Many people, especially expats with families living in Hong Kong, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, and Bangkok, to name a few, find themselves with a short vacation period and no idea where to spend it. The thriving Himalayan city of Kathmandu is a short flight from most of these cities and it’s an affordable, exciting, and culturally rich holiday that awaits you in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the central tourist hub that acts as the gateway to the mighty Himalayas. If you don’t know what to do and where to go, you could easily waste your precious time on tourist traps, be hassled by touts, and spend money on expensive non-local organized sightseeing tours. Kathmandu has a hidden charm underneath all the “tourist tinsel” and the best way to find it is by going local. Although doing it hard and ready is not ideal for most people traveling with young families, a little pre-planning and a good balance between organized and do-it-yourself tours can give you an amazing Kathmandu vacation. And getting around is a lot easier than you think.
Connect with a local tour operator and book a three-day jungle safari in Chitwan. It’s a good opportunity to get out of town, see the country / jungle side and best of all, the kids will love bathing the elephants, riding them, and playing with the baby elephants at the breeding center. Interaction with these gentle giants will be a highlight that they will talk about for years to come. Best of all, at the standard price of US $ 80 per person for three days all included in meals, accommodation, transportation and jungle activities, it’s a bargain … don’t forget to ask for a discount for younger children!
Return to Kathmandu and head to Nagarkot, one of the main hill stations, here you will find a hotel for any budget and taste, there is a lot to offer and getting there is timed, book a taxi or take the daily tour bus that Departs from Thamel to 7 am every day in tourist season and on demand out of season. The great attraction of Nagarkot is what everyone comes to see in Nepal, the mountains. From this hilltop city, views can be seen from Annapurna in the west to Kanchengjunga in the east. If you’re lucky, a guide or hotel staff member can point out the distant peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Everest is most clearly seen at sunrise. The best time of year to see breathtaking mountain views is from September to February. If you are heading on a Saturday, it is recommended to book a hotel in advance as the locals love this place too.
After spending the night in Nagarkot, you can drive back to Kathmandu, or if you have an active family, take the time to walk through the hillside villages of Tamang to Changunayaran, the oldest and one of the most beautiful temples around. the Kathmandu valley. . With an entrance fee of only Rs 70 per person, it is definitely worth a visit. From here, it is easy to get a taxi to Bhaktapur, the old walled city. I recommend spending a night here, making the most of the US $ 10 entrance fee, and spending a good amount of time exploring the cobbled streets of Bhaktapur, which was at one time a kingdom in its own right. Tucked behind the main square, you can find Potters Square, which is where the locals still craft all forms of pottery for daily and temple use. Bhaktapur offers several quaint guesthouses to spend the night and enjoy a hot meal. If you feel the need to explore the city in depth, local guides can be hired from any guesthouse or at the front door.
Back in Kathmandu, get original and instead of joining the standard day tour of the big three, Pashupati, Durbar Square and Boulda, grab a local rickshaw or two and pack your family together for fun exploring the back streets, the Hidden temples and the thriving local markets of old Kathmandu, ending your journey in Basantapur making sure to take time to explore Durbar Square and the old royal palace. Ask your driver to show you the best place to taste Chai, Nepal’s famous sweet and spicy milk tea. You should expect to pay your driver around Rs 100 per hour and if you are lucky enough to have a chatty one you will learn more about life and weather in Kathmandu than you would from your average tour guide who only recites learned facts and figures. from Lonely Planet. !
So there you have it, you may have overlooked Nepal as a vacation destination for a short trip, thinking that you had to spend weeks traveling and trekking, it’s not true, there is a lot to offer in the Kathmandu Valley and your surroundings to Make an economical, rewarding and culturally rich vacation for your family in the kingdom of the Himalayas!
Have fun planning your vacation and enjoy what’s right around the corner.