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Thamel: A Famous Tourism Magnet of Nepal

Thamel: A Famous Tourism Magnet of Nepal

Thamel is a vibrant tourist hub among visitors, situated right at the centre of Kathmandu Valley. It is known for its perfect blend of culture, commerce, adventure, and entertainment. From recreational and spiritual retreats to lively nightlife, Thamel offers something for everyone.

Apart from recreational activities, Thamel is also known for Nepali products, art, and artifacts. Travellers can buy all kinds of Nepali products, including thangka (Tibetan Buddhist paintings on fabric), clothing, pashmina, hemp products, mandalas, etc., as souvenirs.

Likewise, if you’re planning for a trek in the Himalayas, you can find all sorts of trekking items and the majority of the trekking agencies here.

Mandala Street in Thamel (left) and Nepali artifact
Mandala Street in Thamel (left) and Nepali artifact

A Brief History of Thamel

During the 1960s and 70s, Thamel rose to be a hotspot for the hippie trail.

Thamel was a go-to place for many travellers from Europe and all other countries. As Nepal was cheap, tourists liked to travel cheaply and spend as much time as possible there, especially in Thamel.

From then onwards, Thamel is one of the most bustling areas in Kathmandu.

Not only as a hippie trail but the tourists were attracted by the serene natural beauty and calming, spiritual ambience.

Over the decades, Thamel evolved to provide modern amenities while maintaining its charm.

Why is Thamel so popular?

Thamel is one of the most visited and must-visit destinations in Kathmandu. Tourists can find many affordable, basic hotels and luxurious hotels, among which they can choose to stay. Additionally, they get a wide variety of choices of cafés to dine in and shops to buy daily usage items.

Trekking and Tour Agencies

Further, Thamel is a heaven for trekkers and adventurers. There are lots of travel agencies that arrange your trekking tours, mountain expeditions, cultural tours, and Nepal tours in Thamel.

So, tourists can choose any of the best agencies and set out on the most exciting journey of their lives.

They can also customize tours based on your availability and provide you with experienced, licensed guides to organize your journey.

Shopping Paradise

Thamel is a shopper’s paradise, offering all kinds of shopping for items. From intricate handicrafts and handmade jewellery to Tibetan carpets and trekking gear, there are endless options to buy from.

Likewise, tourists can also find pashmina and yak wool products, which are especially popular among them.

One of the shops selling Nepali products in Thamel
One of the shops selling Nepali products in Thamel

Cultural Hub

Besides modern clubs, pubs, cafes, and so on, Thamel is also known for its cultural background. Tourists can smell the aroma of praying incense on the streets.

In addition to that, tourists can hear traditional music and musical instruments playing on the streets. Especially, ‘Sarangi Dai’ playing sarangi can be seen.

Not only that, but tourists can also see small temples and stupas on every corner of Thamel and Kathmandu.

Traveler-Friendly Services

Nepal is known for its hospitable nature throughout the world. This is the case in every hotel, restaurant, travel agency, vendor, money exchange counter, etc. We consider our guests as Gods. For which there is a famous Sanskrit proverb popular in Nepal saying ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, meaning ‘the guest is God’.

Where is Famous Thamel Located?

Thamel is situated in the central part of Kathmandu, within walking distance of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kathmandu Durbar Square. It lies around 6 km (3.8 miles) away from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Thamel can be easily accessible on foot or by car from any part of the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu.

How to Reach Thamel from TIA

There are several options to reach Thamel from TIA. You can travel in a comfortable taxi or public vehicle or book a ride using online ride-booking applications such as ‘Taximandu’, ‘Pathao’ or ‘inDrive’.

If you take a taxi, which is the most common and comfortable transportation option, it takes around 20-25 minutes to reach Thamel. These taxis charge around NPR 500 to 1000 ($5-8). It all depends on your bargaining skills.

Likewise, you can get a public vehicle from the gates of TIA, which generally costs around 20 to 40 cents. Though the cost of public vehicles is cheaper, they are usually not so clean, take longer, and might not have enough space to spread your legs.

Another cheaper, more convenient, and better way to travel is through an online ride-sharing application. They usually provide the best rates for travelling and are easily available inside Kathmandu Valley.

Where to Stay in Thamel

Thamel has a wide range of accommodation options. Tourists can choose to stay in a cheap, budget guesthouse or a luxurious 5-star hotel here.

If you want to travel low-key, you can find guesthouses and hostels for a cheap price, about NPR 700 to 1200 ($6-9) per night. They are decent enough to spend the night.

Likewise, for those looking for a comfortable and affordable hotel, they can find hotels for NPR 3000-6000 a night.

However, if you want to upscale luxury, service, and amenities, there are a few 3 to 5-star hotels around here. The cost for these luxurious hotels can be over NPR 8000 per night, depending on the hotel you stay.

Things to do in Thamel

There are all sorts of things tourists can do in Thamel. Whether it be a calm, relaxing spa or massage or vibrant, energized nightlife, it has everything for everyone.

Some of the things that you can do here are:

Shopping

There are lots of shops where you can buy handicrafts, trekking gear, pashmina and yak wool products, jewellery, books, ornaments, etc.

Food and Drinks

For foodies, there are several café, restaurants, and local stalls around Thamel, where they can enjoy local, traditional Nepali tastes. Likewise, tongba (traditional millet beer), coffee, tea (Chiya), smoothies, etc., are some of the drinks you must try while in Thamel or Nepal.

Cultural and Spiritual Exploration

Garden of Dreams (a tranquil place to explore Rana regime architecture), Kathi Swoyambhu Stupa (a smaller replica of the Swoyambhunath), and several Hindu temples are some of the cultural and spiritual places to explore in Thamel.

Likewise, there are different spa centres and yoga and meditation classes here, offering relaxation and traditional Nepali massages.

Adventure Tour and Preparation

For those looking to trekking or expedition, there are several travel agencies that you can choose from. Likewise, there are several vendors selling and renting trekking and mountaineering items.

There is also an indoor rock-climbing centre where trekkers can practice rock climbing.

Sports

There are several sports and entertainment activities that you can do in Thamel. Playing futsal, swimming, indoor basketball, archery, etc., are some of the sporting activities that tourists can engage in.

Nightlife

One of the most happening features of Thamel is its lively nightlife. There are several popular bars, clubs, and restaurants here, which open all night. They offer live music, drinks, good food, and a lively atmosphere.

Some of the popular spots are Purple Haze, LOD (Lord of the Drinks), Dancing Yak, Blackbird, Sam’s Bar, Ibyza Lounge and Disco, etc.

Hidden Gems in Thamel

Thamel is known for its lively streets and pedestrian-friendly areas. Mandala Street in Thamel is especially known for being a calming and charming street for tourists.

Another hidden gem is the Shree Gha Stupa (Kathi Swoyambhu). This place is particularly known for its serene Buddhist stupa, which is away from the chaos, and its local tea and food.

One of Thamel’s busiest and most lively spots is ‘Ason Bazaar’. Ason is a popular hidden eatery spot, serving authentic Nepali street food. This area is also known for the local Nepali shopping experience, where tourists can buy spices, fresh products, and traditional items for souvenirs.

Crowd of People on the streets of Ason Bazaar
Crowd of People on the streets of Ason Bazaar

Best Time to Visit Thamel

There is no specific best time to visit Thamel, but we can see a greater number of tourists during trekking seasons (March to May and September to November).

During these seasons, the weather is comfortable, and clear skies offer an excellent view. Major festivals of Nepal (Indra Jatra, Dashain, Tihar, etc.) also fall during these seasons.

However, the weather in Kathmandu is good enough throughout the year. For those who do not mind occasional rains, monsoon season (June to August) is also ideal.

How to Get Around Thamel

One of the best and easiest to get around is on foot. Most of the popular spots here are within walking distance. Generally, the small streets of Thamel are crowded due to vehicles, so walking is a convenient option.

Likewise, a rickshaw ride is another unique and eco-friendly way to navigate Thamel. However, if needed, taxi services are also easily available here.

Tourist taking a ride in a rickshaw in the street of Thamel
Tourist taking a ride in a rickshaw in the street of Thamel

Practical Tips for Navigating Thamel

  • The maze-like streets of Thamel could be confusing for many. So, get accustomed to Google Maps or hire an experienced tour guide. We suggest just strolling around and exploring what the place has to offer.
  • The narrow streets of Thamel are generally busy, so plan your timings accordingly.
  • Most of the café, restaurants, and hotels offer free Wi-Fi for their guests.
  • Keep your belongings secure, especially in busy areas and at night.
  • While hiring a rickshaw or taxi, bargain for a better price. Sometimes, they might charge you more.
  • Respect local culture and people and dress modestly, especially when visiting temples and cultural sites.
  • Promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism by using reusable items.

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Author

Samyog is a travel enthusiast and a content writer at Himalayan Masters. He likes to learn from experience. He likes learning and writing about different interesting topics and cultural aspects.

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