When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Now in Kathmandu—:—Sunrise—:—Sunset—:—
October–November, March–May. Clear Himalayan views in autumn; spring is warmer with rhododendron blooms; June–September is monsoon.
Warmest in Kathmandu: Jun (27°C / 81°F) · Coolest: Jan (17°C / 63°F) · Wettest: Jul (~31 rain days)
Daily highs / lows in °C · bars show rain days per month · ERA5 climate normals (2020–2024)
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$25/day
Mid-range
$70/day
Luxury
$200/day
- Budget $25/day ≈ €22 · £19 · ₹2,400 · A$36 · C$35
- Mid-range $70/day ≈ €61 · £52 · ₹6,650 · A$100 · C$99
- Luxury $200/day ≈ €175 · £150 · ₹19,000 · A$290 · C$285
Converted at ECB reference rates, refreshed daily.
Thamel guesthouses are cheap; boutique heritage hotels in Patan push the luxury tier.
With Kids
Family Travel
Day-trip to Bhaktapur, the Boudhanath stupa, the monkey temple at Swayambhu — kid-engaging.
Together
Couples Travel
Sunset at Boudhanath, dinner in Thamel, a half-day cooking class learning momo dumplings.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Thamel is hostel-dense and trekker-friendly; easy to join group treks to Annapurna or Everest base camp.
Food
What to Eat
- Momo. Tibetan-Nepali dumplings — steamed or fried, with spicy tomato dipping sauce.
- Dal bhat. Lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry — the daily staple, refills usually free.
- Chow mein. Stir-fried noodles with vegetables and egg — a Newar street-food classic.
- Sel roti. Sweet ring-shaped fried rice bread — a festival and breakfast specialty.
Transportation
Getting Around
Walk Thamel; tuktuks and motorbike taxis (use Pathao app) for longer distances.
Negotiate taxi fares before boarding; check trek permits at the Tourist Information Centre.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Thamel. Backpacker and trekker hub — gear shops, restaurants, hostels, evening bars.
- Patan. UNESCO-listed Durbar Square south of the river — quieter, craft shops, heritage hotels.
- Bhaktapur. Medieval pottery city 13 km east — day-trip-perfect for temple courtyards.
Get Your Bearings
Kathmandu Map & Walking Distances
City centerNeighborhoodsClick the map to enable scroll zoom
- Thamelneighborhood17 min walk from center
- Patanneighborhood6.5 km from center
- Bhaktapurneighborhood8.4 km from center
What to Know
Safety
Safe for tourists; main risks are altitude on treks (acclimatize properly) and pickpockets in Thamel crowds.