Question 1

How many days do I need in Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Three days is enough for the Kathmandu Valley itself. One day covers Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Pashupatinath; a second handles Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Patan side; a third takes in Bhaktapur, the best-preserved of the three Durbar Squares. If you're using Kathmandu purely as a gateway to a trek (Everest Base Camp or Annapurna), build in two extra buffer days at the start and end for Lukla flight delays and permit logistics. Add a Nagarkot sunrise night or a Pokhara extension and you're looking at 5-7 days.

Question 2

When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

October-November and March-April are the clear winners — dry, clear skies, comfortable temperatures (highs around 23-28°C / 73-82°F), and the best Himalayan mountain views. October-November follows the monsoon, so the air is washed clean and visibility is at its peak; it's also the main trekking season. The June-September monsoon brings heavy rain, leeches on the trails, frequent flight delays, and clouds that hide the mountains entirely. December-February is dry and cheap but cold at night and prone to morning fog and winter air pollution.

Question 3

Is Kathmandu safe?

Accepted Answer

Kathmandu is generally safe for travelers, including solo and female visitors, with violent crime against tourists rare. The everyday risks are practical rather than dangerous: chaotic traffic with no real pedestrian rules, broken pavements and open drains, petty theft on tourist buses and in Thamel crowds, and altitude and air quality if you're sensitive. Occasional strikes (bandhs) and political demonstrations can shut down transport for a day. The 2015 earthquake (magnitude 7.8) caused major damage, but heritage sites have largely been restored and the city functions normally. Carry the tourist police number and keep valuables close.

Question 4

Do I need to speak Nepali?

Accepted Answer

No. English is widely spoken across the tourism industry — hotels, trekking agencies, restaurants, guides, and most shops in Thamel and Boudha operate in English. Signage at the airport and major sites is bilingual. Outside the tourist core and in rural trekking areas, English thins out, so a few Nepali words help: 'namaste' (hello/greeting), 'dhanyabad' (thank you), and 'kati ho?' (how much?). Learning numbers is handy for bargaining in markets and with taxi drivers.

Question 5

Do I need a visa for Nepal?

Accepted Answer

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). The standard fees are about $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, and $125 for 90 days, payable in USD cash (other major currencies are usually accepted). Bring a passport photo, though there are photo booths and kiosks at the airport. You can also apply online in advance to speed up the queue. A handful of nationalities have different rules, so check your country's status before flying. Your passport needs at least six months' validity.

Question 6

How is Kathmandu different from other South Asian capitals?

Accepted Answer

Kathmandu is smaller, higher, and more compact than Delhi or Bangkok, sitting in a Himalayan valley at about 1,400m. Its identity is shaped by a dense layering of Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist culture — seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones inside one valley — and by its role as the launch point for the world's most famous treks. It is noticeably cheaper than most Asian capitals, more chaotic in traffic and infrastructure, and more spiritual in atmosphere, with temples, stupas, and shrines woven through daily life rather than fenced off as attractions.

Question 7

How much does Kathmandu cost per day?

Accepted Answer

Budget: about $22/day (guesthouse + dal bhat and momos + walking and shared taxis + one or two site fees). Mid-range: about $55/day (a comfortable 3-star hotel + sit-down restaurants + a guided day or a mountain flight spread out). Luxury: $175+/day (a heritage hotel like Dwarika's + fine dining + private car and guide). Kathmandu is one of the cheapest capital cities in Asia. Prices use roughly 1 USD ≈ 133 NPR (2026) — check the current rate, as the rupee moves.

Question 8

What currency is used and should I bring cash?

Accepted Answer

The currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR, written 'Rs'). Cash is king — street food, taxis, small guesthouses, temple fees, and markets are cash-only, so carry plenty of small notes. USD cash is useful for the visa-on-arrival fee, some trekking-agency payments, and a few upmarket hotels, but you'll spend rupees day to day. Cards work at mid-range and upscale hotels, larger restaurants, and trekking agencies, often with a 2-4% surcharge. Note the Indian rupee in 500/2000 denominations is not legal tender in Nepal.

Question 9

How do ATMs and money exchange work?

Accepted Answer

ATMs are common in Thamel, Boudha, and the city center but can be scarce elsewhere, so withdraw enough before heading to quieter areas or a trek. Most Nepali ATMs charge a per-withdrawal fee of around Rs 500 ($4) for foreign cards and cap each withdrawal at Rs 35,000 (about $260), so larger withdrawals are more cost-effective. Licensed money changers in Thamel and Boudha give competitive rates for USD, EUR, and GBP cash — compare a couple and keep your receipt, as you may need it to change rupees back when leaving.

Question 10

How much do hotels cost in Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Backpacker guesthouse or hostel dorm: $5-12/night. A clean budget room in Thamel: $12-25. A solid 3-star hotel: $30-60. A 4-star or boutique heritage property: $70-150. At the top, Dwarika's Hotel (a celebrated Newari-craft heritage hotel) and the Hyatt Regency near Boudha run $200-500+. Boudha is calmer and more spiritual; Thamel is central and convenient but noisy. Rates rise in the October-November and March-April peak trekking seasons — book a few weeks ahead for those windows.

Question 11

What do attractions and activities cost?

Accepted Answer

Foreign-visitor entry fees (2026, approximate): Boudhanath Rs 400 ($3), Swayambhunath Rs 200 ($1.50), Pashupatinath Rs 1,000 ($7.50), Kathmandu Durbar Square Rs 1,000 ($7.50), Patan Durbar Square Rs 1,000 ($7.50), Bhaktapur Durbar Square Rs 1,800 ($13.50 — the priciest because it funds restoration). A scenic Everest 'mountain flight' is around $200-250 for an hour. A full-day private car with driver runs $40-70. Always confirm current fees, as several were raised after the 2015 earthquake to fund heritage repairs.

Question 12

Are there hidden costs to watch for?

Accepted Answer

A few. Bhaktapur's entry fee is steep and checked at the gates. Trekking has its own permit stack — TIMS card plus a national-park or conservation-area permit (each roughly $20-30), and the Everest region adds a local municipality fee. The Lukla flight for Everest treks is around $200 each way and prone to weather delays that can cost you extra hotel nights. Taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare first or expect a tourist markup. ATM withdrawal fees add up. Trekking guides and porters expect tips ($5-10/day is standard).

Question 13

How do I get from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) to the city?

Accepted Answer

Tribhuvan International Airport is only about 6km from Thamel, but traffic can stretch the trip to 30-45 minutes. The simplest option is the airport's prepaid taxi desk, which fixes a fair fare (around Rs 700-900 / $5-7 to Thamel) and avoids haggling. Many hotels offer free or cheap airport pickup if you arrange it when booking — worth doing for a first arrival. Rideshare apps (Pathao, InDrive) also operate and are usually cheaper than street taxis, though airport pickup logistics vary.

Question 14

How do I get around the city?

Accepted Answer

Within Thamel, Boudha, and the Durbar Square areas, walking is best — distances are short and the lanes are too narrow and congested for comfortable driving. For longer hops, taxis are everywhere but unmetered, so agree the fare before getting in (typical city rides are Rs 300-700 / $2-5). Rideshare apps Pathao and InDrive show an upfront price and remove the bargaining. Local buses and microbuses are extremely cheap but crowded, unmarked in English, and hard for first-timers. Cycle rickshaws work for short hops around the old city.

Question 15

What is a mountain flight and is it worth it?

Accepted Answer

A 'mountain flight' is a roughly one-hour scenic flight from Kathmandu that runs along the Himalaya for close-up views of Everest and neighboring peaks, without any trekking. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines operate them, usually early morning when skies are clearest, for around $200-250. Every passenger gets a window seat, and the crew typically invites you to the cockpit for the Everest view. It's a strong option if you don't have time to trek. The catch is weather — flights are frequently delayed or cancelled, especially outside the clear October-November and March-April windows.

Question 16

How do I get to Pokhara, Nagarkot, or Chitwan?

Accepted Answer

Pokhara (the second trekking gateway, on Phewa Lake) is about 200km west — 6-8 hours by tourist bus (Rs 1,000-2,000 / $8-15) on a winding road, or a 30-minute flight (~$60-120). Nagarkot, the classic Himalayan sunrise viewpoint, is about 30km east, roughly 1.5-2 hours by taxi or local bus, and is best as an overnight. Chitwan National Park (jungle safari, rhinos) is about 150km south, 5-6 hours by tourist bus or a short flight to Bharatpur. Roads in Nepal are slow and mountainous — always budget more time than the distance suggests.

Question 17

How do I reach the trekking regions?

Accepted Answer

For the Everest region, you fly from Kathmandu to Lukla (about 30 minutes, ~$200 each way) — a famously short, dramatic mountain airstrip — then trek from there; weather delays are common, so build in buffer days. In peak season some Lukla flights now depart from Manthali (Ramechhap), a 4-5 hour drive east of Kathmandu, so confirm your departure point. For the Annapurna region, you travel to Pokhara first (bus or flight), then drive to a trailhead. All treks require permits arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you set off.

Question 18

Should I rent a car or drive myself?

Accepted Answer

No. Self-driving is impractical and not recommended — traffic is chaotic and unsigned, road conditions are rough, and an international license isn't straightforward to use. The standard approach is to hire a car with a local driver (around $40-70/day), which is affordable and removes all the stress of navigation and parking. For sightseeing across the valley (Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot), a hired car and driver for the day is the most comfortable and efficient choice.

Question 19

What food must I try in Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Dal bhat — lentil soup, rice, vegetable curry, and pickles, often with free refills (Rs 300-700 / $2-5) — is Nepal's national dish and the staple of trekkers ('dal bhat power, 24 hour'). Momos, the Tibetan-influenced dumplings steamed or fried with buff (buffalo), chicken, or vegetables, are the everyday street favorite (Rs 150-350). For Newari cuisine — the indigenous Kathmandu Valley cooking — try bara (a savoury lentil pancake), chatamari (the 'Newari pizza'), choila (spiced grilled buffalo), and yomari (a sweet steamed dumpling). Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup) is warming, and sel roti (a sweet rice ring) is a festival treat.

Question 20

Where can I try authentic Newari food?

Accepted Answer

Newari is the valley's original cuisine and worth seeking out. Bhojan Griha in Dillibazar serves a multi-course Nepali-Newari feast with live folk music inside a restored 19th-century mansion. Thamel House occupies a roughly 150-year-old carved Newari building in Thamel for a sit-down Newari set. For something rawer and more local, Newa Lahana in Kirtipur serves choila, bara, and chatamari on banana leaves in a traditional setting, and Honacha, a decades-old kitchen tucked behind Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square, is a no-frills institution for choila and bara.

Question 21

Is the food in Kathmandu safe to eat?

Accepted Answer

Mostly, with sensible precautions. Stick to busy places with high turnover, eat freshly cooked hot food, and be cautious with raw salads and unpeeled fruit washed in tap water. Do not drink tap water — use sealed bottled water or, better, a filter or purification tablets to cut plastic waste. Street momos and dal bhat from popular stalls are generally fine. Stomach upsets are common for visitors, so pack rehydration salts and basic medication. Newari dishes feature raw and lightly cooked buffalo (like kachila), which is more of a risk — order it only at trusted, busy spots.

Question 22

Can I eat vegetarian or vegan in Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Easily — vegetarianism is deeply rooted in Hindu and Buddhist Nepal, so meat-free food is everywhere. Dal bhat is naturally vegetarian (confirm the curry), and there are vegetable momos, plenty of Indian dishes, and dedicated vegetarian and organic spots. OR2K in Thamel is an Israeli-run vegetarian restaurant famous for hummus, falafel, and Middle Eastern plates, hugely popular with travelers. Many cafes cater to vegan diets. Outside the city and on treks, the choice narrows to dal bhat, noodles, and potatoes, but you'll never go hungry as a vegetarian.

Question 23

What about Western food, cafes, and coffee?

Accepted Answer

Thamel is packed with restaurants serving pizza, pasta, burgers, and 'banana pancakes' for the backpacker crowd. Roadhouse Cafe is a long-running favorite for wood-fired pizza. Kathmandu has a growing specialty-coffee scene using Nepali-grown beans, and bakeries and cafes are plentiful in Thamel and Jhamsikhel (the 'Jhamel' nightlife and dining strip). Trekkers often binge on Western comfort food and good coffee in Kathmandu before and after the trail, where the menu shrinks to the basics.

Question 24

How much do meals cost and do I tip?

Accepted Answer

A street plate of momos or local dal bhat runs Rs 150-500 ($1-4); a tourist-restaurant main is Rs 400-900 ($3-7); a Newari feast or upmarket dinner is Rs 1,200-2,500 ($9-19); and fine dining (Krishnarpan at Dwarika's, a multi-course Nepali tasting menu) reaches $40-90. Many restaurants add a service charge (around 10%) plus government tax to the bill, so check before tipping again — if no service charge is included, rounding up or 10% is appreciated. On treks, tip guides and porters $5-10 per day.

Question 25

Which neighborhood should I stay in?

Accepted Answer

Thamel is the default for first-timers and trekkers — central, walkable, and stuffed with guesthouses, gear shops, agencies, and restaurants, but also noisy and touristy. Boudha (Boudhanath) is calmer and more atmospheric, built around the great stupa and its evening kora (circumambulation), favored by those wanting a spiritual, slower base, though it's 30-40 minutes from the center. Patan (Lalitpur), across the river, is quieter and arty, good for a more local feel near a beautiful Durbar Square. Lazimpat and Jhamsikhel suit travelers wanting upscale, residential-feeling stays.

Question 26

When should I book accommodation in Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Book a few weeks to a couple of months ahead for the peak October-November and March-April trekking seasons, when the best-value rooms fill and the city is busiest. Around the autumn festivals (Dashain and Tihar, usually October-November) demand spikes and some businesses close. For the rest of the year, you can often arrive and find a room same-day, especially in Thamel's deep supply of budget guesthouses. If you have a specific heritage hotel in mind (Dwarika's), book that well ahead regardless of season.

Question 27

What are the best high-end hotels?

Accepted Answer

Dwarika's Hotel is the standout — a celebrated heritage property built around salvaged Newari woodcarving, with the renowned Krishnarpan multi-course Nepali restaurant, generally $250-500+. The Hyatt Regency Kathmandu sits in spacious grounds near Boudhanath with mountain views and a big pool. Hotel Yak & Yeti is a long-established city institution with a famous bar. Each gives a comfortable, quieter contrast to the Thamel scrum, with reliable hot water, backup power, and airport transfers — worth confirming generator backup given the city's occasional power cuts.

Question 28

Are guesthouses and budget rooms reliable?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Kathmandu has one of Asia's deepest budget-accommodation scenes, and many Thamel and Boudha guesthouses are clean, friendly, and well-run for $10-25 a night. Check a few practical things before booking: reliable hot water (sometimes solar and weather-dependent), Wi-Fi quality, and whether there's a quiet room away from street noise and barking dogs. Many guesthouses store luggage free while you trek and arrange permits, transport, and airport transfers — a genuine convenience for trekkers building a base in the city.

Question 29

What practical issues affect hotels here?

Accepted Answer

Power cuts have improved a lot but can still happen, so favor places with generator or solar backup. Hot water may be solar-heated and limited on cloudy winter days — ask. In winter (December-February), budget rooms can be cold, as heating is rare; bring or request extra blankets, or pay up for a heated room. Air quality is poor on still winter mornings, so a room with good windows (and ideally an air purifier at upper-end hotels) helps. Street noise in Thamel is real — request an interior or upper-floor room for a quieter night.

Question 30

What should I know about temple and shrine etiquette?

Accepted Answer

Dress modestly at religious sites — cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes (and sometimes leather items) before entering temple interiors. Walk clockwise around stupas and shrines, keeping them on your right, as locals do at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath. Some Hindu temples, including the inner sanctum of Pashupatinath, are open only to Hindus; respect the boundaries. Don't touch offerings or point your feet at people, altars, or statues. Ask before photographing people, priests, or sadhus (holy men), who may request a small payment.

Question 31

What is Pashupatinath and what should I expect there?

Accepted Answer

Pashupatinath is Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple complex, on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, and it is also an active open-air cremation site. You'll see funeral pyres burning on the ghats — a sobering, deeply spiritual part of Hindu life, not a spectacle. Be respectful: keep a quiet distance from grieving families, do not photograph cremations or mourners, and dress modestly. The main temple's inner courtyard is for Hindus only, but the riverside ghats, surrounding shrines, and resident sadhus can be viewed from the public areas.

Question 32

What are Boudhanath and Swayambhunath about?

Accepted Answer

Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and the heart of Kathmandu's Tibetan community — its dome is painted with the watchful 'eyes of the Buddha,' and at dusk worshippers and monks circle it (the kora) spinning prayer wheels, which is the magical time to visit. Swayambhunath, the 'Monkey Temple,' crowns a hilltop reached by 365 steep steps, with the same Buddha eyes, fluttering prayer flags, a valley panorama, and resident monkeys (watch your food, sunglasses, and loose items).

Question 33

What are the main festivals?

Accepted Answer

Dashain (around September-October) is Nepal's biggest festival, a roughly two-week Hindu celebration when families reunite, shops close, and the city empties — beautiful but disruptive for transport and bookings. Tihar (the festival of lights, around October-November) decorates the city with lamps and marigolds. Indra Jatra, in Kathmandu Durbar Square, features masked dances and the chariot of the living goddess Kumari. Holi (the colours festival, around March) and Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday, around May, big at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath) are also vivid times to visit.

Question 34

What general customs and etiquette matter?

Accepted Answer

Greet people with 'namaste,' palms together — handshakes are less common, especially with women. Use your right hand for giving, receiving, and eating, as the left is considered unclean. Don't touch anyone's head (considered sacred) or step over people or food. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Bargaining is normal and expected in markets and with taxis, but do it good-naturedly. Cows are sacred and roam freely. Asking permission before photographing people is basic courtesy, and some will decline.

Question 35

Is alcohol available and is nightlife a thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — alcohol is widely available, with local Everest and Gorkha beer, plus rakshi (a local distilled spirit) and tongba (a warming fermented-millet drink popular at altitude). Thamel has bars and live-music venues, and Jhamsikhel ('Jhamel') is the trendier dining-and-drinks strip favored by locals and expats. Nightlife is low-key by big-city standards and winds down relatively early. Note that on certain religious days and during some festivals, alcohol sales may be restricted, and many trekkers stay dry in the mountains given the altitude.

Question 36

What are Kathmandu's must-see sights?

Accepted Answer

The headline sights are the three Durbar Squares — Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur — each a royal palace complex of temples and courtyards and each a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Bhaktapur is the most intact and atmospheric. Add the two great stupas, Boudhanath (Tibetan Buddhist, best at dusk) and Swayambhunath (the hilltop 'Monkey Temple'), and Pashupatinath, the sacred Hindu riverside temple and cremation site. In Thamel, the Garden of Dreams is a restored 1920s neo-classical garden — a quiet escape from the chaos. Three full days cover them comfortably.

Question 37

How have the heritage sites recovered from the 2015 earthquake?

Accepted Answer

The April 2015 earthquake (magnitude 7.8) badly damaged several monuments, especially in the Durbar Squares, where some temples collapsed. More than a decade on, restoration has been extensive: many landmark temples and palaces have been rebuilt or stabilized using traditional methods, and the sites are open and impressive again. You'll still see scaffolding, reconstruction in progress, and a few empty plinths where temples once stood — a visible part of the recovery story rather than a reason to stay away. Entry fees help fund the ongoing work, especially in Bhaktapur.

Question 38

Is Kathmandu just a trekking gateway, or worth time itself?

Accepted Answer

It's both. The Kathmandu Valley holds seven UNESCO monument zones and a genuinely rich, living culture, easily justifying three days even if you never set foot on a trail. That said, most visitors use it as the staging point for Nepal's treks, spending a couple of days sightseeing and sorting permits and gear before heading out, then a recovery day or two on return. Treat the city as a destination in its own right, not just a waypoint — the Durbar Squares and stupas are world-class.

Question 39

What are the main trekking options from Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

The two icons are the Everest region and the Annapurna region. Everest Base Camp (EBC) is roughly 12-14 days, reaching about 5,360m, and requires the Lukla flight from Kathmandu. The Annapurna region (starting from Pokhara) offers Annapurna Base Camp (about 7-12 days, ~4,130m) and the longer Annapurna Circuit (12-18 days, crossing the high Thorong La pass). Shorter, lower options near Kathmandu include the Langtang Valley and the Poon Hill trek. All require permits arranged in advance and are best in October-November or March-April.

Question 40

Do I need a guide and permits for trekking?

Accepted Answer

Permits are required, and as of recent rules most independent trekkers on the main routes now need a licensed guide. You'll typically need a TIMS card plus the relevant national-park or conservation-area permit (Sagarmatha for Everest, ACAP for Annapurna), each roughly $20-30, with the Everest region adding a local municipality fee. Trekking agencies in Kathmandu and Pokhara handle the paperwork and arrange guides and porters. A good guide adds safety, navigation, and cultural insight, and porters (tipped $5-10/day) carry the heavy loads.

Question 41

What should I know about altitude on treks?

Accepted Answer

Altitude sickness is a real risk above about 2,500m and can affect anyone regardless of fitness. The rule is to ascend slowly, build in acclimatization days (as on the EBC route), stay hydrated, avoid alcohol high up, and never climb to sleep much higher than the day before. Symptoms — headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness — mean you stop ascending; if they worsen, descend. Many trekkers carry the medication acetazolamide (Diamox) as a preventative, but discuss it with a doctor first. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is essential.

Question 42

How do I get internet and a SIM card?

Accepted Answer

Buy a local SIM (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) for cheap data — you can get one at the airport or in city shops, with your passport and a photo, for a few dollars plus a data package. Coverage is good in Kathmandu and most trekking regions, though it weakens at high altitude. Travel eSIMs (Airalo and similar) also work and save the queue, though local SIMs are cheaper for longer stays. Wi-Fi is standard in hotels, guesthouses, and cafes, but speeds vary and power cuts can interrupt it.

Question 43

Is the air quality a problem?

Accepted Answer

Yes, be honest with yourself about this — Kathmandu's air quality is frequently poor, worst on still mornings in the dry winter and spring (roughly November-April), when valley inversions trap dust, traffic fumes, and smoke and AQI can climb into the unhealthy range. The monsoon and immediate post-monsoon (June-October) bring the cleanest air. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, bring an N95-type mask and any medication, limit strenuous outdoor exercise on bad-air days, and check a live AQI app. Many locals wear masks for this reason, not just for illness.

Question 44

What are the time zone and power details?

Accepted Answer

Nepal runs on Nepal Time, an unusual UTC+5:45 — a 45-minute offset that's easy to set wrong, so double-check your phone after landing. Power is 230V, with plug types C, D, and M common; travelers from North America and the UK need an adapter, and a multi-plug travel adapter is wise given mixed sockets. Power cuts are less frequent than they used to be but still happen, so charge devices when you can, and a power bank is genuinely useful, especially before a trek where charging may cost extra.

Question 45

What about health, water, and medication?

Accepted Answer

Do not drink tap water — use sealed bottled water or treat it with a filter or tablets (better for the environment). Stomach upsets are common, so pack rehydration salts and standard traveler's medication. Check recommended vaccinations (such as hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus) with a travel clinic well before your trip, and discuss altitude medication if trekking. Pharmacies in Kathmandu are well stocked and cheap, but bring any prescription medicines you rely on with their packaging. Comprehensive travel insurance covering trekking and evacuation is essential.

Question 46

How safe is the tap water and food hygiene overall?

Accepted Answer

Treat tap water as unsafe for drinking, brushing teeth (use bottled or treated water if you're cautious), and rinsing produce. Choose busy, freshly cooked food over anything sitting out, and be wary of ice and salads in low-turnover places. Most travelers do get a mild stomach upset at some point, which usually passes with rest and rehydration — carry basic medication and seek a clinic if symptoms are severe or persistent. Hand sanitizer is handy given variable washroom facilities.

Question 47

What should I pack for Kathmandu?

Accepted Answer

Modest layers for temples (covered shoulders and knees), comfortable walking shoes for broken pavements, and a warmer layer for cool evenings — winter (December-February) gets genuinely cold at night, while October-November and March-April are mild. Bring an N95-type mask for dusty, polluted days, sunscreen and sunglasses for the high-altitude sun, a refillable water bottle with a filter, rehydration salts and basic meds, plenty of small-denomination rupees, USD cash for the visa, a universal plug adapter, and a power bank. If trekking, that's a separate, more serious gear list.

Kathmandu Travel FAQ