Trek Guide
A local guide to Kathmandu: how many days you need, the 10 essential sights with entry fees, a workable 3-day plan, Thamel vs Patan, street food…
By Sunita Pandey · Apr 21, 2026
Kathmandu overwhelms first-timers, and it is meant to. Three medieval royal cities, the holiest Hindu temple in the country and the spiritual centre of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet all sit within a single dusty, honking, incense-scented valley. I have…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Three days is the honest minimum to see Kathmandu Valley properly. Two days feels rushed; four days gives you space to slow down and explore Patan and Bhaktapur without a clock. If you're using Kathmandu only as a gateway to trekking , one intensive day…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Nepal's most sacred Hindu site, built on the banks of the Bagmati River. The cremation ghats are open to visitors (respectful distance only) — witnessing a cremation is a profound and sobering experience that reframes everything else in Nepal. Entry for…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The largest stupa in Nepal and the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet. The surrounding neighborhood is full of Tibetan monasteries, prayer wheel shops, and good coffee. Walk the kora (clockwise circumambulation) with pilgrims at dawn or dusk…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The hilltop stupa west of Thamel — 365 steps up, with rhesus macaques everywhere. The 360-degree valley view justifies the climb. Go early morning for the best light. Entry NPR 200.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The finest medieval architecture in the Kathmandu Valley, 30 minutes from Thamel by taxi. The three palaces and 55+ temples around the square are UNESCO-listed. Spend at least two hours here. Entry NPR 1,000 (includes access to the Patan Museum — don't skip…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
A half-day trip east of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Asia — most of it survived the 2015 earthquake intact. The Nyatapola Temple (5-storey pagoda), the 55-Window Palace, and the pottery square are the highlights. Entry…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Nepal's oldest temple (4th century AD), on a hilltop above Bhaktapur. Rarely crowded even in peak season. The carvings here predate anything in Kathmandu's main squares. Worth combining with Bhaktapur for a full day out.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
A working Tibetan Buddhist monastery on a hill north of Boudhanath. Open to visitors; meditation courses available (book months in advance). The views over the valley at sunset are remarkable.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The historic core of old Kathmandu, with the Kumari Chowk (home of the living goddess), Kasthamandap (the city's namesake), and Taleju Temple. Significantly damaged in 2015 but reconstruction is ongoing. Entry NPR 1,000. Go on a weekday morning to avoid…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The beating commercial heart of old Kathmandu — a daily wholesale spice and grocery bazaar that has operated continuously since the 7th century. Free, chaotic, and completely alive. Walk from Thamel through the old city lanes to get here.
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
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