Holiday Inn Resort Kathmandu Budhanilkantha

What to see in Kathmandu

• Swayambhunath: the stupa on the hill, looking over the city.
• Pashupatinath: a Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River.
• Boudhanath: one of the largest stupas in the world.
• Durbar Square and Thamel: the old palace square and the lively tourist streets.

When to go

November to February is clear and dry: November averages a high of 21 and a low of 9 degrees, with 10 millimetres of rain, and December gets 6. June to September is the monsoon, with 752 millimetres in July and 644 in August, and October still gets 142.

Getting there from Turkey

Kathmandu is part of MBD's Nepal tours, in days such as "Kathmandu's Sacred Temples" and "First steps in Kathmandu". The tours run 5 to 7 nights from Istanbul, and Turkish Airlines, IndiGo and Air Arabia are listed. Dates and prices are on the tour page.

Who it suits

People looking for culture, spirituality and mountain scenery, and those who start Himalaya routes from the city. It is crowded and loud, which can be hard if you want quiet rest.

Questions people ask

Where can I stay in Kathmandu? MBD lists Aloft Kathmandu Thamel, Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Holiday Inn Resort Kathmandu Budhanilkantha, Radisson Kathmandu, Ramada by Wyndham Kathmandu Dhumbarahi and The Soaltee Kathmandu, Autograph Collection, all 5-star.

How many days do I need? Two days for the main temples.

When are the mountains clearest? From November to February, when rainfall is lowest.