Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu's dense, temple-filled old squares sit within a valley ringed by hills, and the city functions as the starting point for virtually every trek and mountain expedition in Nepal. Its airport, while modest by regional standards, is the country's main international gateway.

Top attractions

• •Durbar Square, the historic royal palace complex
• •Swayambhunath (the 'Monkey Temple') on its hilltop above the city
• •Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest in the world
• •Pashupatinath Temple on the Bagmati River
• •Thamel district for trekking gear and the city's main traveler hub

Practical tips

• •Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is close to the city center — taxis are the standard way in, since there's no rail link.
• •If trekking or flying onward to mountain airstrips like Lukla, build in buffer days — mountain flights are frequently delayed by weather.
• •Altitude affects even Kathmandu itself somewhat, and much more so once trekking further into the mountains — pace the first days of any itinerary accordingly.

Frequently asked questions