Things to Do in Kathmandu

They say there is no other place quite like Bodhnath. Easily, one of the most beautiful stupas and also one of the largest in Asia, Bodhnath reverberates surreal spiritualistic charm. Textbook perfect beauty, set amidst the mighty Himalayas, there are about 29 gompas in and around this majestic pilgrimage.

Many maroon clad Tibetan Buddhist monks & nuns can be seen walking around Boudha, especially at the Stupa. As a daily ritual, many people walk three or more times around the stupa while repeating the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' that resonates through the incense-thick air. During the days of & surrounding the full moons, one can witness mantras sung by monks with the number of people visiting the Stupa increases significantly, along with the intensity of their mantras & prayers.

 In the late afternoon, the group tours depart and elderly exiles stroll down to the stupa to light butter lamps, spin prayer wheels, chant mantras, socialise and perform a ritual clockwise circuit of the monument. Try to visit on the evening of the full moon, when the plaza surrounding the stupa is lit up by thousands of butter lamps.

With a view that truly gets you closer to god, the Swayambhunath temple is the perfect place to get in touch with your spiritual self. A steep climb up the hill unveils a breathtaking panorama of Kathmandu, a sight that leaves you speechless with awe.

Known for its monkeys that are also worshipped as the deity, the temple is full of monkey families that are surprisingly accustomed to the nosy curious visitors. Surrounded by a bewildering variety of trees, the Swayambhunath temple is perhaps the prettiest sights in Thamel.

The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa and a variety of shrines and temples. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions.

The climb to the temple is about 365 steps and could require a few breathers to complete for the uninitiated. There is also an alternate route that circles around the mountain and can be used if you are not a big fan of stairs.

Emblematic of spirituality and Hindu religion, Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu Nepal is much revered. Since it is a temple, there are no tickets for Swayambhunath temple. However, if you wish to be enlightened on its significance, you can book tickets for Swayambhunath temple tours with us and get the best deals. Swayambhunath temple ticket prices come along in all ranges. Thus, it is best for you to get your Swayambhunath temple tickets as soon as possible.

A hobo would feel at home in Thamel, fondly called the hippie ghetto of Kathmandu. Thamel attracts a number of people-watchers, bargain-seekers and lazy-strollers from all over. A great place for souvenir shopping and an even better way to feel the pulse of Nepal’s bustling capital,  Thamel is always buzzing with activity.

There are many restaurants in Thamel that serve traditional and continental cuisine, although prices tend to be significantly higher than in non-tourist areas. Food hygiene is generally better, despite the overall lack of sanitation in Nepal.

Thamel also acts as the pre-base camp for mountaineers. It boasts a wide range of mountaineering gear shops, foreign money exchange booths, pubs, clubs, and nightlife along with the numerous travel agents and guest houses. All in all, Thamel is home to a wide range of the Nepalese population for entertainment and employment purposes.

An astonishing architectural beauty, the Pashupathinath temple attracts thousands of pilgrims each year and has become well known far beyond the Kathmandu Valley. Pashupatinath temple is located on the banks of Bagmati river on the eastern side of Kathmandu. One of the most important holy places for cremation, you are bound to feel like a part of the final journeys of many people when you visit Pashupatinath.

A holy destination for pilgrims and spirituals, the place sees a lot of visitors not only from India but all across the world. Since it is a temple, there is no Pashupatinath Temple Ticket Price or even Pashupatinath Temple Tickets needed for the entry. It will be polite to take the ‘Puja Thali’ with you, though. You won’t be expected to Buy Tickets for Pashupatinath Temple or carry other things with you, just go with faith and belief and that will be enough for you.

Dubar square is one of the most colourful and vibrant places in Kathmandu. Urrounded by heritage structures, temples and the Hanuman Dhoka palace, this square makes for a perfect beginning to your Nepalese sojourn.

Whether you are at the ‘freak’ street where both the hippies and Beatles hung out, or at the Hindu and Buddhist temples that are hundreds of years old, the Kathmandu square is a place that will leave you enthralled and intrigued. A UNESCO world heritage site, the Durbar Square, with its old temples, palaces and quaint alleys epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people of Nepal.

The Durbar Square area is actually made up of two sub-areas. The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples as Kumari Ghar, Kasthamandap, Shiv-Parbati Temple, Jagannath Temple, Big Bell etc, while the inner complex comprises of the old palace area, Hanuman-Dhoka and its courtyards such as Nasal Choke, Mul Choke, Sundari Choke, Basantapur Durbar . Besides the magnificent temples and shrines, its other interesting aspects are various festivals, cultural activities and traditions that people have followed from centuries, including the crowning of the kings of Nepal that have taken place at this square.

The sighting of the ‘Royal kumari’ or the living goddess at the square is an ethereal experience, watching all the adulation and devotion of the crowd towards her.

The Garden of Dreams, a neo classical historical garden, is situated in the midst of Kathmandu city, Nepal. The Garden's design has much in common with formal European gardens: paved perimeter paths, punctuated by pavilions, trellises, and various planting areas, surrounded by a sunken flower garden with a large pond at its center. It is an architectural landscape that encourages the visitor to stroll around and discover the Garden's treasures from many different vantage points.

Great to spend a romantic evening with a loved one or even a peaceful few hours by yourself, the Garden of Dreams is a wonderland in its own right. An oasis of calm in the heart of the bustling Kathmandu, the gorgeous greenery is definitely a panacea for a weary soul. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when you see a lot of people lazing around din the garden with a book in their hand or just enjoying a nap in the pleasant sunny weather.

Even though you might find the food a bit overpriced at the Garden of Dreams restaurant, the serene feeling of joy that you feel there is truly priceless. For Garden of Dreams opening time, opening days and entrance fee please refer the below given information.

Nepal’s true gem, located 22 km from Kathmandu, the Changu Narayan temple is one of the oldest Vishnu shrines in the world. The temple is full of intricate carvings and paintings dating back to the Licchavi period, worthy of a UNESCO world heritage status. Part of the charm of this serene pilgrimage is the fact that it is not too crowded.

Apart from the main temple there are other shrines dedicated to Shiva, Chinna Masta (Kali), Ganesh and Krishna found in the courtyard. A pilgrimage to the temple of Chinna Masta, considered to be the mother goddess worshipped at the site in prehistoric times, is held here each year in the Nepali month of Baisaakh (April-May).

Budhanilkantha is an area near Kathmandu that is known for its statue of sleeping Lord Vishnu. This place is not to be missed if you are interested in myths, legends and religious symbolism. It is carved from a single piece of stone and features Lord Vishnu reclining on a bed of serpents. It is located at a short distance of 10 kilometres from Kathmandu at the base of the Shivapuri Hill. It is the largest and most beautiful stone carving in all of Nepal. Visitors and devotees have found this place to be enigmatic and mystical. The statue is five meters in length and is lying in a tank representing the cosmic sea.

Vishnu’s legs are crossed and the eleven heads of Shesha, the multi-headed serpent cradle his head. Vishnu’s four hands hold objects that are symbols of his divine qualities: a chakra or disc (representing the mind), a conch-shell (the four elements), a lotus flower (the moving universe) and the club (primeval knowledge).

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park  is situated on the northern fringe of Kathmandu valley and lies about 12 km away from the centre of capital city. If bird songs and animal whispers are what excite you, Shivapuri Nagarjun National park is just the place for you. Established as recent as 2002, this is one of the last areas of woodland left in the valley, and the forest is alive with monkeys, and maybe even leopards and bears.

This national park accommodating some of the most exquisite birds and animals, is looked forward by every visitor to Nepal. It is indeed a good idea to buy tickets for Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park in advance. If you are looking at some good bargains, check out our tickets segment for the best of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park ticket prices. You are bound to find some of the best Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park Tickets on our website. Tickets for Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park may change without prior notice.

<Believed to have originated due to Lord Shiva’s trident, the Trishuli river is very well known for its rafting and other adventure sports.Easily accessible from both Pokhara and Kathmandu, a number of adventure enthusiasts requent this river every summer. It’s rapids are exciting and unpredictable, adding thrilling twists to the rafting experience. There are also some spectacular bridges that are well worth stopping at the conflunce of Marsyandi and Trisuli rivers at Mugling.

The crematorium at Pashupatinath temple is a solemn place where most Nepalese Hindus have their last rites. On the banks of Bagmati river, one can notice the varied funeral practices that are followed by people. The ambiance here is a sombre and peaceful. Visitors can just sit and watch the ceremonies to understand the complexities of the Hindu religion.

They say, silence speaks a million words. At Kopan, silence cleanses your soul and Buddhist meditation rejuvenates your mind. The Kopan Monastery is a famous centre of learning Buddhism with meditation retreats that are quite famous amongst people of races and religions.

In recent days, Kopan Monastery has also established itself as a popular recreational destination for Kathmandu residents and local tourists as well. The weekend holiday of Saturday receives quite a visit from hundreds of families and individuals to the beautifully decorated hillock and its gardens. The monastery is not open to public on other days.

Take a leisurely walk around the monastery compound, and you will not only have an incredible view of the Kathmandu valley but also be witness to a large number of stupas, statues, prayer-wheels  and other holy objects, all embedded into a landscape of gardens and ponds.

This un-imposing three storied red brick building at the junction of Basantpur and Durbar square is the focal point of any Nepali’s prayers and worship. The Kumari Ghar (Or Kumari chowk) houses Nepal’s living goddess who is looked upon as the immortal being and put on a pedestal by the locals as the purest soul.

Enclosed by magnificently carved wooden balconies and windows, the spectacular architecture itself makes this place quite possibly the most beautiful courtyard in Nepal. Photographing the goddess is forbidden, but you are quite free to photograph the courtyard when she is not present.

This temple is located at a distance of 22 kilometers from Kathmandu. It is one of the main temples of Nepal, dedicated to the goddess of Kali. Not for the faint hearted, this temple is known for its animal sacrifices, particularly of cockerels and male goats to worship the goddess. A busy Hindu pilgrimage, this place is frequented by thousands of devotees, especially during the Dashain festival. Set at the confluence of two sacred streams in a rocky cleft in the forest, this temple is a lesson in Hindu rituals and practices.

Narayanhiti is a walled palace that holds testimony of the most important political changes that transformed Nepal. Formerly the residence of King Gyanendra, it was soon converted into a people’s museum after he was asked to move out in 2007. Visitors get to experience the grandeur (or gaudiness, depending on your taste) of the throne and banquet halls and the royal bedrooms too. There are some stuffed tigers, rhino heads that take a place of pride in the living room. Of course, there are some very larger than life photos of the royal family too. Rather morbid is the demarcation of the locations where Prince Dipendra massacred his own family.

Bullet holes are still visible on some of the walls.