Kathmandu is known as the city of Temples where you can observe more than a thousand temples around the valley. Kathmandu is also a city of UNESCO heritage site. There are several Stupas, ancient kingdoms, and temples. Vising some of them make your visit to Nepal more amazing and unforgettable moments. Historical place tours, mountain flights, and the experience of local food are the best things to do in kathmandu.
Unless you are driving from India, you will directly in Tribhuwan International Airport which is one and the only international airport in Nepal. Here are the 10 things that you can to and observe inside Kathmandu Valley. They are:
1. Monkey temple (Swyambhunath)
Attraction: Buddhist Stupa,
Origin Date: 5th Century BC
Reason to visit: Awesome view of Kathmandu valley and the glimpse of Buddhist tradition and culture. Also, it is enlisted in the UNESCO Heritage site
Best time: Early in the morning or the evening
Entry Price: NRP 200, $2
Swyambhunath, situated at the top of the Kathmandu valley is the best place to observe the Kathmandu Valley along with sunrise and sunset view. This temple was founded by Late King Vrsadeva, the great grandfather of King Mandev, at the beginning of the 5th century.
Climbing over 365 steps directly up, you can get a magnificent view of the city along with monkeys moving nearby you. Similarly, Shops are restaurants that are also available where you can hang out with your friends. As shops and restaurants are available, note it down not to feed monkeys and make sure to carry your equipment or foods carefully and safely. Monkeys might snatch your food or equipment.
2. Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur
Attraction: Ancient Kingdom,
Origin Date: 15th Century AD
Reason to visit: Observe the Glimpse of Pagoda Style Architecture, Kumari, Museum
Best time: Evening 5 o clock (to see the Kumari)
Entry Price: NRP 1000, $10
Durbar Squares are the focal point of the antiquated realms of Patan, Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur and all are home to significant UNESCO heritage monuments. Among all, Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the largest. All of them are unique so it is upon your choice for visiting.
Monuments are badly affected by the 2015 earthquakes. Even though local worshippers daily arrive for worshiping so visitors encourage better development and reconstruction. At present, there is no any risk while visiting this site.
3. Rickshaw ride around Thamel
Attraction: Tour
How to do it: Ask any Rickshaw driver for a ride around the Thamel area.
Duration: 30 min to 1 hour
Best time: Early in the morning or even in the day
Entry Price: Starting from NPR 200, $2
Although rickshaws are not useful in Kathmandu at present as daily transport but still somewhere in Thamel you can find some of them. (Still, they are used in various towns in the southern part of Nepal).
You can easily find rickshaws on the street of Thamel. It is awesome to travel in a rickshaw during the night. The way it runs providing fresh air during the night is amazing. I still remember the day when I ride for the first time in a rickshaw during a foggy new year night. Very poetic and atmospheric.
4. Experience the taste of local food and learn to make it (Dal Bhat/ Momo)
Food: Dalbhat- Most Popular Nepali Food, Momo – One of the top-rated snacks in Nepal
Location: 85% of the Restaurant in Thamel serves both of these dishes
Duration: 30 min to 1 hour
Price: Dalbhat (Starting from NPR 300 -$3) Momo (Starting from NPR 150 -$1.5). Price Vary according to restaurants.
For a delicious and pure taste of Dal Bhat, make sure to visit Kathmandu Kitchen in Thamel. But in the case of Momo, you can find everywhere but you can ask with locals for the authentic taste of Momo. Visit around Nursing Chowk in Thamel for a variety of Momo with delicious taste. Are you interested to learn how to cook Nepali Food?
It is truly an awesome and fun thing to cook Nepali dishes. When you get back to your own country then you can provide the taste of Nepali food through your cooking to your friends. Cooking Nepali dishes is not so hard as you think.
5. Mountain flight and explore Mount Everest
Attraction: Flight tour
How to do it: Book a mountain flight.
Duration: 1 hour
Best time: Early in the morning for stunning and crystal clear view
Entry Price: $210 per person
More than 20,000 tourists visit Nepal per year. Among them, all of them are aspiring mountaineers so why not do it the easy way? Mountain Flights or Heli Tour are the two best options for exploring the Mount Everest experiencing somehow bird view. Every morning are waiting for you to explore Mount Everest.
Mountain Flights or Heli Tour are the best options for observing the beautiful mountain vistas without trekking in Nepal. Most commercial airlines organize this tour so you don’t have to worry about this. In case if you can’t take off due to bad weather then your money will be refunded 100%.
6. Bouddhanath Stupa
Attraction: Buddhist Stupa,
Origin Date: 14th Century AD
Reason to visit: Observe the Glimpse of Buddhist tradition and culture. Also, a UNESCO Heritage site
Best time: Morning or Evening
Entry Price: NRP 200, $2
Bouddha is home to countless Tibetan exiles and the environment here is different from the remainder of the city.
Visit in the early morning or around sunset to watch many Buddhist enthusiasts circle the stupa (known as doing ‘kora’) in prayer. Numerous ladies are wearing customary Tibetan outfits and priests are unmistakable in their red and yellow robes.
Around the stupa are numerous shops selling everything from supplication dots, Tibetan music CDs to jewelry, and Thanka. There is a decent determination of eateries likewise so desire breakfast or supper and appreciate the diverse culture.
7. Pashupatinath Temple and Witness Hindu Funeral Rituals
Attraction: Hindu Temple
Origin Date: 400 AD
Reason to visit: Hindu funeral. A glimpse of Hindu Tradition and culture. Also, a UNESCO Heritage site
Best time: Throughout the year
Entry Price: NRP 1000, $10
Situated near the International airport, Pashupatinath is a complex of temples and it is one of the most visited and important temples for Hindus.
Unfortunately, only Hindus are allowed to enter inside the main temple of Pashupatinath but you are allowed to watch pilgrims, priests, and sadhus around the temple areas. Also, you can observe people bathing in the sacred Bagmati River.
When you come to the festival time, this place is very crowded and colorful. Tourists (non-Hindus) are allowed to stand opposite of the burning Ghats but you are not allowed to stand near the Ghats.
8. The Former Royal Palace – Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Attraction: Museum,
Origin Date: 1963 AD
Tips before visiting: Before visiting the palace, make sure to read about the Nepalese Royal Family massacre. Bags, mobile telephones, and cameras are not allowed inside the palace for safety measures. You are provided a lockers room for keeping your things safe.
Best time to go: 11 to 3 pm except for Wednesday and Thursday
Entry Price: NRP 500, $5
Narayanhiti Palace is located at the top of Durbar Marg. This was the palace of Late King Birendra and his family which were badly murdered in 19 Jestha 2058 Nepal B.S. This palace allows visitors to know about the lifestyle of the King before the incident took place. Even though it’s not close to as terrific also known European royal residences, this gallery permits guests a brief look at how the illustrious family lived until its fall in 2006.
9. The Garden of Dreams
Attraction: Garden
Origin Date: 1920 AD
Tips before visiting: If you have a day or 2 in Kathmandu, skip it. It is just a garden to relax from the hustling city of Kathmandu
Best time: 9 am to 10 pm
Entry Price: NRP 200, $2
In 1920, The Garden of Dreams was made by Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana and is laid out to represent the six seasons of Nepal.
Reestablished and opened to the general population in the last part of the 2000s the nursery offers an exquisite rest from the buzzing about of Thamel. There is additionally an eatery and bar run by Dwarika’s Hotel inside the nursery to guarantee your visit is significantly more charming.
10. Exploration of Kapan Monastery
Located at the north of the Buddha, on Kapan Hill, Kapan Monastery where there is the home of the 360 monks, lamas, teachers, and workers. Here you can study the Buddha Shakya Muni. Also, many tourists visit this place for retreat, pilgrimage, study, and meditation which helps to avoid tension.
If you don’t mind note that the religious community doesn’t empower day guests so please additionally reach them legitimately if you wish to visit for the day as it were.
Finally, there are many other things to do in Kathmandu while you are on holiday. These places and activities are the best choices of travelers for exploration.