Top Things to do in Kathmandu Valley
Top Hotels in Kathmandu Valley
Things to do in Kathmandu Valley, Central Region: The Best Historic Sites
Discover the best top things to do in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal including Dolma Treks, Krisnhna Mandir Temple (Chayasim Deval), 55 Window Palace, Chilancho Bahal, Patan Royal Palace, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Taleju Bell, Ashok Stupa, Narasingha Mandir Temple, Char Narayan Temple.
Restaurants in Kathmandu Valley
1. Dolma Treks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Dolma Treks was established by Tsering Lama (who has a more than 2 decades of experience) in tourism industry providing unique experience in the Himalayas. Most of these trips are backed by local community where our guests experience first-hand intimate traditional culture, spiritual and natural adventure.
Reviewed By 813tessaf - Brisbane, Australia
Wow! What an experience it was to do the Everest Base Camp walk from Shivalaya, with the inclusion of Gokyo via the Chola Pass in December 2019 - January 2020 with Dolma Treks and Adventure! My boyfriend and I had been planning to do the Three Passes walk from Shivalaya with Everest Base Camp but we were unsure how we were going to go about it. We were in a very stressful period with finishing uni and starting new jobs and trying to organise it all ourselves was too much in a short period of time. So a mate of mine put me on to Tsering who owns Dolma Treks, and what a pleasure it was! Tsering not only listened to the things that we wanted to do and wrote an incredible itinerary that was solely catered for us with limited time but he was super flexible and understanding when we had to change dates a fair few times due to work and university issues. He communicated with us through Facebook in a friendly and polite way that wasn’t pushy or manipulating for his self gain in any way. The whole booking process was extremely easy, and we were a little concerned to give over the reins so easily to someone we hardly knew. When we arrived however I could instantly see that we had nothing to worry about. The genuine and ever smiling Tsering went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and get everything comfortable and sent for an early start the following morning. We stayed at his house in Kathmandu and met his beautiful family who also went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. We knew this was an authentic and fair, family run business. Even in the morning when we met with our driver for the day and with our wonderful, funny and very experienced guide Mingmar, you could tell that Tsering looked after not only his customers but his employees as well. They were all happy, laughing and smiling with each other, and seemed genuinely happy to be working, which says a lot about the business! Tsering paired us up with Mingmar as our very competent, English speaking guide and his son Dawa as our porter who also spoke English. Throughout the whole trip they were always extremely patient with our struggling knees and constant stopping to take photos, and always catered to our needs. Mingmar had done the walk countless times and knew almost every single person that we passed on the journey, as he had built up friendly relationships with them over the last 30years. He made sure we stayed at the best places and had the best rooms in each of those places. Because he knew everyone so well, the guesthouse owners that we stopped in at along the way were also willing to go above and beyond for us, something which other groups along the way struggled with. As said previously, Mingmar was very experienced and was able to guide us though any type of weather event, even when 50cm of fresh snow covered any trace of a path and we were the only ones walking or when thick clouds came in while we were crossing the Ngozumpa Glacier and it was a total white out. He also knew where and when all the best spots and times for photos and views of Everest and the other major sites were. When bad weather set in near the end of our walk and we had to change our plans, Mingmar - in conjunction with Tsering - was quick to adapt our schedule and route to get us a flight out of Lukla back to Kathmandu. And because we missed some nights walking due to bad weather, he and Tsering organised a beautiful hotel room in the heart of Kathmandu at the International Guesthouse where he then took us around and showed us the sites of his neighbourhood, where to buy the best quality goods from and where the best cafes and restaurants were. I would definitely go with him again! All in all this was an extremely well run, and thorough trekking company run by local Nepalese people to support the Nepalese community and give back. It was stress free, hassle free and relaxing - something which I thought would not go hand in hand with walking to Base Camp. Everything was thought of, and everything was included. Tsering and Mingmar were both passionate about showing people a more traditional side of Nepal and making sure smaller local communities benefit from your tourism. I would without a doubt go with Dolma Treks again! Five stars from us!
2. Krisnhna Mandir Temple (Chayasim Deval)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
This stunning temple is Nepal’s finest example of Shikhara style architecture, not quite as popular as the Pagoda style but taller and more ornate.
Reviewed By ajaykhadka - Kathmandu, Nepal
Krishna Ashtami!! The birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Krishn Ashtami. Krishna, the dark- skinned god revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, who taught warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August which is known as ashtami.. To celebrate the birthday of this popular Hindu god, devotees flock to Krishna temples all over Nepal; Kathmandu Valley's Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square is the centere of celebrations and is thronged by a large number of devotees who gather at night to pay homage beyond mid-night. Even during the day, hordes of devotees visit the temple to pray and make offerings. t night, men and women from far and wide gather in and around the 17th century stone temple singing praises of Lord Krishna waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the god. Images of Lord Krishna are also carried around the city in processions accompanied by joyous crowds of followers and musical troupes. Along the lanes of old Kathmandu people display framed pictures of Krishna showing various episodes of his amazing life.
3. 55 Window Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By Kai_Wah - Malaysia, null
This is one of the significant structures in Bhaktapur Durbar Square with NPR 1,500 entrance fee for foreigners. Bhaktapur Durbar Square can be reached within 45 mins from Thamel district in Kathmandu by taxi which cost NPR 1,000 per trip. It was built by King Bhupatindra Malla and completed in 1784 under the reign of King Jaya Ranjit Malla who was the last king of Bhaktapur Malla Kings. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to enter the interior of the palace due to damage after earthquake especially 2015. It is protected under the UNESCO World Heritage which is part of the heritage in Kathmandu Valley. Nevertheless, the magnificence of the structure can still be seen from the exterior building.
4. Chilancho Bahal
5. Patan Royal Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By KevinSadler2364 - Leicester, United Kingdom
The whole Durbar quarter is an absolute must, and although some of the area has been damaged by the earthquake of a few years ago, it's still somewhere well worth visiting. The buildings, carvings, and treasures are superb.
6. Kathmandu Durbar Square
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 4,711 reviews
Monuments, temples and wandering animals dot this bustling town square, which is also where Nepal kings are crowned.
Reviewed By Harshrk - Mumbai, India
This is the most famous place in Kathmandu with the old palace, the female Gods house and the temples. It’s a very interesting place with the old structures and paintings and many temples and a must visit if visiting Nepal
