Pashupatinath Temple Must visit
One of the holiest Shiva temples, on the Bagmati river. Evening aarti on the ghats.
Kathmandu
Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and the royal squares of the Kathmandu valley.
Reviewed by Ghumo Bihar team
- Best time
- October–November and March–April
- Days needed
- 2–3 days
- From Patna
- By road via Raxaul: about 12–14 hrs
- Good for
- Pilgrims, families, culture lovers
About Kathmandu
Why visit Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, sits in a wide valley ringed by hills, with seven UNESCO World Heritage monuments within a short drive. Hindus come for darshan at Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Shiva temples; Buddhists circle the great white dome of Boudhanath and climb to Swayambhunath, the "Monkey Temple".
The three old royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur each have a Durbar Square of palaces, pagodas and carved wooden windows. Thamel is the lively heart for shopping and food, and Chandragiri and Nagarkot offer Himalayan views on clear days. From Bihar, Kathmandu is reached by road via Raxaul–Birgunj or by flight.
Places to visit
Top places to visit in Kathmandu
15 places, best first. Timings and fees change often, so check before you go.
Boudhanath Stupa Must visit
One of the largest stupas in the world, surrounded by monasteries and cafés.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) Must visit
A hilltop stupa with the Buddha's eyes and views over the valley.
Kathmandu Durbar Square Must visit
The old royal palace square with pagoda temples and the house of the living goddess Kumari.
Patan Durbar Square Must visit
Finely carved temples and the excellent Patan Museum.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square Must visit
A medieval town of brick lanes, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and pottery squares.
Kathmandu Durbar Square Must visit
The old royal palace square with pagoda temples and the house of the living goddess Kumari.
Thamel
The busy tourist quarter for shopping, cafés and evening strolls.
Chandragiri Cable Car
A cable car to a hilltop temple with Himalayan views on clear days.
Patan Durbar Square Must visit
Finely carved temples and the excellent Patan Museum.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square Must visit
A medieval town of brick lanes, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and pottery squares.
Nagarkot
A hill village about 30 km away, famous for sunrise over the Himalaya.
Thamel
The busy tourist quarter for shopping, cafés and evening strolls.
Chandragiri Cable Car
A cable car to a hilltop temple with Himalayan views on clear days.
Nagarkot
A hill village about 30 km away, famous for sunrise over the Himalaya.
Nearby, add to the same trip: Nagarkot (sunrise views), Chandragiri hills, Dhulikhel, Pokhara (about 200 km) and Lumbini.
Travel with Ghumo Bihar
Trips to Kathmandu
Group trips from Patna on fixed dates. Join on your own or as a family.
Nepal Explorer: Kathmandu & Pokhara
Kathmandu's temples and the lakes of Pokhara.
- 24–28 Oct
- 7–11 Nov
From ₹15,500 View dates
Muktinath Yatra with Kathmandu & Pokhara
Kathmandu, Pokhara, Manakamana & Muktinath
- 7–12 Nov
From ₹19,500 View dates
Private trip
Your dates, your group, your pace
- A plan made for you: families, friends, schools and companies
- Car, hotels, tickets and guide arranged
- Pay in parts by UPI, with a GST invoice
- Rated 4.9 on Google by 175+ travellers
When to go
Best time to visit Kathmandu
October–November brings clear skies and festivals; March–April is pleasant with flowers in bloom. Winters are cold, and the monsoon (June–September) brings rain and cloudy views.
Autumn (best)
October–November
10–24°C, clear skies
Best views and Dashain–Tihar festivals. Book early.
Winter
December–February
2–18°C, cold mornings
Fewer crowds; carry warm clothes.
Spring
March–May
10–28°C
Pleasant, rhododendrons in bloom; some haze.
Monsoon
June–September
Rainy
Green but cloudy; road delays possible.
Festivals worth planning around
- Mahashivratri at PashupatinathHuge crowds of pilgrims and sadhus, in February or March.
- Dashain and TiharNepal's biggest festivals in October and November.
- Indra JatraKathmandu's street festival with the living goddess Kumari, in September.
Getting there
How to reach Kathmandu
From Patna, drive or take a train to Raxaul, cross the border to Birgunj, and drive on to Kathmandu. Flights are faster.
- PatnaRoad to Raxaul, then Kathmandu
About 12–14 hours in total
Patna–Raxaul about 200 km; Birgunj–Kathmandu about 6–8 hours via the hill roads.
- PatnaTrain to Raxaul
About 5–6 hours
Then cross the border and continue by road.
- Delhi or KolkataFlight
About 1.5 hours
To Tribhuvan International Airport.
On the ground
Getting around, stay and food
Getting around
Hire a car with a driver for the day; Kathmandu's traffic is heavy.
Thamel and the Durbar Squares are best explored on foot.
Where to stay
Stay in Thamel for food and shopping, or near Boudhanath for a quieter, spiritual setting.
- Hotels in ThamelCentral Kathmandu · Shopping and food
- Hotels near BoudhanathEast Kathmandu · Quiet and close to Pashupatinath
- Heritage guest housesPatan and Bhaktapur · Old-town atmosphere
Food to try
- Momos: Nepal's favourite, steamed, fried or in soup (jhol momo).
- Dal bhat: the everyday Nepali meal of rice, lentils and curries.
- Juju dhau: the rich "king of curds" from Bhaktapur.
Travel tips
- Indian citizens need a valid passport or Voter ID card to enter Nepal; no visa is needed. Children can travel with a passport, or with a birth certificate or school ID as advised by the border authorities.
- Carry Indian ₹100 notes or exchange money in Nepal; check the current rules on larger Indian notes before you travel.
- Buy a local SIM or an international roaming pack; Indian SIMs may not work.
- Dress modestly at temples; leather items are not allowed inside Pashupatinath.
- Non-Hindus cannot enter the main Pashupatinath shrine but can see it from across the river.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Nepal?
No. Indian citizens need only a valid passport or Voter ID card.
How do I reach Kathmandu from Patna?
By road via Raxaul–Birgunj in about 12–14 hours, or by flight via Delhi or Kolkata.
Can I use Indian rupees in Nepal?
Indian ₹100 notes are widely accepted. Check the latest rules on larger notes before you travel, or exchange money in Nepal.
How many days are enough for Kathmandu?
Two to three days for the temples and Durbar Squares. Add 2–3 days for Pokhara.
Does Ghumo Bihar run trips to Nepal?
Yes. We run group trips and plan private trips to Kathmandu, Pokhara and Muktinath.
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