Kathmandu has been the hub of Nepal's history, art, culture and economy with a Hindu and Buddhist majority. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal in April 2015 leaving much of its infrastructure including temples in rubble. Nearly all travelers going to Kathmandu do so to trek the Himalayan mountain range.

Kathmandu Blogs by TheLoneRider

Visiting Boudhanath, Nepal's Largest Stupa

(Apr 19, 2018) A visit to Nepal's largest Tibetan Buddhist stupa showcases pilgrims and devotees doing their religious walk around the stupa under the watchful eyes to the Buddha....more »»

Vinyasa Yoga with Dipendra at the Mandala Yoga Studio and Spa, Kathmandu

(Apr 18, 2018) Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher Dipendra at the Mandala Yoga Studio and Spa, Kathmandu....more »»

Hatha Yoga with Madhab Prasad Dhakal at Sawar Yoga Studio

(Apr 17, 2018) Hatha Yoga with Madhab Prasad Dhakal at Sawar Yoga Studio, Kathmandu...more »»

Fitness in Kathmandu

(Apr 15, 2018) As soon as I got settled in Kathmandu, first order of the day was to resume my fitness workout. Despite the cold and limited space, I did my asana, calisthenics, pranayama and meditation on the roof deck of my hostel....more »»

7 Days in Kathmandu

(April 13-20, 2018) With 2 nights pre-booking at the newly built 8848 Hostel, it was a painless start for me to begin a 30-day mini life in Kathmandu. I simply have to figure out what happens to me after those 2 nights. Kathmandu is exciting with energies unbound. And yes, it's seriously dusty! After only 7 days though, I had to leave....more »»

The 18-Hour Trip from Kuantan, Malaysia to Kathmandu, Nepal

(April 12-13, 2018) With my visa expiring, I had to move out of Malaysia to Nepal. No matter how thorough I thought I had been in the preparation, I still missed out on one minor detail that wreaked needless hardship....more »»

Kathmandu (city), Nepal

ESSENTIAL LANDMARKS

• Tribhuvan International Airport - Kathmandu's international airport
• Ratna Park bus terminal - one of the main bus terminals with buses going to the airport
• Thamel - Kathmandu's tourist area for hotels, trekking tours, restos, cafes, money changers, cargo forwarders, etc.
• Durbar Marg - Kathmandu's upscale shopping area
• Jhochhen - popular counter-culture neighborhood during the hippie era

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

• Basantapur Durbar Square - formerly the haunt of Nepalese royalty, now an UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical significance and traditional Nepalese architecture
• Shechen Monastery - one of six mother Tibetan Buddhist monasteries from the late 17th century
• Boudhanath - one of the biggest stupas in the world, once plied over as an ancient trade route over the centuries
• Kopan Monastery - best to visit together with Boudhanath as they are not too far from each other. Foreigners come here to learn Buddhism. Open to the public Saturdays only
• Pashupatinath Temple - a Hindu temple located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Another UNESCO World Heritage site. Maha Shivaratri festival late Feb or early March with more than 65,000 devotees
• Harati Devi Temple - devoted to the worship of Harati Devi. It houses a museum, stupa and library

HOTEL

• 8848 Hostel - newly opened, backpacker friendly, resto/bar, central location, clean, wifi, a/c, full breakfast
  Thahity, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

TREKKING

• Top of the World Adventure - trekking, tours, jungle safari, river rafting, peak climbing, hiking, expedition
  Thamel Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal

MEDITATION

• Dhamma Shringa - Vipassana Meditation Centre
• Dhamma Kitti - Vipassana Meditation Centre

Travel Tips for Kathmandu

1. Kathmandu is dusty and you'll need a mask
2. if on a budget, cheap staple comfort food in Kathmandu is momo, local price in local eateries at NPR 60/10 pieces

How to get to Thamel (Kathmandu) from the Tribhuvan International Airport

1. You can take a cab for about $7
2. Airport by bus to Thamel (Ratna Park Bus terminal)
   But if you want to save money and don't mind roughing it, you can take a bus. Walk out of the airport and turn left on the rotunda just outside the airport gate. This takes you to the main road where buses ply. The bus signs are in Nepali, but you can hear the bus conductor shouting, "Ratna Park". NPR 20, 30 minutes

Travel Tips for Nepal

• tourist visa up to 15 days = $25, up to 30 days = $40, up to 90 days = $100, transit = $5, and they will accept currencies from 18 countries
• best to register for a tourist visa online (http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa). This saves you time, trouble and the hassle of bringing in a picture with you. You get the approved form printed and just show it to the Immigration guys in Kathmandu
• NPR (Nepalese Rupee) 100 = US$1
• nearly every food served is spicy...there is no escaping it

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