Located within the majestic Himalayas, Kathmandu, the vibrant capital of Nepal, offers a captivating blend of ancient traditions and modern allure. This bustling metropolis is a melting pot of cultures, where ancient temples stand alongside bustling markets and trendy cafes. Kathmandu's tourism thrives on its rich history, with iconic landmarks like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durbar Square and the sacred Swayambhunath Stupa drawing visitors from across the globe. A Kathmandu travel guide would navigate through the narrow alleyways of the old city, where aromas of spices mingle with the sound of temple bells, ensuring an immersive experience in this enchanting destination.

How to reach Kathmandu?

• By air: Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal, located 4.08 km away from Kathmandu. IndiGo operates daily, non-stop flights to Kathmandu.
• By bus: You can reach Kathmandu from India by bus as well, from either Varanasi or Gorakhpur to the Nepalese Border, Sunauli. And then travelling by local bus to Kathmandu. There is also a new bus service from New Delhi to Kathmandu, that takes about 30 hours.
• Getting around/local transport in Kathmandu: Local city buses, taxis and rental cars are the most common modes of transportation to travel in the city.

Kathmandu boasts diverse culinary delights, from traditional Nepali cuisine at local eateries to international flavours in trendy cafes.

The best time to visit Kathmandu is during the spring from March to May and autumn from September to November. These seasons have pleasant weather, the skies are clear, and outdoor activities are enjoyable.

The most commonly spoken languages in Kathmandu are Nepali, which is the official language, followed by English, and various regional languages such as Newari and Maithili.

Kathmandu is a shoppers’ delight with Buddha heads, colourful masks, Tibetan beads and chains, bright funky T-shirts and traditional souvenirs to take home. Posters of Mount Everest and the Annapurna Range are also popular collectables.

• Mangal Bazaar: Trawl the markets of Mangal Bazaar or hop into a Thamel store to pick up embroidered T-shirts with mandalas, Buddha eyes or ‘Yak Yak Yak,’ ‘Tintin in Tibet’ and ‘Hard Yak Café’.
• Durbar Marg: If you’re not into hippie clothes, try the more upmarket shops on Durbar Marg for western-style clothes or browse through Kathmandu Mall on New Road.
• Bhadgaon and Bhaktapur towns: The towns of Bhadgaon and Bhaktapur are famous for the Newari black cap called Bhadgaule topi or you could pick up the striped traditional Dhaka topi. Patan, one of Nepal’s ancient kingdoms is called the ‘City of Living Art’ and has several artisans selling paintings, metal sculptures, singing bowls and masks.
• Khukri House & Handicrafts: To pick up traditional Nepali curved daggers or khukris, head straight for Khukri House & Handicrafts in Patan Industrial Estate.  Folk Nepal is another fair-trade handicraft shop.
• The Peacock Shop: Drop by at The Peacock Shop near the Peacock Window at Bhaktapur and pick up pottery and terracotta artefacts while exploring Thimi. At tourist hubs like Bouddha and Swayambhunath locals can be seen working on paintings, thangkas, mandalas and stone sculptures, making it an excellent place to buy directly from the artists.

Kathmandu offers several great things to do and places to visit, making it a must-visit destination for travellers. One of the more reasons to visit Kathmandu is:

• Kathmandu Valley: While exploring, a map of Kathmandu will undoubtedly guide you better to find various tourist attractions. The old capitals of the Malla confederation across the Kathmandu Valley—Kantipur, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur, which is also known as Patan—are charming fortified cities with durbar squares lined with pagodas and monuments. At Bhaktapur, see the Lu Dhowka (Golden Gate), the Pachpanna Jhyale Durbar (Palace of Fifty-five Windows), the five-storey Nyatapola Temple, Pottery Square, Peacock Window and Hanuman Ghat, a collection of lingams (including Nepal's largest). At the centre of Lalitpur is Patan Durbar Square, with Krishna Temple, Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), Rato Machhendranath Temple and the Taleju Bhawani Temple dedicated to the Malla clan’s deity.

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