8 Market Tours in Nepal Worth Booking

1.Kathmandu Secret Food Crawl & Local Market Tour

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

Meet at Chhaya Devi Complex and follow an English-speaking guide, often Santosh, through Thamel and Ason Bazar. Sample at least five foods and drinks, including Newari dishes, momos, laphing, pani puri, lassi, and more, while learning about Kathmandu’s customs, faiths, and daily life.

“Great tour! Had some complications with timings as I had a meeting for a trek soon after the tour. The guide was very understanding and worked around my timings so I was able to get to my meeting. Had great coverasations about lots of topics including geo politics and the local culture. I tried lots of different food from places you would struggle to find as a visitor in Kathmandu. Highly Recommend.”

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2.Kathmandu Food Crawl & Market Tour

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

Start at Chhaya Devi Complex in Thamel and walk toward Ason Bazaar, stopping at local food stalls for at least five foods and drinks. Guides such as Santosh and Manoj add context about Kathmandu’s culture, markets, and daily life. The two-hour tour ends where it begins.

“The tour started off excellently, with the guide arriving well ahead of time and being very friendly. From the beginning of the walk, there was plenty of explanation given about the city and its diverse cultures, making the experience both informative and engaging. During the walk, we visited places that would otherwise be difficult for tourists to find. These hidden spots offered a unique perspective on the city and added deeper meaning to the tour. One of the highlights of the tour was tasting various local dishes. The diversity of the dishes was remarkable, and each dish had its own character that beautifully reflected the local flavors. The food was…”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $30

Start with a guided market visit, then cook Nepali dishes with local cooks in a small Thamel kitchen. Ingredients, snacks, and a full meal are included. Groups are capped at eight, with vegetarian and vegan options available 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 Kathmandu’s Ason Bazar and nearby lanes. You’ll sample at least five local foods and drinks, learn about Newar traditions, and see the market through an English-speaking guide’s local perspective.

“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

Start at Chhaya Devi Complex in Thamel and walk through Ason’s old market streets to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Your English-speaking guide explains Hindu and Buddhist traditions and introduces the Kumari, Nepal’s living goddess. Santos is one guide associated with this experience.

“Great tour with Santos.. excellent communicator, extremely knowledgeable and all round great day.. 🙏”

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6.Oldest Local Market Walking Tour with Living Goddess Kumari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $40

Meet at Chhaya Devi Complex for a two-hour walk through Thamel and Ason Bazaar, then visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Kumari Chowk. Your English-speaking guide explains the market, temples, and Kumari tradition. The group is limited to 20 people, with monument entry paid separately.

“Seeing the Kumari is a really special experience, expert guide through the market and Kathmandu Durbar Square, an ideal tour to begin to orientate yourself in the city.”

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

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

Meet an English-speaking chef in Thamel, visit a local market, and prepare four traditional Nepali and Newari dishes in a small group of up to eight. Choose from three menus, adjust the spice, make sure momos are included, then eat each course while it is hot.

“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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8.Local Bazaar Walking Tour in Kathmandu with Professional Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $100

Spend about three and a half hours with a private guide in Kathmandu’s Asan and Indra Chowk bazaars, then visit Kathmandu Durbar Square. Expect narrow lanes, brass and copper wares, spices, temples, wedding ornaments, and a traditional Nepali lunch at your own cost. Hotel transport is included.

“Great introduction to Kathmandu. Bharat was a very knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended to anyone.”

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