Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, the gateway to Mount Everest and the largest city in the country. Travelers booking flights Kathmandu will find a city full of Buddhist temples and narrow streets selling everything from Yak sweaters to prayer flags. The city derived its name from the Kasthamandap, which was a 500 year old 3 story structure constructed with the wood of a single tree and without using any metal nails. Unfortunately during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, the structure was severly damaged and collapsed.
Some of the popular choices of airlines that operate routes between the US and Kathmandu includes: Air India (AI), Qatar Airways (QR), Emirates (EK), Turkish Airlines (TK), Singapore Airlines (SQ), etc.
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The capital city of Nepal is rich in cultural and historical attractions, especially with it's UNESCO Heritage sites. Below are a few of the notable attractions in Kathmandu popular to tourists:
Durbar Square (World Heritage Site): Durbar Square is the cultural and religious centerpiece of the city, home to the Great Stupa of Boudhanath and other ancient pagodas. A classic thing to do in Kathmandu is to arrive in Durbar Square at dawn to see its many holy men praying.
Boudhanath Stupa (World Heritage Site): One of the iconic landmarks in the capital and is the home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The stupa is adorned with prayer flags and surrounded by monasteries, making it a peaceful and spiritual place to visit.
Thamel: A vibrant neighborhood popular to tourists especially when it comes to lodging, dining, and shopping. Also if you are planning to go trekking and want to pick up a few more items, then visit the shops here.
The best time to visit Kathmandu varies depends on what activities you have planned.
Popular travel season: The mild temperatures and clear skies during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) are two of the most popular travel season to Kathmandu.
Be aware of the monsoon season: Although June is considered relatively less crowded when traveling to Kathmandu, don't forget that it is part of the monsoon season. During June to August, conditions such as humid conditions and heavy rainfall may "damp" your travel experience, as outdoor activities may be challenging. The weather around this time is unpredicatable with natural disasters and accidents (slippery trails and landslides) if you are considering trekking.
Traveling during the winter: If outdoor activities are not the highlight of your trip and you are planning to primarily go there for sightseeing then traveling during December through February might the option for you. Although morning and evenings during December and January may be as cold as 3˚C/37˚F, the capital is known to have clearer skies and temperatures can range from 10-20˚C/50-68˚F during the day.
Generic trekking: Travelers interested in doing general trekking can book their Kathmandu flights to arrive between August to October.
Heading to Mount Everest: Most travelers booking flights to Kathmandu are heading up to Mount Everest. The prime Everest hiking season is in spring, with most climbers attempting to summit in April and May. Travelers booking flights to Kathmandu to hike up to Everest base camp must allow 4-6 weeks to complete the most famous trek in the country. It starts with a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla and then a trek up to Everest Base Camp from there. Hikers acclimatize along the way to base camp by staying in several villages with spectacular views of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. *Important to note that preparations such as organizing the pertmits, gathering your gear, and logistics once you arrive in Kathmandu may take additional time for processing. Overall the entire process may take up to 9 weeks and this may vary depending on seasonality, plan differences, etc.
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