| Many visitors like to spend a few days in the bustling | | | | everything from incense to enlightenment and the |
| capital of Kathmandu before they attempt their | | | | spaced out vibe makes it the perfect place to chill out |
| Annapurna treks. The city has many spectacular | | | | before your Annapurna circuit trek. |
| sights all of which should be explored whilst on your | | | | Next to Freak Street is Durbar Square, also known as |
| holiday. | | | | Hanuman Dhoka, and a World Heritage Site. It is a |
| The tourist heart of Kathmandu is the Thamel district | | | | fascinating complex of ornately carved temples, |
| where you'll find numerous cafes, bars and restaurants. | | | | palaces and monuments including the old Royal Palace, |
| Here you can enjoy some delicious Nepali cuisine, | | | | where you may catch a glimpse of the living goddess |
| although it's probably advisable to wait till you return | | | | or Kumari - a young girl chosen as the incarnation of |
| from your Annapurna trek before too much | | | | the Hindu goddess Durga. Wandering through the |
| over-indulgence. Thamel is also a great place to pick | | | | beautiful buildings of Durbar Square provides a sense |
| up bargain souvenirs and any trekking gear you may | | | | of calm before the excitement of your Annapurna |
| need before setting off on your Annapurna trek, | | | | trek. |
| though perhaps it's best to leave the souvenirs till after | | | | Pashupatinath is another cultural must-see in |
| your trek's finished as you don't want your backpack | | | | Kathmandu. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, in |
| to be too full. | | | | his form as the Lord of animals. Whilst only Hindus are |
| Taking a forty minute walk from Thamel to up to | | | | allowed to enter the temple premises, non-Hindus can |
| Swayambhunath Temple is a great way to get some | | | | observe the temple from the banks of the Bagmati |
| practice in before you start your Annapurna circuit | | | | River. The temple is considered to be Lord Shiva's |
| trek. However, if you're looking to relax before | | | | most sacred temple and you will observe many |
| beginning your Annapurna trek then you may want to | | | | cremations taking place alongside the banks of the |
| travel by rickshaw to the revered Buddhist Stupa. | | | | holy Bagmati River, whilst religious Sadhus carry out |
| Swayambhunath is one of the most important | | | | ceremonies. |
| Buddhist monuments in the country and is often | | | | One of the most important sites for Tibetan Buddhism |
| referred to by visitors as the monkey temple, due to | | | | is the Boudha Stupa, also known as Bodhnath, and this |
| the large number of monkeys that make their home in | | | | will be one of the most recognisable cultural sights that |
| the grounds. | | | | you will encounter on your Annapurna circuit trekking |
| If you prefer bats to monkeys then you may want to | | | | holiday. All elements of the complex carry special |
| visit the former King's Palace (now a museum) before | | | | significance and represent aspects of Buddhist |
| beginning your Annapurna trek. Although the palace is | | | | philosophy and belief. Perhaps though the most |
| typically modern looking, built in the second half of the | | | | recognisable symbol is the Buddha's two eyes which |
| 19th century, the giant fruit bats which hang from the | | | | look out from each side of the main tower. Take a |
| trees outside never fail to attract foreign visitors. Try | | | | closer though and you will also see a third eye |
| to visit the King's Palace just before sunset when the | | | | in-between them; the symbol of the Buddha's wisdom. |
| giant bats flock en masse around the city square. | | | | With so many incredible sights to see in Kathmandu, |
| Freak Street was a popular hippy destination during | | | | the destination is the perfect place to both begin and |
| the 1960's and 1970's when overlanding tours were all | | | | end your Annapurna trek; you'll certainly need the two |
| the rage and Kathmandu was a major stop on the | | | | trips to the capital in order to see everything you want. |
| hippy trail. However, shops in this street still claim to sell | | | | |