The importance placed on religion in Nepal is enormous and also a tour of the 3 sights; Swayambunath, Boudhanath, and Pashupatinath are not to be overlooked! At the foot of the long stairway out of the valley are several temple buildings surrounded by colored statues and covered with drawings that are colorful. You will find lots and lots of monkeys around scavenging to get a snack to eat. There are 365 rock steps to climb to reach the stupa and also the eyes of the Buddha are the focus. The atmosphere around the stupa is filled with an air of excitement and energy and amazing.

Boudhanath, a Tibetan Buddhist monument with a diameter of 100m, is one of the largest stupas in the world and yet another highlight of traveling in Nepal. The many souvenir stores and restaurants make this the ideal place to have lunch with a view of the expansive stupa.

At Pashupatinath, Hindus come to honor Shiva in the form of Pashupati an Animal God. Have a seat on the staircase you will have a great view of the ghats, the ritual bathing, and cremation locations and non-Hindus are not permitted to go into the temple complex in the event that you cross the Bagmati River. As you're traveling in Nepal if you are lucky you may see preparations for a cremation ceremony. There are several sadhus, or holy men, at Pashupatinath. Sadhus are Hindus who have rejected the cast system and do not follow traditions that are normal. They generally dress quite extravagantly; they wear a few or robes are naked with smeared themselves.

Shopping at Thamel is frantic and entertaining. Thamel is a backpacker's haven and there is to hiking Nepali artifacts equipment and jewelry everything from fabrics, T-shirts, and DVDs. It's a fantastic spot to meet other travelers and there are lots of places to grab a bite to eat. Because of the area's character, there are more restaurants than Nepali and you may find anything to German bakery from Italian to Thai, Indian. It's surely a great spot to replace!

If you choose to remain a little further out from the primary tourist hub, I would recommend a trip to a few of Thamel's many rooftop garden restaurants to Nepal. Most manage a view over the rooftops of the town and in this hectic and densely populated region, it is a beautiful break to enjoy the tranquil green environment and sit back with a fantastic book and hot chocolate as you think on your Nepal trip.

Along Dal Baht, momos make a cheap and tasty treat and are one of the most popular dishes in Nepal! They are available everywhere from roadside carts as you wait into the Tibetan guesthouses of Thamel and beyond, where they're cooked. No visit to Nepal is complete with no munch on some momos!

While you're traveling in Nepal, when you tire of Thamel, head outside to the unbelievable medieval towns of Patan and Bhaktapur. So it makes for the perfect getaway from pollution and the busy roads of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is completely traffic-free. The city is quiet and classic and the streets link monumental temples and squares with shrines and wells - a real highlight of a visit to Nepal. Potters' Square is lined with clay stores and potters' wheels, and there's a view over the lake to the south of Bhaktapur. Patan has an intriguing Durbar Square compared to Bhaktapur with a concentration of architecture than Kathmandu.


Nepal's Durbar Squares can't be beaten for structure and the atmosphere in Kathmandu's Durbar Square is fantastic. Bhaktapur Durbar Square (https://www.highcampadventure.com/blog/bhaktapur-durbar-square) is another important and famous place in Kathmandu. Kasthamandap's temple is based on legend, built from one tree's trunk. There are many historic buildings found on this square, such as temples and the royal palace Hanuman Dhoka. You will also discover the richly carved house of Kumari. When you've researched the various buildings there are plenty of areas to sit with a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

When you have explored the center of Kathmandu and this city's speed is a lot of, a way to get some fresh air and see another facet is by taking a trek to Nagarkot and Dhulikhel. This is a particularly good option for travelers to Nepal who do not have the opportunity to venture out to Pokhara along with the Annapurna trekking route. Beyond rice and vegetable areas trek where kids will run out to greet you. As you begin to climb, you are going to reach also the Newari town of Dhulikhel which both provide stunning, if remote, views of the Himalayas as well as Nagarkot. It's a great alternative for any Nepal trip.

Last, the ideal way to end any trip to Nepal, whether you've pushed yourself to the limit in the Annapurnas or pottered around Kathmandu's streets, is dinner at Dwarika's Hotel. Whether you decide on a 6-course traditional dinner at the gorgeous restaurant or the candlelit Friday night poolside grill, you won't be let down!