Kathmandu
Overview
Kathmandu is the only international capital most Indians can reach without a passport check at the border and without touching a foreign exchange counter at all if they don't want to — Indian rupees are widely accepted across the valley at a standard peg. It's also the gateway to the cheapest close-range Himalayan views on the planet, in Pokhara and the short treks above it.
Best time to visit
October and November are peak season for a reason: post-monsoon skies are at their clearest for mountain views, and this window overlaps Nepal's two biggest festivals, Dashain and Tihar. December through February is colder but still clear, with noticeably lower prices and thinner crowds on the same trails.
Things to do
- Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and the Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) stupa
- Day trip to Bhaktapur's medieval Durbar Square, one of the best-preserved old towns in the valley
- Fly or bus to Pokhara for Phewa Lake and Himalayan views without any trekking required
- From Pokhara, walk the short Poon Hill trek (3-4 days) for a 360-degree Annapurna sunrise without technical climbing
Sample itinerary
- Days 1-2 — Kathmandu: Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bhaktapur day trip
- Day 3 — Overland or fly to Pokhara, Phewa Lake at sunset
- Days 4-6 — Poon Hill trek (or a relaxed lakeside stay for a non-trekking trip)
- Day 7 — Return to Kathmandu, fly out
