The Kathmandu Valley is Nepal’s culture-packed “starter kit” in the best possible way. Home to no less than seven UNESCO-listed monument zones and three historic Malla cities – Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, each with their own personality, quirks and charms and all reachable by taxi – it’s all woven together by a melee of temples, sacred stupas, courtyards, workshops and daily rituals. Expect a mix of spice-scented lanes, gilded shrines and awe-inducing craftsmanship around every corner. It’s also a brilliant place to ease into Nepal gently: short drives, plenty of beautiful hotels and chilled-out cafes, and endless places to just wander and see where the afternoon takes you…
If you like your destinations with a little of everything, the Valley delivers everything from history to art, food to people) – and you don’t need hiking poles to enjoy it!
For the best views without the crowds, head to the hill towns (Nagarkot is a favourite) for wide Himalayan panoramas on clear mornings.
Early mornings in the Valley are spectacular. If you can, aim for the key sites in the morning when the air is clearer and the pace is calmer, then keep afternoons for rambling explorations.
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