The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, is Nepal’s busiest and most ancient city. Where all the travelers who visit Nepal pass through this valley. Kathmandu is the gateway for trekking, tours, and mountaineering activities. Also, the favorite place to begin your trips to Tibet and Bhutan. People often take three country tours across Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal starting from Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is the home of only the international airport of Nepal; however, there are two more regional international airports under construction in Lumbini (Operational already) and Pokhara as Gautam Buddha International Airport and Pokhara International Airport that are expected to be ready by 2022.
As first-timers, you are getting informed about the sights and monuments of Kathmandu Valley before landing in Kathmandu is a great idea. Here are the best things to do if you have a short holiday vacation and want to explore Kathmandu 24 hours or one night for two days.
Kathmandu offers several ancient sites and monuments; people can spend hours exploring those stunning historic sites, most listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
After you land in Kathmandu, booking your hotel in Thamel is suggested. Thamel offers tourist-friendly restaurants, different choices of hotels, and many souvenir shops. However, leaving Thamel as soon as your breakfast is made is recommended as keeping it for evening and night activities.
Here is how you can begin your day by spending 24 hours in Kathmandu.
Get up at 7 am: take a good breakfast at the hotel and proceed for the sightseeing.
Start your morning trip from Swoyambhunath Stupa to Boudhanath Stupa. Hop into the cab or take a guided sightseeing private tour with Himalayan Windows.
Swoyambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu
Swoyambhunath. Swoyambhunath is one of the famous pilgrimage sites of Kathmandu Valley, located on a beautiful hill. Also called Monkey Temple, it is a holy Supa among the ancient Buddhists Maha Chaitya of Kathmandu valley. It is situated atop a mountain that can be observed from almost every part of Kathmandu. This temple was first built in the 5th century during the Lichhavi period by the Kushan community. You will have a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley from the StuStupao not bring food and water during the sightseeing; there are many monkeys around the temple. They can snatch your goods from your hand. But they do not harm you unless you tease them.
Boudhanath Stupa
The Boudhanath Stupa is one of the essential sites for Buddhists and also the most popular site among tourists. The Boudhanath Stupa is situated northeast of Kathmandu Valley and about 3KM from Tribhuvan International Airport. This stuStupa is also considered the largest Stupa in Nepal. It is believed that the Boudhanath Stupa existed since the ancient period and that the present form is not the original but the rest of a series of renovations and constructions over the years. This stuStupas has recently been renovated due to the damage from the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.
There are many excellent rooftop restaurants around the StuStupaou can have your lunch at one of those restaurants and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Boudhanath Stupa. Try the popular Nepalese Dish ‘Dal Bhat‘ for your lunch to have a local taste.
Afternoon visit to Pashupatinath Temple and Patan Durbar Square:
Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu
The Pashupatinath temple is the most important pilgrimage site among Hindus, located at the bank of the holy Bagmati River. According to religious scriptures, lord Pashupatinath is worshipped as the protective deity of the Hindus. Pashupatinath temple is also one of the most renowned Hindu sites in the world. Tourists cannot enter the main temple; however, tourists can observe the temple and surroundings from the other side of the Bagmati River. Apart from this, you can observe the Hindu cremation site near the temple and meet the holy Sadhus wandering around the temple area.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square is the main attraction of the Lalitpur District. Enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this courtyard has earned a special place for works in arts and architecture that reflect on each temple, monument, and palace building that mainly were built during the Malla period between the 16th and 17th Centuries. Several attractions of temples and stupas such as the Krishna Mandir, Patan Museum, Golden temple, Ashoka stupa, and stuStupaou can spend several hours exploring this ancient Durbar Square.
Also, allow some time to experience the best Newari cousins available at many restaurants near Patan Durbar Square. And Patan is the best place to shop for handicrafts, including Thangkas.
In the late afternoon, drive back to Thamel; you can buy some souvenirs and enjoy Thamel’s nightlife before it gets dark. You can go for a massage or try some excellent Nepali beers like Gorkha, Everest, etc., at one of the restaurants with live music. Try some Mo: Mo, one of Nepal’s best and most popular food.
If your flight is the next day in the afternoon, you can ride a Riskaw in Thamel. Take a Riskaw ride to Kathmandu Durbar Square, located near Thamel, about a 15-minute Riskaw ride through the old town of Ason. You can experience what the local Nepalese markets would be like and buy some local species for tea and curry.
Suppose you are keener to know about the history and cultural lifestyles of locals in Kathmandu. In that case, it is recommended to take three nights 4, days Kathmandu package, which offers a wide variety of things to do in Kathmandu. This is how you can spend your 24 hours in Kathmandu.
*This post was originally published on 11th October 2021 and updated on 16th June 2022.
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