You’ve landed! The beginning of an incredible journey.

I really wish I had taken better notes of my travels in Nepal (hint hint).

I didn’t record any of the restaurants or hostels I stayed at…

But! I was shown a few great places in Kathmandu by locals and thought I’d detail them here.

Hope they inspire you and give you some places to check out in you first few days ☺️

Pimbahal Pokhari

Pimbahal Pokhari Krishna Temple

Located in the south east, this was a really nice spot.

There were lots of cafes and restaurants around the outside of this lake (?).

It was full of locals and very charming (not touristy at all).

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Pashupatinath Temple

This was such a sacred place. I was moved to tears because there were cremations and wailing and grieving happening in public.

I arrived on the other side of the river, around Guhyeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple. You can then get this incredible view of the main temple and make your way down.

You could easily spend half a day here soaking it in.

Gaushala is a great area to explore outside the temple too.

Pashupatinath Temple · 4.7★(38136) · Temple hindou

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Pilgrims Book House

This was one of the few places I’d left highlighted in my google maps.

I remember being dazzled by the books in here, I reckon you’d love browsing.

Pilgrims Book House · 4.6★(1125) · Librairie

Swayambunath Temple

This is the iconic temple for Kathmandu, I’m sure it’s in all the guide books.

But it really does give you an amazing view of the city so I highly recommend it.

Swayambunath · 4.6★(17886) · Temple bouddhiste

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Shivapuri Nagarjun national park

I did a three day hike here, starting at the Sundarijal waterfall and then up to Nagarkot and Telkot. It took us through rainforest and then up to some beautiful views.

I met someone at a temple and became friends, so we booked a guide together.

But you could easily do this by yourself and stop on the numerous hostels along the way.

Reckon this would be a good national park to explore to wear your shoes in.

Parc national de Shivapuri Nagarjun · 4.4★(5736) · Parc national

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We stayed in this hotel. I remember the view was astonishing.

But then soon every view in Nepal becomes astonishing 😝

Unkai Resort · 4.8★(23) · Hôtel

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Bhaktapur

This is the old city to the east of Kathmandu.

It was a bus ride away which was a fun experience by itself 🤪

It’s an area that was destroyed by an earthquake so under reconstruction when I was there. It’s definitely touristy but still a nice day out.

Place du Darbâr · 4.6★(20970) · Attraction touristique

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Boudhanath temple

Another big stupa that you’d be stupa to miss.

This one had a beautiful circle of buildings around it which was colourful and magical just to do people watching.

Buddha Stupa · 4.7★(17771) · Temple bouddhiste

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Patan Durbar Square

Patan was a great little area of town.

Again, very lively at night and lots of nice restaurants.

I became friends with the owner of a restuarant called Newari Thakali Corner. Such a nice person but sadly I see its shut down 😔

Patan Durbar Square · 4.6★(29670) · Site historique

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Outside of Kathmandu, I enjoyed Pokhara. It’s a little Bali-esque with all the spiritual tourists but hey, if you’re doing Annapurna you might as well soak it in.

Riding a boat over the lake was fun (though I definitely freaked out that I was going to fall in with all my stuff 😰)

I went to Bandipur. This was a really random town that had a european medieval feel to it. You could easily miss it 😜

I really wish I had gone to Janakpur. Apparently its very spiritual with all the temples and not that touristy.

Some other areas I was told about but never went to:

• Bordia National Park
  • in the west of the country, apparently its the best place to see tigers 🐯
• Llamjung
  • this was a hike between Pkhara and Kathmandu
• Manang mustang
  • “must visit mountain or you haven’t visited Nepal” - so I was told 👀
• I spent a few days hiking near Darjeeling. Never actually got there but apparently it’s beautiful with so many tea gardens

And of course Damak. My home away from home.

If you ever made the journey, you would be welcomed as a brother 🫶

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I’ll miss you but you’re gonna have such an amazing time 🤩

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