The main draw to Kathmandu has to be the incredible culture
and artistic heritage - a highlight of anyKathmandu Valley. At the foot of the long stairway out
of the valley are several temple buildings covered with colourful drawings and
surrounded by brightly coloured statues. There are lots and lots of curious
monkeys around scavenging for a bite to eat. There are 365 stone steps to climb
to reach the stupa, where prayer flags flutter in the wind and the eyes of the
Buddha are the focal point. The atmosphere around the stupa is incredible and filled
with an air of energy and excitement.
trip to Nepal. The importance placed on religion in Nepal is huge and a tour of the three main sights; Swayambunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are not to be missed! Swayambunath is the oldest Buddhist temple in the
trip to Nepal. The importance placed on religion in Nepal is huge and a tour of the three main sights; Swayambunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are not to be missed! Swayambunath is the oldest Buddhist temple in the
Boudhanath, a Tibetan Buddhist monument with a diameter of
100m, is one of the largest stupas in the world and another highlight of
travelling in Nepal. The monument is surrounded by a neighbourhood of Tibetan refugees
called 'Little Tibet'. The many souvenir shops and restaurants make this the
ideal place to have lunch with a view of the grand stupa.
At Pashupatinath Hindus come to honour Shiva in the shape of Pashupati an Animal God. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple complex, however if you cross the Bagmati River and take a seat on the stairs you'll have a great view of the ghats, the ritual bathing and cremation locations. If you're lucky you may see preparations for a cremation ceremony while you're travelling in Nepal. There are many sadhus, or holy men, at Pashupatinath. Sadhus are nomadic Hindus who have rejected the cast system and do not follow normal traditions. They generally dress quite extravagantly; they wear orange robes or some are naked having smeared themselves with left over ashes from cremations.
Shopping in Thamel is hectic and entertaining. Thamel really
is a backpacker's haven and there is everything from Indian textiles, T shirts
and DVDs to trekking gear, Nepali artefacts and jewellery for sale. It's a good
place to meet other travellers in Nepal and there are plenty of places to grab
a tasty bite to eat. Due to the nature of the area there are more international
restaurants than Nepali and you can find anything from Italian to Thai, Indian
to German bakery good enough to tempt you. It's certainly a good place to replace the
calories you may have burnt during your Nepal trek!
If you choose to stay a little further out from the main
tourist hub, I would certainly recommend a visit to one of Thamel's many
rooftop garden restaurants during your trip to Nepal. Most afford a view over
the rooftops of the city and in such a hectic and densely populated area, it's
a lovely break to enjoy the peaceful green surroundings and sit back with a good
book and a hot chocolate as you think over your Nepal trip.
Along with Dal Baht, momos are one of the most popular
dishes in Nepal and make a cheap and delicious treat! They can be found
everywhere from roadside carts where they are cooked while you wait to the
Tibetan guesthouses of Thamel and beyond. No trip to Nepal is complete without
a munch on some momos!
When you get tired of Thamel, head out to the incredible medieval
towns of Patan and Bhaktapur while you're travelling in Nepal. Bhaktapur is
completely traffic free so it makes for the perfect getaway from the busy roads
and pollution of Kathmandu. The town is timeless and quiet and the cobblestone
streets link monumental squares and temples with shrines and communal wells - a
real highlight of a trip to Nepal. Potters' Square is lined with clay stores
and potters' wheels, and there is a fantastic view over the river to the hills
south of Bhaktapur. Patan has a more interesting Durbar Square than Bhaktapur
with a far greater concentration of architecture than Kathmandu.
The Durbar Squares of Nepal can't be beaten for architecture
and the atmosphere in Kathmandu's Durbar Square is fantastic. The main temple
of Kasthamandap is according to legend, built from the trunk of only one tree.
There are many historic buildings located on this square, such as temples and
the ancient royal palace Hanuman Dhoka. You'll also find the intricately carved
wooden house of Kumari, the living Goddess. When you've explored the various
buildings there are plenty of places to sit back with a drink and soak up the
atmosphere.
When you've explored the centre of Kathmandu and the pace of
the city is too much, a really great way to get some fresh air and see a
different side to Nepal is by taking a trek across the Kathmandu Valley to
Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. This is a particularly good option for travellers to
Nepal who don't have the time to head out to Pokhara and the famous Annapurna
trekking route. You'll trek past rice and vegetable fields, through small rural
farming villages, where children will run out to greet you. As you slowly start
to climb, you'll reach Nagarkot and the Newari town of Dhulikhel which both
offer stunning, if distant, views of the Himalayas at certain times of the
year. It's a great option for any Nepal trip out.
Finally, the perfect way to end any trip to Nepal, whether
you've pushed yourself to the limit in the Annapurnas or pottered around the
streets of Kathmandu, is dinner at Dwarika's Hotel. Whether you opt for a 6
course traditional meal in the beautiful restaurant or the candlelit Friday
night poolside barbecue, you won't be disappointed!
See the sunrise at Poon Hill and spot rhinos in Chitwan
National Park. Try a Helambu homestay trek and venture into the jungle with the
Tharu. We'll help you build your very own Nepal adventure.
For more information about things to do in Nepal please visit our Web Site
