Kathmandu

103,000 km²
(2.5x the Netherlands)

UTC +5:45

Nepalese

Mount Everest (Sagarmatha of Chomolungma) - 8,848 m

The flag of Nepal is a combination of two pennants with symbols that represent the various branches of the previous rulers, the Rana dynasty. The current flag was adopted on December 16, 1962 after the formation of a new constitutional government. The individual pennants had been in use in the previous two centuries and the double pennant since the 19th century. The blue border represents peace and the red color represents the Rhododendron. Red is the national color of Nepal. The two royal symbols represent the hope that Nepal will continue to exist as long as the moon and the sun will shine. Until 1962, the moon and the sun had a face.

The Nepalese rupee was introduced in 1932. It replaced the silver Mohar. Depicted on the banknote are two tigers.

Bodhnath stupa is located near the airport of Kathmandu. This Buddhist shrine with a diameter and height of 40 meters is special to Tibetans and Sherpas. The stupa is enclosed by houses where many refugees from Tibet live. You constantly hear 'Om mani padme hum' from shops around the stupa. Cross the street and descend a road to get to Pashupatinath, a Hindu shrine on the Bagmati River where cremations take place. Swayambunath is located on a hill. This is the most important Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. The foundations of the current stupa date from 1372. At the other side of the hill are three gigantic buddhas. Due to the huge number of prayer flags, the trees within the sanctuary are almost invisible.



Unlike Kathmandu, cars of motorcycles are not allowed Durbar Square in Patan. Therefore the atmosphere is more authentic. From the roof terrace of a restaurant opposite the Krishna temple you have a nice view of the square and the Himalayas. An absolute must is the Kva Bahal (Golden Temple) in one of the alleys to the northwest of the square. It is the most important of the 18 main monasteries in Patan.

The biggest jewel of the Kathmandu valley is the city of Bhaktapur. Highlights are Durbar Square and nearby Thumadhi Square with its 30 meters high Nyatapole temple built in 1703. The temple suffered damage from the 2015 earthquake and reopend in 2020. Also visit the pottery square and the square with the Dattatreya temple.

At the foot of the Annapurna Mountains you can make the six-day Ghorepani / Ghandruk trekking. On day 1 you depart from Naya pul (1,000 meters) to the village of Tikhedhunga (1540 meters). Day 2 is a tough day that starts with 3200 stone steps. A short flat section and ascend a forest to Ghorepani (2,874 meters).


In the early morning on day 3, when its still dark, you can hike to the top of Poon hill (3,200 meters) in 45 minutes and watch the sun rise over the high peaks such as Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters). After breakfast there is another steep climb from Ghorepani over a beautiful path to Deurali pass (2,990 meters). From here it is mainly descend to Tadapani (2,590 meters). Day 4: a long descent to a river, crossing a suspension bridge followed by a sturdy climb and a fairly flat stretch to Chhomrong (2,170 meters) at the foot of the Annapurna South (7,219 meters). Day 5 you follow a part of the path back, descend to the river for a last ascent and then a gentle descent to a beautiful medieval village, Ghandruk (1,940 meters). The last day is a long descent over a beautifully landscaped path to Naya pul.