Where is Kopan Monastery?

Kopan Monastery is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.

What is the altitude of Kopan Monastery?

About 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above sea level.

How much does it cost to visit Kopan Monastery?

Kopan Monastery is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.

How many days do I need for Kopan Monastery?

Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.

Do I need a permit or ticket for Kopan Monastery?

No special permit or ticket is normally needed.

How do I get to Kopan Monastery?

20–30 minutes by taxi north of Boudhanath. It is about 5 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.

Kopan Monastery

Name: Kopan Monastery
Address: Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, NP

Monastery Pahad1 min readUpdated: October 2026

In Nepali: कोपन गुम्बा

Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu — Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A hilltop Tibetan Buddhist monastery north of Boudha, known worldwide for its meditation courses.

Kopan was founded in 1969 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and it has taught Buddhist philosophy and meditation to Westerners ever since. Several hundred monks study here, and a nunnery stands on a nearby hill.

Visitors are welcome to walk the gardens and join short introductory sessions; the month-long November course is famous. The views over the valley are superb.

What to see and do

Walk the gardens and stupas, visit the main gompa with its murals and statues, and join a short introductory meditation or Buddhism session if available. The bookshop and café are pleasant, and the hilltop view takes in Boudhanath and the whole valley.

Good to know

Dress modestly and keep quiet near study and prayer areas. Residential courses need advance booking. Visiting hours can be limited during retreats.

Quick answers

Where is Kopan Monastery?: Kopan Monastery is in Kathmandu district, Bagmati Province, in the Pahad belt of Nepal.
What is the altitude of Kopan Monastery?: About 1,400 m (4,593 ft) above sea level.
How much does it cost to visit Kopan Monastery?: Kopan Monastery is in or right next to Kathmandu, so it is an easy day visit. Budget for a taxi there and back (about NPR 600–1,500, US$5–11) and meals (NPR 1,000–2,500, US$8–19 per person). If you stay in Kathmandu, rooms cost about NPR 1,500 / US$11–NPR 4,500 / US$33 a night.
How many days do I need for Kopan Monastery?: Half a day to a full day is enough; it is a short ride from central Kathmandu.
Do I need a permit or ticket for Kopan Monastery?: No special permit or ticket is normally needed.
When is the best time to visit Kopan Monastery?: Year-round
How do I get to Kopan Monastery?: 20–30 minutes by taxi north of Boudhanath. It is about 5 km (straight line) from Kathmandu.
What is Kopan Monastery called in Nepali?: कोपन गुम्बा