Our love of fresh mountain air, fascinating culture and seriously bearded trekkers led us to Kathmandu, a vibrant city nestled snug in the Himalayas.
Where to Sleep:
The newly renovated Yak & Yeti Hotel ($185-$625 US) is a gorgeous retreat right in the heart of Kathmandu. Restaurants, sights and shopping were right at our doorstep, and luxurious rooms offered stunning views of the Himalayas (sadly though, no Yeti sightings). For an extra dose of culture, Dwarika’s Hotel ($200-$1800 US), a traditional Newari style establishment featuring exquisite ancient wood carvings, was right up our alley. The hotel is a Nepali heritage site, but boasts a range of modern luxuries like a pool and spa, plus Fusion, one of Nepal’s hottest new bars.
Where to Eat:
After a morning of shopping at the outdoor markets, we stopped at Angan (Rs 200-500/two) for lunch, where delicious vegetarian food and ice cream satisfied all our Nepali cravings. For dinner, traditional Mugali and Tandoori dishes at Third Eye Restaurant (Rs 400-700/two) in central Thamel were delicious. The intimate space was the perfect place to wind down after a busy day.
What to Do:
A trip to Kathmandu isn’t complete without a visit to Durbar Square. Thamel revolves around the historical temples that fill the square and a morning is best spent sitting on the temple steps and watching the flurry of cars, carts and Nepali craftsmen.
For every mountain in Nepal, there are 30 more pashmina shops (and now, 30 more pashminas in our closet). Alpine Pashmina offered exceptional quality; scarves so soft we were more than happy to come home to cold weather.