| ’s capital, Kathmandu lies right at the heart of | | | | with 365 steps leading up to the top. Just make sure |
| the Himalayas and for many visitors, trekking | | | | you watch out for the monkeys on the way down! |
| Nepal’s Annapurna circuit, it is both the start | | | | However, if you prefer bats to monkeys then you |
| and end point of the circular trail. Kathmandu was | | | | may want to take a visit to the King’s Palace. |
| once believed to be the beautiful but inaccessible | | | | Although the palace is modern looking, having only |
| Shangri-La, and is the perfect place to begin your | | | | been built in the second half of the 19th century, the |
| Nepal trekking. | | | | giant fruit bats which hang from the trees outside |
| The bustling centre of Kathmandu is literally brimming | | | | never fail to attract foreign visitors. Try to visit the |
| with tourists and backpackers. And whilst a few are | | | | King’s Palace just before sunset when the |
| just content to spend a few days in the country | | | | giant bats flock en masse around the city square in a |
| chilling out and soaking up the peaceful vibe, many | | | | giant swarm. |
| more visitors are using Kathmandu as a gateway to | | | | Another popular area in Nepal is that of Freak Street, |
| a much bigger Nepal trekking expedition, be it the | | | | which had its hey-day during the swinging sixties |
| Annapurna Circuit or even Mount Everest. Luckily | | | | when overlander tours and kaftans were all the rage. |
| Kathmandu is full of incredible places to explore, | | | | The shops in this psychedelic street are a relic of the |
| which makes it a great place to spend a few days | | | | past, but still claim to sell everything from incense to |
| before or after your Nepal trekking expedition. | | | | enlightenment. The spaced out vibe of the area |
| Thamel Chowk is the main tourist centre in | | | | makes it perfect for chilling out before beginning your |
| Kathmandu and the place where the majority of the | | | | Nepal trekking expedition. |
| capital’s gift-shops and restaurants are | | | | One of the most important sites for Tibetan |
| located. There are a number of delicious restaurants | | | | Buddhism is the Boudha Stupa and this will also be |
| where you can fill yourself up with traditional | | | | the most recognisable sight that you will encounter in |
| Nepalese food before starting your Nepal trekking. | | | | Kathmandu. The golden tower is said to represent |
| However, if you’re also coming back to the | | | | the World Mountain, or Neru, which is home to the |
| capital after your walk then you may want to wait | | | | Gods and centre to the cosmos. Whilst the two eyes |
| until then to start your souvenir shopping. After all | | | | are instantly recognisable, those who look closer will |
| you don’t want your rucksack to be full | | | | also see a third eye in-between, which is the symbol |
| before you’ve even started. | | | | for knowledge. |
| Thirty minutes outside the centre is the Swayambhu, | | | | With so many incredible sights to see in Kathmandu, |
| one of the most revered Buddhist monuments in the | | | | the destination is the perfect place to both begin and |
| country. Visitors to the area often call the Stupa the | | | | end your Nepal trekking expedition; you’ll |
| monkey temple due to the large number of monkeys | | | | certainly need the two trips to the capital in order to |
| that make their home in the grounds. The temple | | | | see everything you want. |
| also contains prayer wheels and Buddhist artwork | | | | |