I’ve recently spent a long week in Kathmandu to explore it on a slower, more local pace, and I quickly developed a profound adoration for this amazing city, its people and their ways.
Despite the moped madness (Mario Kart is real over here), heavily polluted air, and overall chaotic tendencies that prevail here, Kathmandu and its irresistible charm made me forget about its little quirks effortlessly, which is usually the case in a love story.
Cause that’s what this is.
You see, Kathmandu is a place like no other.
From the vibrant streets and stunning Durbar squares to the many spiritual and religious beliefs that coexist without tension, the mouthwatering culinary offerings, to the ‘City of Temples’ unmatched inhabitants, by who kindness is imprinted deep inside their DNA, Kathmandu is special, and to me, it’s simply impossible to leave without a mild heartbreak.
It is, therefore, that I will keep Kathmandu very close to my heart.
To do justice to the above words, and of course, to inspire fellow travellers like yourself to visit Kathmandu, I share with you my Kathmandu photography story – a collection of 52 of my favourite photos taken in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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52 Wonderful photos that will inspire you to visit Kathmandu, Nepal in 2024
Kathmandu’s lively streets
To be fair, some of my favourite moments in Kathmandu were found on a roam without a plan when I was simply discovering the vibrant streets with my camera in hand.
Whether you’re strolling through the buzzing streets of Patan, the chaotic Thamel area, or the maze-like laneways of Bakthapur, authentic moments unfold at just about every corner, waiting for you to be captured.
In short, photography enthusiasts will love it over here.
Nepal’s captivating spiritual side
Kathmandu is a melting pot of spiritual and religious diversity, and I’m all for it.
It’s a city home to a wide variety of religious beliefs, and with ten official religions, Nepal has introduced the ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief’ as a foundational right, meaning every human being can practise exactly what beliefs they prefer to align with.
To me, this open-minded, accepting and humble way of respecting one another is exactly what makes Nepal and its people as special as it is – which is extremely special!
The people of Nepal
From the moment I touched down at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, I knew the people in Nepal were different.
With different I mean warm, welcoming and genuinely kind.
It is said that every Nepali is familiar with the following phrase; ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which translates to ‘Guests equals God’.
After spending 8 days in Kathmandu, where I’ve been hosted by the family of my dear friend Reeju, and experiencing plenty of genuine chats and interactions in the lively streets, I’m convinced that the Nepali people truly live by this mantra.
Nepal’s mouthwatering cuisine
To me, travelling and food go hand in hand, and if there’s one place where the cuisine will elevate your travel experience, it must be Kathmandu.
While the cuisine isn’t as renowned as that found in other Asian countries such as Thailand, India or Indonesia to name a few, I believe the Nepali kitchen is absolutely amazing.
I would even say, it’s up there with my favourite cuisines in the world.
Some of my favourite dishes include Aloo Dum (spicey potato salad), Dal Bhat (a rich lentil soup with rice), and buffalo or chicken Choila (a typical and delicious Newari dish).
You thought I forgot about Momos, didn’t you?
Beware, these stuffed Nepali dumplings are a culinary treasure and will play a crucial part in your days in Kathmandu once you take your first bite.
The gear that I used to capture Nepal
As seen above, Kathmandu and its exceptional charm offer exceptional photography opportunities.
If you’re keen to make the most of travel photography while uncovering Kathmandu, I’d advise bringing your a-game photography gear or investing in some upgrades if you haven’t already.
If you like my Kathmandu photography, this is the gear I used to document my photography story of Nepal.
Lumix S5 | For the last two years, I’ve been using the Panasonic Lumix S5, which captures sharp high-quality images, as well as excellent video. While I recently upgraded to the improved S5II, the photos I took in Nepal were all shot on Panasonic’s incredible S5.
SIGMA 24-70 F2.8 | My go-to lens, and basically mounted to my Lumix for 90% of the time, the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 is an absolute beast, as it’s super fast, versatile and sharp.
If you’re curious to learn more about my complete photography setup, make sure you take a look at my ‘What’s in my Camera Bag’ guide here.
Travel insurance | Stay safe in Nepal
Since most travellers visit Nepal for trekking and outdoor adventures, I’d advise anyone travelling here to sort out reliable travel insurance before setting out on their adventures.
Though we always hope that everything runs smoothly during our travels, something unfortunate can always come into play, whether it’s a hiking injury, a stolen camera or an accident on the road.
When it comes to travel insurance, I always use Heymondo, as they offer excellent medical, baggage and Electronic equipment coverage as well as a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Make sure you take a look here – readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy.
Cheers!
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