There is a misconception that there isn’t much to know and admire about Kathmandu, which is a mistake. Located in the lap of the greatest Himalayas, Kathmandu Valley provides the most scenic views for the tourists.
Being the country’s capital, Kathmandu is also known to be the temple city with plenty of beautiful temples all around. For more than 100 years, Kathmandu has been the political center, as most of the bureaucratic works tend to be done from here.
There is a story in every street of Kathmandu, and you will need to listen to it with your heart. From culture to people, food, and history, Kathmandu Valley sightseeing might be the right thing to do. All of us to take you there.
Understanding Kathmandu Valley
If you are thinking that Kathmandu valley is easy to understand and discover, you are mistaken. The beauty and the history associated with the place are wonderful. Let’s know in detail.
Historical Gem
The first reason why you should do Kathmandu valley sightseeing is due to the rich history and culture associated with it. The Kathmandu valley is made up of three different urban centers: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur.
Interestingly, three different cities have different histories, different foods, and different types of cultures. In the past, these cities were the powerful kingdom of the Malla dynasty.
All three cities have their hands in history, but it has modernization too. In all of the historical places, you will find carvings that could tell more about history. Narrow alleys, carved windows, and welcoming people talk more about the culture.
You will find Durbar Square in all of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur. Along with that, there are temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides history, these cities and their culture have been ingrained in the local people.
Spiritual Heart of Nepal
Spiritual energy present in the Kathmandu valley is hard to ignore. As soon as you enter the city of temples, you will be able to feel the energy and aura of the place.
From the harmony between Hindus, Buddhists, and other people to the amount of respect amongst each other, there is much more to learn and appreciate.
In order to feel the aura and spiritual connection of the place, you need to visit the likes of Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, etc. This shows the true religious harmony.
Art and Culture
Kathmandu valley sightseeing is empty without the presence of art and culture. It is understandable that with people from so many backgrounds, you will find variety in both the art and culture.
From stone, metal sculptures to thanka paintings, you will find variety, uniqueness, and beauty in the art and culture. The local artist of the place holds the skills and passes them on to generations.
To understand the beauty of the culture, you will need to be part of the festivals like Indra Jatra, Tihar, and other various Jatras. The cultural power of the place opens up during this period.
Natural Beauty
Forget the art, forget the culture, but accept the natural beauty. Kathmandu Valley sightseeing is an example of a natural beauty spectacle. You will be able to witness the green hills, terraced fields, and whatnot.
From the authentic places like Bhaktapur to the natural beauty like Nagarkot, Chobhar Gorge, and Shivapuri National Park, you will be star-struck by the natural beauty of the place.
Besides this, you will also find the Godavari Botanical Garden with the most beautiful flowers. Places like Sundarijal also provide soothing vibes during summer. Fair to say the natural beauty is in abundance.
History Meets Modernization
Tourists will find history in one corner and modernization in the other when we talk about Kathmandu in general. With Durbar Square carrying history, you will find modernization in places like Thamel, Durbar Square, Lazimpat, etc.
From music bars to global cuisine and boutique book stores, there is much more to learn and appreciate about Kathmandu. The quiet cafes, along with the rooftop restaurant, will provide you with mixed vibes.
Best Places To Visit In Kathmandu
It is very hard to signify which is the perfect place to visit during the Kathmandu valley sightseeing. Based on the popularity, The Trek Nepal knows some fine places that could win your heart. They are:
Swayambhunath Temple
The first on the list is the Swayambhu Nath temple. It is a religious monument, which is also called the monkey temple. You will find plenty of monkeys in and around the temple area.
This particular Buddhist temple provides a proper blend of spirituality, wildlife, and even the views of the valley. If you want cinematic views, always look for early mornings or sunset visits.
Boudhanath Stupa
No, Boudhanath Stupa is not just a religious monument but much more than that. In the case of Kathmandu valley sightseeing, you will find Boudha as the resting place for everyone.
Famous for being a Buddhist monument, you will find rooftop cafes providing brilliant tea with the best views of the stupa. Monks and pilgrims rotate around the Boudha for the best wishes.
Pashupatinath Temple
The biggest and most sacred temple in the world for Hindus is the Pashupatinath temple. Famous for being sacred, raw, and deeply human, Pashupatinath is located in the heart of Kathmandu.
It is the place where the dead bodies are also cremated, and Lord Shiva is worshiped. The evening prayers at Pashupatinath are very famous amongst the followers.
Thamel
Besides all the history and culture lies one of the most vibrant places in Kathmandu. For Kathmandu valley sightseeing, Thamel is the perfect spot.
It is the launchpad for adventure and indulgence with gear shops, food, live music, bars, and even a yoga studio. Thamel is the favorite spot for tourists with its vibrant culture of the place.
Garden of Dreams
With the presence of European architecture and a place to find peace and love, the Garden of Dreams could be the perfect place for you.
It is ideal for reading, journaling, and relaxing amidst the neo-classical charm. There is a presence of greenery along with waterfalls inside the premises.
An oasis of calm with European architecture. Ideal for reading, journaling, or simply relaxing amidst neo-classical charm.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
As the tourists would famously call it as the former Royal Palace, Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a location of history for the tourists. Anyone willing to know how the kings lived can visit the museum.
You will find the details about Nepal’s monarchy, along with the audio guides that take you through the history books, very well. Interestingly, there are theories about the Royal Massacre too.
How to Travel to Kathmandu Valley?
To get the best Kathmandu valley sightseeing, you need to understand ways on how you can travel to Kathmandu valley.
Eventhough if you book The Trek Nepal, we will take care of you after you enter Nepal. However, to get to the beautiful country, you can get a flight that lands at Tribhuvan International Airport.
There are direct connections from India, China, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia when we talk about reaching Nepal by air. In the case of land transport, though, it is tricky and time-consuming.
You can only enter Nepal through the Indian border if you take the roadways. Borders like Sunauli, Bhairahawa, Kakarbhitta, Siliguri, and Jogbani are the common entry points by land.
Best Time to Visit Kathmandu Valley
The major reason to visit Nepal is to get the best views of the mountains, clean and wonderful weather, along with little to no trouble.
Majorly for the case of Kathmandu valley sightseeing, you will need to visit during the season of Spring and Autumn seasons. By this season, the skies are clear, there are festival vibes all around, and the locals are more welcoming than ever.
Mainly in the case of winter, though, there is a chance that the temperature drops into negative, and there could also be muddy and greasy roads, which negatively impact the experience.
How to Get Around Kathmandu Valley?
If you book with The Trek Nepal, we will manage everything when we talk about getting around the Kathmandu valley. However, if you are doing it on your own, you will find affordable travelling vehicles in the valley.
From the taxis to the local buses, rickshaws, and the rental scooters, you can find it all. If you are in the Thamel area, we suggest you walk and feel the local culture and atmosphere.
Explore in and around places like Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur Durbar squares, which help you to go down into history and understand the place better.
Places To Stay In Kathmandu Valley
Being the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu provides you with a variety of options. If you are looking for Kathmandu valley sightseeing and not trekking anywhere, there are plenty of good options.
From 3-star hotels to 5-star luxury hotels, you will find everything. Not only that you will also have hotels with basic luxury facilities that will allow you to stay under budget.
If you are travelling alone and not through any agency, try and choose a place with more history. Travellers tend to stay in peaceful places like Bhaktapur, Patan with history and privacy.
Some of the partygoers love to stay in the bustling areas like Thamel and Jhamsikhel, where the party never stops. The Trek Nepal does take care of your accomodation along with food, so you shouldn’t worry in this case.
Food and Drink in Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal, and there is a rich history of the place. Besides the Kathmandu valley sightseeing, this place is famous for the food and drinks.
Newari is the authentic culture of the place, and the locals have passed the dishes from generation to generation. Tourists who want to get into the local delicacies can easily dive into the Newari food.
However, you will also find Dal Bhaat, Momo, Dhindo, Newari cuisine, Sel Roti, Thakali Khana, drinks, along with Western food, with ease.
There are some of the most aesthetic and pleasing restaurants in the Thamel region. You can either go there to have your comfort food or also look for the local cuisine in places like Kirtipur, Hadigaun, etc.
Top Activities in Kathmandu Valley
There could be a lot of tourists who might be thinking the capital is more known for Kathmandu valley sightseeing. Well, you are mistaken right there.
Besides the sightseeing activity, you have a chance to explore the overall capital with the greatest of ease. From the beautiful temples to people, other activities can be done too.
Hiking
The first adventure activity that can be performed during the Kathmandu valley sightseeing activity is the hiking tour. Most of the time, you can try the Chisapani to Nagarkot hiking.
Besides this, there is also the provision of Champadevi hiking through the Shivapuri trail. In these hikes, you will get to know the surroundings and nature more closely. The Trek Nepal tends to organize such treks most of the time.
Meditation and Yoga
An underrated yet meaningful activity that can be performed during your time in Kathmandu is meditation and yoga. Agencies like Nepal Yoga Home tend to provide high-quality meditation classes.
Not only that you will also be able to understand Pranayama yoga and visit the centre of Nepal Yoga Home. You will be provided with proper guidance and suggestions if you are willing to learn the skill.
Local shopping
Tourist loves souvenirs of the local place, and they like to take the memories of Nepal with them. In the case of local shopping, you can either visit handmade silver jewellery shops in Patan.
Along with that, you can also shop for pashmina shawls, hand-painted thangkas in shops of Basantapur. All of this allows you to take a piece of history with you.
Extra-curricular activities
In recent times, other than Kathmandu valley sightseeing, various extracurricular activities can be performed. From pottery classes to cooking classes, you can learn a new skill with ease.
There is also the presence of a day painting class that could add to your skill set with ease. The Trek Nepal can organize such classes if you are willing to.
Practical Tips For Kathmandu Valley Travel
As simple as it might look, Kathmandu can be tricky for a lot of people. Based on the culture and the language barrier, things could get out of hand quite easily.
But with an agency like The Trek Nepal, which has the knowledge and experience, things can get quite easy. Some of the practical tips that could help you with Kathmandu valley sightseeing are:
- Always have extra cash in hand. Eventhough ATM is a lifesaver, it is good to have cash.
- Ask for permission before clicking images or being friendly with the locals
- Always open your shoes before entering homes or temples
- Dress modestly and talk slowly when in Nepal
- Always keep a close eye on your valuables, as losing them could be costly
- Try to keep an open mind to understand and learn better
How To Book With The Trek Nepal
In order to get the experience of Kathmandu valley sightseeing, The Trek Nepal is a perfect option. We have been doing this tour for years, and the knowledge about the history, culture, and local people is the key.
It is easier to book with The Trek Nepal. You can either contact us through our website or book your slot. Other than that, get in contact directly through the call and book your seats. As we only take a limited guests, you must book early.
Final Thoughts
Kathmandu valley sightseeing isn’t just another tour to the capital, but it is much more. You will get to experience the rich history, culture, and whatnot. The experience of the layered cultures, living history, and spiritual introspection provides you with a mirror to the past.
There is something for everybody when we talk about Kathmandu. From city tours to food, spirituality to nightlife, you will find everything in Kathmandu. Every street tells you a story, and every cuisine offers you insights into the tradition.
Through The Trek Nepal, you will be able to witness the unseen and unheard aspects of Kathmandu. We help you deep dive into the culture and beauty of the capital.