Nepal ☁️ 20°C · Now
★ Best Time Now Kathmandu
Nepal
Kathmandu at a glance
$22+
Budget tier · excl. flights
From major hubs
KTM (Tribhuvan International)
Visa-free 90 days
For most Western passports
USD
Local currency
Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec
Now is ideal!
Subtropical highland (mild year-round)
Now ☁️ 20°C
00:53
NPT (UTC+5:45 — unusual 45-min offset!)
Nepali
English universal in tourism
Why visit Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is Nepal's capital — population 1.5M (Kathmandu Valley 3M total) at 1,400m elevation in a Himalayan valley, the gateway to Mount Everest + the trekking capital of the world. The city has 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites within Kathmandu Valley (1979 + restoration after 2015 earthquake): Durbar Square (royal palace squares — Kathmandu + Patan + Bhaktapur), Swayambhunath ('Monkey Temple,' Buddhist stupa with eyes of Buddha gazing in 4 directions), Boudhanath (largest Buddhist stupa in Asia + 500 monks chanting at sunset), Pashupatinath Temple (Hindu cremation temple on Bagmati River — sobering), and Changu Narayan Temple (Nepal's oldest temple, 4th century).
Tourist hub Thamel (chaotic backpacker district + cheap trekking gear + bars + bookstores), Garden of Dreams (1920 Edwardian oasis in Thamel), and Naran Tuul (largest open-air market in Asia for cashmere + Mongolian wool — wait, that's UB; Kathmandu has cheap but fake gear).
Trekking gateway is THE main draw: Everest Base Camp (12-14 days, 5,364m, requires Lukla flight), Annapurna Circuit (14-21 days), Annapurna Base Camp (12 days, 4,130m), and Pokhara (7h drive, gateway to Annapurnas + Phewa Lake + paragliding). Mountain Flight (Buddha Air or Yeti scenic 1h flight + Everest viewing $200) for those without trekking time.
Iconic Nepali cuisine: Dal bhat (lentils + rice + curry, $3-8 — Nepal's national dish, "dal bhat power 24 hour" trekking joke), Momo (Tibetan-influenced dumplings, $2-5 each), Newari thali (12-course at Bhojan Griha $11-19 — most authentic Newari), Sel roti (sweet rice ring bread, $1-2), Yak cheese ($5-10), Tongba (millet-based hot drink, $2-5 — popular at high altitude), Everest beer ($2-4).
Bottom line: Kathmandu is canonical Himalaya gateway + 7 UNESCO sites + cheap budget Asia + trekking pilgrimage. 3 days for Kathmandu Valley + 1-3 weeks for treks.
Things to do in Kathmandu
Highlights
Boudhanath stupa (largest Asian stupa)
Tibetan Buddhist + 500 monks chanting at sunset; UNESCO 1979.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Buddhist stupa with Buddha eyes gazing in 4 directions; 365 steps up.
Everest Mountain Flight
1-hour scenic flight + Everest viewing without trekking.
Travel cost
Per person, per day (excludes flights)
Hostel + local food + public transport
$22
Per person / day (excl. flights)
📅 Total cost by trip duration (incl. flights)
3 days
$80
5 days
$130
7 days
$180
Flight estimate: $700-1,500 from US/EU; $300-700 from Asia (KTM direct from Seoul/BKK/SIN) (round-trip estimate)
Monthly weather
Currently in Kathmandu: ☁️ 20°C
Kathmandu now (May)
High 30°C / Low 16°C· Hot★ Best Time
Jan ⛅
High 19°C / Low 2°C
Mild
Feb 🌤️
High 21°C / Low 4°C
Mild
Mar ☀️
High 25°C / Low 7°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Apr ☀️
High 28°C / Low 11°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
May 🔥
High 30°C / Low 16°C
Hot
★ Best time to visit
Jun 🔥
High 30°C / Low 19°C
Hot
Jul ☀️
High 28°C / Low 20°C
Hot
Aug ☀️
High 28°C / Low 19°C
Hot
Sep ☀️
High 27°C / Low 18°C
Pleasant
Oct ☀️
High 26°C / Low 13°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Nov 🌤️
High 23°C / Low 7°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Dec 🌤️
High 20°C / Low 3°C
Mild
★ Best time to visit
Jan
⛅
19°
2°
Mild
Feb
🌤️
21°
4°
Mild
Mar
☀️
25°
7°
Pleasant
★Best
Apr
☀️
28°
11°
Hot
★Best
May
🔥
30°
16°
Hot
★Best
Jun
🔥
30°
19°
Hot
Jul
☀️
28°
20°
Hot
Aug
☀️
28°
19°
Hot
Sep
☀️
27°
18°
Pleasant
Oct
☀️
26°
13°
Pleasant
★Best
Nov
🌤️
23°
7°
Pleasant
★Best
Dec
🌤️
20°
3°
Mild
★Best
Practical information
Getting there
Getting around
Money & payments
Language
Cultural tips
Money & payment
Currency
NPR (Nepalese Rupee). USD accepted at hotels.
Card acceptance
Hotels + restaurants in Thamel/Boudha. Cash for street food + markets.
Tipping
10% at sit-down restaurants + $5-10/day for trekking guides + porters.
ATM
Standard Chartered + Himalayan Bank in Thamel/Boudha free for foreign cards.
Recommended itinerary
Kathmandu 3-day route
Day 1 Kathmandu UNESCO sites
09:00
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Buddhist stupa with eyes + city panorama; NPR 200 ($1.50)
11:00
Kathmandu Durbar Square (UNESCO)
Royal palace square + Kumari living goddess; NPR 1,000 ($7.50)
13:00
Lunch — momo dumplings at Thamel
Nepali momo + dal bhat NPR 300-600 ($2-5)
15:00
Boudhanath stupa (largest in Asia)
Tibetan Buddhist with 500 monks chanting at sunset; NPR 400 ($3)
17:30
Pashupatinath Temple cremation
Hindu cremation site on Bagmati River — sobering experience; NPR 1,000
20:00
Dinner — Newari thali at Bhojan Griha
12-course Newari traditional NPR 1,500-2,500 ($11-19)
Day 2 Bhaktapur + Patan
09:00
Drive to Bhaktapur (1h east)
UNESCO medieval royal city; NPR 1,500 ($11) entry
🎫 18% off — Book lowest price11:00
Bhaktapur Durbar Square + Pottery Square
55-window palace + traditional pottery making
13:00
Lunch — Newari cuisine at Café Nyatapola
Newari classics with view ¥800-1,500
15:00
Drive to Patan (UNESCO Durbar Square)
Most beautiful Newari architecture; NPR 1,000
17:30
Patan Museum (best in Nepal)
Medieval art + Buddha sculptures; NPR 1,000
20:00
Dinner at Krishnarpan (Dwarika's Hotel)
Multi-course Nepali fine dining $80-150
Day 3 Everest mountain flight + departure
06:00
Mountain flight to Everest (1h, $200)
Buddha Air or Yeti scenic flight + Everest viewing
🎫 16% off — Book lowest price09:00
Garden of Dreams (oasis in Thamel)
1920 Edwardian garden + café; NPR 400 ($3)
12:00
Lunch at OR2K (rooftop vegetarian)
Mediterranean-Nepali fusion ¥800-1,500
14:00
Trekking gear shopping at Thamel
North Face/Black Diamond knockoffs cheap; bargain hard
17:00
Yoga + meditation at Pranamaya Yoga
1-hour drop-in class; ¥800
20:00
Final dinner at Yak & Yeti (1968 since)
Iconic Nepali + Tibetan; ¥2,000-4,000
Where to stay
Click each district to compare hotel deals
Thamel (backpacker)
Tourist hub. Trekking gear + cheap hostels + bars. Most central + chaotic.
See hotels in this area
Lazimpat
Mid-range hotels + embassies + safer than Thamel + walkable.
See hotels in this area
Boudha
Around Boudhanath stupa + Tibetan + monasteries. Spiritual atmosphere.
See hotels in this area
Patan
Sister city + UNESCO Patan Durbar Square + 30 min drive south.
See hotels in this area
Bhaktapur
Medieval royal city + UNESCO Durbar + 1h east. Day trip OR overnight.
See hotels in this area
Bhaisepati (south)
Modern Pokhara-style + cheaper hotels + 30 min from center.
See hotels in this area
Kathmandu hotel price comparison
Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com prices in one place
* Centered on Thamel (backpacker) — the most hotel-dense area in Kathmandu
Top tours & activities in Kathmandu
Top-rated by travelers
Frequently asked questions
Most common questions from travelers to Kathmandu
Q How much per day?
Budget $22, mid $55, luxury $175+. Among cheapest tourist cities globally.
Q How many days?
3 days for Kathmandu Valley + 12-21 days for treks. Day 1: Boudhanath + Swayambhunath + Pashupatinath. Day 2: Bhaktapur + Patan UNESCO. Day 3: Everest mountain flight + departure (or trek).
Q Best time?
Mar-May + Oct-Dec (clear mountain views + dry). Avoid Jun-Sep monsoon (cloudy + mountains hidden + flight delays). Trekking peak: Oct + Apr-May.
Q Visa?
Visa on arrival $30 (15 days) / $50 (30 days) / $125 (90 days) for most passports including Korean/Japanese/EU/US/UK/AU. Bring 2 passport photos + USD cash.
Q Safety?
Generally safe. Watch for petty theft on tourist buses + Thamel crowds. Pollution + altitude + earthquake aftermath (2015 7.8M quake killed 8,857).
Q English?
Universal in tourism + Thamel + 5-star hotels + trekking guides. Limited at rural areas.
Q Famous food?
Dal bhat at any local restaurant ('dal bhat power 24 hour' is trekking joke), momo dumplings (Tibetan-influenced), Newari thali at Bhojan Griha (12-course canonical NPR 1,500-2,500), yak cheese, Everest beer. Krishnarpan at Dwarika's Hotel for fine dining $80-150.
Q Trekking — EBC vs Annapurna?
Everest Base Camp (EBC): 12-14 days, 5,364m, requires Lukla flight ($200), more remote, more difficult. Annapurna Base Camp (ABC): 12 days, 4,130m, easier altitude, drive to Pokhara start, more variety. Annapurna Circuit: 14-21 days, includes 5,416m Thorung La Pass.
Q Pokhara worth visiting?
Yes — 7h scenic drive (or 30 min flight $50). Phewa Lake + paragliding + Annapurna trekking gateway. Stay 2-3 nights.
Q Air pollution?
Nov-Feb winter inversions trap pollution; AQI often 200+ (hazardous). Bring N95 masks. Indoor air purifiers at hotels. Avoid outdoor exercise in winter.
TripPick
Data-driven travel guide
Weather and exchange rates on this page are fetched live from external APIs; cost and itinerary data are verified periodically against local sources.
Weather
Open-Meteo API
Exchange
ECB rates
Costs
Local price data
Itineraries
Traveler reviews
Book your Kathmandu trip
Compare flights, hotels, and tours all in one place
Prices via Skyscanner, Booking.com, GetYourGuide
Go deeper into Kathmandu
Click each topic for the dedicated guide
Similar to Kathmandu
Same region, similar climate and budget
