Overview

Katmandu is situated in the heart of the Himalayas and is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also the capital and largest metropolitan city of Nepal. Sometimes known as Kantipur, the city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters above sea level.

Most people speak the Nepali language, though many people also understand English. The best time to visit Katmandu is in October/November or March/April, when the weather is warm and sunny.

Activities & Attractions

Kathmandu has been popular with western tourists since the 1960s when it was a frequently quoted stop on the Hippy Trail. Rock and Roll star Bob Seger has even featured it in a popular song. Many believe that the seat of Nirvana and tranquility is located in Kathmandu, as evident by a number of Hindu and Buddhist temples in the area. One of the more popular things to do in Kathmandu is to take a flight over Mount Everest. There are many companies that offer scenic flights over the Himalayas and surrounding mountains.

There are a multitude of different temples, including both Hindu and Muslim, located in Durbar Square that provide a cultural backdrop to the region. One of the most famous is Maru Sattal, which was built in 1596 by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. The entire structure contains no iron nails or supports and is made entirely from wood. Legend has it that the timber used for this two-story pagoda was obtained from a single tree.

Swayambhu Temple, Pashupati Temple, Changu Narayan, and Boudhanath Stupa are places that you must see when visiting the city. They are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of historical importance. Some other great places to visit are Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur City, Balaju Water Garden, and Budhanilkantha.

Lodging

Many different types of accommodation are available, with hotels ranging from the budget to the luxury type. There are also student hotels and small venues that are inexpensive, but they do not have the same amenities as some of the bigger hotels. Some of the hotels you can check into in Katmandu are Hotel Yak and Yeti, Hotel Everest, Hotel Vaishali, Hotel Bluestar and Hotel Woodlands. If you wish to check out other hotels in the city, you can use the Web sites found below in the resources section.

Transportation

To travel to places of interest in the city you can go by bus or mini bus, which often do not have a fixed schedule. You can also take taxis and tempos, but they can sometimes be more expensive. One fun mode of transportation is rickshaws, which are a useful way of getting around the city. Helicopters can also be hired to fly to many places, although the cost is quite high.