The 12 things to do in Kathmandu

Visiting Kathmandu is the dream of many globe trotters! Discover in this article the 12 essential activities to do during your trip to Nepal.

Very popular passage of treks and hiking enthusiasts, the Kathmandu Valley is the cradle of the Nepal . The city of Kathmandu is often the starting point of these walkers in search of strong sensations and breathtaking landscapes. Although the capital of Nepal is known to be noisy and agitated, it offers a striking cultural heritage that makes its city a must in the country to visit.

1. The Stupa of Bodnath

Stupas are typically Buddhist monuments that can be visited in India and South-East Asia. The Stupa de Bodnath is the largest in Nepal, and it is a very important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. Majestic and rich in history, it will fascinate you mainly by its size: 40 meters high and about 100 meters circumference, you can only notice it! Its imposing golden roof is adorned with two immense eyes, representing the eyes of Buddha.

The temple of Swayambunath, also called “ Monkey Temple » because of the presence of many monkeys was built during 5 ème century to honor Buddhha. A true Nepali treasure, it is one of the oldest religious monuments in the country. Its location on the heights of the city offers stunning views of Kathmandu and the valley.

If you only visit a temple during your visit to Kathmandu, then choose this one .

2. Durbar Square

The city's hot quarter, don't miss Durbar Square if you visit Kathmandu. Here, a concentration of temples and statues will allow you to better know Hindu religion.

This place is literally crawling from the world, but it is really the heart of the city. It is also one of the places of light passages of the guided tours of the city . Drivers, street vendors and guides will try to negotiate with you, to accompany you during your trek for example. Maybe you'll find a memory to report?

3. The Holi Festival

Your trip is scheduled for the month of March, and you're wondering what to do in Kathmandu during this period? If you’re in a playful mood, don’t look anymore: go to the color festival, the Holi Festival ! This is one of the best festivals in Nepal, celebrated by the Hindus. The idea is to celebrate the triumph of good on evil during a giant manifestation of the time of a day.

All participants throw themselves from the colorful powder and dance at the rhythm of music: a unique opportunity to take beautiful colorful clichés and to meet locals and other travellers during your journey! To participate in the festival, don’t forget to plan old clothes for the occasion, because you’ll finish your colorful day of your head on your feet!

4. Local gastronomy

Gourmet players, you must taste mummos during your stay! ♪ mummos are sorts of steam ravioli stuffed with meat or vegetables. This is the origin of a Tibetan specialty, but it is so much appreciated in Nepal that you will find it for sale in the streets or restaurants of Kathmandu. And if you feel nostalgic when you come home and ask yourself what to do to remind you of your stay, then go fishing with recipes in a cooking lessons given by a Nepalese chef and, in your turn, taste these delicious ravioli to your loved ones!

On the drink side, try local beers: the swing or tongba . The first, milky, is made from fermented millet, barley or rice. The second, the tongba, is a millet-based drink served in a huge glass in which hot water is added as it goes.

5. The snake charmers

If you swing in the streets of the city, maybe you'll come across snake charmers. For a small climb of adrenaline, give a few pieces to the charmer and let him lay his reptile for a few moments on the shoulders... Or just take it in a photo, if exercise scares you! Sensitive amnes, abstain...

6. The Kathmandu Valley

Apart from hiking and trek, do you ask that to do in Kathmandu as a sports activity? Think of the mountain bike! Excellent way to discover the Kathmandu Valley, the hiking in mountain biking have developed for several years around Kathmandu. Some guides offer you the possibility to make one of the most extraordinary (and sports!) descents to vtt of your life, or even to realize a stay 100% two wheels ! For this, a little advice, practice a little at home before leaving, you will enjoy it even better once on site!

7. Thamel

It can be quite difficult to find yourself in it Thamel , the oldest part of the capital.

No indication, no street names, and an ultra lively atmosphere due to the high number of inhabitants compared to the small size of alleys. But here you will find a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and sports shops: if you miss the equipment for your trek sessions, then it is here that you can get some food! Despite the neighbourhood’s brouha, some will find a little hippie charm thanks to the many local craft shops and the “joy bazaar” atmosphere that reigns there.

8. The Garden of Dreams

After all these activities, are you still looking for what to do in Kathmandu? Well, why not, for a moment, choose... not to do anything at all? Not quite. By visiting Garden of the Dreams Located at the entrance of the Thamel district, you will only have one desire: admire the fountains, duck mares, and volières, forming a bucolic ensemble calling for calm and serenity. And for that, nothing is worth a little nap on the lawn listening to the song of the birds! Six pavilions were erected in this park, each representing one of the six Nepalese seasons: spring, monsoon, early autumn, late autumn and winter.

9. The Kumari

It is a flagship spirituality of Nepal. Considered as a deity in its own right, Kumari (winner in French) is only a little girl between 3 and 4 years old, elected according to 32 selection criteria to embody the living form of the Hindu goddess Durga. Ideas, venerated, the inducted girl is isolated in a temple ( place of passage City Tour de la Ville) and enjoys a special treatment, until its first menstruations.

In Nepal, there are dozens of these living goddess. In Kathmandu, the Kumani lives in a palace. One official residence on Dubar Square that she never leaves, except for the Nepal Day, at the beginning of September, which gathers thousands of people around her place of life. A few annual apparitions to bless the "living" to which tourists like to participate, fully integrating this tantric ritual.

10. Bhaktapur

Royal city located a few kilometers from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is one of the most popular destinations. Abriating several temples including Nyatyapola temple (the highest in Nepal), Bhaktapur is above all appreciated for its small paved streets in which visitors enjoy strolling and discovering newa art between visits. And because of Kathmandu, the alleys are clean and maintained! Motor vehicles are even prohibited from traffic. Here you can discover very beautiful works of pottery, market a few pieces of fabric and stop you in front of sculptures and other puppets.

If the entry to Bhaktapur is paid (about 10€, or in the form of a package for the visits from Kathmandu ), those who leave are unanimous: the small pearl of the valley is worth every roupy spent!

11. Pashupatinath

Supreme of sacred places, Temple Pashupatinath is the most important place of worship in Nepal, a must of guided tours the valley. Built on 281 hectares on the shore Bagmati , it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and welcomes under his golden roofs thousands of faithful of all castes. If the entrance is open to the Hindus, it is also reserved for them: no stranger has the right to enter the temple, guards based even on the colour of skin, in particular to exclude certain premises whose appearance would too far away from their Nepali ancestors.

If, as a tourist, you will therefore not have access to the inside of this preserved place, the surroundings are worth the detour. All around the temple you can discover the local scenes (entrance and exit of the faithful) but also and above all attend a much less joyful but equally sacred rite: Cremation. On the other side of the river, the cremation ghâts of the temple of Pashupatinath are installed. Small chapels inhabited by sadhus who watch over the soul of the deceased. Every day, several families come here with the remains of a loved one: they gather and adopt a certain ritual before placing the body on a base and setting fire. Finally, families lend themselves to a purifying bath in the Bagmati River where they release the ashes so that the ashes are carried away by the current.

Even if everything happens at a certain distance, no need to specify that the ritual is striking for anyone who attends it. As a result, it is of course not advisable to children and anyone who might be sensitive to it.

12. Mount Everest

What if you fly for full experience? Kathmandu is also the mysterious Mont Everest and its hilly mountains that offer a breathtaking landscape. On board a plane, take place on your seat direction the highest point of the planet Earth: snowy summits on steep sides until you discover the Himalayas and its breathtaking nature from your porthole. One rise in the head in the clouds , which promises intense memories.

How to go to Kathmandu?

To go to Kathmandu, nothing like the airway. At the departure of France, several cities offer a flight to the capital (average 15h of flight from Paris with stopovers). Regardless of the company or city of departure of your choice, you will find a cheap flight on our partner's website Ulysses .

Where to stay in Kathmandu?

From the centre to the outskirts of the city, Kathmandu enjoys several neighborhoods in which you can stay. To find the ideal hotel, think about this Compare hotels who, according to your wishes, will offer you the best offers of the moment. To help you, do not hesitate to read our article on the areas where to stay in Kathmandu .