Boudhanath
One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, with a white dome and a golden spire painted with watchful eyes. Pilgrims circle it clockwise, and the lanes around it hold monasteries and shops.
Kathmandu
Historic Durbar Squares share this capital valley with temples and stupas, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath among them.
Attractive locations
Pashupatinath Temple
A major Hindu temple complex beside the Bagmati River, with cremation ghats along the water. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, but visitors can watch the rituals from the opposite bank.
Swayambhunath
A Buddhist stupa on a hilltop west of the centre, with painted eyes looking out in all directions and prayer wheels around its base. Many macaque monkeys live on the stairs and grounds.
Basantapur Durbar Square
The old royal square of Kathmandu, lined with carved wooden temples, palace courtyards and pagoda roofs. It is the historic heart of the city, busy with traders and worshippers.
Budhanilkantha Temple
A Hindu shrine at the foot of Shivapuri hill, centred on a large stone figure of Vishnu lying in a water-filled basin. Worshippers leave flowers and offerings, and respectful dress is expected.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
The former royal palace of Nepal, now a museum, with state rooms, a throne room and personal belongings of the royal family. It tells the story of the end of the monarchy.
Patan Durbar Square
A royal square in Lalitpur lined with carved wooden temples, a former palace and courtyards. The Newar craftsmanship in brick, stone and metal is a highlight, along with a museum in the palace.
Airports
Tribhuvan International Airport KTM
It is about 4 km in a straight line from Kathmandu.
Simara Airport SIF
It is about 70 km in a straight line from Kathmandu.
Bharatpur Airport BHR
It is about 88 km in a straight line from Kathmandu.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan11.1 °C10 mm
- Feb13.8 °C17 mm
- Mar18.1 °C21 mm
- Apr22.4 °C37 mm
- May24.2 °C89 mm
- Jun24.8 °C170 mm
- Jul23.3 °C280 mm
- Aug22.8 °C238 mm
- Sep21.6 °C169 mm
- Oct19.0 °C45 mm
- Nov15.5 °C3 mm
- Dec12.3 °C5 mm
Driest months: Jan, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 24% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Tihar (festival of lights)
Over five days, lights and flowers are used, and animals are honoured.
religious
Dashain
During Nepal's biggest festival, buses fill up and offices stay shut for roughly a week.
culture
Indra Jatra
Kathmandu Durbar Square hosts masked dances and Kumari's chariot; Kumari is the living goddess.
festival
Tihar (festival of lights)
Over five days, lights and flowers are used, and animals are honoured.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 100. Fire 101. Ambulance 102. (Confirm with your hotel or guide on arrival.)
local government
Tourist Police (Nepal Police)
Helps with: A special unit of Nepal Police to prevent harassment and crime against tourists. It takes complaints, helps recover lost documents, and liaises with embassies. Its page says it operates 24/7 in Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.
Who qualifies: Tourists in Nepal, mainly around Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and other tourist areas where it has units.
Phone: 1144
Email: policetourist@nepalpolice.gov.np
Address: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, Nepal (inside the Nepal Tourism Board premises)
local government
Nepal Tourism Board
Helps with: Nepal's national tourism body. Contact its Kathmandu office for visitor information. It also publishes official updates and the tourist police information page.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Nepal or planning a trip there.
Phone: +977 1 5356909
Email: info@ntb.org.np
Address: Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, P.O. Box 11018
ngo
Nepal Red Cross Society
Helps with: Nepal's national Red Cross society. Its website reports its flood, monsoon and earthquake relief work and invites volunteers and members. Contact its national headquarters in Kalimati.
Who qualifies: People in Nepal affected by disasters or needing its humanitarian services.
Phone: +977-1-5370650
Email: info@nrcs.org
Address: Redcross Marg, Kalimati, Post Box 217
local government
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)
Helps with: Nepal's national disaster agency, which coordinates search, rescue and relief and publishes situation reports on floods and other disasters.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Nepal affected by a disaster or seeking official disaster information.
Phone: +977-01-4211195
Email: info@bipad.gov.np
Address: Singhadurbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nepal
Helps with: The UN migration agency, in Nepal since 2006. It supports flood response, displacement tracking and migrant services. Its contact page offers an online form.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by displacement. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Address: Lazimpat Sadak, Panipokhari, Ward-3, Kathmandu, Nepal, PO Box 25503
local government
Police emergency number 100
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 100
local government
Ambulance emergency number 102
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 102
local government
Fire emergency number 101
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 101