8 days in Kathmandu Itinerary

Once synonymous with the mysterious and inaccessible Shangri-La, today Kathmandu draws an ever-increasing number of tourists, catering to independent travelers of various budgets.

Take a break from the city and head to Climbing Tours and Taudaha Lake. Do some cultural sightseeing at Thamel and Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Change things up with these side-trips from Kathmandu: Kali Temple (in Dhulikhel), Kulekhani Dam (in Kulekhani) and Panauti (Indreshwar Mahadev Temple & Panauti Museum). There's much more to do: take in the spiritual surroundings of Swayambhunath Temple, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, admire the striking features of Taleju Mandir Temple, and don't miss a visit to Namo Buddha Temple.

To see other places to visit, where to stay, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Kathmandu day trip tool.

If you are flying in from Australia, the closest major aiport is Tribhuvan International Airport. In August, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Sat) to allow time to travel back home.