1. The Boudhanath Stupa
A trip to Boudhanath is a perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of central Kathmandu. Be careful to observe Tibetan custom by walking around the stupa in a clockwise direction.
where? Boudhanath is 7 kms to the east of central Kathmandu. A taxi takes about 45 minutes, and should cost about 300 rupees. A rickshaw should take about the same time but be slightly cheaper.
when? Late afternoon is the best time to visit, after tour groups have departed. The largest celebrations, for Losar (Tibetan New Year), are held here in February or March.
2. A gateway to the mountains
The 1,500 mile long Himalayas range has a width of between 90 and 250 miles and contains every one of the world's eight thousand metre peaks and 100 peaks of over 7,200 metres. After the peaks in the Himalayas, the next highest peak is the 6,962 metre Aconcagua in the Andes. Remarkably, Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 eight-thousanders, namely Everest (8848 m), Kangchenjunga (8586 m), Lhotse (8516 metres), Makalu (8485 m), Cho Oyu (8,201 m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Manaslu (8163 m) and Annapurna I (8109 m). The remainder are found in Pakistan, China and India.
when? The best time for trekking in the Everest and Annapurna regions is September to November and March to April.
3. Durbar Square
In Nepali, 'durbar' means 'palace'. And, though the Nepali royal family moved from the palace on Durbar Square (called the Hanuman Dhoka) about a century ago, this remains the tourist heart of Kathmandu. Most visitors are surprised by the sheer number of temples surrounding the square, and the two adjoining squares, some of which date back to the 12th century.
where? Durbar Square is found to the west of Kathmandu's recreation ground and the south-west of the Royal Palace.
when? All year round.
4. The Pashupatinath Temple
Built in 1696 on the orders of King Bhupendra Malla,Pashupatinath is Nepal's most important Hindu temple. Built in the pagoda style of architecture, Pashupatinath stands on the banks of theBagmati river, has a distinctive gilded rooftop, intricately carved rafters (featuring members of Shiva's family) and four silver-plated main doors surrounded by statues of deities. Pashupatinath reaches a maximum height of 24 metres, and is presided over by piests called Bhattas and achief priest called Mool Bhatt or Raval. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple, though a glimpse of Shiva's bull, Nandi, can be caught from outside the western entrance.
where? Pashupatinath is about 5 kms to the east of Kathmandu, and a short walk from the Boudhanath temple. A taxi ride from central Kathmandu will take about 30 minutes, and cost about 300 Rupees.
when? All year round.
5. A day trip to Patan
Patan is situated to the south of Kathmandu, and only separated from the capital by the Bagmati river. It is the second largest town in the Kathmandu valley. It has an ancient history, with the corners of the town being marked by stupas erected in around 250 BC. Research by Lonely Plant suggests that Patan has a greater concentration of temples per square metre than either Kathmandu or Bhaktapur! Patan's most interesting attractions include the Golden Temple (together with a number of tortoises found in its courtyard), the five-storey Kumbeshwar Temple (dating from 1392), and the Red Machhendranath Temple (dating from the 17th century, and containing carvings of a number of weird and wonderful animals).
where? Patan is situated about 3 kms from Kathmandu's Thamel region, and can be accessed easily by bus, taxi or rickshaw.
when? All year round. The Patan Museum is open 10.30am to 4.30pm six days a week. Closed Tues.