Many travelers, especially those seeking spiritual enlightenment, often ask: “How much does it cost to go to Pashupatinath from USA?” The famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year, thousands of devotees, yogis, spiritual seekers, and international tourists visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many travelers, especially those seeking spiritual enlightenment, often ask: “How much does it cost to go to Pashupatinath from USA?” The famous Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Every year, thousands of devotees, yogis, spiritual seekers, and international tourists visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For travelers from the United States, planning a trip to Pashupatinath involves airfare, accommodation, food, visas, transportation, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses. Understanding these costs beforehand will help you budget your trip effectively.
In this detailed guide, we will break down all possible costs associated with visiting Pashupatinath Temple from the USA—covering flights, travel insurance, Nepal visa fees, hotel stays, food, local transportation, entry fees, and hidden expenses.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of the total cost of traveling to Pashupatinath from USA, along with tips to save money, recommended itineraries, and insights into the cultural significance of this sacred journey.
Before diving into the cost, let’s understand why this temple is such a major attraction.
Spiritual Importance: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees believe that visiting here grants blessings and liberation.
Cultural Heritage: As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple showcases traditional Nepali art, architecture, and rituals.
Religious Rituals: Witnessing cremation ceremonies on the Bagmati River, observing sadhus (Hindu holy men), and experiencing daily prayers is spiritually moving.
Proximity to the Himalayas: Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes add to the charm of the pilgrimage.
Airfare is the largest portion of your budget. Since there are no direct flights from the USA to Kathmandu, you will need at least one stopover in cities like Doha, Istanbul, or Delhi.
Economy Class Airfare: $900 – $1,600 (round trip, depending on season and airline)
Premium Economy: $1,500 – $2,300
Business Class: $3,000 – $5,000+
Major Airlines Flying to Kathmandu (KTM) from USA:
Qatar Airways (via Doha)
Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul)
Emirates (via Dubai)
Singapore Airlines (via Singapore)
Air India (via Delhi)
United + Codeshare Partners
Tips to Save on Flights:
Book 3–5 months in advance for cheaper deals.
Use flight aggregator sites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Kayak.
Avoid peak travel seasons (Feb–March during Maha Shivaratri, and October–November festival season) when fares are highest.
Estimated Airfare Cost: $1,200 – $1,800 (most travelers fall into this range).
To enter Nepal, US citizens require a visa. Thankfully, Nepal offers visas on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu).
Visa Options:
15 Days – $30
30 Days – $50
90 Days – $125
Recommended: For most spiritual or leisure trips, a 15-day or 30-day visa is sufficient.
Estimated Visa Cost: $50
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for Nepal trips, covering:
Medical emergencies
Flight delays or cancellations
Lost baggage
Emergency evacuation
Cost Range: $80 – $200 (depending on duration and coverage).
Estimated Insurance Cost: $100
Kathmandu offers a wide range of options:
Budget Hotels / Guesthouses: $10 – $25 per night
Mid-Range Hotels: $35 – $70 per night
Luxury Hotels: $120 – $250 per night
Best Areas to Stay Near Pashupatinath:
Gaushala (closest to the temple, budget to mid-range stays)
Thamel (tourist hub, lots of hotels, food, and nightlife, 20 mins away)
Recommended Average Stay: 5–7 days
Estimated Accommodation Cost:
Budget Traveler: $70 – $150 for 7 nights
Mid-Range Traveler: $250 – $450 for 7 nights
Luxury Traveler: $800 – $1,500+ for 7 nights
Nepal is budget-friendly when it comes to food.
Street Food & Local Eateries: $2 – $5 per meal
Mid-Range Restaurants: $8 – $15 per meal
Luxury Dining / International Restaurants: $20 – $50 per meal
Estimated Daily Food Cost: $15 – $40
Total for 7 days: $100 – $300
Taxi (Airport to Pashupatinath): $5 – $10
Taxi around Kathmandu: $2 – $5 per ride
Tourist Bus for Day Trips (Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot): $10 – $20
Private Car Rental with Driver: $40 – $60 per day
Estimated Transportation Cost: $50 – $150
Pashupatinath Temple Entry for Foreigners: NPR 1,000 (around $8)
Other Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley: $5 – $15 each (Patan, Bhaktapur, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath)
Donations & Rituals: Depends on personal preference ($5 – $50)
Estimated Cost for Cultural Sites: $40 – $100
Souvenirs: $20 – $100
SIM Card (Ncell or Nepal Telecom): $10 – $20 for data plan
Extra Snacks, Tips, Unexpected Costs: $50+
Expense Category | Budget Traveler | Mid-Range Traveler | Luxury Traveler |
---|---|---|---|
Airfare | $1,200 | $1,500 | $3,500+ |
Visa | $50 | $50 | $50 |
Insurance | $80 | $100 | $150+ |
Accommodation (7 days) | $120 | $350 | $1,200+ |
Food | $100 | $200 | $400+ |
Transportation | $50 | $100 | $200+ |
Entry Fees & Donations | $40 | $80 | $150+ |
Miscellaneous | $50 | $100 | $300+ |
Total Cost (Approx.) | $1,690 | $2,480 | $6,000+ |
So, the answer to “How much does it cost to go to Pashupatinath from USA?” is:
?? Budget Traveler: Around $1,700
?? Mid-Range Traveler: Around $2,500
?? Luxury Traveler: $6,000 or more
Season of Travel
High season (Oct–Nov & Feb–Mar) = Expensive flights & hotels
Low season (May–Sept) = Cheaper flights & discounts
Duration of Stay
Longer trips increase accommodation & food costs.
Choice of Airlines & Class
Economy vs. Business Class makes a massive difference.
Type of Accommodation
Guesthouse vs. 5-star luxury resort.
Planned Activities
Cultural tours, side trips to Pokhara or Nagarkot, trekking, etc.
Day 1: Fly from USA → Arrive in Kathmandu → Check into hotel → Evening visit to Boudhanath Stupa.
Day 2: Visit Pashupatinath Temple (morning aarti, darshan, explore surroundings).
Day 3: Day trip to Bhaktapur & Patan.
Day 4: Relax & cultural sightseeing in Thamel + shopping.
Day 5: Nagarkot sunrise trip.
Day 6: Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square & Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple).
Day 7: Final darshan at Pashupatinath → Fly back to USA.
Book flights early for cheaper fares.
Stay in budget guesthouses near Pashupatinath.
Eat at local restaurants instead of high-end tourist spots.
Use local taxis & buses instead of private cars.
Travel in off-season for major discounts.
Only Hindus are allowed inside the main temple sanctum, but non-Hindus can explore the surrounding areas.
Dress modestly (cover shoulders and legs).
Photography is restricted in certain temple areas.
Always remove shoes before entering temple premises.
So, How much does it cost to go to Pashupatinath from USA?
?? On average, $1,700 – $2,500 for most travelers (7-day trip). Luxury seekers may spend $6,000+.
Visiting Pashupatinath is not just about the money—it’s about spiritual connection, cultural exploration, and a life-changing journey. Whether you are a pilgrim seeking blessings of Lord Shiva or a traveler exploring Nepal’s heritage, this sacred trip is worth every dollar spent.
If you are planning your journey, budget wisely, book flights early, and immerse yourself fully in the spiritual aura of Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal.