Small deposit in India. Balance in Nepal.

Pokhara valley and the Annapurna range seen from Sarangkot
8 guides

Kathmandu and Nepal Sightseeing: Your Questions Answered

Most treks start and end in Kathmandu, and a day or two there is part of the trip. The Monkey Temple, Bhaktapur, the great temples, easy day trips, the best places across Nepal, wildlife and festivals, in plain answers.

Plan this trekPoon Hill short trek

Kathmandu and Nepal Sightseeing at a glance

Nepal is small on the map and very full on the ground. Within a day of Kathmandu you can stand at a 2,000-year-old stupa, walk through a medieval brick city, watch rhinos in the lowland jungle or see the sun rise on an 8,000 m peak. Trekkers usually have one or two free days in Kathmandu before and after the walk, and these guides help you use them well.

Each guide below gives the practical answer first: where the place is, how long it takes, what it costs in rough terms and how it fits round a trek.

Kathmandu and Nepal Sightseeing: the key answers

Heights, dates, fees and rules are approximate and can change, so confirm the current plan with us before you book.

Monkey Temple Kathmandu (Swayambhunath): visitor guide
The Monkey Temple is the popular name for Swayambhunath, an ancient Buddhist stupa on a hill about 3 km west of Thamel in Kathmandu. It is reached by a stairway of about 365 steps, takes one to two hours to visit and is best at sunrise or late afternoon.Bhaktapur guide: Durbar Square, Dattatreya Temple and more
Bhaktapur is a well-preserved medieval city about 13 km east of Kathmandu, known for brick squares, carved wood and tall pagoda temples. Its four main squares are Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the five-storey Nyatapola temple, Pottery Square and Dattatreya Square. Allow four to six hours.Famous temples in Kathmandu: the ones worth your time
The most famous temples in Kathmandu are Pashupatinath (Shiva), Boudhanath stupa, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), Budhanilkantha (the sleeping Vishnu), Changu Narayan and the temples of the three Durbar Squares. Pashupatinath and Boudhanath are close together and fit into one half-day.Day trips from Kathmandu: 12 easy ideas
The best day trips from Kathmandu are Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan, Patan, Nagarkot for sunrise, Dhulikhel and Namobuddha, the Chandragiri cable car, Pharping and Dakshinkali, and a hike in Shivapuri National Park. All are within about two hours of the city.Best places to visit in Nepal: 15 famous places
The most famous places to visit in Nepal are Kathmandu and its valley, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, Lumbini, the Everest region and the Annapurna region. With one week most visitors choose Kathmandu, Pokhara and either Chitwan or a short trek.Wildlife of Nepal: animals you can see and where
Nepal has a remarkable range of wildlife for its size because it rises from about 60 m to 8,848 m. The lowland parks hold one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers, elephants and gharial crocodiles; the hill forests hold red pandas and langurs; and the high Himalaya is home to snow leopards, blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, musk deer and yaks.Festivals of Nepal: a month-by-month guide
The biggest festivals of Nepal are Dashain (September or October) and Tihar (October or November). Others that visitors enjoy are Holi in March, Nepali New Year and Bisket Jatra in mid-April, Buddha Jayanti in May, Teej and Indra Jatra in August and September, and the mountain festivals of Mani Rimdu and Tiji.Kathmandu before and after your trek: how many days and what to do
Plan at least one full day in Kathmandu before a trek and one to two after it. The day before is for the trek briefing, permits, gear checks and cash; the days after are a buffer against flight delays and a chance to rest and see the city.

Kathmandu5 guides

Monkey Temple Kathmandu (Swayambhunath): visitor guideBhaktapur guide: Durbar Square, Dattatreya Temple and moreFamous temples in Kathmandu: the ones worth your timeDay trips from Kathmandu: 12 easy ideasKathmandu before and after your trek: how many days and what to do

Nepal3 guides

Best places to visit in Nepal: 15 famous placesWildlife of Nepal: animals you can see and whereFestivals of Nepal: a month-by-month guide

Related guides6 guide sections

Plan the trekking part of the trip.

Nepal Trek Planning
Seasons, permits, visa, money and packing.Best Treks For
Pick a trek by time, fitness and season.Treks from Pokhara
Short and long walks from the lake city.Poon Hill
The classic short trek with a sunrise view.The Himalayas
Where the range is and its highest peaks.Sacred Mountains of Nepal
Peaks that are worshipped and not climbed.
Prayer flags with the Dhaulagiri range behind

Plan your Nepal trip and trek

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