If you're an adventure enthusiast and love adventure sports like bungee jumping, white-water rafting, or paragliding, Nepal is a great place for you. Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and a popular tourist destination. Kathmandu is home to many ancient and historic sites, including Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple.
These sites are rich in history, culture, and architecture. Millions of tourists travel every year to gather unique travel experiences in Nepal. Nepal is famous for its trekking opportunities, and Kathmandu is no exception. You can go on a trek to the nearby mountains, such as the Shivapuri National Park, Nagarjun Forest Reserve, or Phulchowki Hill. Nepal has a unique cuisine that is a mix of Indian and Tibetan flavours. You can get amazing offers on your Nepal tour packages for family from Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, Bangalore, Chennai, and other cities in India.
Popular Travel Destinations in Kathmandu-Nepal
1. Get Blessing at Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple, the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal and devoted to Lord Shiva, attracts visitors from the Indian subcontinent as well as an eclectic group of painted sadhus (Hindu ascetics). Most sadhus are amiable and delighted to have their pictures taken for a modest price in exchange for a blessing.
Pashupatinath Temple hosts many festivals throughout the year, including Maha Shivaratri and Teej. As it is a religious site, visitors are expected to dress modestly. Avoid wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, or any revealing clothing. You can wear comfortable clothes, but make sure they cover your shoulders and knees.
There are many rituals and ceremonies that take place at the temple, and it is worth knowing about them before you visit. You can ask your guide or do some research before you go. While you are at the temple, be respectful of the customs and traditions. Do not take photographs or videos of the main deity, and do not disturb the worshippers.
2. Day Trip to Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is a popular hiking and trekking destination located in the northwestern part of Kathmandu Valley.Make sure to wear comfortable trekking shoes, carry a backpack with water, snacks, and sunscreen. It is also recommended to carry a rain jacket and warm clothes, as the weather can be unpredictable.The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including various bird species, monkeys, and deer. Make sure to take your time and enjoy the scenic views along the trek. There are many monasteries and temples in the park, such as the Nagarjun Palace and the Budhanilkantha Temple. These are worth visiting for their cultural and historical significance. There are many different trekking routes in the park, ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes. Make sure to choose a trek that suits your fitness level and experience.
3. Get Unique Experience at Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Kathmandu Valley. It is a beautiful and ancient city that offers a unique experience to visitors. Here are some things to do in Bhaktapur: -The city is also known for its intricate wood carvings. You can watch the artisans create beautiful wooden sculptures and furniture.
Bhaktapur's Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in the world. It is home to many temples, palaces, and courtyards, including the famous 55-Window Palace and the Nyatapola Temple. You can taste its unique Newari cuisine, which is a fusion of Indian and Tibetan flavours. Make sure to try some of the local dishes, such as bara, chatamari, and juju dhau (a famous yoghurt).
4. Explore Historic Durbar Square
The Durbar Square at Basantapur, south of Thamel, where the royal family resided until the 19th century, is the centre of Kathmandu's historic old city. In 1979, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. There are numerous temples that date back to the 12th century that are both Hindu and Buddhist in nature, in addition to the Imperial Palace, Hanuman Dhoka. Regrettably, a massive earthquake in 2015 severely damaged other buildings, including the palace, and completely demolished the southernmost portion of the temples.
5. Explore Interesting Old City
Old City Kathmandu is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit destination for anyone travelling to Nepal. Here are some things to do and see in Old City Kathmandu. Durbar Square is the historic centre of Kathmandu and is home to many temples, palaces, and courtyards. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit destination in Old City Kathmandu. Old City Kathmandu is home to many ancient and beautiful temples, including the Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), the Pashupatinath Temple, and the Boudhanath Stupa. These are all important religious sites and offer a unique cultural experience.
Walk through the streets of Old City Kathmandu, which are lined with colourful bazaars selling everything from souvenirs to spices. Walking through these bazaars is a unique and authentic experience that will immerse you in the local culture. Old City Kathmandu is home to many restaurants and food stalls serving traditional Nepali cuisine. Make sure to try some of the local delicacies, such as momos, dal bhat, and chow mein. Try the local foods. Attend a festival in Old City Kathmandu, known for its many festivals, such as the Holi festival and the Indra Jatra festival. Attending one of these festivals is a unique and colourful experience that will give you a glimpse into the local culture.
6. Shop and Hang Out in Thamel
Kathmandu's Thamel tourist district can be crowded and frenetic at times but still manages to retain an old-world feel, perpetuated by the rows of Tibetan prayer flags and cycle rickshaws that trundle by.
The streets of this lively area are lined with shops overflowing with brightly coloured clothing, jewellery, paper lanterns, thangka paintings, wood carvings, bronze statues, music, and books. It's hard to get a good price if you barter. and aim to pay only a third or half of the original quoted price because shopkeepers can be ruthless. Need some assistance? Backstreet Academy offers this popular Kathmandu shopping tour.
7. Visit Swayambhunath Stupa
Nepal's most well-known Buddhist temple, Swayambhunath Stupa, is located on a hill to the west of Kathmandu and must be accessed via a strenuous climb up 365 stone steps. For foreigners, the admission charge to the temple is 200 rupees.
Even before you begin climbing, one of the first things you'll notice is the monkeys. Many of them remain and prowl the grounds of the temple. They are claimed to have formed from the head lice of the Buddhist deity Manjushri, who was nurtured there, which is why people believe them to be sacred, although it's best not to worry about the reason why.
8. Walk Around Boudhanath Stupa
Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal and a key hub of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, is situated on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, about 20 minutes' walk from Pashupatinath. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As the sun sets, members of the Tibetan community emerge to circumambulate (walk around) the stupa as the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra is softly chanted and prayer wheels are spun. The best times to visit are in the early morning and late evening when no tour groups are present and prayers are being offered. For foreign visitors, there is a 250+ rupee entrance fee.
9. Take Tour to Nepal Cooking School or Painting Workshop
For those interested in a hands-on cooking experience, SocialTours' Cook Like a Local Tour comes highly recommended. It's known as a must-do in Kathmandu and is the company's trademark excursion. Before being instructed on how to prepare momos, daal bhat, and aloo paratha, you will be brought to a neighbourhood market to purchase fresh ingredients and get acquainted with the spices. The popular Nepal Cooking School in Thamel offers culinary lessons, and the money it makes goes towards empowering social projects for women and girls in a far-off hamlet.
10. Visit Kathmandu Valley Villages
Go back in time in the Kathmandu Valley, where communities have maintained a traditional way of life, unaffected by modern development, and leave Kathmandu's traffic and urban growth behind. Bungmati and Khokana, two villages south of Kathmandu and close to Patan, are two of the most well-liked places to visit. Because the 2015 earthquake severely damaged these two villages, they are more in need of tourists than ever.
The famed rain god Rato Mahendranath is thought to have been born in the 6th-century Bungmati village; sadly, his temple was destroyed by the earthquake, and his idol is currently maintained in the adjacent Patan. You can stop by the locals' woodcarving and sculpture workshops if you're interested. Khokana is a prosperous farming community where mustard oil is produced and where locals work in agriculture for most of the day. Get information about latest discounts for Nepal holiday at Flybirdtourism.com
