I decided to travel the world, and bought a one way ticket to Kathmandu! What to see in 3 days?
Durbar Square is the most famous place in Kathmandu. It’s a major UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll can admire dozens of ancient temples and the Old Royal Palace. In fact, Kathmandu is known as the city of temples.
Other must-see sites in Kathmandu Valley are Swayambhu Temple, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. Everywhere is within easy reach by taxi or auto-rickshaw Tuk-Tuk. However, a guided tour is the best idea, as you’ll learn the fascinating local history and discover the Nepali culture.
Nepal’s capital is unique, a hypnotising city filled with ancient wonders and vibrant street markets. Yes, Kathmandu is definately worth visiting for two or three days before setting off on a Himalayan trek. Here’s our own experience.
Kathmandu – What to See in 3 Days
Arriving in Kathmandu
Juan and I arrived in Kathmandu just after dawn on a Qatar Airways flight that had conveniently connected straight through from our local airport in Alicante (Spain), via Madrid and Doha to Nepal’s mythical capital city.
This was the start to our trip around the world.
Flying into Kathmandu Valley was awesome, the first rays of sun lighting up the Himalayan mountain range, the highest snow covered peaks clear to see rising above the clouds.
Nepal was the first stop in our around the world trip and a great way to start the adventure! The tourist visa entry process is quite simple: to get your passport stamped just hand in the form with the usual personal details along with a recent photo -there are facilities to do this online at the airport- and pay a 2 week or 1 month fee depending on length of stay (major currencies are accepted).
Thamel District
BB Bhandari was waiting for us as arranged, to drive us to our accommodation in Thamel district in Kathmandu city centre – BB is the owner of Nepal Adventure Point, the local Nepal trekking and tours agency who made our stay in the country such an amazing experience! He greeted us in the traditional Nepalese manner and put a marigold garland around my neck.
The Samsara is a colonial-style hotel with a peaceful garden set back from one of the chaotic streets and a pleasant place to stay.
Too excited to catch up on lost sleep, we just dumped our bags in our room and went out to explore Kathmandu. The dusty narrow streets are busy with pedestrians, mopeds, rickshaws and the occasional taxi.
Small shops mainly sell ‘hippie’ clothes, trekking gear and souvenirs such as soft cashmere or baby yak wool garments. This place is far removed from Europe, both in distance and culture! We walked past a couple of small Hindu temples and then discovered a Buddhist Stupa in a typical side square.
In the afternoon, we met up with BB’s younger brother, Padam Bhandari – he’s an expert mountain guide with an exhaustive knowledge of the country and experienced in treks across the Himalayas, including the legendary Everest Base Camp and even remoter regions near Tibet such as Mustang. Padam has been a friend for ages (yes, you can get to know some genuinely interesting people on Facebook) and he really is a great guy.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
He walked with us to the famous Kathmandu Durbar Square, the UNESCO World Heritage Site which was hit by the 2015 earthquake. The visitors entrance price has since been increased to help fund the reconstruction of the various ancient monuments (currently 8.50€, we got our pass extended to 30 days for no additional fee – just remember to take your passport as identity and a separate photo along).
Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square is a fascinating complex of Hindu and Buddhist temples, and Royal Palaces, the oldest dating back to the 12th century!
There are 45 major points of interest to see according to the tourist information leaflet, including several impressive pagoda temples, a nine-storey King’s Residence (1770), different statues and deities, as well as numerous courtyards. We wandered around with Padam explaining some of the history and traditions.
Non-Hindus are not allowed into the temples but it is still fascinating to see the exterior architecture and decoration, and especially feel the magic after dark by lamplight, to observe the customs of the local people and Hindu visitors from other parts of Nepal or India.
Some of the temples were completely destroyed by the quake, others were damaged and are shored up, others have been completely restored and work will continue until everything is rebuilt.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is still one of the most impressive sites in the world. At the time of our visit. the Nepalese were celebrating Dashain. The date of the holy Dashain festivities varies according to calendar year, and falls around the end of September or beginning of October.
Hundreds of people were queuing to walk up the steps and around the platforms of the highest temple – Taleju is an extraordinary 12 stage plinth which is only open during this important Hindu festival.
Kumari Ghar
We were allowed into the courtyard of Kumari-ghar which is the home of the living Goddess; the Kumari is believed to be an incarnation of the Goddess Taleju, a chosen child who lives with her guardian priestess and appears at the window to be seen at certain times. While this may seem strange us, it is a significant part of Nepalese culture.
Around the edge of Durbar Square there are tiny stalls where you can sit by the pavement and drink tea or try traditional pastries, but we gave this a miss as we’d been invited over to have a curry with the Bhandaris as Dashain is above all a family affair about hospitality. It turned out to be an evening to remember in wonderful company.
Related Posts on What to See in Kathmandu
Continue reading about our 3 days in Kathmandu and the incredible things to see there.
Kathmandu Patan City + Swayambhu Temple
Day 2. Patan Durbar Square and Kathmandu Swayambhu Monkey Temple in Nepal.
Padam took us to Patan on our 2nd day in Kathmandu… Padam Bhandari being our guide from Nepal Adventure Point, and Patan one of the original three kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley founded in the year 299!
Read our popular features on Nepal
- Kathmandu – Thamel and Kathmandu Durbar Square – First stop on our around the world trip!
- Kathmandu – Patan City + Swayambhu Temple
- Kathmandu – Boudhanath Stupa + Pashupatinath Temple
- Poon Hill Trek part 1 Nayapul – Hile – Ulleri – Ghorepani
- Poon Hill Trek part 2 Poon Hill Summit – Tadapani – Ghandruk
- Poon Hill Trek part 3 Landruk – Tolka – Dhampus
- Pokhara Lake
- Chitwan National Park
- Diwali Festival of Lights in Kathmandu
- 12-day Nepal Itinerary – Kathmandu Diwali Festival and Himalayan Trek
For information on treks, cultural tours, wildlife and adventure activities in Nepal contact BB Bhandari at Nepal Adventure Point.
Bul Bahadur Bhandari is the founder and executive director of Nepal Adventure Point. Established in 1998, NAP is a Nepalese company specializing in mountain treks and hiking routes throughout the Himalayas, as well as adventure activities and cultural tours.
BB Bhandari was born in the Sindhupalchowk District of Nepal. Educated in Kathmandu (HMTTC training and KEEP environmental studies), he went on to become an expert Himalayan guide leader and an authority on tourism in Nepal.
When not in meetings and organizing tours, the ‘Big Boss’ loves hiking on the mountains. Also known for his culinary skills and hospitality, he makes an awesome authentic curry!
A family man whose children are following his lead – his son has recently graduated as a Himalayan guide and his daughter is set to be one of the first female mountain guides in Nepal – Mr Bhandari is currently widening his company’s international approach to embrace the Hispanic speaking traveler.
You can reach him on nepaladventurepoint@gmail.com or +977 985 105 0327.
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Love the post! Beautiful pictures and insightful information. Looking forward to more!
Thanks Max! You just have to visit Nepal, it’s the most amazing country. Kathmandu is so interesting, not only the famous historical sites but also all the little temples and shrines hidden in the backstreets! Checkout my other posts on the city, and also the ones on trekking in the Annapurnas, wildlife in Chitwan and Pokhara lakeside.