Kathmandu, the city of peace, lives true to this description. The city is charming, busy, bustling, serene, alive and asleep - all at once. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is the most accessible city in the country - it is Nepal's only metropolitan city as well. From buying trekking equipment in Thamel or taking a rickshaw ride through traffic-packed alleys of the old part of the city or simply visiting the fascinating buildings in Durbar Squares, Kathmandu is truly a place filled with warmth.
Kathmandu is home to more than 1.5 million people. The city is at an altitude of a whopping 1400 metres or 4600 feet, which assures a blissful climate, all year long. Kathmandu, which is derived from the Pahari word for 'wood shelter', is an abode of serenity and tranquillity, with its monasteries, temples and spiritual melting pots. While the natural beauty of the city is more than enough for travellers to throng Kathmandu year after year, what sets it apart from other tourist destinations is the variety it offers - from spiritual awakening to adventure sports.
Visas and MasterCard are accepted in Kathmandu, however not every place has the option of paying via card so it's imperative that you always carry cash in NPR with yourself. No other currency is formally accepted, however, guides may sometimes accept tips in USD to exchange for NPR, usually resulting in getting higher tips.
ATMs are easily available in the city and cash is dispensed in NPR only.
Major currencies such as GBP, USD, Euro, Yen or INR can be exchanged at the money changers.
ATMs of most banks levy a fee of NPR 750 per transaction and limit withdrawals to NPR 25000, so it's better to withdraw a fair bit of cash in one transaction.
Be careful of pickpockets and also be careful while using your cards.
Daily Budget for Kathmandu
Low Budget traveller: NPR 1300-1500 per head. Medium Budget traveller: NPR 2300-2600 Luxury traveller: NPR 6000.
Kathmandu Customs
Dress Modest: Dressing in Nepal doesn't confine to strict or absolute norms for tourists. However, it is preferred that one does not dress scantily since it is not very fondly looked upon by the locals.
Be Vary of Scams: The locals, in general, are very welcoming to foreigners, but like any city, one must be careful of touts and cheats.
Greetings: Saying Namaste as a form of greeting is a common practice. Shaking of hands as a greeting is practised too, however, a man should not offer his hand to a woman unless he is offered it first.
Tipping Customs: Tips are often given in Nepal. In restaurants and hotels, 5 - 10% of the bill is sufficient. You can tip your guide anywhere between NPR 300 - 500 per day.
Language of Kathmandu
Nepali is the official language of the land and is spoken everywhere in the country. However, there is a significant population which can understand a fair bit of Hindi. Those dealing with tourists often have picked up a few English words as well. You can use words such as 'Namaste' for hello and 'Dhanyabaad' for thank you.
History of Kathmandu
Kathmandu was the centre of the Kingdom of Nepal. The Narayanhiti Royal Palace was the home and the workplace for the Monarch of Nepal and his family. The rule of different dynasties in Nepal has existed for centuries, with the Malla Dynasty being the first proper rulers of the land back in 1200. The 18th century saw the rise of the Gorkhas, who conquered a massive amount of land in the region and even Tibet, an action which saw severe retaliation by the Chinese and consequent defeat of the Gorkhas who had to retreat and relinquish control of Tibet and many trading centres. The Gorkhas were then replaced by the Shahs and the Ranas who had most of the influence and power.
Throughout the 20th century, we have seen several changes in power, culminating finally in the first parliamentary elections in 1991 under the new constitution. One extremely horrifying incident that has occurred in the history of the city was the massacre of the royal family in 2001, in which the Crown Prince Dipendra shot and killed his father and King, Birendra, his mother, his brother and sister, and 5 other relatives in the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, and then killing himself 2 days later. The reason for this was suspected to be the family's rejection of his love interest, a Rana girl.
Kathmandu and Nepal, in general, are pestered with constant political unrest, protests, and Maoist insurgencies. In modern times, however, the city is growing exponentially with the construction of many luxury and residential building complexes and so on.
Nightlife in Kathmandu
Kathmandu isn't extensively known for its array of options when it comes to nightlife. That said, it does have a few options if you're looking for a place to hang out at and have a few drinks. A huge variety of cocktails and drinks, DJs and live performances, and an elaborate ambience make this a must-visit if it's a party you're looking for.
Shopping in Kathmandu is an absolute must. The things you can shop for are limitless. Thamel is the centre for all things shopping. You'll find everything, from handicrafts to metal works, from paper works to clothes here. You can even shop at a mall. The local handicrafts and antiques are world-famous, and the handwoven cloths of the region are intricate and beautiful. Do buy Pashmina and Cashmere shawls while you're here, they are absolutely exquisite and a must-have!
Late September to December remains the best time to visit Kathmandu because of the views of pristine glaciers and local festivals. During these months, the place remains dry and suitable for exploration and trekking. The temperature in October ranges from 26 degrees Celsius to 14 degrees Celsius, and as December approaches, it drops to the range of 20 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius. Kathmandu is also best visited in March and April as the temperature steadily rises and spring steps in! During this season, rhododendrons bloom, spreading across the whole valley, giving it a beautiful, mesmerising look!
Undoubtedly the most famous food you'll find here is momos, a local dumpling. It can be steamed or fried, stuffed with chicken or veggies. The cuisines on offer are a mix of Tibetan and Indian, with a decent amount of variety available for both. Thamel hosts several restaurants of many different cuisines, ranging from local to Indian to oriental to even European. Some of these are local and some are for tourists, the latter being comparatively expensive.
Kathmandu, being the capital, is fairly well connected. You can take buses from all around the country itself, and also from a wide option of cities in India. Kathmandu has an international airport as well, the only one in the country. Read More
How much does a package cost for Kathmandu?
The packages for Kathmandu start at INR 8800 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here
What are the top hotels in Kathmandu?
There are 1041 in Kathmandu which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Kathmandu are Kathmandu Homestay, Kumari Homestay, Boutique 3BHK Tibetan Apartment at Karma Suites, Kathmandu Tourist Homestay, Bimu Home, Boutique 2BHK Tibetan Apartment at Karma Suites. You can see all the hotels in Kathmandu here
What are the things to do in Kathmandu?
The top things to do in Kathmandu are Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Thamel, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Garden of Dreams Kathmandu. You can see all the places to visit in Kathmandu here
What are the places near Kathmandu?
The top places near to Kathmandu are Nagarkot which is 17 km from Kathmandu, Pokhara which is located 142 km from Kathmandu, Janakpur which is located 125 km from Kathmandu, Lumbini which is located 178 km from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur which is located 11 km from Kathmandu
Have a Question on Kathmandu?
Ask a question from the travellers who have experience.
Hi! Yes, you can combined Nepal and Bhutan trip. The suitable route would be first exploring Kathmandu and getting around UNESCO world heritage site. You can keep 7-10 days. In this time, you can als (Read More)o Trek to the Himalayas. I would recommend you to check Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal Trek in Annapurna region of Nepal. Lastly, you can take a flight from Kathmandu Airport to Paro Airport. Then start the Bhutan tour. "Text Hidden"
You can take a train or bus from Forbesganj to Raxaul and then cross the India - Nepal Border to reach Birgunj. You can catch a Bus to Kathmandu from Birgunj. Happy Holidays.
There are three routes to go from Gorakhpur to Kathmandu and the most preferred route would be to cross the border via National Highway 24, switch to Mahindra Highway in Ramgram, Madan Ashrit Highway (Read More) in Narayangarh, then the Prithvi Highway and finally on the Tribhuvan Highway.
