Overview
Asan Bazaar has been the commercial heart of Kathmandu for over a thousand years — a dense web of market lanes where merchants sell spices, grains, dried herbs, incense, and Himalayan tea from overflowing sacks and shallow baskets. The smells alone are worth the visit: fresh-ground timur (Sichuan pepper), sun-dried turmeric, whole cardamom, black mustard seed, and the woody-sweet fragrance of dried bay leaves from the hills.
This intimate 2-hour walk is guided by a local tea and spice specialist who has worked in the market for years. You'll learn to smell and identify a dozen Himalayan spices, understand how each is used in Nepali cooking, taste three varieties of Nepali tea — from the delicate first-flush Ilam to the robust Terai black — and visit a family spice merchant who has traded in this bazaar for four generations. A small curated spice and tea tasting pack is included to take home.
What You'll Discover
- Asan Bazaar — 1,000 years of trade in the heart of old Kathmandu
- Smell and identify 10+ Himalayan spices: timur, jimbu, large cardamom, and more
- Taste 3 varieties of Nepali tea: Ilam first-flush, Himalayan green, Terai black
- Visit a four-generation family spice merchant in their original shop
- Learn which spices to buy and where to find the best quality
- Take-home spice and tea tasting pack included
Itinerary
Meet at Asan Chowk — Introduction
Meet your guide at the central Asan intersection — the crossroads of Kathmandu's ancient trading routes. Brief history of the market and the spice trade before entering the lanes.
The Spice Lane Walk
Walk through the spice merchants' section of Asan — your guide opens sacks and packets for you to smell, taste (where appropriate), and identify. Focus on the spices unique to Nepal: timur (Nepali Sichuan pepper), jimbu (dried Himalayan herb), large black cardamom, and the varieties of chilli that define regional Nepali cuisine.
The Family Spice Merchant
Visit to a four-generation spice trading family in their original shop — hear the history of the business, see how spices are graded and blended, and learn which products are worth buying as gifts.
Nepali Tea Tasting
Sit down at a specialist tea trader's counter for a guided tasting of three Nepali teas: a delicate Ilam first-flush (Nepal's finest), a Himalayan green tea, and a robust Terai black. Your guide explains the growing regions, harvest seasons, and how to brew each correctly.
Take-Home Pack & Buying Guide
Receive your curated take-home spice and tea tasting pack. Your guide advises on the best stalls for quality buying, fair prices, and what to avoid in tourist-oriented shops.
End of Tour — Free Market Time
Tour ends at Asan — free time to browse and buy independently with the confidence of knowing what you're looking for.
Includes & Excludes
✓ Included
- Expert local spice and tea guide (2 hours)
- All spice tastings
- Nepali tea tasting (3 varieties)
- Curated take-home spice & tea pack
✕ Excluded
- Additional purchases at the market
- Tips for guide
- Transport to/from Asan (15 min walk from Thamel)
Tour Photos
Cancellation Policy
| Notice Period | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more | 90% refunded |
| 45 – 59 days | 75% refunded |
| 30 – 44 days | 50% refunded |
| 15 – 29 days | 25% refunded |
| 14 days or fewer | No refund |
| No show | No refund |