Nepal Trekking in Kathmandu
Nepal?s capital, Kathmandu lies right at the heart of the Himalayas and for many visitors, trekking Nepal?s Annapurna circuit, it is both the start and end point of the circular trail. Kathmandu was once believed to be the beautiful but inaccessible Shangri-La, and is the perfect place to begin your Nepal trekking.
The bustling centre of Kathmandu is literally brimming with tourists and backpackers. And whilst a few are just content to spend a few days in the country chilling out and soaking up the peaceful vibe, many more visitors are using Kathmandu as a gateway to a much bigger Nepal trekking expedition, be it the Annapurna Circuit or even Mount Everest. Luckily Kathmandu is full of incredible places to explore, which makes it a great place to spend a few days before or after your Nepal trekking expedition.
Thamel Chowk is the main tourist centre in Kathmandu and the place where the majority of the capital?s gift-shops and restaurants are located. There are a number of delicious restaurants where you can fill yourself up with traditional Nepalese food before starting your Nepal trekking. However, if you?re also coming back to the capital after your walk then you may want to wait until then to start your souvenir shopping. After all you don?t want your rucksack to be full before you?ve even started.
Thirty minutes outside the centre is the Swayambhu, one of the most revered Buddhist monuments in the country. Visitors to the area often call the Stupa the monkey temple due to the large number of monkeys that make their home in the grounds. The temple also contains prayer wheels and Buddhist artwork with 365 steps leading up to the top. Just make sure you watch out for the monkeys on the way down!
However, if you prefer bats to monkeys then you may want to take a visit to the King?s Palace. Although the palace is modern looking, having only been built in the second half of the 19th century, the giant fruit bats which hang from the trees outside never fail to attract foreign visitors. Try to visit the King?s Palace just before sunset when the giant bats flock en masse around the city square in a giant swarm.
Another popular area in Nepal is that of Freak Street, which had its hey-day during the swinging sixties when overlander tours and kaftans were all the rage. The shops in this psychedelic street are a relic of the past, but still claim to sell everything from incense to enlightenment. The spaced out vibe of the area makes it perfect for chilling out before beginning your Nepal trekking expedition.
One of the most important sites for Tibetan Buddhism is the Boudha Stupa and this will also be the most recognisable sight that you will encounter in Kathmandu. The golden tower is said to represent the World Mountain, or Neru, which is home to the Gods and centre to the cosmos. Whilst the two eyes are instantly recognisable, those who look closer will also see a third eye in-between, which is the symbol for knowledge.
With so many incredible sights to see in Kathmandu, the destination is the perfect place to both begin and end your Nepal trekking expedition; you?ll certainly need the two trips to the capital in order to see everything you want.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a Nepal trekking holiday with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.
Related Videos :
- Himalayan Viagra Nepal
March 2006 It' s the world' s most rare and expensive herb — a mysterious aphrodisiac which only grows on the head of caterpillars in Himalayas. But trade in yarchagumba is funding the Maoist uprising It' s the world' s most rare and expensive herb — a mysterious aphrodisiac which only grows on the head of caterpillars in Himalayas. But trade in yarchagumba is funding the
« view video » - Kumari Living Goddess Nepal
November 2007 To believers, Nepal' s child goddesses or Kumaris can bestow luck with a glance. But when these children grow up, returning to normal life is virtually impossible. Girls selected as Kumaris must be aged between two and four and satisfy all the conditions of ' 32 perfections' . For a few short years, “all Nepalese people worship them” states one woman. But as soon as they experience their first menstruation,
« view video » - Child *** Workers Nepal
Nov 1996 A harrowing report on children forced into prostitution. In India girls cuddle up together on the steps of notorious red light district in Bombay, India, one of Asia' s largest *** markets. Upstairs in the dilapidated wooden brothels, children as young as 10 peep from the window. Using a secret camera, we focus on girls kidnapped from their villages in Nepal and forced into prostitution in Bombay. In
« view video » - Nepal fights domestic violence 13 Sept 09
High levels of domestic abuse in Nepal have prompted Madhav Kumar Nepal, the country' s prime minister, to demand an end to violence against women. A third of Nepal' s women are believed to suffer violence at home and many more are victims of psychological abuse. But most victims are too afraid to speak out. Al Jazeera' s Subina Shrestha reports from the capital, Kathmandu, where she meets
« view video » - Journey to Hell Back Nepal
Journey to Hell & Back – Nepal Nov 2001 With undercover filming, we follow this “road to hell”, and the harsh life of prostitution these girls are forced to endure. In a dark backroom in Bombay' s red light district, we meet the girls who are held here as prisoners. Forced to line up like animals in a market, they all look in their teens. Their eyes are
« view video »
Related News :
- Thousands stranded as Maoists lay siege to Kathmandu valley
Kathmandu, Nov 10 (IANS) Thousands of people, including the disabled, sick and children, were left stranded on the highways leading to Kathmandu valley as Nepal’s former Maoist guerrillas Tuesday enforced a blockade to press their demand for a new government even as the ruling alliance warned the siege was against the peace pact.
Read more » - Key Nepal leader Koirala rushed to hospital
Kathmandu, Nov 10 : A day before he was to fly to Singapore for medical tests, Nepal’s former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala and chief of the republic’s second largest party was rushed to hospital Tuesday for emergency treatment after he complained of breathing difficulties and chest pain.
Read more » - Iwata tosses complete game against Dragons
NISHINOMIYA, Hyogo Pref. (Kyodo) Minoru Iwata threw a three-hitter for his second shutout of the season as the Hanshin Tigers beat the Chunichi Dragons 4-0 on Wednesday. Iwata (5-3) struck out 12 batters and walked one, keeping the Chunichi lineup off-balance with a mix of his fastball and change-up at Koshien Stadium. Read the full story
Read more » - The Man Who Knew Too Little
One day, in the not -too-distant future, if there is any justice whatsoever, Charles Rangel (D-NY) will be outfitted in an orange jump suit and perp-walked into Leavenworth. Then, his stamp-size photo will become standard issue in dictionaries defining the term “con artist.” All with ample reason.
Read more » - South Plainfield cops bravery dedication honored
It was Aug. 21, 2008. Police had responded to a residence on Tompkins Avenue to investigate a report of a burglary. What followed not only led officers to the suspects in that crime but solved an attack on an 82-year-old man inside his home in neighboring Plainfield a crime that city’s public safety director described at the time as among the most heinous he’s ever witnessed.
Read more » - Thousands stranded as Maoists lay siege to Kathmandu valley
By Sudeshna Sarkar, Kathmandu, Nov 10 : Thousands of people, including the disabled, sick and children, were left stranded on the highways leading to Kathmandu valley as Nepal’s former Maoist guerrillas Tuesday enforced a blockade to press their demand for a new government even as the ruling alliance warned the siege was against the peace pact.
Read more » - Love America s parks
Have you visited any of America’s national parks?If so, The News-Times would love to hear about your experiences. Did you have an adventure? Did you feel renewed appreciation for the beauty of this country?Or did you have a mishap? Are you the guy who forgot to make reservations for a mule at the Grand Canyon?
Read more » - Nepali UCPN M blocades capital
The Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) blocked vehicles to and from Nepali Kathmandu Valley at four entry points of the capital. According to the Traffic headquarters, no vehicles plied the roads at main entry points since early Tuesday morning. The vehicles arrived in the capital Monday night have been stranded along the road sides, the traffic office said. Public, private…
Read more » - Vigil stepped up along Indo Nepal border
Mahrajganj (UP) Nov 10 (PTI) Youths coming from Nepal into Uttar Pradesh will be extensively screened and religious places along the Indo-Nepal border closely monitored amid intelligence reports that terrorists organisations in Pakistan are using the route to send trained ultras into the country.
Read more »