Experiences in Kathmandu

Even if you aren’t a professional aiming for the 20-day Annapurna Circuit Trek or the original Everest Base Camp Trek, it is unthinkable to visit Nepal and not experience even a microcosm of its splendid natural terrain. The hotel arranges easy guided day hikes – with packed lunches - for guests to explore the beauty of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. Just a 20-minute drive from the hotel, the park – a fairy land of forests, ponds, streams and rare orchids - hosts  177 species of birds, monkeys, leopards and bears.  An easy three-hour hike takes you to Jamacho peak for soul-stirring views of Langtang, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Kathmandu Valley.

From sight-seeing to shopping, our concierge desk customizes city tours to suit your preferences and interests. Soak in the magnificence of Kathmandu’s seven UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, more than any other city in the world. Chief amongst these are the Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati river, the Boudhanath Stupa and the 2000-year old Swayambhunath – Nepal’s oldest stupa - famously populated by hordes of monkeys. After browsing relics at the Narayanhiti Palace Museum, stroll next door into the nearby Garden of Dreams, a neoclassical garden which was designed in Edwardian splendour to celebrate Nepal’s six seasons with six pavilions. Stock up on Asian spices and locally woven shawls in the bustling bazaars of Asan Tole and shop for yak wool pashmina, jewellery, handicrafts and thangkas (traditional Buddhist paintings) at the bohemian district of Thamel.

Experience the tropical jungle life on a day trip to Chitwan National Park, located in the Terai Lowland, 150 kms from Kathmandu. The park is home to the One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. Birding enthusiasts are thrilled with the astounding variety of feathered residents, soaring through the slender sal trees. The park allows guided walking safaris which gets you closer to the wildlife. An overnight stay at the swish Taj Meghauli Serai lodge ensures a breakfast overlooking bathing elephants in the Rapti River.

The Newar people are the oldest inhabitants of the scenic Kathmandu Valley and custodians of a rich, indigenous culture with a unique cuisine that is little known outside Nepal. With an aim to introduce guests to this cuisine in an authentic ambience, Vivanta Kathmandu arranges for food tours to a Newar home in the city. Guests can observe and assist the host family with cooking the meal and later sit down together to enjoy a Newari feast featuring delicacies like gainda gudi (lentil curry), alu tama (potato and bamboo shoots curry), hakuchoila (spiced ground and char grilled buffalo meat) swanpuka (stuffed and fried buffalo lungs) served with baji (flattened rice) and juju dhau (sweetened creamy yogurt), all washed down with aila, home-brewed rice and millet liquor. This home-grown culinary experience is the real deal when it comes to understanding the local culture.

Stretched out in a warrior pose (virbhadrasana) on the pool deck just as the sun rises over the Kathmandu valley is one of the most sublime experiences in the city. An experienced Yoga instructor conducts daily sessions that takes guests through gentle stretching, postures for balance and muscle strength (asanas), sun salutations (suryanamaskar) and meditative, controlled breathing techniques (pranayama). Follow up with a couple of laps in the pool or strength training in the gym. As Kathmandu slowly comes to life, you’ll be physically and mentally refreshed, ready to take on a day in the majestic Himalayas.

A short drive from the city takes you to an adventure land which has plenty to offer from ziplines and swings to sky cycling! Priced in a very budget friendly way, a moment in the sky might just be what you are looking for.