Introduction
Sometimes you get tired of your daily 10-5 job, and all you need is a quick escape. A place where you can chill with your family and friends, breathe in fresh air, laugh and forget all your office stress. Around Kathmandu, there are many places where you can spend your weekends. You don’t need to go far. These places are affordable with delicious food and hospitality.
Whether you’re craving a lakeside view, a forest hike,waterfalls, or a quiet night under the stars. This guide has the destinations that offer peace, adventure, and affordability all at once. So, pack your bags and get ready to escape the city chaos and breathe in fresh air.
Markhu
Markhu is just 2 hours away from Kathmandu, about 40km away. This place looks stunning and gives you the perfect Pokhara lakeside vibes. Activities that you can do here are boating, ziplining, camping, and trying local fish dishes. You can also hike for 1.5 hours and visit Mohini Jharna. This waterfall looks stunning. If you don’t want to walk, then you can boat and then hike for only 30 minutes to reach here. You can also visit Veda Farm and chill there. The average cost of this 1-night 2-day trip to Markhu is around 50 USD.
Kakani
Kakani is about 24km from Kathmandu, which takes around 2 hours to reach. It is a beautiful and popular place nearKathmandu for the best mountain views. This place is known for cycling and biking. It is also a destination for holidays and picnics with a huge crowd. There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Kakani because many tourists visit here. It is also famous for trout and strawberry farming. For 2 days it costs around 40-50 USD. You should visit here because it is really perfect for a peaceful overnight stay near Kathmandu.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is another great place to spend a night with your family and friends. Dhulikhel is really famous for sunrises and mountain views. It is better to stay overnight and see the sunrise view the next morning. There are also many budget homestays that are available near the main viewpoint in Dhulikhel. For one one-night stay, including food and accommodation, it may cost around 50USD.
Namobuddha
Namobuddha is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal, and it is famous for its beautiful location. It is a place where the Buddha offers his body to a starving tigress and her cubs in a previous life. Namo Buddha has beautiful stupas, ancient monasteries, and it also offers scenic views of the Himalayas. This place is best for a meditation stay, too. It costs around 40-50 USD for an overnight stay, including meals and transportation. You should try local vegetarian meals near the monastery.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a beautiful village in central Nepal. It is a realy popular place known for its view of the Himalayas, including the world’s tallest Mount Everest. It is situated 32km from Kathmandu, which is just about a 1.5-hour drive. It is also famous for its sunrise view. You can stay in a comfortable budget hotel with stunning views. Everything feels good here. It is perfect for a 1-night stay which takes around 50-60 USD, including food, travel, and stay.
How to reach these weekend gateways from Kathmandu?
Reaching all these places that we mentioned above is easier than most people think. Every vehicle, from a Private Vehicle to a Local or Public Vehicle, goes there. Almost all the places can be reached within 1 to 3 hours, depending on the road and vehicle. If you have a bike, a scooter, or a private vehicle, then your journey might be easier and faster, while public transportation might take a little more time. You can take local buses from Koteshor,Balaju, or Kalanki, depending on the place that you wanna go. If you are traveling with a travel agency, then they will manage all your transportation. So, you can just enjoy the journey.
Conclusion
You don’t need long holidays to go places near Kathmandu, where you can feel alive. Some short weekends are enough to feel fresh and enjoy with family. These places are enough to reset your mind, mood, and motivation.
Whether you want to go to Nagarkot for sunrise or Markhu for boating or Dhulikhel for quiet nights, every trip gives you clean and fresh air. These are the perfect places for a short escape from Kathmandu. So, for your next weekend, pack your bags and enjoy the beautiful places with your family.
If you plan to go to any of these places without the hassle of planning, then you can contact Himalayan Partner for the best service at an affordable price.
