum of 20 to reduce environmental pressure.
Using stainless steel mugs for tea/coffee to reduce single-use waste.
Relying on gas for cooking instead of wood fires, preserving forests.
Carrying out waste from high altitudes for proper city disposal.
Avoiding the use of soap near natural water sources.
Using reusable containers and encouraging travelers to bring their own refillable water bottles.
Leaving campsites cleaner than we found them.
Encouraging minimal water usage, especially in high-altitude regions.
Preventing trail damage by staying on established routes and avoiding switchback...
On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. Choice is yours. Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are 'Tourist Visas'. They bear multiple Re-entry facility. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal.
For visa information -
Online visa procedure - https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/
Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA)
1st Step Fill in Online Tourist visa Form http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa (you can fill it up prior to your arrival visiting our official website Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring...
Daypack or backpack : Daypack or backpack (suitcase for all gears)
Comfortable walking shoes : Comfortable walking shoes
Light jacket or sweater : Light jacket or sweater
T-shirts and Shirts : Some pair of T-shirts and Shirts
Bathing clothes : Bathing clothes
Sun hat or cap : Sun hat or cap
Lightweight scarf or shawl : Lightweight scarf or shawl (for temple visits)
Sunglasses with UV protection : Sunglasses with UV protection
Neutral-colored clothing : Neutral-colored clothing (avoid red/bright)- if you are planning to do jungle safari trip
Comfortable sandals : Comfortable sandals
Sunscreen and lip balm : Sunscreen and lip balm
Water bottle : Water bottle (refillable)
Travel umbrella or raincoat : Travel umbrella or raincoat (if travel in monsoon)
Power bank and adapters : Power bank and adapters (Nepal uses 230V, Type C/D/M plugs)
Travel documents : Travel documents: passeport, permit, insurance, visa/master car etc.
Personal medications and first aid kit : Personal medications and first aid kit
Camera or phone with charger : Camera or phone with charger
Small notebook and pen : Small notebook and pen
Hand sanitizer and face mask : Hand sanitizer and face mask
Torchlight or headlamp : Torchlight or headlamp (if travel in outside of Kathmandu and Bokhara)
