Best things to do in Kathmandu include exploring beautiful places, temples, peaks and much more. One of the largest cities in Nepal, Kathmandu is known to be the city of temples and gods surrounded by four mesmerizing mountain peaks. With whooping seven world heritage sites within Kathmandu valley, this place offers a complete package for tourists coming over. The large number of monuments, pilgrimage sites, valleys, lakes and a tempting variety of food options is what attract tourists from all over the world. As it is a Spiritual hub it offers lots of religious Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries of which Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa and Lord Shiva temple tops the list among devotees. This place is of a great historical value of which most can be seen in museums and galleries that are showcasing different artworks of the past and present. The National Museum of Kathmandu durbar square, the National library at Pulchowk, National Birendra art gallery at Naxal is some of the famous places to have a taste of Kathmandu's history & culture. This city is known for its altitudinal variations with many skies penetrating mountains, alluring mountain valleys, and lush green meadows.
Hill stations in Kathmandu include various scenic spots like Nagarkot, Kakani, Dhulikhel and much more. Nagarkot, being 32 kms east of Kathmandu is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view of Himalayas and Dhulikhel, situating 30kms from Kathmandu is best known for its panoramic view of Mount Everest. Kathmandu offers a wide variety of shopping experiences with high-end brands products in glitzy malls to street shopping that offers tempting jewelry, handicrafts, and Nepalese art-crafts. Bhaktapur, a place near Kathmandu is known for its exclusive Nepalese handicrafts and pots. You can find a wide varieties restaurants, malls, and clubs offering a rich taste of Nepalese food with cultural theaters and local arts adding to its glory. With the best things to do in Kathmandu, the city offers wide varieties of adventurous sports including rafting, hiking, rock climbing, golfing, mountain biking, bird watching and helicopter sightseeing. You can also try out the world famous Everest base camp trek in Kathmandu.
Things to Do in Kathmandu
People Also Ask About Kathmandu Things To Do
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What are the best adventure activities to do in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is the perfect place for adventure seekers. As being on the height of 20,000 meters it offers a large number of mountain sports and adventurous things to fill your hearts. Try doing all these things:
- Bungee jumping into Bhote Kosi river gorge
- Mountain biking around Shivapuri National park
- Rafting
- Mountain flight around Kathmandu
- Rock climbing
- Hot air ballooning
- Paragliding
- Trekking at Pokhara
- Canyoning at Chitwan National Park
- Zip flying
- Skydiving
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What are the best things to do in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is a vibrant city that offers a wide range of places to visit, from devotional temples and monasteries to beautiful soothing hills of Himalayas. Trying your hands on some delicacies of local food to trying some of the adventurous sports, you can do anything in this city. Following are the best things that you can do in Kathmandu:
- Get blessings from Boudhanath Temple
- Marvel through Durbar palace square
- Explore Annapurna Region
- Check-in Garden of dreams
- Take a flight over city
- Shop and hang out in Thamel
- Explore village in Kathmandu valley
- Get a hiking experience
- Shop at local markets
- Explore Chitwan national park
- Barge into Royal Botanical Gardens
- Visit Kopan Monastery
- Try your hands on rafting, bungee jumping, and paragliding
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Which are the best places to do water sports in Kathmandu?
The city is known to offer some of the best places to experience water sports with rivers originating from the highest mountain valleys. Following are the places where you can experience best water sports:
- Rafting on Trishuli river
- Whitewater rafting at Seti river
- Canyoning at Chitwan
- Kayaking on Kaligandaki river
- Stand up paddle boarding at Phewa Lake
- Lower Bhote Koshi and upper Bhote Koshi river
- Kali Gandaki river
- Sun Koshi River
- Karnali river
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Which are the best destinations for a wildlife safari in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu offers a rich wildlife for tourist to witness. You can experience a fun wildlife safari at following places in the city:
- Garden of dreams
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National park
- The central zoo
- Mrigasthali Deer park
- Tribhuvan park
- Ratna park
- Jawalakhel zoo
- Makalu Barun National park
- Wildlife safari at Chitwan National Park
- Rana National Park
- Sagarmatha National Park
- Bardiya National Park
- Rara National Park
- Khaptad National Park
- Banke National Park
- Shuklaphanta National Park
- Parsa national Park
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Which are the best places to go for trekking in Kathmandu?
Trekking is the favorite sports among the tourist. The city is at the height of 20,000 meters lying in the laps of Himalayas offers some amazing hills and places to experience trekking. Kathmandu offers some breathtaking mountain views while trekking. It is the most challenging experience you will ever witness. Some of the best trekking places are:
- Annapurna Base Camp trek
- Arun Valley trek
- Tamang Heritage Trek
- Trek at Phulchowki
- Annapurna Poon Hill trek
- Langtang Ganja pass trek
- Tsume valley trekking
- Goyko and Cho-la Pass
- Gosaikunda Pass trek
- Imja Tse and island peak trek
- Tamang Heritage trail
- Helambu trek
- Everest Base camp trekking
- Annapurna circuit trek
- Dhampus trek
- Makalu base camp trek
- Rolwaling trek
- Upper Dolpo Trek
- Manaslu circuit trek
- Upper Mustang trek
- Dhaulagiri circuit trek
- Trek to Pothana
- Three pass circuit trek
- Trek to landruk
- Trek to banthanti
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Which are the best sites for camping in Kathmandu?
So many mountains and altering treks offer some exquisite camping places around Kathmandu. These are the places where you can capture a beautiful camping experience:
- Karnali jungle Camp
- Koshi tappu wildlife camp
- Himalika Camp
- Chitwan bamboo camp
- Bandipur adventure camp
- Tarakuti camp
- Sunkoshi adventure camp
- Galchii bagar camp
- Travelers jungle camp
- Camping at Dhulikhel
- Sarangkot camping
- Camping at Palpa
- Nagarkot camping
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Which are the best routes to do biking in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu biking trip is the most beautiful thing among the whole trip. It will be so refreshing experience that you will ever forget. Riding bikes along the mesmerizing valleys are a thrilling adventure. Some of the best biking routes are:
- Mount Everest region
- Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Lower Mustang and upper mustang
- The Kathmandu valley
- Annapurna circuit
- Balaju – Kakani – mahankal – jarankhu – balaju
- Sankhu – Kathmandu
- Champi – lele –Chapagaon - Satdobato
- Panauti – Banepa – Kathmandu
- Thankot – Dahachowk
- Ramkot – Ichangu Narayan – Swoyambhu
- Shivapuri National Park
- Mudkhu – Tokha
- Jamacho and Madhuku single tracks
- Kathmandu – kakani – Budhanilkantha
- Mudkhu – Chaurgaon
- Changu Narayan – Sankhu – Gokarna
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Where can go for bungee jumping in Kathmandu?
Bungee jumping is a must do a thrilling sport that you can experience at following places in Kathmandu:
- The last resort
- Over bhoti Kosi river gorge
- Bungee jumping in Pokhara
- Bungee from Bhotekoshi
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Which are the must visit pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is known as the land of gods and temples due to a large number of temples and monasteries from ancient times. The city is full of religious harmony and ethnic diversity. Many devotees came to the city for blessings and spiritual peace. Following are the must visit pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu:
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Swayambhunath Stupa
- Muktinath
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha
- Guhyeshwari
- Changu Narayana
- Dakshinkali
- Manakamana Temple
- Kagbeni
- Damodar Kund
- Riddhi Hrishikesha tirtha
- Simraugadh
- Dhanushadham
- Chandan Nath
- Gosaikunda
- Devghat
- Balmiki ashram
- Namobuddha
- Barhachhetra
- Shaligrams
- Jaleshwor Mahadeva
- Mai Pokhara
- Badimalika
- Siddha Nath baba
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Which are the best locations for rafting in Kathmandu? What are the charges?
Rafting is the adventurous sport that you can count on. If you are a water sport enthusiastic, then Kathmandu offers you an endless white water to have a thrilling experience to capture. Following are the best places for rafting in the city:
· Upper Seti river
· Tamur river
· Kali Gandhi river
· Trishuli river
· Sunkoshi River
· Marshyangdi River
· Karnali river
· Kali Gandaki
· Bheri river
Rafting at all these places cost you around $57 USD or 45 Euro in total including all the types of equipment that they will provide. While rafting at upper seti river for 90 mins may cost you 5,100 Indian rupees.

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Kathmandu Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Kathmandu
The 17thcentury rendition of the renowned Swayambhunath temple, Kathesimbhu Stupa is one of the most popular Tibetan pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu. Located between Thamel and Durbar Square, the stupa was built using the left over materials from Swayambhunath temple complex. It is set in a hidden courtyard, surrounded by smaller stupas, engravings and statutes. Although well maintained and intact, this UNESCO World Heritage Site witnessed minor damages in the 2015 earthquake. Highlights:In the northwestern corner of the courtyard there’s a beautiful pagoda dedicated to Hariti, the goddess of smallpox whereas the northeast corner is adorned with the Drubgon Jangchup Choeling Monastery.Location:Kathmandu, Nepal.Timings:The complex is opened for public access the entire day throughout the week.Price:There is no admission charges for entry into the stupa complex.

Durbar square will take you to the king’s era and will surely give you the feeling of royalty. It is this place where the kings were crowned and were legitimised to rule that particular palace. You can simply sit in the terraced world and let the world go by. If you want to explore more, the best thing would be to start from the old valley. Highlights: Price: $10 USD Best months to visit: October and sometime in the afternoon is best time to visit the place.

Want to travel to an era bygone? Then Durbar Square is the place to be! The Durbar Square Central is a popular place among the tourists. It is well known for the ancient Royal Palace, which faces next to the square. Highlights:The concentrated mass of temples in this region is perhaps one of the biggest highlights of this place. It is here that you will find a stunning display of Newari architecture. The temple construction here happened from 14thto 18thcenturies, especially during the reign of King Siddhinarsingh Malla. The Durbar Central Square is one of the perfect places where you can wander around for hours, looking at magnificent buildings.Location: The Durbar Square is located in Patan Nepal.Timings: Entry is from 7 am to 7 pm. Price: For foreign travelers, the prices are from USD 3-8.
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