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Kastamonu

Kastamonu is a city in the Western Karadeniz Region of Turkey. It's 92 km from the Black Sea coast at an altitude of 900 m, and in 2021 had a population of 125,622.

Understand
The town may have been founded in the 18th century BC; the Greeks and Romans called it Timonion (Τιμόνιον). It controlled one of the valleys to the Black Sea coast and in the 10th century was fortified by Manuel Erotikos Komnenos (circa 955-1020), so it was dubbed "Kastra Komnenon" hence Kastamonu.

From the 13th to 15th century, Kastamonu was the capital of the Candaroğlu petty kingdom. The Ottomans were already a power in the land, but were almost destroyed by Mongol / Timurid invasion. Thus it was only in 1461 that they'd recovered enough to vanquish the Candaroğlu on their road to establishing an empire on three continents. Kastamonu was thereafter a provincial capital untroubled by warfare. However in the Turkish War of Independence it was a supply hub: western navies embargoed the shipping lanes, but munitions were smuggled into the port of İnebolu then brought up to Kastamonu thence to the frontlines.

By plane
is 12 km south of the city and most days has a flight from Istanbul (IST) by Turkish Airlines, taking 75 min. You'll need a taxi to get downtown.

By bus
Buses from Istanbul run every 2-3 hours and take 8-9 hours via Gebze, Bolu and Safranbolu, usually continuing via Boyabat to Sinop or Samsun on the coast.

From Ankara six buses a day take four hours. Bus lines on these routes are Metro Turizm and Flixbus.

Local buses ply along the valley from Karabük, which is on the railway from Ankara to Zonguldak, and is close to Safranbolu.

the bus station is 7 km north of city centre. Local buses and dolmuşes run downtown and should be included in your ticket price, check when buying.

By road
From Istanbul is 510 km: take O-4 / E80 (toll) east past Gerede, then D755 north to Karabük, then D030 east via Araç. The last stretch of road is winding, but is mostly a divided highway.

From Ankara is 240 km: go east on D140 to Kalecik, then north on D765 via Çankırı and Ilgaz. The last section is over the Ilgaz Mountains at 1800 m, so in winter consider the weather outlook. Satnav may try to bring you this way from Istanbul.

Get around
The main road follows both banks of the river bisecting the city, with one-way northbound traffic on the east bank and southbound on the west. Public buses ply this strip.

See

 * Old town straggles along the valley both sides of the Karaçomak River. The southern sections have Ottoman half-timbered houses and stone mansions, plus ancient mosques, caravanserais and bazaars. But it's all a bit scrappy, as most buildings are ticky-tacky modern, and older buildings are often in poor condition, so you don't get the atmosphere of an "old quarter".
 * is the focus of a Külliyesi - religious complex - built in the 1440s.
 * was built in 1506, and restored in later centuries.
 * Nasrullah Bridge crosses the river east side of Nasrullah Mosque and was built about the same time. It's now a footbridge with two arches remaining; the outer three were clipped off in 1946 to avoid obstructing modern streets along the banks, giving it a lop-sided appearance.
 * Aşir Efendi Hanı (aka Urgan Inn) is a caravanserai just west of Nasrullah Mosque, built in 1748. It's now occupied by small shops but is run-down.
 * - Republic Square - was historically the market place, but is now a plaza lined by public buildings, such as the late Ottoman-style Governor's Office and City Museum. The monument commemorates the effort to supply the front line during the Turkish War of Independence - the foremost figure is Şerife Bacı, who perished from the cold doing so.
 * (Saat Kulesi) on Kuleli Sk is a sturdy sandstone tower of 1885.
 * (Saat Kulesi) on Kuleli Sk is a sturdy sandstone tower of 1885.
 * or citadel perches on an outcrop, reached by a 20 min hike up the old town alleys. Built by the Byzantines in the 10th century, this is the "castra" that gives Kastamonu its name. In later centuries it was captured and repaired by the Seljuks, the Candars and finally the Ottomans. The outer walls have disappeared and the inner walls were damaged by earthquakes but partly restored in modern times. You're free to explore it 24 hours.

Further out

 * is a remarkable wooden mosque built in 1366, in the village of Kasaba 17 km northwest of Kastamonu. No nails were used (hence its nickname Çivisiz Cami, "the nailless mosque"), so its elaborately carved pieces were cleverly slotted into position and the surfaces dyed. Kasaba is now a tiny place but was once a substantial town, a secondary seat of the Candaroğlu dynasty until they were ousted by the Ottomans, and right up to the 20th century its population exceeded 20,000. The mosque is one of five in Anatolia inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List; it's generally accessible in daylight hours. To get here take the road towards Daday as far as Göçen, then follow the lane north for 3 km. A dolmuş would get you to Göçen.

Do

 * Hamams: Dede Sultan Hamamı at Atatürk Cd 41 was established in 1524 and is still in business. Others in old town are Çifte Hamam, Arabapazarı Hamam and Yeni (New) Hamam.
 * Lunapark is a rusty crumbling amusement park at the north end of town. It's supposed to be open daily till midnight, but you'll probably find it closed.
 * Dress to impress: it was in Kastamonu on 27 August 1925 that Atatürk made a famous speech banning the wearing of the fez and religious garb; he wore a panama for the occasion. He argued that such dress was not only backward, but it emphasised religious and cultural differences in what should be a unified secular republic. Civil servants and similar officials were thereupon required to wear modern hats, and when Atatürk got back to Ankara he passed a law. There were many protests, and a couple of dozen protesters were hanged, in a modern secular sort of way.

Buy

 * Zirve Park is the main shopping centre (AVM), north end of town off Denktaş Cd. It has a big Carrefour open daily 09:00-22:00.
 * Lots of small stores on the streets lining the creek.

Eat

 * Etli ekmek is a local style of pizza, large and topped by cheese and spicy bacon. It's often served with a soup and a salad.
 * Halva (çekme helvası) is for dessert, in cafes or sold loose.
 * Eating places are found along the streets either side of the creek.

Drink

 * Cafes may serve alcohol.

Sleep
Town gets booked out whenever the nearby military garrisons have public parades, as families from all over the country flock to see their conscripted sons looking smart and purposeful for the first time in their lives.
 * Ruganci Otel next door at Cumhuriyet Cd 14 is less clean.
 * Ramada Resort is on Tufan Sk.
 * Ruganci Otel next door at Cumhuriyet Cd 14 is less clean.
 * Ramada Resort is on Tufan Sk.

Connect
Kastamonu and its approach highways have 4G from all Turkish carriers. As of April 2024, 5G has not rolled out in Turkey.

Go next

 * Küre Mountains National Park to the northwest is an area of natural beauty, with lush forests, striking gorges, and biodiversity.
 * İnebolu 92 km north through the mountains is the closest town on the Black Sea. It's mostly modern.
 * Safranbolu to the west is a World Heritage site for its well-preserved old town with whitewashed Ottoman houses.
 * Ilgaz National Park to the south is a winter sports destination, at high altitude having an almost Nordic landscape.
 * Boyabat to the east has an impressive citadel overlooking the river valley.

title: Kastamonu


text:
Kastoria

Kastoria (Population: 35,874 (2011)) is a lakeside city in Macedonia, northern Greece.

Get in
By plane to Argos Orestiko, 15 km away from the Kastoria city centre. Airlines are only available through Athens.

Or by air to Thessaloniki, and then 2 hours travel to Kastoria by car (or bus).

See

 * Visit the numerous Byzantine churches.
 * See the beautiful lake

Do
Buy Furs from the numerous local furriers Buy Fur accessories as well. Take a walk by the beautiful lake
 * Go for skiing at the two near ski centres.

Buy

 * Visit the world's biggest fur trade centre  Also buy furs from Mailon Furs

Eat
Food

Drink
Good local 'tsipouro' (just like ouzo) and wine

Sleep
The city of Kastoria is very touristic and has a lot of great places to spend your night.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Kastoria


text:
Kata

Kata Yai (หาดกะตะใหญ่ Hat Kata Yai) and Kata Noi (หาดกะตะน้อย Hat Kata Noi) are two adjacent beaches on the west coast of Phuket, directly south of Karon. Kata Yai is sometimes called simply Kata Beach (หาดกะตะ Hat Kata).

Understand
Twenty kilometres from Phuket town, beautiful Kata is a scenic gem, its clear water flanked by hills, and picturesque Ko Pu sits offshore. Kata retains a village feel at its northern and southern ends and is perhaps more family-oriented, its one-kilometre long beach more peaceful than Patong.

The main road runs from Kata at the end near Karon Beach all the way to Kata Noi Beach. In Kata centre you can find many shops that sell tourist gifts. These shops can be grouped into gift, tailor, music, and massage. Restaurants are well-priced and food is good. Bars start further on down the road towards Kata Beach.

Kata Beach has safe swimming and does not have any drop offs. It is safe for children and non-swimmers. Always take notice of the flags that fly, they will let you know if it is not safe to swim. There is a coral reef on the right hand side of the beach that goes out to Ko Pu (Crab Island). Sitting on the beach and looking right you may see local fishermen on the rocks trying to catch their supper.

One kilometre south of Kata Yai is Kata Noi, a smaller beach with fewer hotels and less development. The beach is superb. Many fish inhabit the rocks and corals along the shoreline stretching south.

Get in

 * From the airport, you can take a minibus to Kata Beach for about 180 baht. See the Phuket section for details.
 * From Phuket Town, you can take a small open air bus (larger than a songthaew) to Kata for 30-40 baht. Buses leave from the municipal bus terminal, and from the backpacker area of Ranong St (just west of the traffic circle). Note that these buses will initially pass Kata Beach and make their first stop in nearby Karon. They then wind back through Kata and drop you near the beach where many hotels are located.

Get around
To get to Kata Noi, take the narrow beach road up over the hill from Kata Yai.

See
The local market (Thursdays) is just off the main Kata Rd. Here you will find the locals buying their fish and spices. A very interesting place for the first-time traveller to Thailand. Beware of the shrimp paste. At one end of the market near the main road to Chalong you might just see an old man shelling coconuts with a very old, and dangerous looking machine.

Try to find the sauna in the jungle. It has an old copper water boiler that looks like a kettle, there is a cafe there and a plunge pool. They put tree bark in the water to make the steam smell like menthol. The sauna can be found on the right, about 10 min walk at the south end of Kata along the road that takes you to Chalong Bay.

There is a small shopping area called KT Plaza (next to Black Canyon Coffee); selling souvenirs and apparel.

Do

 * Diving and Snorkelling There is a great shallow snorkelling and diving location on the north side of the bay. Information and equipment is available from several dive centres in the Kata area.
 * Surfing: In the rainy season, Apr-Sep. Mostly fast, mushy beach breaks and short rides. You can rent surfboards from Phuket Surf at the far south end of the beach. Kata Noi is a typical beach break that works best on low tides.
 * Surfing: In the rainy season, Apr-Sep. Mostly fast, mushy beach breaks and short rides. You can rent surfboards from Phuket Surf at the far south end of the beach. Kata Noi is a typical beach break that works best on low tides.

Budget
Go directly to Karon, Kata, or Kata Noi beaches and have a look around. If you prefer more of a party atmosphere, go to Patong. Along the south end of Kata Beach there are many bungalows with lovely views overlooking the sea. Prices range from 200-1,000 baht per day depending on your requirements.

Similar establishments in the area are the Da Bungalows (ask for Mr Da), Coolbreeze, Friendship and Flamingo bungalows. If you prefer a quieter area, go for Kata Noi and look for Tap Kaew Bungalows at the end of the street on the hillside overlooking Kata Noi Beach.

Go next
A mini-bus to the airport can be booked in advance at most travel agents. There are several on the main Kata road. Cost is about 250 baht. The bus will pick you up at your hotel.

Taxis to the airport cost 800-1,000 baht. Negotiate the price before leaving.

title: Kata


text:
Katanga

Katanga is the south-eastern region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordering Zambia.

Cities

 * - second largest city in the DRC
 * - port city on Lake Tanganyika
 * - port city on Lake Tanganyika

Understand
Mostly fertile plateaus for agriculture & ranching and home to much of the country's recoverable minerals. De facto independent from 1960-1966 during the "Katanga Crisis"

Get in
The region's gateway is Lubumbashi International Airport which sees flight from Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Johannesburg as well as all major Congolese cities.

Get around
Road condition ranges from bad to non-existent, depending on the season. There is a railway linking Lubumbashi with Likasi but trains are limited to once or twice per months and schedules are not fixed. Simply put, travelling by other means then flying is a proper challenge.

See

 * National Museum of Lubumbashi (Musée national de Lubumbashi), 750 Avenue du Musée.

 * Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Paul (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre et Paul). Built in 1910. Lubumbashi.

 * Lubumbashi Zoological Garden, Boulevard Kamanyola

 * Saint-Albert Church (Église Saint-Albert). Historic church.

 * Stade Kitshanga.

 * Stade Mamba.

 * Mineralogical Museum (Musée Minéralogique).

 * Saint Therese Church (Paroisse Sainte Therese). built around 1925.

 * Sacred Heart Church (Eglise Sacre Coeur), Boulevard De L'Independance.

 * Terrain binamet.

Do

 * Cercle Wallon (Belgium club), 2 Avenue de la Révolution. playground for tennis is available.

 * Lubumbashi Golf Club, Route du Golf. Designed in 1934.

 * Likasi Country Club. Golf club.

 * Andy Le Pro Judor, Boxing.

 * Terrain de Basketball Shituru. basketball playground.

 * Terrain de football UCS.

 * Nalotek Gaming. video gaming.

Buy

 * Nathan Business.

 * Marche Bazano.

 * Alimentation MOZAR.

 * Marche du port.

 * Marche Katanga Kivu.

 * Marche Lubuye.

 * Horizon House.

 * Carrefour Hyper Psaro.

Eat

 * Le Boucher.

 * Cercle Grec.

 * India Spice.

 * Planet Hollybum.

 * Restaurant OKAPI.

 * Restaurent La Prunelle.

 * Restaurant Bar 4 Saisons.

Drink

 * Bar Restaurant Gianni.

 * Deux Jumelle.

 * DA RAISSA Resto - night club.

 * Rio.

 * Village Beau Site.

 * Matshipisha.

Sleep

 * AMS Guest House, 7409 Avenue de la Revolution.

 * Park Hotel (Hotel Leopold II), 50 Avenue Munongo.

 * Hotel TCHAM.

 * Musalala Hotel Kalemie, Ave Tanganyika.

 * Class Lodge.

 * Hotel Kisangani.

Stay safe
The DRC is among the most dangerous and the least developed countries in the world.

title: Katanga


text:
Katesh

Katesh is a town in the Central region of Tanzania. It is on the road from Arusha to Singida.

Get in
Bus from Arusha is 4-6 hours, TSh 11,000. Bus from Singida is 2 hours, TSh 7,000.

Banking
NMB is the only bank in town and has a cash machine. However, it does not offer access bank networks (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) - Arusha and Singida are the closest towns with this service.

Go next
Bus to Arusha is 6-10 hours, TSh 11,000. Direct bus leaves at 6AM; others originate in Singida. Bus to Singida is 2 hours, TSh 7,000, originates in Arusha. Through buses will probably not have seats (you will have to stand).

title: Katesh


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Katha

Katha is a town in Sagaing Region, Northern Myanmar. Its claim to fame in the English-speaking world is its connection to author George Orwell, who was stationed here as a colonial policeman from 1926-7. He used Katha as the setting of his first novel, Burmese Days. Some of the places featured in the book still exist today.

Understand
In her book Finding George Orwell in Burma, Emma Larkin writes of Katha;

"Katha is today, as it must have been in Orwell’s time, a fairy-tale setting. The town sits on a bank of the wide Irrawaddy river, and is surrounded on all sides by the jagged outline of distant mountain ranges. The air is laced with the crisp, fresh smell of fir trees. Decaying colonial mansions and teak houses the colour of cooking-chocolate are hidden amid a forest of mahogany trees and rose bushes … Walking through the streets of Katha is therefore an eerie experience – a bit like walking on to an abandoned stage set."

Katha is the last city of the Kachin State and it was included in Sagaing Division after Ne Win's 1962 coup. Once part of the famous boat ride from Myitkina to Mandalay, the few tourists that make it this far are usually driven by the desire to see the town and buildings that feature in Burmese Days. Today it exists as a charming river town, friendlier than its cousin upriver, Bhamo. If you wanted to spend some time doing nothing; there are worse places to be.

Get in
Katha is well connected by road, rail and river.

By train
Go to Na Bar station, on the Mandalay-Myitkina line. Tuktuks are available for 1,500 kyat (2019) from the station to Katha. This is the cheapest option.

By boat
Local "fast boats" are available from Bhamo for 16,000 kyat (though locals pay half this). Journey times depend heavily on the season.

The overnight ferry from Mandalay to Katha takes 36 hours, the price for foreigners is US$45 (Kyat not accepted) as of 2018. There is also a 12 hour fast boat from Mandalay (price unknown).

By bus
Buses go daily to/from Mandalay.

Get around
The town is quite small, you might take a tuktuk to the boat station to Bhamo which moves south past the pagoda in dry season.

If you would like to see across the river where a few sandy and untouched villages lie you can take the ferry.

See
The isn't so grand, but has an open grass area and some nice trees.

For those who wish to come to Katha to do some Burmese Days sightseeing, the following buildings are still standing:

 * The old British Club, which is now an association office. While previously open for visitors, with even its tennis court still in working order, as of 2020 it is all reportedly closed.
 * Orwell's house is on the main street, and features a small museum inside. As of 2018, a police officer lives upstairs.
 * Dr Veraswami 's clinic is still a clinic
 * The town jail is also still in use
 * The impressive house of the Deputy Commissioner is cared for, though derelict, and has a information and photographs displayed inside about the real-life Deputy Commissioner and the role of the house in Burmese Days.

Buy
There is a large and interesting bazzar on both sides of the main road, with a wide range of clothing and goods. Buy a bamboo hat.

Eat

 * Sein Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant next to Ayarwaddy Guest House, has friendly staff and an English menu with everything 1,500-4,000 kyat. Wide range of options, soup included with all meals. 08:30 - 22:00.
 * Noodles at the bazzar are only 500 kyat

Drink
There is a great local bar on stilts that hangs lazily over the river near the slow boat ticket office. The door is through the kitchen.

Go next

 * Bhamo – fast ferry for 16,000 kyat (Apr 2019)
 * Myitkina – continue north to the end of the railway line
 * Mandalay – take the train down to Mandalay

title: Katha


text:
Katherine

Katherine is a town of 9,643 (2021) in the Lower Top End of the Northern Territory, most renowned for its eye-catching gorge.

Understand
Katherine is the third largest settlement in the Northern Territory around 300 km south from Darwin. It has a population of around 10,000, and is a significant regional and tourism centre. The township is on the banks of the Katherine River, which flows down from the world-renowned Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park). Katherine Gorge drawn large numbers of visitors in the peak (dry) season.

Despite being number three in the state, the town is small and consists of a single main street. On weekends expect to find the majority of the stores closed.

It is a relatively remote destination with abundant waterways including gorges, rivers waterfalls and the ocean. It's these characteristics that attract an influx of adventure seekers all year round.

Its most well-known watercourse is the Katherine River, which flows through the famous Katherine Gorge. The gorge, 30 km from the town of Katherine, within the Nitmiluk National Park, is actually 13 separate gorges connected over a stretch of 12 km by rapids and rocky terrain.

This is an adventure playground for visitors who canoe, camp, bushwalk, and helicopter their way around the Park. Further downstream, extended canoe trips with overnight camping in the peaceful bush is the best way to experience the Katherine River - a serene water way that supports a rich eco-system of native animals and birds.

Bushwalkers are well catered for in Katherine with over 100 km of walking trails in the Nitmiluk National Park alone, ranging from half to five-day treks. One of the most famous is the Jatbula Trail - a challenging four to six-day, 58-km bushwalk from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls that takes in diverse scenery, plunging waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art.

The region's other big rivers provide opportunities for serious fishing adventure. The Daly, Roper, Victoria and McArthur Rivers are prime barramundi haunts, and anglers can bring their own boat, hire one or join a guided safari to add landing a big barra to their list of conquests.

Get in
The quickest way to access Katherine is to fly in to Darwin, hire a car and drive south down the Stuart Highway.

By car
Katherine is around 3 hours' drive and around 300 km south of Darwin. All cars rented direct from the rental companies in Darwin will have per day kilometre restrictions. Unlimited kilometres rentals are unheard of in Darwin unless hiring a campervan.

Unlimited kilometre car hire rentals can be obtained by booking through travel wholesalers such as Territory Discoveries and Flight Centre which makes car hire much more affordable. Be careful though, if you are just booking through a consolidator, rather than a wholesaler, the kilometre restrictions will definitely apply.

By bus
Greyhound bus services Katherine. Their office is at BP Travel North on Katherine Terrace.

By train
The Ghan train travels twice weekly in each direction between Adelaide and Darwin via Katherine during the dry season from March to November. and is one of Australia's most spectacular rail trips. The train stops for a few hours in Katherine, and there are a selection of off train tours that you can do. These are organised on the train when it is arriving into Katherine. However, passengers may not begin or end their journey in Katherine

By plane
Just south of Katherine is the Tindal Airforce Base. This is also the airport for Katherine, served by Air North from Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin. You may also charter an aircraft into Katherine.

Airborne Solutions phone - +61 8 8972 2345, fax - +61 8 8972 2535 prices range from $920 to $2320

Get around
The best way to get around Katherine is by car as most of the attractions of Katherine are not within walking distance of the town centre.

This really leaves car (private or hire) or an organised tour as the only ways to get around. The roads to all the major attractions are sealed but subject to flooding during the wet season.

Nitmiluk National Park

 * Jatbula Trail - Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The 58km Jatbula Trail features stunning scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art. The trail is a 4- to 5-day walk that is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Centre) to Leliyn/Edith Falls. Walkers need to make their own arrangements for transport to the gorge and from Leliyn/Edith Falls, or alternatively, contact Nitmiluk Tours for transfers. The Jatbula Trail is a long and potentially difficult walk, however, adequate preparation will ensure a safe and pleasant trip. There is a ferry service across the Katherine River as part of the walk on the first day. Free entry
 * Jatbula Trail - Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The 58km Jatbula Trail features stunning scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art. The trail is a 4- to 5-day walk that is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Centre) to Leliyn/Edith Falls. Walkers need to make their own arrangements for transport to the gorge and from Leliyn/Edith Falls, or alternatively, contact Nitmiluk Tours for transfers. The Jatbula Trail is a long and potentially difficult walk, however, adequate preparation will ensure a safe and pleasant trip. There is a ferry service across the Katherine River as part of the walk on the first day. Free entry
 * Jatbula Trail - Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The 58km Jatbula Trail features stunning scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art. The trail is a 4- to 5-day walk that is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Centre) to Leliyn/Edith Falls. Walkers need to make their own arrangements for transport to the gorge and from Leliyn/Edith Falls, or alternatively, contact Nitmiluk Tours for transfers. The Jatbula Trail is a long and potentially difficult walk, however, adequate preparation will ensure a safe and pleasant trip. There is a ferry service across the Katherine River as part of the walk on the first day. Free entry

Other attractions

 * Swim Seek local advice from the tourism information about swimming in Katherine, as crocodiles are present in these parts. Popular swimming spots like Low Level Crossing and pleasant for cooling off, but watch out for the current, and for snags. The Katherine river is patrolled for crocodiles in the dry season and it is usually safe to swim in the Katherine Gorge in the dry season.
 * Mataranka is a small township that sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River, an hour’s drive south-east of Katherine. The tropical wayside stop of Elsey National Park is on the Explorer's Way tourism drive, the main artery that connects Adelaide and Darwin, and is renowned for the Mataranka Hot Springs thermal pool – a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palm forest and a rejuvenating swimming spot for weary travellers up and down ‘the track’. You can swim in the hot springs, which are dammed to form a swimming hole. You can also swim in the river where the springs flow into the river, giving a 30-cm hot layer on top of an otherwise quite cold river. There’s a good range of camping grounds, accommodation and a supermarket. Attractions around town include the Stockyard Gallery that exhibits local Aboriginal art, barramundi hand-feeding tours and the Never Never Museum that displays the local Aboriginal history.
 * Douglas Hot Springs are around 130 km north of Katherine, and are a deviation off the road north to Darwin at Hayes Creek. The springs where they flow are too hot to swim, but you will see people sitting where the hot water meets the cold river. For an idyllic place to swim cross the hot stream, follow the path across the next small river, and continue on and you will find a large natural pool, at a constant 31 °C temperature, which is deep, still and surrounded by tropical vegetation. Five star hotels have spent millions trying to build a lagoon pool like this, and here is it, naturally formed.
 * Mataranka is a small township that sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River, an hour’s drive south-east of Katherine. The tropical wayside stop of Elsey National Park is on the Explorer's Way tourism drive, the main artery that connects Adelaide and Darwin, and is renowned for the Mataranka Hot Springs thermal pool – a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palm forest and a rejuvenating swimming spot for weary travellers up and down ‘the track’. You can swim in the hot springs, which are dammed to form a swimming hole. You can also swim in the river where the springs flow into the river, giving a 30-cm hot layer on top of an otherwise quite cold river. There’s a good range of camping grounds, accommodation and a supermarket. Attractions around town include the Stockyard Gallery that exhibits local Aboriginal art, barramundi hand-feeding tours and the Never Never Museum that displays the local Aboriginal history.
 * Douglas Hot Springs are around 130 km north of Katherine, and are a deviation off the road north to Darwin at Hayes Creek. The springs where they flow are too hot to swim, but you will see people sitting where the hot water meets the cold river. For an idyllic place to swim cross the hot stream, follow the path across the next small river, and continue on and you will find a large natural pool, at a constant 31 °C temperature, which is deep, still and surrounded by tropical vegetation. Five star hotels have spent millions trying to build a lagoon pool like this, and here is it, naturally formed.

Buy

 * Groceries and other supplies for the independent travellers can easily be purchased with Katherine having a large supermarket in town
 * Groceries and other supplies for the independent travellers can easily be purchased with Katherine having a large supermarket in town

Eat

Sleep
Working cattle stations are a unique way to experience the outback and all provide various accommodation and touring packages.Pungalina and Lorella Springs in the Gulf region and Bullo River Station in the west boast sandstone escarpments, rugged gorges, crystal clear rivers, natural springs and mysterious limestone caves.

Go next

 * Darwin was founded as Australia’s most northerly harbour port in 1869, and its population rapidly expanded after the discovery of gold at nearby Pine Creek in 1871. World War II put Darwin on the map as a major allied military base for troops fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. Described as 'the gateway to the Northern Territory, Darwin makes a great base for exploring the wonders of the 'top-end'.
 * Alice Springs was established by the early explorers and remains as the centre of activity in this region. Often referred to as the heart of Central Australia is comprised of cavernous gorges, boundless desert landscapes, remote Aboriginal communities and a charming pioneering history.
 * Uluru- Rising from the broad desert plain in the deep centre of Australia. Uluru Ayers Rock is Australia's most recognisable natural icon.
 * Nitmiluk National Park Covering more than 292,000 hectares, Nitmiluk National Park is north-east of Katherine. The impressive gorge walls and white sandy beaches can be explored on foot, by canoe or on a cruise and are stunning from the air on a scenic helicopter flight.
 * Daly River is between Darwin and Katherine and begins where the Katherine and Flora Rivers intersect and flow west to the Timor Sea. It encompasses many unique ecosystems, including hot springs and gorges, making it a fantastic spot to camp and bushwalk.
 * Victoria River is south-west of Katherine and is most often visited en-route between Katherine and the Western Australia’s Kimberley region. The small township of Timber Creek, 285 km west of Katherine, is the region’s main centre and home to about 70 people. Fishing is Timber Creek's biggest drawcard and the beautiful Victoria River, running through deep valleys and gorges, is one of the Northern Territory’s most scenic places to catch barramundi.
 * Gulf region Travelling east from Katherine takes you to the Gulf of Carpentaria - the shallow sea between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The area is home to four main indigenous language groups- Yanuwa, Mara, Kurdanj and Karawa. Its early pastoral areas were opened up by the ill-fated German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845, and today the Gulf region encompasses some of Australia’s largest cattle stations – several the size of small European countries.
 * Mataranka a small township sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River, an hour’s drive south-east of Katherine. This tropical wayside stop is on the Explorer’s Way tourism drive, the main artery that connects Adelaide and Darwin, and is renowned for its thermal pool – a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palm forest and a rejuvenating swimming spot for weary travellers up and down ‘the track’.

Stay safe
Salt and freshwater crocodiles are found near Katherine rivers. Don't swim or camp near the waters edge. The accessible rivers and billabongs are generally sign-posted if saltwater crocodiles are known to inhabit the area, but if you are not sure, don’t swim. The Katherine River near the gorge is a crocodile management zone. Rangers attempt to trap and relocate any salt-water crocodiles that may have moved into the area in the wet out of the river.

Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses and sunscreen. You should also be sure to drink plenty of water; a minimum of two litres per day is advised. Use insect repellent, mosquito coils and appropriate clothing to protect from mosquito bites. If camping, keep your tent zipped and tap your shoes out before putting them on.

If you are exerting yourself outdoors, but walking for example, you will need one litre of water for every hour in very warm weather and avoid walking in the hottest part of the day.

Snakes inhabit the bush, so be cautious and make noise when walking through long grass, and make sure you have sturdy shoes.

Carry appropriate safety equipment, such as an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), satellite phone and first aid kit, and don't bushwalk alone. Let someone you trust know where you are, and arrange to contact them at intervals.

Shake out your shoes in the morning to remove any 'critters' that have settled in during the night

Only build fires in the pits provided and take care to completely extinguish the flame when finished, and limit the use of fire. Be aware of fire bans in certain areas of the Territory.

Katherine also has a high crime rate, and you should do more than you'll usually do to prevent pickpocketing and after dark: it's best to stay inside, with your car well protected.

title: Katherine


text:
Haldwani and Kathgodam

Haldwani and Kathgodam are twin towns in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, at the banks of the Gaula River.

Haldwani is the capital and the largest city of Kumaon. It is the gateway of Kumaon, as it is the starting point of many tourist circuits of the region.

Kathgodam, literally "timber depot", is blessed by the surrounding mountains.

By plane
The nearest airport is in Pantnagar.

By train
is the last station to Kumaon and there are trains from different parts of India to Kathgodam, especially from Delhi and Moradabad.

15013 Ranikhet Express is a popular train from Delhi to Kathgodam which reaches very early morning (around 5 AM) at Kathgodam railway station.

13019 Bagh Express connects Kathgodam to Howrah, with halts in some important cities like Bandel, Asansol, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Bareilly.

See and do
There's nothing much to see in the twin towns, other than the panoramic views of the mountains with the Gaula River flowing by.

Go next

 * Nainital, a very popular hill station in Kumaon, is 35 km from Kathgodam. Bhimtal, usually not as crowded as Nainital, is another very beautiful hill station nearby, just 23 km from Kathgodam. Taxis and buses to Nainital and Bhimtal are available throughout the day at the Kathgodam Railway Station.

title: Haldwani and Kathgodam


text:
Kathmandu

Kathmandu (Nepali: काठमाडौ) is the largest city and capital of Nepal and the namesake of the Kathmandu Valley. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is a fast-growing spot catering to a wide range of holiday types and budgets. As a result of considerable urban growth in recent decades, it is now part of one continuous urban area together with Patan to the south.

Understand
According to a census conducted in 2011, Kathmandu metropolis has 2.5 million inhabitants, and the agglomeration has a population of more than 3 million inhabitants. The metropolitan city area is 50.67 km² (19.56 sq mi) and has a population density of 3000 per km² and 17,000 per km square in the city proper.

The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Kathmandu Valley is part of three districts (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur), has the highest population density in the country, and is home to about a twelfth of Nepal's population.

Historically, the Kathmandu Valley and adjoining areas were known as Nepal Mandala. Until the 15th century, Bhaktapur was its capital when two other capitals, Kathmandu and Lalitpur, were established. During the Rana and Shah eras, British historians called the valley "Nepal Proper". Today, Kathmandu is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, and also the headquarters of the Central Development Region of Nepal. The Central Region comprises three zones: Bagmati, Narayani, and Janakpur. Kathmandu is located in the Bagmati Zone.

Kathmandu is the gateway to tourism in Nepal. It is also the nerve center of the country's economy. It has the most advanced infrastructure of any urban area in Nepal, and its economy is focused on tourism, which accounted for 3.8% of Nepal's GDP in 1995–96. Tourism in Kathmandu declined thereafter during a period of political unrest, but since then has improved. In 2013, Kathmandu was ranked third among the top 10 travel destinations on the rise in the world by TripAdvisor, and ranked first in Asia.

The city has a rich history, spanning nearly 2000 years, as inferred from inscriptions found in the valley. Religious and cultural festivities form a major part of the lives of people residing in Kathmandu. Most of Kathmandu's people follow Hinduism and many others follow Buddhism. There are people of other religious beliefs as well, giving Kathmandu a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the most commonly spoken language in the city. English is understood by Kathmandu's educated residents.

Kathmandu's sister cities (Lalitpur Patan) and Bhaktapur are integral to Kathmandu's cultural heritage, tourism industry, and economy; therefore UNESCO's World Heritage Site lists all three cities' monuments and attractions together under one heading, "Kathmandu Valley-UNESCO World Heritage Site".

Climate
Kathmandu Valley is in the Warm Temperate Zone of Nepal (elevation ranging from 1,200–2,300 metres (3,900–7,500 ft)), where the climate is fairly temperate, atypical for the region. This zone is followed by the Cool Temperate Zone with elevation varying between 2,100–3,300 metres (6,900–10,800 ft). Portions of the city with lower elevations have a humid subtropical climate, while portions of the city with higher elevations generally have a subtropical highland climate. In the Kathmandu Valley the average summer temperature varies from 28–30 °C (82–86 °F). The average winter temperature is 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).

The city generally has a climate with warm days followed by cool nights and mornings. Unpredictable weather is expected given temperatures can drop to 3 °C (37 °F) during the winter. During a 2013 cold front, the winter temperatures of Kathmandu dropped to −4 °C (25 °F), and the coldest temperature was recorded on January 10, 2013 at −9.2 °C (15.4 °F). Rainfall is mostly monsoon-based (about 65% of the total concentrated during the monsoon months of June to August), and decreases substantially (100 to 200 cm (39 to 79 in)) from eastern Nepal to western Nepal. Rainfall has been recorded at about 1,400 millimetres (55.1 in) for the Kathmandu valley, and averages 1,407 millimetres (55.4 in) for the city of Kathmandu. On average humidity is 75%.

Tourist information

 * Local information from the city government.
 * Local information from the city government.

By plane

 * Tourist SIM cards are available at two counters, which are located between immigration and customs.

International flights
Most international flights to Kathmandu arrive from Delhi, UAE, Qatar, or Bangkok.

International airlines serving Kathmandu include:

Visa application process
There are three simple steps to apply for a visitor visa at the airport:
 * 1) Using one of the flat screen monitors (located near the windows facing the immigration counters), type in personal details, operate camera for facial photograph, and scan passport.
 * 2) Take the receipt (issued by the monitor) to the cashier and pay visa fees (convertible currencies only).
 * 3) Along with passport, submit receipts from monitor and cashier at the immigration counter. The  entire process usually does not take longer than ten minutes.

Visa fees can be paid at the airport in most major currencies, with US dollars preferred.

Departure cards are not provided on arrival but only when you leave Nepal. You will need your passport with your entry visa to complete the departure card.

For more general information on visas in Nepal see Nepal.

Domestic flights
Commercial domestic flights are available to/from Bhadrapur, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Dhangarhi, Janakpur, Nepalganj, Pokhara, Simara and Tumling Tar. Domestic flights take about an hour and cost US$100-175. The primary domestic airlines are air viva, Yeti, Nepal Airlines, and Buddha Air. Domestic flights are almost always delayed and afternoon flights run the risk of cancellation as delays from the morning compound.

Baggage safety, handlers and transport
Your luggage is vulnerable entering and leaving this airport. Do not keep anything of value in checked bags, and if you lock the bag, the zip may be forced open and broken. There is little to no security for your bags. You should also be aware that most luggage is treated quite poorly in Nepalese airports. It is recommended that all fragile and valuable items are kept in your carry on luggage.

Outside the airport, all "representatives" of the tourist industry are required to remain 10 m from the front door. Many will be waving large signs and yelling in an attempt to encourage you to choose them as your guide/taxi/hotel/luggage carrier. Make your choice before crossing the line. Be aware that as you leave the immigration section of the airport and collect your luggage, someone with a luggage trolley is very likely to approach and assist you. Unless you insist on handling your own bags and luggage trolley, this person will accompany you to the exit doors from the terminal and to your transportation and will then expect a tip. It's useful to have some small denomination bills or coins, even in a foreign currency, that you can use for a tip. Many visitors might arrive with only travellers cheques or large denomination bills, making tipping difficult.

Money exchange at the airport
Try not to exchange money at the airport as there are service charges and lower rates offered than what you can get in Thamel, which has many currency exchange booths where rates are competitive and the service is quick and efficient, or elsewhere in the city.

A benefit to Indian nationals is that Indian currency is accepted at almost every outlet including smaller shops and establishments.

Getting to and from the airport

 * By bus – Local buses pickup and drop-off at the airport gate, 0.5 km from the terminal. The buses generally do not have fixed schedules and are often crowded and painful but cost only Rs10. Ask the cashier about where the bus stops.
 * By taxi – Regular taxis are an easy way to get to the city but be prepared to negotiate the price (per ride not per person) beforehand, heavily. The cheapest rate that you can get to Thamel is Rs400-500, or if you go to the end of the parking lot and catch a taxi there, where the taxis do not have to pay the airport entrance fee, you may be able to get a rate of Rs200-300, which is close to the standard meter rate. Taxi drivers may try to extract some commission by showing you one or more hotels on the way, son't give in to this practice. Leave the taxi as soon as you reach your destination, and only pay upon leaving—best to have the exact amount ready.
 * By prepaid taxi – Get your prepaid "receipt" at the airport (e.g. Rs800 to Thamel) before exiting the building. (However, you may get a cheaper fare if you are willing to negotiate outside.) Don't give the receipt to the driver until you are at your destination and you are satisfied, as this serves as the driver's payment. If the driver asks for more money, don't give it. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected.
 * By pre-arranged transfers – Available from most hotels and included in most trekking/touring packages. If possible, arrange your first night's accommodation before you arrive, since many hotel and guest houses offer complimentary airport transportation. Representatives will be standing outside the arrivals doors behind a barricade and will hold a sign identifying themselves. This form of transport is particularly helpful if you are a novice to Nepal, arriving late at night and unfamiliar with how things work in the country.

There are no trains in Kathmandu and renting a car without a driver is not possible.

When you're leaving Nepal, it's a good idea to be aware if any strikes have been called and try to make arrangements. An early morning or evening trip to the airport may be a possible solution. Your hotel or trekking company may also be able to help.

By bus
For more information, see Nepal 'Get in' section.

There is frequent and cheap bus service between Kathmandu and nearly all parts of Nepal. However, due to poor roads and frequent delays the buses are some of the slowest and least comfortable in South Asia.

From Pokhara
Tourist buses (Rs800, 6-7 hr) and crowded local buses/microbuses (Rs400-600, 6-7 hr) travel the 200 km journey between Kathmandu and Pokhara almost every 15 minutes starting at 07:30 until late afternoon. Night buses are available, but the ride is painful. Greenline operates a convenient bus every morning between the popular tourist areas of Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara (US$20, lunch included). The road is winding and includes many hairpin bends and offers wonderful views of hills and rural Nepalese lifestyle. The drivers will generally not drive too fast, but some will calmly weave in and out of the stream of opposing traffic and brake heavily, making for a scary ride if you look out the front window. During the rainy season, there may be problems with the roads and flying may make more sense.

From Tibet
Buses and minivans run between Kathmandu and the Nepalese border town of Kodari, across the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge from the Tibetan city of Zhangmu. The 123-km journey takes at least 6 hours and costs Rs500. Buses depart until the early afternoon. Private jeeps (US$60 for up to 4 people) are a quicker option, and can make this journey in 4 hours.

From India

 * From Siliguri — taxi or bus to Panitanki (one hour from Siliguri). The border at Panitanki is closed for all nationals, except Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese (as of February 2024). Green Line (https://www.greenlineservices.in/index.html) operates a daily overnight A/C Volvo bus service from Siliguri. Departs Tenzing Norgay Bus Station in Siliguri at 3PM. Reaches Kathmandu at 8AM. ₹2,000.
 * From Sunauli — rickshaw to the Nepalese border city of Bhairahawa (ten minutes from Sunauli). Bus to Kathmandu (around 8-9 hours). Flight to Kathmandu (around 45 minutes)

Get around
If you fly in, be sure to pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of house numbers and street names except for major roads such as Tri Devi & Ring Road (loops around the city). In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy location or building (such as a temple or restaurant). In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House & Hot Breads bakery are two main landmarks.

On foot
It is possible to get around Kathmandu by foot, but some may not always find the walking pleasant. It's worth considering, however, whether any form of public transport would be easier or more convenient than walking when you consider the crowds, the narrow streets and lanes, the traffic and everything you might want to see.

By rickshaw or taxi
If you consider public transportation for anything more than wandering around a specific area, there are several options. Pedal rickshaws can be found around the tourist areas of Thamel and taxis are everywhere. It's often difficult to go more than a short anywhere without being offered the services of both forms of transport. Negotiate a price before you get in a taxi or rickshaw. If the guy is mean or he can't agree, ask another driver. Prices go up after dark and in less busy areas. Taxis are easy to find; they park near all major streets & have fare-meters. After 22:00 it can be very difficult to find taxis away from central tourist areas or major hotels. It should be possible to hire a taxi from Thamel for Rs 300 one-way to Patan and around Rs1,200 to Bakhtapur from Thamel or the airport. For longer trips and to hire a taxi by the day negotiate with the driver. Haggle hard and you will easily find another driver if you are not satisfied. The meter is your best bet if you are not confident enough to negotiate, however very few drivers will agree to using them. Sometimes the proper operation of meters can be suspect so if you know exactly where you're going, it might be better to negotiate a suitable price in advance.

Ride-hailing apps such as inDrive, Pathao, and Tootle also work in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

By microbus
The Tempos, small three-wheeled buses, and microbuses are a very cheap (Nrs20-30) way to get around the city. The Tempos come in two varieties - green (electric) and blue (petrol) and run on predefined routes through the city. These routes are numbered, sometimes with both Nepali and European numerals. There does not seem to be a map of the routes, but you can get the hang of their paths quite quickly by asking and observing what numbers go on which road. Microbuses are typically minivans with a surprising number of seats crammed in - they have a "conductor" who leans out of the door and shouts the destinations, which are also often written on the front in Nepali. If you have time, you can ask if they are going your way and hop on. These also typically cost NRs20-30.

By bus
There are also buses for longer trips within the valley, i.e. Patan, Bakhtapur, Boudha, etc. that can be used for trips in and around the city. See below for tips on travelling outside of the valley. Blue buses & green buses constantly drive in circles/loops around the city on the "Ring Road" - for Rs20 -30 depending on the distance. Every bus has a cashier/attendant who can tell you where it stops & alert you upon arrival. Riding the buses with the local people can be very pleasant & interesting. The buses are typically very old and rough.

By motorbike taxi
Motorbike taxis congregate at certain popular junctions or can be hailed through Tootle app. These are more expensive than buses or microbuses, but pick up and drop door to door.

See
Kathmandu has several excellent museums and galleries, which are mostly located in the central area of the city. The city is also home to a large number of Buddhist and Hindu temples, monasteries, and sacred sites. In particular, Boudha and Swayambu are famous for Buddhist monasteries, while Durbar Square is the center of Hindu culture.

Do
Kathmandu city itself has limited activities for visitors beyond the amazing sightseeing and general experience of being there.

Flightseeing

 * Mountain Flights. Most local airlines offer one hour flights over the Himalayas departing 06:30-09:00 from Kathmandu airport, costing US$197. Book in advance during the popular tourist season.

Festivals
Kathmandu and Dubar Square is the centre for many of Nepal's festivals. Note that many businesses are closed for all of these holidays—and often a few days before and after. Dasain in particular tend to shut down much of the city for October.
 * Dashain (Dasain) Dashain, the most important of Nepal's religious festivals takes place over fifteen days, between September and October each year. Dashain celebrates all of the manifestations of the goddess Durga, it is marked by animal sacrifices and feasting. It serves to renew family and community ties. Due to many residents of Kathmandu returning home to their villages during Dashain, the city takes on a more peaceful atmosphere.
 * Tihar, Festival of Lights (Also called Deepawali) A five-day festival which takes place each year on the fifteenth day of Kartika, around the end of October/start of November, celebrated by all Hindus with ritual house-cleaning, lanterns, candles, and fireworks. The Nepali version tends to be more picturesque and less explosive than those celebrated in India.
 * Holi is celebrated in March with splashes of water and colored powder that is both good luck and very messy.
 * Bikram Sambat's New Year's (April) A day of pilgrimages (often from Kathmandu to the holy Bagamati river that separates it from Patan)
 * Teej, the most important women's festival, is celebrated in September with married women dressed in their red marriage saris visiting male relatives and unmarried women and girls staying up all night to celebrate and pray for their future husbands.
 * Indra Jatra Harvest festival held in Kathmandu's Dubar Square for 8 days each September. The  Goddess Kumari is paraded in her sacred chariot.
 * Himalayan Blues Festival, Kathmandu. Phone=+977-9841297451| Himalayan Blues Festival is one of the most acclaimed music festival in Kathmandu. It takes place in the months of October–November in Kathmandu. It boasts of having the best venues like the Garden of Dreams and Patan Museum. It also happens in many bars and different hotel venues. It features musicians from all around the world.

Indigenous Festivals
The indigenous Newa population of Kathmandu have many festivals going on around the whole year.

 * Mohani Nakha
 * Sakimana Punhi
 * Bala Chahre
 * Yomari Punhi
 * Disi Chahre
 * Yenya Punhi
 * Lhuti Punhi
 * Sithi Nakha
 * Sasuma Puja
 * Swonti Nakha

Learn
There are many courses available to tourists and long-term students in Kathmandu. In particular, Boudha is good for Buddhist studies, while Thamel is a centre for yoga and massage.

Languages
The Bisho Bhasa Campus, (Campus of International Language) located at Exhibition Road, Kathmandu, offers Nepal Bhasa, Tibetan, Sanskrit and Nepali languages courses. You can find many local institutes that teach Nepal Bhasa, the indigenous language of Kathmandu.

Buy
There are many ATMs in Thamel; however, not all accept foreign cards. Most that do implement a charge of Rs500 per transaction; the only fee-free ATMs are (1) at the airport before immigration and (2) inside the gates of Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel. Standard Chartered Bank and Nabil Bank ATMs have the highest withdrawal limit, Rs35,000 per transaction. All shops will accept Nepali rupees and many will also accept $U.S. Indian rupees are also accepted.

Shopping malls are mostly found in the central area of the city, whereas Thamel is the home of bookshops. Traditional shops selling T-shirts, bags, and clothes are located between New Road and Chhetrapati, while shops selling religious items are mostly concentrated around Boudha.

 * Thanka Buddhist paintings - Thanka are traditional Buddhist paintings available all over Nepal. Prices and quality can vary a great deal. Good sellers will be able to describe the provenance, meaning and history of your chosen thanka. You may also be able to watch thanka being created at some galleries. For example, one gallery near the Boudnath Stupa often has thanka trainees at work so you can see the kind of detail that goes into each painting.
 * Statues - Hand crafted statues from Nepal are famous all over the world, especially metal statues of god and goddess such as Buddha and Tara. You can easily find various statue shops in Thamel, although the statues are mainly manufactured in the Patan area. If you want to get closer to the source, Patan is a good place to buy such items. Be aware of items that might be antiques. The Nepalese government does not permit real antiques older than 100 years to leave the country, so if you are unsure of the age of the item you're interested in it is advisable to get it checked and certified by the Department of Archaeology to avoid problems on your departure.
 * Silver - Jewellers from Bangkok come to Kathmandu to buy wholesale silver with Indian-processed semiprecious gemstones. The wholesale price of silver is published on the front page of the "Himalayan" newspaper (1 tola= 11.6 g) so buyers know the cost of the metal in piece, apart from the labor cost. Silver is almost invariably near the stamped "92.5%" sterling, as claimed.
 * Clothing - Kathmandu is a great place to shop for clothes or have existing clothes repaired or tailored. Flowing hippie gauzes, Monk's robes in saffrons and maroons, funky neon trance-wear, hemp clothing, dozens of elegant silks and 'suiting and shirting' are available in all qualities and prices. Tailors can be hired at reasonable fees and the quality of work is high. Handwoven Nepali fabrics cost Rs100-300/m and are available in endless patterns and colours. Anything, from bags to mountaineering equipment to cocktail dresses can be made to order and tailored to perfection. The alleys around Indra Chowk, between Thamel and Durbar Square, have dozens of fabric shops and tailors, much more dedicated to customer satisfaction than the hurried and expensive shops in Thamel. Bishal Bazaar near the corner of New Road and Durbar Square is a mall-like experience which also boasts several fabric shops and tailors. It is acceptable to buy fabric from one place and get it stitched in another. Expect to pay around Rs250 to stitch a Western-style men's/ladies' shirt. Feel free to take an existing item of clothing with you for the tailor to copy. Warning: if having clothes made to wear later at home, get measured before trekking if you want them to fit when you return to your normal size after your privations on the trekking trail!
 * Carpets and rugs - Thamel has many carpet shops that have quality silk and wool carpets. Royal Collection (Shop 13, L.P. Jyoti Line) has a nice selection and good prices, after some aggressive price negotiations. Some places will charge a service fee on a purchase with a credit card, so make sure to clarify this during price negotiations.
 * Cultural Artifacts - Beware that there are lots of counterfeits, sly salesmen, and plastics presented as wood. Most real antiques are illegal to export. Genuine antiquities may have been looted from temples. Patan is known for the quality of bronzes. Read the book "Shopping for Buddhas" by Jeff Greenwald for more information.
 * Pashmina - Scarves and shawls can be purchased for a fraction of the price of those in Europe or North America. Look for those produced by charitable organisations such as the Tibetan refugee camp just outside Patan but be aware fakes are common and "pashmina" is not "cashmere".
 * Electronics - Many people find Kathmandu a good place to buy a camera or other electronic device due to the lack of sales tax and import duty on electronics. There are shops in Thamel and around New Road.

Banks
ATMs often suffer from malfunctions and cash shortages, try to make withdrawals from ATMs attached to banks which are open.

Eat
The most important food in Kathmandu could be the indigenous Newa food. There are hundreds of traditional Newa delicacies, which can be found in bhatti (local restaurants) or cafes.

The most popular food in Kathmandu could be the momo, a dumpling which has its roots in Tibet and China. They are available fried or steamed and stuffed with buffalo, chicken, or veggies. Prices can vary depending on the location and what they are filled with, but expect to pay between Rs150-250 for a dozen. Kathmandu is also a good place to sample traditional Newari and Tibetan dishes.

A Nepali set meal will usually include rice, daal, vegetable/meat curry, a vegetable dish, pickle (achar) and curd. Expect to pay around NPR140-280 at a tourist place, much less at local places. Chiya, a milky spiced tea similar to the Indian chai, is ubiquitous and good for a break to calm one's nerves.

Note that most restaurants that cater to tourists will add a 10% service charge and then a 13% VAT charge (total of 24.5%) to the prices stated on the menu. These additional charges must be clearly stated on the menu. There are dozens of tourist restaurants clustered in Thamel serving everything from Middle Eastern to Mexican food. Indian and Nepali dishes are always the most authentic and economically priced.

Coffee
In recent times, coffee culture has made major inroads into Kathmandu and cafes offering espresso based coffees are no longer limited to tourist areas, but can be found throughout the city. Himalayan Java is a major player in the coffee world in Nepal, and their chic cafes are popular with tourists and locals alike.

Alcohol
The indigenous Newa rice wine ' thon'  and alcohol  'ayelaa' is available in local restro. Beer and mixed drinks are available at almost every bar and restaurant. For a quick drink and cheap cultural experience, try the local 'Nepali wine' (raksi) or 'Nepali Beer' (chang) neither of which taste anything like their namesakes. Gorkha Beer, Everest Beer, Nepal Ice, San Miguel, Carlsberg, and Tuborg beer are the principal conventional beers served in Kathmandu. Local beers tend to be more reliable than the imports.

Sleep
Check the "district" articles for accommodation listings in Kathmandu.

Virtually all tourist accommodation is in Thamel, though there are some good deals to be had around Boudha. Upmarket hotels tend to be in central Kathmandu. There are also a few guest houses on Freak Street, which tend to be cheaper, though more tired looking than those in Thamel.

You can find many homestays in historical Newa towns, where you can live in a traditional Newa houses.

Remember anyone on the street who takes you to a hotel will be receiving a commission from the hotel and that will be included in the price you pay. It is better to find a place on your own.

Stay safe
Canadian Consular Affairs, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office, and the US State Department provide travel advice. Nepal is safe to visit but caution must be taken. After the Maoists joined the government in about 2006, Nepal become relatively peaceful and more stable. However, visitors should avoid public demonstrations and may want to register with their consulate on arrival. Although tourists haven't been directly targeted by politically motivated violence, it is possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The frequent strikes, locally known as bandh or banda, that are still held on occasion, are a major inconvenience for most tourists as all transportation stops, and many shops and restaurants close. In the 10-day period leading up to the Constituent Assembly Elections in November 2013. During most of that time, very few public buses were operating so getting to the beginning of a trekking route immediately became very difficult.

Following the news and government warnings is important. Be sure to check on current road conditions before leaving Kathmandu. As of April 2010, long-haul bus trips through the Eastern Terai were to be avoided as there was a risk of Maoist activity in this area. That seems to have improved but there were problems before and after the elections in November 2013 that could indicate a return to some degree of instability. Time will tell. There used to be reports of Maoists stopping buses and setting them alight, although allowing passengers to disembark first. Check daily newspapers for advance warning of planned strikes (bandh) when it may be better to stay away from the main roads in town.

While in Kathmandu, always keep an eye on belongings. Violent crime is rare; pickpockets are not, especially in crowded places. If your hotel room door doesn't have a good lock or safe windows, store valuables on your person or in a hotel safety deposit box at all times. As with any large city, avoid walking alone in unlit areas.

Avoid seeking help from random individuals on the streets who offer taking you to dance bars. There have been several cases of tourists ripped off once inside these dance bars.

Stay healthy

 * Air quality in Kathmandu is very poor after the earthquake, particularly around the ring road. Buying a dust mask is advisable.
 * Water in Kathmandu borders on being lethal, and water borne diseases are rife. Do not, under any circumstances, drink from taps or consume salads and ice unless you are confident that the water used in their preparation has been filtered and boiled. Also, use boiled and filtered water for brushing teeth and avoid swallowing water when taking a shower. Circumstances may differ in private houses and the better hotels in Kathmandu. More concerning there have been a number of instances of bottled water companies not meeting minimum safety standards, purchase water in larger shops.  Large gallon bottles of water are used in most local restaurants but there is no guarantee they haven't been re-filled.
 * Food can be contaminated and some people suggest that you should eat only at larger restaurants. Counterfeit and out of date food and cigarettes are very common in local shops, check use-by dates before purchasing products.
 * Homemade Alcohol (chang, roxi, three panni roxi, toongba) may contain methanol and is not recommended, drinking large amounts would be extremely unwise.
 * Vaccinations for rabies, tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis are recommended prior to arriving in Kathmandu, and can take several months to complete. Tropical diseases such as Japanese encephalitis should be vaccinated against if you plan to travel outside of the Kathmandu Valley, towards the lowlands in the Terai. You may wish to take a malarial prophylaxis. See Immunization advice for Nepal
 * Animals, such as bats and monkeys (including those at Swayambhunath), may be carriers of rabies and other diseases. Even if you've had the foresight to be vaccinated for rabies prior arrival, treatment following possible exposure is still necessary to prevent infection. If you are bitten, you should go to a clinic immediately for treatment. No cases of avian influenza have been documented in Nepal, but it has been confirmed in nearby countries. Birds live in extremely close proximity to humans, both in the market and the home.
 * Clinics & hospitals
 * Ciwec Clinic Travel Medicine Center caters to western visitors and the ex-pat community. It is one of the few places you can get health care at par with western countries in Kathmandu. Located centrally in Lazimpat, across from the British embassy. It is well equipped, but it costs US$50 just to be seen by a doctor.
 * Shechen Clinic, located in the overcrowded suburb of Baudha, is a hygienic and efficient place to receive medical attention. They have some very potent Tibetan medicine that is effective in the treatment of Travellers' diarrhea.
 * National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, run by Dr Upendra Devkota, and is on par with some western hospitals.
 * Dent Inn offers international-standard service for dental problems at good prices.
 * Aashas Health Care provides finest dental and physiotherapy services at a very reasonable price.
 * Patan Hospital is definitely the best public hospital in Nepal. It also has a private clinic.
 * Kathmandu Cancer Center Nepal's first private cancer hospital with modern treatment facilities.
 * Bir Hospital has one of the few ENT departments in the country, but should otherwise be avoided. It is a government hospital, and is run down and chaotic at best.

Connect
Most cafes & restaurants in tourist areas have free Wi-Fi for customers.

Embassies and consulates

 * 🇦🇹 Austria
 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
 * 🇧🇪 Belgium
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * Europe
 * 🇫🇮 Finland
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇱 Israel
 * 🇯🇵 Japan
 * 🇷🇴 Romania
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland
 * 🇨🇭 Switzerland

Airline offices
Many airline companies have their offices on Hatisser road, about 20 min from north Thamel/Jyatha on foot, if you need to buy or change a ticket.

Visas and trekking permits
To extend your Nepal tourist visa, up to a maximum of 150 days per year, you need to visit the Nepal Immigration Office. Bring your passport, a passport photocopy and one passport sized photo (even though you've already given these details to get your original visa!). Visa extensions can only be bought per day, at a rate of US$2 a day (and minimum 15 days), and you can pay in local currency. If you have questions, they speak quite good English.

TIMS card - to register for a Green TIMS card for independent hiking, you need to visit the Nepal Tourism Board. As well, you will need to buy a permit to enter most of the different national parks (you can also get most of them at the NTB). More information about TIMS, permits and entrance fees is described in Trekking in Nepal.

Nearby

 * Kathmandu Valley (Nepa Valley) is home to a number of sacred sites and historical cities.
 * Patan aka Lalitpur, Yala (native name), 7 km south of Thamel, across the Bagmati river, is one of the largest cities in Nepal. Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO world heritage site, full of temples, statues, palaces & the must-see attraction of Patan Museum.
 * Kirtipur, aka Kipoo (native name), is one of the oldest settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. Located next to Patan.
 * Bhaktapur, Khwopa (native name)
 * Madhyapur Thimi
 * Khona is a Newa town in South of the valley. You can get a bus from Lagankhyo (native name) aka Lagankhel.
 * Bunga is a Newa town in South of the valley, near to Khona. You can get a bus from Lagankhyo (native name) aka Lagankhel.
 * Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites
 * Swayambu  (7 km NE of Kathmandu) is home to at least 29 Buddhist Monasteries & Nunneries & one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, the Boudha Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built during the 5th century CE.
 * Namo Buddha is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and one of the holiest in the world. It is known as the place where the Buddha, in a previous life as a prince, gave his body to a starving tigress and her cubs.
 * Pharping ' a Buddhist sacred site - cave and other relics.
 * Shivapuri Hill and the Bishnu Muhan (20 km N of Kathmandu) is a small spring from where river Bishnumati originates. Stay for a night at the Shivapuri Heights Cottage.
 * Nagarkot (30 km E from Kathmandu, altitude: 2,000 m) is just the place for a quick getaway from the bustling capital for some relaxation and outdoor activities. It's an ideal location to watch the sunrise, but plan on leaving early, as traffic jams can happen anywhere and at anytime. The last 5 km of the trip is narrow, with lots of curves in the road. Car-sickness is a distinct possibility. The Club Himalaya Resort, located 3km outside of the village, has a great viewing point.
 * Dhulikhel (30 km SE of Kathmandu) is a village that offers a nice quiet setting to wander the streets and see the 'non-tourist' side of Nepali life. Dhulikhel Lodge Resort is a nice place for lunch and a view of the mountains.
 * Changunarayan (20 km E of Kathmandu) is a small village and home to the ancient temple of Changu Narayan which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kathmandu Valley.
 * Panauti (32 km SE of Kathmandu) is one of the oldest towns in Nepal, consisting of many temples dating back to the 15th century or earlier.
 * Kakani (30 km SE of Kathmandu) is a settlement of 8,000 people famous for its strawberry farms.

Further away
Commercial domestic flights are available to/from Bhadrapur, Bhairawa, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, Dhangarhi, Janakpur, Nepalganj, Pokhara, Simara, and Tumling Tar. Domestic flights take about an hour and cost US$100-175. The primary domestic airlines are air viva, Yeti, Nepal Airlines, and Buddha Air. Buddha Air has a reputation among local expatriates as the safest domestic airline. Flights are typically delayed more later in the day and therefore it is better to take an early morning flight.

 * Pokhara. (5–8 hours by bus, 40 minutes flight), is a pleasant little city on Phewa Lake. Many visitors use it as a hub for treks and adventure sports. The city is a popular destination for travelers and also features a bustling live music scene. Many daily 'tourist' buses depart 07:00 (be there at 06:00) from Jamal bus station, ticket ₹600 from driver, arrive Pokhara by 14:00, time varies depending on traffic. There are always seats available and you do not need to book beforehand at travel agents, who normally charge at least ₹700.
 * Chitwan National Park is a popular place for safaris, complete with Elephant rides, rhino and tiger spotting, and jungle walks.
 * Khumbu, near Mount Everest, is a short flight from Kathmandu and offers snow-capped peaks and yak caravans carrying goods over mountain passes from Tibet.
 * Siliguri The border at Panitanki (one hour from Siliguri) is closed to all nationals, except Indians, Nepalese, and Bhutanese (as of Feb 2024). Green Line (https://www.greenlineservices.in/index.html) bus company operates a daily overnight A/C Volvo bus service from Kathmandu Bus Stand to Siliguri. Departs 3PM. Arrives 8AM. ₹2,000.

title: Kathmandu


text:
Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is a region of 600km² (230 sq miles) in the Bagmati zone in central Nepal. It's home to three of the largest cities in Nepal, including Kathmandu itself, as well as hundreds of smaller towns and villages.

Cities

 * - the capital city and largest urban area of Nepal with its twisted network of narrow lanes and streets, markets and shrines.
 * - a UNESCO World Heritage site noted for its temples, and the wood, metal and stone carvings. Has festivals and celebrations nearly each month during the year; does not allow motorized vehicles inside the city.
 * - location of the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal and a very important place of pilgrimage & meditation for Buddhists, local Nepalis and tourists. Approximately 30 Buddhist Monasteries and nunneries in the area.
 * - a town noted for wood carving and sculpture a short distance south of Kathmandu.
 * - a Newari village noted for a mid-1600s Tantric temple to Vajra Varahi.
 * - Ancient hill village only a few kilometres southwest of Kathmandu with origins from the 12th century. Noted for an extensive series of caves and a gorge on the Bagmati River  found nearby.
 * - Holy river gorge and site of weekly animal sacrifices. Hindu temple complex south of Kathmandu on the Bagmati River where it enters a gorge through the Mahabharat Range
 * - Small town 30 km south-east of Kathmandu in the heart of small hills and green valleys - perfect starting point for short hikes. Try a 3-hour walk to the hill-top Namobuddha Monastery.
 * - a village northwest of Kathmandu with views of mountains and an extensive strawberry industry.
 * - a historical hill-settlement 5 km south-west of the city of Kathmandu; vehicle-free and a good place to visit Newari restaurants.
 * - located east of Kathmandu noted for sunrise and sunset views of the mountains.
 * - just south of Kathmandu across the Bagmati River noted for its historic Patan Durbar Square, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
 * - just south of Kathmandu across the Bagmati River noted for its historic Patan Durbar Square, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

Other destinations

 * . The location of where it is believed that in a previous life the Buddha offered his body to a starving tigress and her cubs.
 * - a small town known for sacred caves associated with Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
 * - a Nepalese protected area that was given national park status in 2002 to protect one of the last remaining woodlands in the Kathmandu Valley as well as part of the valley's water supply. It's at the north side of the Kathmandu valley rim only 12km from Kathmandu at elevations above 2,700m, making it the second highest point on the valley rim. There are trekking routes connecting Nagarkot, Gossaikunda and Langtang National Park that pass through the Park.

Understand
The Kathmandu Valley has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with five of them either in Kathmandu or the near vicinity. All of them are worth visiting and spending time exploring.

The Valley is the most crowded part of Nepal. In some parts of the valley, particularly the greater Kathmandu urban area, total population exceeds 2.5 million with a density approaching 3,000 people per square kilometre. Visitors to this part of Nepal will be immediately aware of the crowds and the associated vehicle traffic, especially motorcycles.

As a general act of respect, don't take people's pictures without their permission.

Talk
Although there are a number of languages commonly used in Nepal, with Newari the most common in the Valley, most people will also speak Nepali and the visitor will find English spoken many places, at least to a certain degree.

Get in
Most international travellers will be arriving by air. In this case you will be landing at Tribhuvan International Airport just east of Kathmandu. This is a convenient starting point for exploring all parts of the Kathmandu Valley. There are no other locations where international air passengers enter Nepal.

Most bus connections from outside Nepal or other parts of Nepal will have Kathmandu as their main destination. Once you arrive in the city you can get oriented and arrange to visit other parts of the Valley as needed.

Get around
It is entirely possible to trek from one village to another in the Valley (some examples below), otherwise it is easy to hire a taxi or take local buses to get around the Kathmandu Valley.

From Kathmandu, buses to most parts of the Kathmandu Valley, with destinations such as Bhaktapur and Nagarkot, leave from the Ratna Park bus station.

See
The Kathmandu Valley has seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and you should make an effort to see as many of them as possible during your stay. In the following list, note that "Durbar" means "palace", being the place from where kings ruled. The World Heritage sites include:

 * Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal with many monasteries in the area.
 * Pashupatinath Temple, an extensive Hindu temple complex with cremation ghats.
 * Swayambhunath, also called the "monkey temple". On the west side of Kathmandu, it has the oldest Buddhist monument in the valley; nice views out over the valley from the hill where the temples are located.
 * Hanuman Dhoka in Durbar Square
 * Patan's Durbar Square, featuring the palace and numerous temples
 * Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, with its collection of temples and shrines in a city that does not allow motor vehicles.
 * Changu Narayan Temple in the small village of Changunarayan has a traditional Newari settlement and a Hindu temple with inscriptions from the 5th century.
 * Adinath Lokeshwar Temple in Chobhar is a temple that was built in the 15th century, and is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.
 * The Chobhar Caves are tectonic limestone formations over a kilometre in length - one of the longest caves in Nepal and in Asia.}}
 * Chobhar Gorge is a gorge on the Bagmati River; there is a steel suspension bridge over the gorge which also offers views of the caves and a nearby shrine.

Do

 * The Nepal Environment & Tourism Initiative Foundation (NETIF) is working to develop cultural trails in the Kathmandu Valley.
 * The Kathmandu Valley Cultural Trekking Trail begins in Sundarijal which can be reached in about 30 minutes from Kathmandu. It passes through part of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and connects the villages of Sundarijal, Chisapani, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel, continuing on to the villages of Balthali and Panauti. The entire route could be hiked in about 5 days, covering a distance of about 76 km. No single day is more than 18 km and all of the hike is at or below 2,500 m so there should be no problems associated with higher altitude.

Adventure sports
Kathmandu is the starting point for numerous adventures in the rest of the country including trekking, rafting, jungle adventures, and more extreme sports.

 * Hiking / Trekking in the Kathmandu Valley - For more information, see Trekking in Nepal
 * Nagarkot (2 days) - offers a great spot for watching surrounding mountain ranges at sunrise or sunset from atop the hill.

Learn

 * Meditation and/or yoga - there are many classes available. Look in specific city pages.  You may also see notices or you can ask around.
 * Communication - With the help of the Nepali phrasebook, you could learn a few words of the local language. For example,  "Don Knee Batt" = Thank you.  The Nepalese say Namaste as a greeting or farewell - no more than once a day to the same person. The approximate translation is: "the divine in me recognizes the divine in you".

Eat
In general, food in Nepal has been strongly influenced by India and Tibet. In the larger centres, such as Kathmandu, there is increasing interest in western cuisine. As a consequence visitors can find many types of cuisine while wandering around Nepal. An exception is the large, North American fast-food chains which don't seem to have arrived in Nepal yet. Food is more traditional in smaller communities.

Many meals tend to be rather bland but the Nepalese make use of green chili sauce, a variety of pickles and curries.

Nepalis eat many vegetarian dishes (not necessarily vegan....). The most common examples would be dal bhat, pulao (a fried rice dish) and a variety of potato dishes. Beef dishes are almost non-existent in Nepal, given proscriptions against killing cows. Meat dishes tend to use chicken, pork, mutton or water buffalo (yak at higher elevations).

A popular snack is a type of dumpling called momos, prepared either steamed or fried, and filled with either chicken, water buffalo meat (referred to as "buff") or vegetables. One traditional dish is thukpa.

Since the left hand is considered "unclean", pass food with the right, eat with the right hand, avoid touching other people's food and stay out of the kitchen, especially if you are a non-Hindu in a Hindu home.

Stay safe
Even in the most crowded parts of Kathmandu, crime is infrequent. Take the normal precautions and avoid flashing money around and keep your valuables secure as you would anywhere. Generally, even though foreigners are rather obvious, you will be left alone, other than the frequent approaches by tiger balm salesmen, taxi drivers and rickshaw drivers, along with touts and hustlers.

Don't drink any water that hasn't been treated; RO filtered, UV sterilized or boiled. Bottled is best.

Be careful about eating food from street vendors. It's always a bit of a chance as to whether such food will upset your digestive system. Established restaurants can generally be considered safe. Vegetables and salad greens can be a problem because they may have been washed with unsafe water. Some restaurants make a point of mentioning that they wash salad greens with lightly iodized water. Anything cooked at a high temperature should be safe. Keep in mind that western digestive systems will not be accustomed to the eastern micro-flora and problems can be expected, especially if you are not careful.

Although antibiotics are readily available without prescription in Nepal, you might be advised to bring something specifically recommended by your doctor to combat severe digestive upset. Have a discussion with your doctor and get advice on how to deal with such problems.

Elevations in the Kathmandu Valley are low so there will be no concerns with any of the risks of higher altitudes. If you do "head for the hills", make sure you read about mountain sickness and how to avoid problems.

Rabies is endemic in the dog population but you should have few problems if you leave the animals alone. Generally, unless you are in an area for a while and are working with animals, you probably do not need a rabies vaccine.

A series of vaccinations for two strains of Hepatitis is recommended before you leave home.

You should not have to be concerned about malaria unless you go to the more southern parts of Nepal, closer to the Indian border.

Go next

 * Pokhara - Popular lakeside tourist town 200 km west of Kathmandu. A good centre for trekking, most notably to the Annapurna area. Has great views of big mountain on the northern horizon, many shops and a good variety of restaurants.
 * Khumbu - The region of villages and peaks leading to Mt Everest. There are many options for hiking and mountaineering..

title: Kathmandu Valley


text:
Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park is a national park that is at the base of the Alaskan Peninsula in Southwestern Alaska, near Kodiak Island.

Understand

There are few services in the park and preserve. The closest grocery store is outside of the park in King Salmon. The park does not have a post office within its boundaries, and the closest is also located in King Salmon.

At Brooks Camp, the park concessionaire runs a lodge where meals can be purchased from June 1 through September 17. A few sundry items can also be purchased from the lodge store. No other services are provided to general park visitors.

Katmai is a remote park that cannot be accessed by car.

History
Katmai National Monument was created in 1918 to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular 40-square-mile, 100- to 700-foot-deep ash flow deposited by Novarupta Volcano. The park includes the Brooks River National Historic Landmark, a site that contains about 900 prehistoric human dwellings, the highest known concentration in North America.

Landscape
The park contains the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a forty square mile pyroclastic ash flow left by the 1912 eruption of the Novarupta Volcano and is one of the reasons the park was established.

Flora and fauna
The park contains a huge number of Alaskan brown bears, which grow to enormous size after feeding on the summer salmon runs.

Climate
The weather across Katmai can vary considerably during the course of a single day from heavy rain, to cold winds, to warm sun, and back to heavy rain. Summer temperatures range from upper 30s (°F) to low 80s and almost constant winds. Visitors to the park should be prepared for all types of weather.

Summers in Katmai are cool with frequent high winds and rain. Please note that following heavy rainstorms, most rivers in Katmai rise quickly and become extremely hazardous to cross. Insects can be intense and headnets are recommended.

Winter in Katmai means cold, quiet, and beauty. Temperatures can range from to  with snow or rain possible throughout the season. Generally all bodies of water are frozen with snow covering the high elevations until spring.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
Katmai is 290 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. There are daily commercial flights from Anchorage to King Salmon. Commercial air taxis fly daily, weather permitting, from King Salmon, Anchorage and Homer to Brooks Camp. Many individual lodges have their own transportation.

Fees and permits
There are no fees charged for entrance to the park, but fees are charged for camping in the Brooks Camp Campground, staying in Fure's Cabin, and for commercial filming.

Do
Bear viewing - Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. About 2,200 brown bears live in the park and preserve. Brooks Camp is the most visited area of the park where brown bear congregate to feed on sockeye salmon at the or the Brooks River. Viewing platforms have been set up to accommodate visitor numbers without affecting bear behavior.

Outside of Brooks Camp, other areas along the coast and in the preserve also host bear viewing activities. On the coast, Hallo Bay and Geographic Harbor are two popular areas. In the preserve, Moraine Creek and Funnel Creek also attract bear viewers. Bears frequent specific areas at different times, primarily related to food availability.

Sport-fishing - Before Katmai was known for bear viewing activities, most visitors came to the park for its world-renowned sport-fishing opportunities. Trophy rainbow trout are found in many lakes and streams as well as grayling and dolly varden. Strong seasonal runs of salmon are also found in particular areas of the park, including both sockeye (red) and coho (silver) salmon.

Lodging
The only lodge within walking distance of Brooks Falls is Brooks Lodge. Kulik Lodge and Grosvenor Lodge are also located in the park and operated by the park's concessionaire Katmailand. Several other private lodges offer tour packages within Katmai and throughout the Alaska Peninsula area as well.

Backcountry
More than 4 million acres of Katmai are open to backcountry or wilderness camping. Backcountry camping is not permitted within the Brooks Camp Developed Area (the area within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of Brooks Falls) year-round or within the core Hallo Bay meadows from April 1 through October 31. No permits are required for backcountry camping.

Stay safe
The following guidelines will help you travel safely in bear country:

Food storage - All food, beverages, garbage, and any other odorous items must be attended at all times. They must be stored in a bear-resistant container (BRC, or "bear barrel"). A limited supply of BRCs are available for temporary check-out, free-of-charge at Brooks Camp and at the King Salmon Visitor Center. Do not plan on hanging as a method of storage; trees are sparse in Katmai and are generally not suitable for hanging food.

Gear storage - Keep your belongings with you: A pack or clothing left unattended invites curious bears. Not only will your belongings likely be destroyed, but the bear may also learn to associate such items with interesting smells or, even worse, food.

Be alert - Bears are active both day and night and could be anywhere.

Make noise - In dense stands of willow or alder and other conditions that hamper visibility, make lots of noise so bears can hear you approach. Bears may perceive you as a threat if you startle them. By making noise such as clapping, singing, or even talking loudly, you can alert a bear to your presence and it will likely choose to avoid you. Try to stay with a group when traveling in bear country. A group is noisier, easier for a bear to detect, and more intimidating than one person or two people.

Avoid close encounters - If you see a bear that is unaware of your presence or far away, back away slowly and quietly while keeping an eye on the bear.

Do not approach - The minimum recommended safe distance from any bear is. Avoid actions that interfere with bear movement or foraging activities.

Remain calm - A bear may approach closely or rear-up on its hind legs to identify you. Back away slowly, moving diagonally out of its path of travel. You may need to leave a trail (if available) temporarily to allow a bear to pass. If a bear follows you, stop and hold your ground. If a bear continues to approach, make noise, wave your arms, and try to appear as large as possible.

Don't run - Running may encourage a bear to pursue you. Bears can run faster than 30 mph (50 km/h). You cannot outrun them. If a bear is charging you, try to appear non-threatening. Stand your ground and speak to the bear in a calm voice. Bears sometimes come within a few feet of people before veering off.

If a bear makes contact with you... - Play dead. Fall to the ground on your stomach with your legs apart. Lock your hands behind your neck to protect your neck and face. If you do get rolled over, keep rolling until you're face down again. Stay quietly in this position until the bear has left the area. If the attack continues long after you have assumed the protective position, fight back vigorously.

Fishing around bears - Bears come here to fish, too. When bear activity is at its peak, bears and anglers compete for the same resources. Stop fishing whenever bears are close enough to see or hear you and break your line if you encounter a bear. A bear quickly learns to associate anglers and/or the splashing of a fish in play with an easy meal and can take away your fish in seconds.

A bear that has learned that humans are a good source of food may become dangerous to people in the park and in local communities outside the park. In most cases such bears must eventually be destroyed. You can prevent this by being aware of how to behave to protect yourself and the bears.

Camping around bears - If you are camping in Brooks Camp from June 1 through September 17, an electric fence is maintained by the park around the camp perimeter.

If you are camping in the backcountry, however, you may want to consider bringing an electric fence. Electric fences have been adapted for use in bear country and have been effective at minimizing intrusions into campsites. Typically, park staff in the field choose to use electric fences. Visitors planning to use electric fences must bring their own equipment; the park does not provide electric fencing material.

title: Katmai National Park


text:
Katonah

Katonah is a hamlet in Westchester County in the state of New York. The hamlet of Katonah includes two National Historic Landmarks: Stepping Stones - Historic Home of Bill & Lois Wilson, where the respective cofounders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups lived from 1941 until their deaths in 1971 and 1988, and the John Jay Homestead, the former home of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

By plane

 * Westchester County Airport, 240 Airport Road, White Plains (New York), +1 914 995-4860 (airlines). The closest airport, about 25 minutes drive. Rental cars are available.
 * Stewart International Airport, 1180 First St, New Windsor, +1 845 564-2100. Another alternative to the congestion of the 3 major airports. Allegiant Air runs flights from Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda (FL), and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, and some seasonal destinations. American Eagle	flies from Philadelphia, and JetBlue flies from Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.
 * Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport: The three major international airports in the New York City area offer service to just about anywhere. Westchester-based taxi and livery cars offer regular service to and from the three internationals from most areas of the county. New York City yellow cabs will take to you Westchester in a pinch, but the fares can be exorbitant. If staying in Westchester, ask if your hotel offers shuttle service.

Get around
A Metro North Train Station travels from Grand Central, Manhattan through Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Bedford, Katonah, and Goldens Bridge. Having a car is advisable.

See
Katonah, a small residential town with a unique "Mom & Pop" business district, is the culturally central hamlet of the town of Bedford, the three hamlets of which are Katonah, Bedford Hills and Bedford Village (each with its own post offices and libraries). The hamlet of Katonah offers a variety of dining, community events and library fairs. Katonah is generally calm, and not much can be found open in town after 10 PM besides restaurants.

The larger town of Bedford is notable for the outdoors opportunities. Numerous reservations are scattered throughout the area, the largest of which is the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation center. WPR provides an excellent space for camping, hiking and biking, with numerous trails, campsites, shelters, and a museum. Bedford is also home to part of the reservoir system which provides New York city its drinking water. Regulated fishing and ice fishing can be found there and in nearby lakes and reservoirs.

A Metro North Train station can be found on the North end of the hamlet, offering easy access to Manhattan, as well as nearby Mount Kisco and Pleasantville. Mount Kisco features numerous restaurants and a New Line Cinema, while Pleasantville offers a similar quaint town experience to that of Katonah, with the notable addition of the Jacob Burns film center, offering independent and foreign films to the surrounding area. Katonah residents know the value of their own town's charm but also note the convenience of having varied offerings so easily accessible.

Sleep
Hotels can be found in Mount Kisco, South Salem and nearby Ridgefield, Connecticut.

title: Katonah