Thamel, Kathmandu

• Thamel is the backpacker’s heaven in Kathmandu, located in the middle of city and host some of the cheapest hotels and bars
• Even if you want a spacious / luxurious stay, it is recommended that it is closer to Thamel
• Kathmandu Darbar Square and Garden of Dreams are two complexes diametrically to each other at the periphery of Thamel and can be covered together

Our Hotel was adjacent to Thamel. It was a huge convenience. It meant most of our movements, be it for restaurant, bar or sites, we were able to do it walking. Even late night outings were possible on foot. In fact we realised late how colourful the night life in and around Thamel is.

Kathmandu Darbar Square, Thamel

There are two prominent tourist sites near Thamel. Kathmandu Darbar Square is a Unesco World Heritage Site right in the middle of Kathmandu and at the periphery of Thamel. We were able to visit this site after Swayambhu Stupa. The contrast between palace like structure and the buzzing marketplace surrounding it is in itself a spectacle.

Garden of Dreams, Thamel

The other good place for tourists is Garden of Dreams. There is a hefty fee to enter this modest establishment but that means the crowd inside is less which is an instant relief from the moving mass outside in Thamel. Since it was a crisp November afternoon that we visited this place, we enjoyed it more than others.

Hard Rock Cafe, Kathmandu

There are numerous cafés, bars, discs and famous restaurants in and around Thamel, thanks to the backpackers staying there round the year. We even covered some dance bars which were more than decent, the most impressive being Thamel Kitchen. We were going to be back in Thamel after out Everest Base Camp trek so we were not exactly going to miss the place for now.