🎒🏔️ Backpacker’s Guide to Kathmandu: Essentials, Culture & Budget Travel Tips

#backpackeressentials Welcome to Kathmandu — the colorful, chaotic, and utterly captivating capital of Nepal! Whether you’re here to kick off a trek in the Himalayas or soak up ancient culture, Kathmandu is a dream for budget travelers. The food is cheap, the temples are plentiful, and the experiences are unforgettable. ⸻ 🎒 Backpacker Essentials for Kathmandu 🧻 Travel toilet paper & sanitizer – Not always provided in public toilets. 🪪 Passport copies – Needed for permits and some accommodations. 🧢 Hat & sunscreen – The sun hits differently at elevation. 💸 Small bills & cash – Many places don’t take cards. 🥾 Comfortable walking shoes – Temples, markets, and chaotic alleys await. 🌧️ Rain jacket (monsoon season) – If you’re visiting June–Sept, expect afternoon showers. ⸻ 🛕 Budget-Friendly Fun Things to Do 🛕 Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) – Sweeping views, prayer flags, and yes, monkeys! 🛍️ Explore Thamel – Backpacker central with cheap eats, bookshops, and gear stores. ⛩️ Stroll through Durbar Square – Ancient palaces and temples (entry fee applies, but worth it). 🪔 Visit Boudhanath Stupa – One of the largest in the world, beautifully spiritual. 🥾 Start a trek or day hike – Even nearby Nagarkot offers views of the Himalayas. 🍛 Eat street momos – Dumpling heaven for less than $1 a plate. ⸻ 💸 Money-Saving Tips for Backpackers 🏠 Stay in hostels or budget guesthouses in Thamel – Beds from $5–10/night with Wi-Fi and hot showers. 🍲 Eat at local restaurants – Dal Bhat (lentil & rice set meal) is filling, delicious, and unlimited refills for around $2–3. 🛵 Use public microbuses or walk – Taxis overcharge tourists; always agree on price first. 🗺️ Get your permits in Kathmandu – For treks like Annapurna or Everest Base Camp, avoid last-minute permit panic. 🛍️ Shop smart for gear – Thamel has great knock-off trekking gear at low prices (just check quality).