Nepal is one of my favourite spots on earth. Dramatic mountain ranges, hiking trails, prayer flags a-plenty, all the momos you can handle…
But for those moments when your feet get weary or you just feel like taking a break from either sightseeing or trekking, there are loads of other alternative things to do in Kathmandu.
Here are some of the slightly unusual yet amazing things to experience in the Nepali capital.
1. Drop by the vulture restaurant
You won’t be dining alongside (or munching on) the carrion-eating, pointy-beaked birds; rather, you’ll be holed up in a bunker and watching as a pack of hungry vultures descend on a dead cow.
Morbid, yes, but it’s actually an important initiative, leading the way in responsible, sustainable business. The vulture population has been dwindling in recent years due to the widespread use of diclofenac, a drug used for treating inflammation in cattle, which causes kidney failure – and death – in vultures when they feed on the cow’s carcasses.
A few years ago, Bird Conservation Nepal introduced the ‘restaurants’ as a means to bring the birds back from the brink of extinction; they pay local farmers for old and sick cows, who have no traces of diclofenac in their systems, and keep them on a nearby farm.
When they die (naturally – it’s illegal to kill a cow in Nepal), their carcasses are fed to the birds, who gobble up just about everything in as little as thirty minutes. Your group leader can help you out with a reservation.
2. Grab a refreshing craft beer
Nothing tastes as good as a beer after an epic hike. After schlepping the Annapurna Trail or huffing and puffing along the Base Camp route, head immediately to a bar and order a Khumbu Kolsch.
The German-style beer comes from Sherpa Brewery, Nepal’s first producer of craft beers. It’s brewed in small batches, with natural and high quality ingredients. When the magic at the brewery has happened, the golden ale is packaged in cans, which helps keep the beer fresher (aluminium keeps the light out).
Cans are also easier to recycle, and they’re much lighter than bottles, which means less fuel for transport. We’ll drink to that.
3. Hike to a hidden monastery
OK, so there’s a little bit of hiking involved in this awesome day trip (but it’s MUCH less intensive than a day in the Annapurnas!). Nestled in the Shivapuri National Park just outside Kathmandu is Nangi Gompa, a Buddhist monastery housing around 100 nuns.
After a 30 minute local bus ride from Kathmandu, you’ll hike through farmlands to get to the Park’s entry, then you’ve got about 2.5 hours of walking ahead of you, through woods, past waterfalls, and alongside the occasional monkey.
The views of the valley from the monastery are incredible; a live soundtrack of the nuns’ puja (worship) in the nearby prayer hall makes this a pretty special – and unique – experience. Fun fact: the nuns of Nangi Gompa have released an album and you can download it on iTunes.
4. Hit up a rooftop garden
Just about every house and hotel in Kathmandu has a rooftop, and more and more people are using the space for the ultimate oasis from the dusty streets below: a rooftop garden.
With rising veggie prices across Kathmandu, locals and business owners are getting their hands dirty and growing their own produce. It’s a healthy alternative to hitting up supermarkets and local markets (because it’s pesticide free), cheap (because you’re growing your own), and good for the environment cutting down on plastic packaging.
The rooftop gardens also provide insulation for housing, keeping them cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Ask your hotel, favourite restaurant or bar if you can pop upstairs and have a look.
5. Indulge in some conspiracy theories
Local people in Nepal are amongst the friendliest in Asia, and a lot in the tourist areas speak English (although you really could learn some of the most used basic Nepali phrases before arriving).
In 2001, it’s alleged that the Royal Crown Prince of Nepal massacred ten members of his family in Kathmandu’s Royal Palace. While it was widely reported that Prince Dipendra was responsible for the killing, many disagree.
Ask around and you’ll hear about the rumours and conspiracy theories behind the event; Was it the uncle, who claimed to be in Pokhara at the time? Was it Indian intelligence agents? The American CIA?
Make up your own mind on what really happened on that fateful night with a visit to the palace, which is now a public museum.
Have you got any tips for Kathmandu you would like to share? Let me know!
