The best time to travel to Kathmandu enjoying clear skies is April to mid-June or September to November; keep in mind that during October and November the temperature plummets to below freezing at night.

Start by taking a visit to the Old Town at the heart of which you will find Durbar Square, there is the palace, a Hindu wooden temple known as the Kasthamandap, Itum Bahal and the Hanuman Dhoka. Some of these historic buildings were destroyed during a 2015 earthquake but are being rebuilt. Despite the damage, a sense of history and charm can be seen by the remaining relics and those currently under reconstruction.  

Thamel is a commercial neighbourhood in the city, a great place for a spot of shopping, backpacking and nightlife. There are many restaurants serving traditional and more continental cuisine, with prices being significantly higher than other neighbourhoods. Thamel is often used as a pre-base camp for mountaineers and you can readily find trekking and walking gear in the local shops.

Close by (a 2 minute walk) from Thamel is the heavenly Garden of Dreams (Swapna Bagaicha), enter into this perfectly restored green space and allow your mind and senses to reset from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere.

There are many things to be seen and explored in this sprawling city, whether it is the historic and religious significance, the astounding nature surrounding it or the warm people and their culture. Just make sure to have a lot of cash when out and about and especially upon arrival, some places only accept cash and the ones that accept payment by card will charge you up to 4% extra for using it.