Local Favourites
Pokhara Thakali Kitchen
A dependable Lakeside spot for generous Thakali thalis - easy for vegetarians.
Order Veg Thakali thali with refills
Himalayas · Nepal
Kathmandu & Pokhara
Ancient temple squares and living traditions in Kathmandu, then lakeside Pokhara with Annapurna views, paragliding and easy treks.
Best timeOctober to November and March to April
Ideal trip5–7 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereTribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu (KTM); Pokhara Airport (PKR)
Visa (Indian passport)No visa needed for Indian citizens; carry a valid passport or voter ID (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
CultureMountainsSpiritualAdventure
Four ways to see Kathmandu
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Pashupatinath Temple≈ ₹500
Nepal's holiest Shiva temple on the Bagmati river, with cremation ghats and sadhus.
spiritual · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningBoudhanath Stupa≈ ₹400
A great white Tibetan stupa where pilgrims circle at dusk.
spiritual · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Kopan hilltop monastery walk — A quieter free Tibetan Buddhist hilltop with views over the valley.
Swayambhunath Monkey Temple≈ ₹300
A hilltop stupa with watchful Buddha eyes and playful macaques.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningKathmandu Durbar Square≈ ₹1,000
Old royal palaces and pagoda temples in the city's historic heart.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Indrachowk and Asan bazaar lanes — Free old-city lanes with temples, shrines and daily life, minus the palace buildings.
Patan Durbar Square≈ ₹1,000
Fine Newari carvings and a museum of Nepali art.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Patan backstreet courtyards — Free brick-lined courtyards and temples with Newari life, off the main square.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square≈ ₹1,200
A medieval brick city of potters and temples.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Panauti old town — A free medieval Newar town with temples, less crowded than Bhaktapur.
Phewa Lake boating, Pokhara≈ ₹500
Row to the island temple beneath Annapurna reflections.
relax · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Lakeside promenade and Damside viewpoint — Free lakeside walks with Annapurna views, without a boat.
Sarangkot sunrise≈ ₹300
A hilltop viewpoint for the first light on Annapurna and Machhapuchhre.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningPokhara paragliding≈ ₹8,000
Soar above the lake with a tandem pilot.
adventure · about 3 hrs · best in the morningQuieter, still easy to reach
Nagarkot sunrise≈ ₹500
A ridge village for Himalayan views, an hour east of Kathmandu.
scenic · about 5 hrs · best in the morningChangu Narayan Temple≈ ₹500
One of Nepal's oldest temples on a hill with carved stone figures.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonWorld Peace Pagoda, PokharaFree
A white hilltop stupa across the lake.
spiritual · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonChitwan jungle safari≈ ₹6,000
Spot rhinos, deer and possibly tigers from jeep and canoe.
wildlife · about 8 hrs · best in the morningDavis Falls and Gupteshwor Cave≈ ₹200
A waterfall that vanishes into a cave in Pokhara.
nature · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Seti River gorge viewpoint — Free views of the narrow river gorge in Pokhara.
Food, markets, crafts and people
Thamel and Ason bazaarFree
Spice sellers, singing bowls and local goods in old market lanes.
shopping · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonMomo and dal bhat meal≈ ₹300
Eat steamed dumplings and a refillable plate of dal bhat in a local home restaurant.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonNewari food trail in Kirtipur≈ ₹1,200
Taste bara, choila and rice beer in a hill-top Newar town.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Asan bazaar food lanes — Free to wander and taste Newari snacks at stalls.
Thangka painting class≈ ₹1,500
Learn the basics of Tibetan scroll painting from an artist.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the morningGurung village homestay near Pokhara≈ ₹2,500
Stay with a hill family and learn about Gurung life.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonSpots most visitors miss
Kopan Monastery meditationFree
A hilltop monastery with courses and quiet views, north of Boudha.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningPharping Dakshinkali and cavesFree
Hindu and Buddhist cave shrines where Padmasambhava meditated, south of Kathmandu.
spiritual · about 3 hrs · best in the morningPanauti old townFree
A river-confluence Newar town with ancient temples and few visitors.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonBegnas LakeFree
A calm lake east of Pokhara without crowds or loud bars.
relax · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonShivapuri Nagarjun hike≈ ₹300
A forest reserve with hilltop trails above the valley.
nature · about 5 hrs · best in the morningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Kathmandu is famous for
food
Momo
Steamed or fried dumplings, served everywhere with spicy chutney.
food
Dal bhat
Rice, lentils, curry and pickle; a refillable Nepali meal.
drink
Butter tea and masala chai
Warm drinks for cold mornings in the hills.
craft
Thangka and singing bowls
Tibetan painted scrolls and hand-hammered metal bowls.
souvenir
Pashmina shawls and Himalayan tea
Light wool shawls and loose-leaf tea.
souvenir
Khukuri knife replicas
Souvenir versions of the famous Gurkha blade.
experience
Paragliding over Pokhara
Fly above the lake with the Annapurnas as backdrop.
Where to eat
A taste of Kathmandu
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Momo vegNepal's beloved dumplings - steamed, fried or in soupy 'jhol' sauce. Veg and paneer versions are everywhere.
- Dal bhat vegLentil soup, rice, vegetable curry and pickles, usually with free refills - the national meal.
- Thakali thali vegA refined dal bhat from the Mustang region with buckwheat, ghee and many small sides; best in Pokhara.
- Newari samay bajiA ceremonial platter of beaten rice, spiced meats, soybeans and pickles from the Kathmandu Valley's Newar community.
- Yomari vegSteamed rice-flour dumplings filled with molasses and sesame, a Newari winter treat.
- Juju dhau vegBhaktapur's rich 'king of curds', set in clay pots.
Street food trail
Asan–Indra Chowk bazaar snack walk (Kathmandu) + Lakeside evening (Pokhara)
- Best time
- Kathmandu 4–7 pm; Pokhara Lakeside after 6 pm
- Takes
- 2–3 hours
- Start at
- Thamel Chowk, walking south to Asan
- Budget
- NPR 600–1,000 (~INR 375–630)
- Asan Tole bazaarOld Kathmandu
Try Sel roti (rice-flour ring doughnut) (veg), chatamari (Newari rice crepe — veg version available)
Narrow and crowded; keep bags in front.
NPR 100–200 (~INR 65–125)Map
- Indra Chowk & Makhan ToleTowards Durbar Square
Try Lassi (veg), pani puri / chatpate (spicy puffed-rice mix) (veg)
Chatpate is made fresh in front of you — ask for less chilli.
NPR 100–200 (~INR 65–125)Map
- Newari restaurants around Kathmandu Durbar SquareBasantapur
Try Bara (lentil patty) (veg), samay baji set (veg on request)
Samay baji usually includes buffalo meat — order a veg set.
NPR 300–500 (~INR 190–315)Map
- Momo shops in Thamel/JhochhenThamel
Try Veg momos with tomato achar (veg)
Choose busy shops where momos are steamed constantly.
NPR 150–250 (~INR 95–160)Map
- Pokhara Lakeside street stallsLakeside, Pokhara
Try Roasted corn (veg), Thakali dal-bhat set (veg)
Thakali dal-bhat with free refills is the best-value meal in Nepal.
NPR 400–700 (~INR 250–440)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Very easy — dal-bhat, veg momos, Indian dishes everywhere; Hindu majority.
- Vegan
- Moderate — ghee and curd are common; ask 'ghiu bina'.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Realistic with effort — many Indian-style restaurants in Thamel understand Jain food; street momos and chatpate contain onion/garlic.
- Halal
- Some halal restaurants near the Kashmiri Jame Masjid (Durbar Marg); buffalo and chicken common, pork less so.
- Gluten-free
- Easy with dal-bhat and sel roti (rice); momos are wheat.
- With children
- Veg momos, sel roti, corn, lassi, fried rice; avoid cut fruit and pani puri water.
- Spice level
- Medium to hot achar; ask 'piro nahaalnu'.
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianMa shakahari hunmuh shaa-kaa-haa-ree hoon
- No meat, no fish, no eggMasu, maachha, anda nahaalnumaa-soo, maa-chaa, un-daa na-haal-noo
- Not spicy, pleasePiro nahaalnupee-ro na-haal-noo
- How much?Kati ho?ka-tee ho
- Delicious!Mitho chha!mee-to chaa
- Indian ₹100 notes are widely accepted (₹200/₹500/₹2000 notes are restricted); Nepal QR (Fonepay) is common and Indian UPI now works at many merchants — still carry cash.
- Don't drink tap water or ice; avoid raw salads and street pani puri if you have a sensitive stomach.
- Kathmandu dust is heavy in dry season — carry a mask on bazaar walks.
- Thamel restaurants add 10% service + 13% VAT — check the menu footnote.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylish
Bhojan Griha
Set in a restored 150-year-old priest's mansion with folk music and dance on most nights - a good first-night group dinner.
Order Multi-course Nepali set dinner
Smart & Stylish
Moondance
A Lakeside institution since 1991 with a cosy fireplace - a reliable all-rounder.
Order Wood-fired dishes, desserts, Nepali plates
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
MarAsia
Fagu Purnima (Holi) in Nepal
Kathmandu, Durbar Square and Terai towns, Nepal · About 22–23 March 2027 (lunar calendar — confirm closer to the time)
Kathmandu celebrates Holi with coloured powder and water balloons, with a ritual pole raised in Durbar Square a week earlier. Locals are friendly and welcoming to visitors who join in.
Tip: Wear old clothes, avoid wearing contacts and keep valuables at the hotel.
OctAsia
Dashain
Kathmandu Valley and across Nepal, Nepal · About 1–9 October 2027, main day Vijaya Dashami (lunar calendar — confirm closer to the time)
Nepal's longest and biggest festival sees families reunite, fly kites, set up swings and receive tika from elders. Kathmandu is quiet and many places close, but the atmosphere is warm.
Tip: Book trekking transport early; many offices and shops are shut for several days.
Local tip: Allow extra time for flights and roads in monsoon and keep a buffer day before international flights.
Make Kathmandu yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.