Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. It lies in the Bagmati province of Nepal. It is the most populated and crowded city which is famous for its countless activities and places to explore during your stay in Nepal. The holy temple, shrines, stupas, sample regional food, and hiking through national parks, are some of the popular attractions of the city.
The amazing and thriving nightlife of Thamel is perfect for partygoers where they can enjoy drinks and vibe in their favorite music. The clear weather from October through December has attracted many foreigners to the city. The most significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath lies on the bank of the Bagmati River.
Similarly, Durbar Square is home to many temples and other structures that are of the 12th century and is a must-visit place located in the heart of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is a world heritage site popular for its scenic beauty and cultural importance is another stop to visit when you are in the valley. Kathmandu has stood up again after the devastating earthquake of 2015 which collapsed many ancient stupas, temples, and homes including, Dharahara, the tallest tower in Nepal.
Kathmandu Valley is ranked as the best destination to visit in Nepal and offers temples, shrines, monasteries, shopping malls, a variety of restaurants and cafes, different scenic hiking routes, historic museums, and so on. Besides this, the city is quite dusty in the summer season, so wearing a mask and sunglasses helps you to deal with the scorching sun and dusty environment. Our company Mystic Adventure Holiday, Kathmandu day tour where you will be introduced briefly to the valley for the day. Contact us for more information about the tour.
Mountain flight
Kathmandu operates flight tours to mountains like Mount Everest, Mount Annapurna, Mount Machhapuchhare, etc. It is a unique opportunity to fly above the mountains and witness the majestic view of the mountains up close. If you are in Kathmandu, book your flight to eight of the world's tallest peaks over 8,000 meters including, Mount Everest. We offer Everest mountain flights in Nepal with our professional and certified guides.
You can fly over the clouds and get a close-up view of tall mountains in the world. The flight from Kathmandu only takes 50 minutes to reach the summit of Mount Everest. You can enjoy the bird's eye view of other notable Himalayan peaks from the flight while enjoying the thrilling journey of life.
You can only enjoy this opportunity once you enter Nepal and the peak months for flight tours are February through April and October through November. We offer the Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with Kala Patthar Landing, Annapurna Base Camp Helicopter Tour, Muktinath Helicopter Tour with Landing, and Gosaikunda Lake Heli Tour, donot hesitate to contact us to book these flights.
City Major attraction exploration
Kathmandu has four world heritage sites with combined grandeur, spirituality, culture, and legacy, tourism has flourished in Nepal. Some of the major attractions of the city are:
- Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath is commonly known as the Monkey Temple because monkeys have lived in this stupa for over a century. The word Swayambhu means self-sprung and it is a Hindu name. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites and its iconic dome and Buddha’s “ All-Seeing Eyes” on top dominate the city while offering the best panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley.
The prayer flags and whirling prayer wheel offer a sense of spirituality and peace. It is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. The entrance fee for foreigners is NPR 200 per person, SAARC nationals is only NPR50 per person while locals and children under the age of 10 are permitted to enter free of cost.
- Bouddhanath Stupa
Boudhanath is also known as Bouddha, Khasti Chaitya, and Khāsa Chaitya. Bouddhanath is a sacred religious stupa, and it is one of the largest Spherical Stupa in Nepal as well as of the World. The dome, topped by a square tower, offers the watchful eyes of Lord Buddha.
Due to its cultural treasure and tranquil ambiance, it attracts tourists as well as many locals. The monasteries, Souvenir shops, Boudhha garden, and Tibetan artifacts shops surround the Bouddhanath Stupa. The stupa is considered as the tomb of Kassapa Buddha and you can see more than 50 gompas around the Bouddha. It costs NPR 400 per foreigner per person and NPR 100 for SAARC nationals per person to enter the stupa.
- Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Nepal. It is located beside the sacred Bagmati River and is popular as a temple of Lord Shiva. It was also enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
The Pashupatinath temple was built in pagoda-style architecture and attracts visitors from all around the World. You can see the cremation of dead bodies on the shore of the Bagmati River. The temple also features other popular temples like the Vaishnava temple complex, Rama Temple, and the Guhyeshwari Temple.
It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was built. However, according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, the deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati. Pashupatinath Temple's existence is recorded as early as 400 CE.
Visitors from all around the world come to celebrate the Maha Shivaratri in the Pashupatinath. The temple is popular for celebrating the Teej festival of Nepal. You need to pay NPR 1000 per person to all the foreigners and SAARC national individuals.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square is renowned as Hanuman Dhoka or Basantapur, because Lord Hanuman was regarded as the protector of the entire palace. It was one of the famous trading hubs between Tibet and India, and as of now, it is used for the preservation of the traditional architecture of Newari artists and former rulers of the Royal Palace.
Some of the major attractions of Durbar Square areHanuman Dhoka, Degutale Temple, Taleju Temple, Nasal Chowk, Nine-Story Basantapur Tower, Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, Mul Chowk, Mohan Chowk, Sundari Chowk, Tribhuvan Museum, King Mahendra Memorial Museum, Kal Bhairav Temple, Kumari Ghar, etc. If you are of SAARC national, you need to pay NPR 150 per person for entry and NPR 1000 per person for all foreigners.
- Participate in Outdoor activities
Kathmandu offers a variety of outdoor activities which are worth your time and money. You can dive into the following experience while you are at Valley.
- Rock climbing
Kathmandu is an overly populated city and is located in the center of two hills. Rock climbing on the natural cliffs of Pharping and Nagarjun hills is a unique way to avoid the chaos of a busy city. This is a perfect adventure for nature and adventure sports enthusiasts. For those who are not prepared mentally for natural cliff climbing, you can choose indoor wall climbing in the Thamel.
- River rafting
River rafting in Nepal is a heart-pounding and thrilling adventure that will be done at the Trishuli River. The swift-moving water currents help you float above the water surface in a short amount of time. It is an exciting wild adventure that is done under the guidance of professional rafters.
Donot miss your chance to explore the wild water current when you are at the Kathmandu Valley. There are a variety of rafting agencies in Nepal, so make sure to choose a reliable and certified one for your safety. We can also arrange rafting services by collaborating with them. We offer rafting in water resources like the Karnali River, Upper Seti River, Kali Gandaki River, Marshyangdi River, and Trishuli River.
- Mountain biking
There are numerous trails for mountain biking in the nearby hills of the Kathmandu Valley. You can get the most out of mountain biking by looking down at the slopes and the mountain in all its jewels. You can contact bike rentals and mountain biking companies for your adventure and these agencies are available in every corner of the Thamel.
- Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping is one of the most popular ways to relax while visiting the Kathmandu Valley. If you want to experience the thrilling moment then you can book a bungee jumping in the 160-meter-deep jungle valley of the Bhotekoshi river. The popular company, The Cliff will help you do bungee jumping at Kushma, Parbat, and the last resort in the Bhotekoshi River Gorge. You can also visit their office located in the Thamel to book an adventure package.
Hike in the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley
Hiking is a great way to get away from the day-to-day noise and chaos of city life. There are many places in Kathmandu Valley where you can enjoy hiking. Hiking in the Shivapuri National Park is the best option as it is located in the Northern part of the Kathmandu valley.
The National Park offers a unique and relaxing hike in Baghdwar and Bishnudwar which is the origin of the sacred rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati. Two more places to visit during the hike in this par is Jamacho Gumba and Dadagau. Other popular hikes like Ranikot Day Hike, Champadevi Hike, Kakani Hike, and Chisapani Hike are near the beautiful valley of Kathmandu. During hiking, you can also spot some extinct birds living in their habitat.
Explore Cafes and restaurants
Kathmandu is one of the places that is loaded from local cafes to five-star hotels and lodges. The national food, Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari served with lamb curry, pork, or fish and pickles comes in the set and is a must-try whenever you visit Nepal. The Nepali set is filled with flavors, balanced diet is inexpensive, appetizing, and filling.
Kathmandu is famous for its local as well as street foods. The addition of organic ingredients in Nepalese food makes it the perfect source of energy. If you are in Ason and Newroad, you can try a variety of street foods like Lassi, fried pagodas, Chatpat, sausage fry, laphing, kulfi, etc.
Thamel is another spot for your next food hunt journey as it has a wide variety of restaurants and cafes that serve cuisine from all around the world such as Indian, Chinese, Italian, and other Asian. You can also hang out with your friends and family in the coffee shops or read a book. In many hidden spots in Kathmandu, you can find great, traditional Nepali food like Dal-Bhat and Gundruk Dhido. Some of the popular restaurants and coffee shops found in Kathmandu are given below:
- Himalayan Java
Himalayan Java is famous for its organic bean coffee. You can enjoy your coffee with available items like pancakes, croissants, pastries, and breakfast. Himalayan Java is located in Mandala streets of Thamel, Tridevi Sadak Thamel, Lazimpat, Durbar Mall, Chhaya Centre, etc.
- Roadhouse cafe
Roadhouse Cafe is a popular cafe that serves firewood pizza along with other varieties. You can enjoy your choice of Pizza with hot chocolate, a mocktail, or cup of a coffee. Since 1992, Roadhouse has been serving Italian pizza and as of now, there are many outlets in popular parts of cities. If you are in Thamel, you can visit the cafe which is near JP Road and is also located in the heart of Basantapur.
- Fire and Ice Pizzeria
The pizza of Fire and Ice Pizzeria is made in the traditional Italian style of stone baked. You can grab cold drinks, sweets, and ice cream with your pizza. It is located in Tridevi Marg Thamel and Jhamsikhel
- Burger House
Burger House and Crunchy Fried Chicken is one of the most popular food outlets in Nepal. It has more than 140 outlets inside the Kathmandu Valley. It offers burgers, fried chicken, momos, pizza, pasta, and other drink items. The lively environment is perfect for a birthday party celebration with your friends and family members.
- Hankook Sarang
You can get the spiciest food at this Korean restaurant. The meals come with soup, rice, kimchi, salad, and green tea. People love this place because it serves real food at fair prices. They also offer special bibimbap and kimbap that you can try. You'll fall in love with Hankook Sarang's green food right away. This one-of-a-kind spot is in the Chaksibari neighborhood of Thamel.
Explore museums
- Narayanhiti Palace Museum
It is situated near Thamel and east of Kaiser Mahal. This palace was converted into a museum was built in 2008. It is built in a Neoclassical architectural style and covers an area of 38 acres of land.
Before democracy was introduced in Nepal, Kings used to rule the country. Crown Prince Dipendra murdered multiple members of his royal before committing suicide on June 1, 2001. Then, Gyanendra became the king of the Country.
After that, the palace was converted into a public museum. The then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala inaugurated the museum on 15 June 2008. After a year of inauguration, it was officially opened by Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" on 26 February 2009.
In this museum, one can see the royal crown jewels, legendary water sprouts, Reception room, throne room, courtyard, fountain, and many more. If you have a Nepali Citizenship card you can only pay Rs.200 and other foreigners can enter the museum by paying Rs. 1000.
- National Museum of Nepal (Chhauni Silkhana)
The National Museum of Nepal also known as Rashtriya Sangrahalaya displays beautiful terracotta and stone statues of sacred Nepali deities. One can briefly know historical history, customs, culture, and heritage. The museum was opened to the general public in 1928.
The museum's historic building is divided into three primary collections located in three different structures. The museum displays weapon collections, plush creatures, and antique coins. It is located on Museum Road in the Swayambhu Hills.
You can also visit Nepal Army Museum after visiting the National Museum of Nepal which is only a few walk away from the building. For international visitors, it costs NPR 150 and NPR 50 for SAARc Nationals.
Visit nearby cities and town
- Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is a central city located in the Bagmati Province of Nepal. It is locally known as “Khwopa” and historically “Bhadgaon.” It is situated in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley and has an elevation of 1,401 meters. It is one of the medieval cities of Kathmandu Valley along Patan.
The major attraction of Bhaktapur is Bhaktapur Durbar Square which is also a part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is the smallest city in Nepal and only covers an area of 119 square km. The city is full of rich culture that dates back to the 8th century and is famous for its handicrafts like wood carving and pottery making.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the popular UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kathmandu. It is located 13 kilometers east of Kathmandu, which is famous for the 55-window palace built under the rule of King Jitamitra Malla. Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square make a whole Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Some of the main attractions of the Palace are the Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatindra, Nyatapola Temple, and its 55-windowed Malla Palace. You can find the authentic culture and tradition of the Newar community while exploring the streets of this area. The entry fee for the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is NPR 1500 for foreigners while locals can enter freely. Click things to do in Bhaktapur for more information.
- Patan(Lalitpur)
Patan also known as Lalitpur is located 5km southeast of Kathmandu. Patan’s history goes back to 250 BC. Bagmati River is the only river that diverges from Patan to Kathmandu. Patan has more temples and shrines in comparison to Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.
The tourist attractions of Patan are Patan Durbar Square, the five-story Kumbeshwor Temple(built in 1392, the Golden Temple, and the Red Machhindranath Temple. Patan Museum is the next must-visit spot as it displays more than 200 statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities made of copper or bronze. You can taste various dishes and snacks available at Patan Museum cafe. The entry fee for Patan Museum is NPR 1000 and it is open every day from 10:30 am to 5: 00 pm.
- Khokana
Khokana is a small and historic Newari village that lies 8km south of Kathmandu Valley. It was the first place to receive electricity in Nepal. The medieval settlement of Newar is composed of drainage, traditional houses, chaityas, a mother deity temple, and its mustard fields, processing sites, and chowks.
The word Khokana is derived from the Newari word “Khona” which means “narrating while shedding tears.” The Khokana village is popular for its mustard il production and has some surviving works from the Kirat era. The locals use a traditional oil mill with two large wooden pieces to crush the roasted mustard seeds and extract oil.
The oil extracted from this method is filled with aroma that can be smelled far away. It is slowly replaced by modernization. There was a popular saying that if you ever smell mustard oil, you are in Khokhana.
Besides this, it is widely popular for the five-day Khokana Jatra. Masked dancer do their scary dance throughout the entire streets of the village which is annually celebrated in October.
- Kirtipur
Kirtipur is one of the most popular and ancient holy places to visit during your stay in Kathmandu Valley. The original people who lived in Kirtipur are from the Newar community. The arts, culture, and architecture are the popular attractions of this city.
Kirtipur history is similar to the unification of Nepal. It was once listed as the capital city of Nepal. You can visit Kirtipur without any ticket to local as well as international travelers. Bagh Bhairav temple, Dev Pukku, Chilancho stupa, Uma Maheswor temple, and Newa: Lahana.
Natural therapy and spa services
Kathmandu has many places where you can enjoy natural therapy and spa services. If you are in Kathmandu Valley after trekking in a challenging terrain, we recommend you book spa services to ease your tensed body muscles. Many places provide unique offers along with Jacuzzis, saunas, and other methods of calming and resting.
You can also get a Thai massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, hot stone massage, and aromatherapy. We recommend you book a massage service only after reading reviews on the internet for your safety and relaxation. Thamel’s popular and reliable spa places are The Thamel Spa, Heavenly Spa, Mount Heaven Spa, and Namaste Spa.
Visit Nepalese theater and Cinema Hall
You can visit theater shows where you can enjoy live theatre shows in the evening or at night. Mandala Theater in Anamnahar and Silpi Theater in Battisputali are popular for their live performances. Live theater shows are also available at other places such as Theater Village Nepal, One World Theater, Jansewa, etc. Cinema halls run until midnight in Kathmandu Valley where you can enjoy the blockbuster movie of your choice. You can visit QFX and VFX in the halls.
Experience partying in clubs and live music in pubs
Kathmandu is filled with many clubs and entertainment venues where you can just enjoy life without thinking about life's problems and worries. The nightlife of Kathmandu is one of the must-do things when you are in the valley. The craze of nightclubs and pubs is worth the hype. Thamel was the first place where live music started in Nepal. You can explore popular nightclubs and bars such as Reggae Bar, Irish Pub, LOD, Purple Haze, Sam's Bar, and Ozzie Lounge.
Dive into cooking classes and art workshops
There are many classes where you can learn how to do Thangka paintings in Kathmandu Valley. It is a unique opportunity to blend into the art and relax your mind from daily chaos. You can also indulge in cooking classes and learn the art of making traditional dishes of Nepal.
The wood carving sculpture is also available to learn and you can join a yoga class which will heal your mental and physical well-being. You can join three popular classes Nepal Cooking School, Friendship Cooking School, and Drawing Room KTM for awesome cooking and drawing lessons.
Enjoy Rickshaw ride
A Rickshaw ride is a unique way to explore the gallis and streets of the valley. You can enjoy strolling in the fresh and clear streets of Thamel and in the busy and most crowded streets of Ason and Newroad. You can learn more about the local way of life and attractions of the valley, as the rickshaw riders are locals and are very friendly.
This is an exceptional opportunity to take pictures of locals shop and capture video of busy life of the city areas. Even though rickshaw ride goes on an expensive budget the experience you will get by riding is worth every penny. Make sure to grab this opportunity if you are in the Ason, New Road, and Thamel areas.
Plan a wonderful trek
Kathmandu has numerous trekking agencies that arrange a safe and reliable trekking service in any part of Nepal. Agents like us Mystic Adventure Holidays not only plan trekking but also specialize in traveling and tours. We can arrange an ideal and most suitable journey for you depending on your choice and preference. We can customize the trek and plan the itinerary for shorter treks like Ghorepani Poonhill or Langtang Valley trek and longer treks like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp.
Experience Cable car service in Chandragiri hills
Cable car service in Chandragiri Hills was recently opened in 2016. It is located in Chandragiri municipality of Nepal. It is famous for the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple and the panoramic view of the crowded city, of Kathmandu. The cable car runs at a distance of 2.4 km and within 9 minutes it takes you to the Chandragiri hills. It costs NPR 1320 to the SAARC national, NPR 825 for Nepali citizens, USD 16 for Chinese, and USD 23 for other foreigners.
Visit the National Institute of Natural Sciences
NINS is a place where thousands of biological, botanical, and archaeological specimens are kept safe. Students, teachers, researchers, wildlife watchers, tourists, and people from the public are all welcome to learn about the country's wide range of plants and animals. The goal is to manage natural resources, protect biodiversity, study the ecology of plants and animals, get the community involved in conservation education, and promote and run ecotourism. You can see specimens that are important for science, history, and anthropology.
