Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu lies right at the heart of the Himalayas and for many visitors, trekking Nepal’s Annapurna circuit, it is both the start and end point of the circular trail. Kathmandu was once believed to be the beautiful but inaccessible Shangri La, and is the perfect place to begin your Nepal trekking.
The bustling centre of Kathmandu is literally brimming with tourists and backpackers. And whilst a few are just content to spend a few days in the country chilling out and soaking up the peaceful vibe, many more visitors are using Kathmandu as a gateway to a much bigger Nepal trekking expedition, be it the Annapurna Circuit or even Mount Everest. Luckily Kathmandu is full of incredible places to explore, which makes it a great place to spend a few days before or after your Nepal trekking expedition.
Thamel Chowk is the main tourist centre in Kathmandu and the place where the majority of the capital’s gift shops and restaurants are located. There are a number of delicious restaurants where you can fill yourself up with traditional Nepalese food before starting your Nepal trekking. However, if you’re also coming back to the capital after your walk then you may want to wait until then to start your souvenir shopping. After all you don’t want your rucksack to be full before you’ve even started.
Thirty minutes outside the centre is the Swayambhu, one of the most revered Buddhist monuments in the country. Visitors to the area often call the Stupa the monkey temple due to the large number of monkeys that make their home in the grounds. The temple also contains prayer wheels and Buddhist artwork with 365 steps leading up to the top. Just make sure you watch out for the monkeys on the way down!
However, if you prefer bats to monkeys then you may want to take a visit to the King’s Palace. Although the palace is modern looking, having only been built in the second half of the 19th century, the giant fruit bats which hang from the trees outside never fail to attract foreign visitors. Try to visit the King’s Palace just before sunset when the giant bats flock en masse around the city square in a giant swarm.
Another popular area in Nepal is that of Freak Street, which had its hey day during the swinging sixties when overlander tours and kaftans were all the rage. The shops in this psychedelic street are a relic of the past, but still claim to sell everything from incense to enlightenment. The spaced out vibe of the area makes it perfect for chilling out before beginning your Nepal trekking expedition.
One of the most important sites for Tibetan Buddhism is the Boudha Stupa and this will also be the most recognisable sight that you will encounter in Kathmandu. The golden tower is said to represent the World Mountain, or Neru, which is home to the Gods and centre to the cosmos. Whilst the two eyes are instantly recognisable, those who look closer will also see a third eye in between, which is the symbol for knowledge.
With so many incredible sights to see in Kathmandu, the destination is the perfect place to both begin and end your Nepal trekking expedition; you’ll certainly need the two trips to the capital in order to see everything you want.
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