Best Time to Visit
October to December (clear skies, mountain views, post-monsoon) and March to May (warm, pre-monsoon, rhododendron blooms)
Language
Nepali (English spoken in tourist areas, Newari in old Kathmandu)
Currency
Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
Time Zone
NPT (UTC+5:45)
Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), 6 km from city center
Population
1.4 million (city proper), 5 million (Kathmandu Valley)
Climate
Warm temperate, avg 2-30°C across seasons, monsoon June-September
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — very welcoming to tourists, watch for altitude sickness on treks
Famous For
Gateway to Everest and Himalayan trekking, UNESCO Durbar Squares, Buddhist and Hindu heritage
One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Entry: 400 NPR (~$3) for foreigners. The massive white dome with all-seeing Buddha eyes is surrounded by monasteries and rooftop cafes. Best at dusk when monks perform kora (circumambulation). Allow 1.5-2 hours.
A 2,500-year-old Buddhist stupa atop a hill west of Kathmandu with panoramic valley views and hundreds of mischievous monkeys. Entry: 200 NPR (~$1.50) for foreigners. Climb 365 steps to the top. The golden spire with painted all-seeing eyes is Nepal's most recognizable symbol. Best at sunrise. Allow 1.5 hours.
A UNESCO World Heritage palace square with Newari-style temples, palaces, and courtyards dating from the 12th-18th centuries. Entry: 1,000 NPR (~$7.50) for foreigners (valid for multiple visits with a letter from the tourist office). Some structures were damaged in the 2015 earthquake but restoration is ongoing. The Kumari Ghar (Living Goddess palace) is here. Allow 2-3 hours.
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple complex on the Bagmati River, where open-air cremation ceremonies take place along the ghats. Free to observe from the east bank (temple interior: Hindus only). Open 4AM-9PM. The evening aarti ceremony is moving. Sadhus (holy men) pose for photos for tips (100-200 NPR). Allow 1.5-2 hours.
Kathmandu's tourist hub packed with trekking gear shops, rooftop restaurants, bookshops, and live music bars. Free to explore. Buy trekking gear here (quality varies — inspect carefully) at 50-70% of Western prices. Try momos (Nepali dumplings) at Yangling or Gilingche (150-300 NPR for a plate). The narrow streets buzz from morning to midnight.
A hilltop village 32 km east of Kathmandu offering panoramic views of the Himalayan range including Everest on clear days. Free to view from hotels and viewpoints. Tower entry: 50 NPR. Best at sunrise (5-6AM). Taxi from Kathmandu costs 3,000-4,000 NPR (~$22-30) one-way. Many visitors stay overnight. Allow half day or overnight trip.
A more intimate and arguably more beautiful alternative to Kathmandu's Durbar Square, across the Bagmati River in Lalitpur. Entry: 1,000 NPR (~$7.50) for foreigners. The Patan Museum inside the old royal palace is Nepal's finest museum (included in entry). The surrounding Newari streets with metalwork and woodcarving workshops are enchanting. Allow 2-3 hours.
Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Pre-paid taxi to Thamel (600-800 NPR). Check into hotel in Thamel — the tourist hub with trekking shops, restaurants, and bookstores.
Pre-paid taxi to Thamel(30 minutes)
Use the pre-paid counter inside the airport. 600-800 NPR (~$4.50-6). Or Pathao app for fair pricing
Thamel evening walk(2 hours)
Browse trekking gear shops, bookstores, and handicraft stalls. Buy a singing bowl (~1,500-5,000 NPR) or pashmina scarf (~500-2,000 NPR). The narrow streets buzz from morning to midnight
Dinner at OR2K(1 hour)
Israeli-Nepali vegetarian restaurant on Mandala Street. Thali ~400 NPR, hummus plate ~350 NPR. Sit on floor cushions. Popular with travelers
Medieval temple squares and the Living Goddess.
Kathmandu Durbar Square(2.5 hours)
1,000 NPR (~$7.50) for foreigners (valid for multiple visits with letter from tourist office). Newari temples, palaces, courtyards from 12th-18th centuries. The Kumari Ghar houses the Living Goddess — she occasionally appears at the window. Some 2015 earthquake damage, restoration ongoing
Old Kathmandu walking tour(1.5 hours)
Wander the backstreets behind Durbar Square — Indra Chowk (bead market), Asan Tole (spice market), and Makhan Tole. Vibrant, chaotic, and deeply atmospheric. Free to walk — or hire a guide (~1,500 NPR)
Lunch at Yangling(45 minutes)
Near Thamel. Famous for momos (Nepali dumplings). Buff (buffalo) momos ~200 NPR for a plate. Steamed or fried. The chili achar (dipping sauce) is fiery
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) sunset(1.5 hours)
200 NPR entry (foreigners). 2,500-year-old Buddhist stupa atop a hill. 365 steps up. All-seeing Buddha eyes on the golden spire. Panoramic valley views. Monkeys everywhere — guard your food. Best at sunset when the golden light hits the stupa
The two most sacred sites — Buddhism and Hinduism side by side.
Boudhanath Stupa(2 hours)
400 NPR. One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. Join the monks and pilgrims performing kora (circumambulation) — walk clockwise. The rooftop cafes overlooking the stupa are perfect for contemplation. Best at dusk when butter lamps are lit
Lunch at Garden Kitchen(1 hour)
Near Boudhanath. Nepali thali ~350 NPR, coffee ~150 NPR. Peaceful garden setting after the stupa's spiritual intensity
Pashupatinath Temple(1.5 hours)
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple complex. Free to observe from the east bank (inner temple: Hindus only). Open-air cremation ceremonies along the Bagmati River ghats. Sadhus pose for photos (100-200 NPR tips). The evening aarti is moving. Open 4AM-9PM
Dinner at Bhojan Griha(2 hours)
Traditional Newari feast in a 150-year-old restored palace. Set menu ~1,800 NPR. Cultural dance performance included. 6-course Newari meal with tongba (hot millet beer). Book ahead
The more intimate, arguably more beautiful alternative across the Bagmati River.
Patan Durbar Square(2.5 hours)
1,000 NPR (~$7.50). The Patan Museum in the old royal palace is Nepal's finest museum (included in entry). Newari metalwork and woodcarving workshops surround the square. Less crowded and better maintained than Kathmandu's Durbar Square
Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar)(30 minutes)
50 NPR. A 12th-century Buddhist monastery with gold-plated facade, intricate metalwork, and a courtyard of silence. Hidden in the backstreets of Patan. No leather items allowed inside
Lunch at Cafe Swotha(1 hour)
In a restored Newari heritage building near Patan Durbar Square. Newari set meal ~600 NPR. Beautiful courtyard. The social enterprise supports heritage restoration
Metalwork and woodcarving workshops(1.5 hours)
Walk the streets around Patan for working artisans — thangka painters, bronze casters, and woodcarvers. Watch them work. Small metal Buddha statues from 500 NPR. The craft tradition is centuries old
Pre-dawn drive for Himalayan panoramas, then a restful afternoon.
Pre-dawn drive to Nagarkot(1.5 hours)
32 km east. Taxi 3,000-4,000 NPR one-way. Depart 4:30AM. Or stay overnight at a Nagarkot guesthouse (1,500-3,000 NPR)
Nagarkot sunrise over the Himalayas(1.5 hours)
Free from viewpoints. Tower entry 50 NPR. On clear days, see Everest, Langtang, and Ganesh Himal ranges. The sunrise illuminating snow peaks from 2,100m is unforgettable. Oct-Nov and Feb-Apr are clearest
Rest afternoon(3 hours)
Sleep, read, or get a massage. Massage parlors in Thamel from 1,000 NPR/hour
Dinner at Rosemary Kitchen(1 hour)
Thamel. Excellent Nepali and Italian food. Dal bhat ~350 NPR, pasta ~400 NPR. Reliable and popular
The best-preserved medieval city in the Kathmandu Valley.
Bus or taxi to Bhaktapur(45 minutes)
14 km east. Local bus 25-50 NPR from Ratna Park. Taxi 1,000-1,500 NPR. Entry: 1,500 NPR (foreigners), valid for the duration of your stay
Bhaktapur Durbar Square(2 hours)
The most atmospheric of the three Durbar Squares. The 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, and Nyatapola Temple (tallest in the valley) are masterpieces. Potter's Square nearby has working artisans. Less touristed and more authentic than Kathmandu
Juju Dhau (King of Yogurt)(15 minutes)
Bhaktapur's famous creamy yogurt served in clay cups. 50-100 NPR. Available everywhere in Bhaktapur. Rich, sweet, and unlike any yogurt you've had
Lunch at Cafe Nyatapola(1 hour)
On the upper floor of the Nyatapola Temple pagoda. Newari food with square views. Momo set ~400 NPR. Unbeatable location
Taumadhi Square and Dattatreya Square walk(1.5 hours)
Two more temple squares in Bhaktapur. The Peacock Window in Dattatreya Square is Nepal's most famous woodcarving
Final morning and airport transfer.
Last momos for breakfast at Gilingche(30 minutes)
Near Thamel. Tibetan momos 150-250 NPR. Perfect farewell breakfast
Last-minute trekking gear or souvenir shopping(1 hour)
Singing bowls, thangka paintings, Rudraksha malas, trekking gear. Thamel prices are negotiable — start at 50% of asking
Transfer to Tribhuvan Airport(30 minutes)
Pre-paid taxi 600-800 NPR. KTM is just 6 km from Thamel. Allow 2.5 hours before international flights — airport is chaotic
Most nationalities (including US, UK, EU, Australia) get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan Airport: 15-day ($30), 30-day ($50), 90-day ($125). Bring passport photos and USD cash for fastest processing. Indian citizens enter visa-free with valid ID. Online visa application at immigration.gov.np speeds up the process.
Use the pre-paid taxi counter inside the airport (600-800 NPR to Thamel, ~$4.50-6). Within the city, use Pathao or InDrive apps for fair pricing (rides cost 100-300 NPR). Walking is best in Thamel and the old city. For trips to Nagarkot or Bhaktapur, negotiate a taxi for the day (3,000-5,000 NPR / ~$22-37). Traffic is chaotic — budget extra time.
A dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, and vegetable curries — unlimited refills at most restaurants) costs 250-500 NPR (~$1.90-3.75). Momos (dumplings) cost 150-300 NPR. A budget guesthouse room costs 1,000-2,500 NPR/night. You can comfortably travel on $20-30/day excluding trekking permits. Mid-range: $40-60/day.
All major treks require TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card (2,000 NPR / ~$15) and national park/conservation area permits (3,000-5,000 NPR depending on the area). For Everest Base Camp, you need a Sagarmatha National Park permit ($30) plus TIMS. Get all permits at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu.
Power outages are common — bring a headlamp and portable charger. Most transactions are cash-only outside major hotels. ATMs in Thamel (Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered) accept international cards but have 35,000-50,000 NPR withdrawal limits. Carry enough cash for multi-day treks — there are no ATMs on mountain trails.
If trekking above 2,500m, acclimatize properly — ascend no more than 300-500m per day above 3,000m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Diamox (acetazolamide) is available over the counter in Thamel pharmacies for ~200 NPR. Never ascend with symptoms. Helicopter evacuation insurance is strongly recommended — a rescue costs $3,000-5,000.
Book treks only through agencies registered with the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB). Ask to see their NTB license number. Cheap quotes often mean underpaid guides and poor safety equipment. Reputable agencies for Everest Base Camp: Nepal Hiking Team, Adventure Great Himalaya, or Highland Expeditions. A 14-day EBC trek costs $1,200-2,500 per person all-inclusive.
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