Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal
Kathmandu is the ancient, vibrant capital of Nepal and the launch point for the world's greatest trekking adventures. Durbar squares, Buddhist stupas, and the chaotic bazaars of Thamel sit at the foot of the highest mountains on Earth.
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Itinera AI · KathmanduEssential Kathmandu
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Things to do
See allBoudhanath Stupa
spiritual
Pashupatinath Temple
spiritual
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
spiritual
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
heritage
Thamel District
city
Patan Durbar Square
heritage
Places to stay
See allHotel Potala Guest House
from ₹1,500/night
Hotel Yak & Yeti
from ₹4,500/night
Dwarika's Resort
from ₹12,000/night
Restaurants & dining
See allItineraries to help you plan
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Seasonal Guide
When to visit Kathmandu
Autumn and spring offer clear skies and the best trekking conditions. Pre-monsoon brings rhododendron blooms.
Insider knowledge
Travel tips for Kathmandu
Get your TIMS card and National Park permits in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office — it's faster here than at Lukla or Besisahar.
Thamel gear is mostly genuine but check stitching carefully. REI-level brands cost 20-30% less than in the West.
Altitude acclimatization starts at Kathmandu (1,400m) — don't fly straight to Lukla without a night here.
Carry small denomination NPR notes — many teahouses and stupa donation boxes don't have change.
Pre-book a reliable taxi or hotel pickup from the airport — Kathmandu traffic can be chaotic.
Getting there
How to reach Kathmandu
By Air
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) — direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore. IndiGo, Air India, Himalaya Airlines. Flight time ~1.5–2 hours from India.
By Road
Overland from India via Sunauli (Varanasi–Kathmandu, ~20 hours) or Raxaul–Birganj. Popular with budget travellers but time-consuming.
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