Beautiful city known for the spectacular scenery. It is the base for trekkers undertaking the Annapurna circuit.
Getting there: A 30 minutes scenic flight (especially if you sit on the right side of the plane) or a 8 hour bus ride from Kathmandu. Take the tourist bus, if you decide to take the bus. The tourist bus leaves at 7:00 AM from Kantipath, ~15 mins walk from Thamel.
Go sightseeing
Book a cab for a
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Nagarjuna Hike
2 and half hours hike to the Nagarjuna hill, also called Jamacho Peak. Along with the incredible view of Jugal Himal and Ganesh Himal, you also have a great view of Kathmandu valley, Swoyambhu and Nuwakot.
Maximum elevation: 1920 meters
Level of difficulty: Easy
Number of days: 1 (5 - 6 hrs)
Shivapuri Hike
Second highest hill around Kathmandu valley. Walk through Shivapuri National Park and enjoy the nature. There are boards with directions to several hiking routes
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Sarangkot Hike
Sarangkot is one of the most popular hill stations with the best view of Pokhara. Spectacular sunrise and sunset views.
Maximum elevation: 1610 meters
Level of difficulty: Easy
Number of days: 1 (3 hrs)
Naudanda Hike
3 hrs hike from Sarangkot. Also offers beautiful view of the Annapurna range and Fewa lake.
Maximum elevation: 1443 meters
Level of difficulty: Easy
Number of days: 1 (3 hrs from Sarangkot, 7 hrs Pokhara - Sarangkot - Naudanda - Pokhara)
Dhampus
Dhampus is a beautiful village and
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Enjoy the serenity and visit the Mayadevi Temple, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Walk around the garden and visit over 25 international Buddhist monasteries built by different countries.
For more information: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/the-terai-and-mahabharat-range/lumbini
Getting there: A 20 minutes flight or 7 hours bus ride away from Kathmandu. Take the tourist bus, if you decide to take the bus. The tourist bus leaves at 7:00 AM from Kantipath, ~15 mins walk from Thamel.
Take a jeep safari
Take a jeep safari through Chitwan National Park, the first national park in Nepal. You can either take a short tour (4 hours) or a full day safari. The full day safari starts
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One of the most famous and sacred temple located on the banks of Bagmati river. Unfortunately, entry is limited to Hindus and Buddhists only. Others can look at the main temple from the adjacent bank of the river.
Things to do: Witness Pashupati Bagmati Arati, one of the most mesmerizing rituals in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) is offered to God. Pashupati Bagmati Aarati follows three priests conducting the custom with oil lamps, lanterns and other religious elements by chanting sacred mantra. Bhajan (songs with religious theme) are sung by devotees during the Aarati, creating a blissful surrounding. The Aarati starts at 6 pm every evening.
For more information: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/around-the-kathmandu-valley/pashupatinath
One of my favorite places in Kathmandu, very calm and peaceful. Entrance fee of NPR. 400.
Getting there: 28 mins by taxi.
Dining: I don’t have any particular favourite restaurant to recommend, so pick any you think has a good view. Try some of the Tibetan-Nepali food, momo, chowmein or thukpa, khumincho, laphing. Caution: Maybe spicy.
For more information: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/around-the-kathmandu-valley/bodhnath-boudha
Hang out with the monkeys at Swoyambhu. Not the easiest place to get to with public transport and a long climb up the hill (365 steps to be exact) but once you get here, you can see the whole of Kathmandu from the top and it’s very calm up here. There are a lot of monkeys here, so be aware and hold your bags close to you. Entrance fee of NPR 200.
Getting there: 35 mins walk from Thamel but I would suggest to take a cab since you are not familiar with the roads of Kathmandu.
For more information: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal/around-the-kathmandu-valley/swayambhunath