Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state in South Asia. Kathmandu is the capital, once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, it is now a lively hub for travellers and the starting point for most Mount Everest treks. There are no trains to Kathmandu, just planes, buses or cars with a driver.  Maps are sometimes unhelpful as many of the streets don’t have street names or signs. The town is crowded with both buildings and people. The best way to get around is by foot or one of the many Rickshaws.

 

The ancient, Durbar Square is the heart of Kathmandu. It is crowded with palaces & temples, including the current incarnation of the Kasthamandap or "Wooden house" that gives the city its name. The square has been in active use since the construction of a palace around 1000 AD.

Our first visit to Kathmandu was in 2003 when we stayed for several days to explore Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley so we decided to visit Chitwan again instead of staying long in Kathmandu.