Kathmandu Nepal
Things to do in Kathmandu in November 2026
By Tripnostic Research · Updated June 3, 2026
For Kathmandu in November 2026, build the day around dated events, seasonal conditions, venue hours, and booking windows. Dated picks to verify first include Sakimana Punhi Festival. Check the event list and public holidays below before assigning fixed dates.
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Kathmandu in November 2026
Weather
Temperature
64°F / 50°F
17.8°C / 10°C
Precipitation
6d
1.2in · 30mm
Daylight
10.6h
November is dry and comfortable, excellent for Patan, Bhaktapur, and valley viewpoints.
Events & festivals
- Nov 14
Sakimana Punhi Festival
Sakimana Punhi is observed on the full moon day of Kartik, celebrated with traditional rituals and cultural activities in Kathmandu, marking an important religious occasion for the local Newar community.
Source: festival research
Public holidays
- Nov 8Laxmi Puja
- Nov 9Mha Puja
- Nov 10Bhaitika
- Nov 15Chhath Parwa
Planning checklist
- 1Check the 1 dated Kathmandu event for anything that overlaps your exact November dates before assigning fixed sightseeing days.
- 2Hold flexible plans around the 4 public holidays in Nepal; museums, markets, and government-run sights can switch hours.
- 3Group each Kathmandu day by nearby neighborhoods, then validate the saved places against your trip dates before exporting the checked route to Google Maps.
Build your Kathmandu plan for November
Start fresh — type or paste places you're considering — and Tripnostic checks every one against your November dates: opening hours, closures, what needs booking ahead, and which Kathmandu events overlap your trip. Already have a list from a friend or an AI itinerary? Paste it and we'll check that too.
Build my Kathmandu planAbout Kathmandu
City overview
Kathmandu is the dense Kathmandu Valley capital, where Thamel guesthouses, Durbar Square palaces, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan, and post-2015-earthquake reconstruction all sit amid traffic and temple courtyards. The practical map is Thamel for logistics, the old city for heritage, Boudha and Pashupatinath to the east, and Patan or Bhaktapur for deeper valley days.
Food & drink
Kathmandu food crosses Newar, Nepali, and Tibetan tables: momos are steamed or fried dumplings, khaja sets pair beaten rice with spiced meat, beans, pickles, and potatoes, and yomari are rice-flour dumplings filled with molasses or sesame. Asan markets, Thamel cafes, Boudha rooftop restaurants, Patan courtyards, and Bhaktapur yogurt shops add dal bhat, thukpa, sel roti, chatamari, bara, Tibetan bread, and masala tea.
Top sights
Ranked for November suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- APatan Durbar Square
- BBhaktapur Durbar Square
- CKathmandu Durbar Square
- DGarden of Dreams
- EBoudhanath Stupa
- FSwayambhunath
- GKopan Monastery
- HPashupatinath
- IThamel
- JAsan and Indra Chowk
1Patan Durbar Square
4.6★ · 32,867outdoorAcross the Bagmati, Patan square has Newar temples, palace courtyards, the Patan Museum, metalwork shops, and restoration evidence after the earthquake.
Wikipedia
2Bhaktapur Durbar Square
4.6★ · 23,677outdoorOpen dailyBhaktapur preserves brick streets, palace squares, Nyatapola Temple, pottery areas, and Newar food traditions east of Kathmandu.
Wikipedia
3Kathmandu Durbar Square
4.5★ · 39,501outdoorThe palace square holds temples, courtyards, the Hanuman Dhoka complex, and the Kumari house. The 2015 earthquake damaged many structures, and restoration work remains part of what visitors see.
Wikipedia
Show 7 more sights
- 4Garden of Dreams
- 5Boudhanath Stupa
- 6Swayambhunath
- 7Kopan Monastery
- 8Pashupatinath
- 9Thamel
- 10Asan and Indra Chowk
Neighborhoods
1Thamel
Thamel is noisy, useful, and traveler-focused, with hotels, trekking shops, cafes, bars, money changers, and constant traffic in tight lanes.
2Old Kathmandu and Asan
The old city is dense and ceremonial, with markets, courtyards, shrines, Durbar Square, Newar houses, and earthquake restoration work.
3Boudha
Boudha is Tibetan Buddhist and monastery-focused, with the stupa, prayer circuits, butter lamps, rooftop cafes, and quieter guesthouses.
4Pashupatinath and Gaushala
The eastern temple area is religious and busy, with ghats, pilgrims, monkeys, airport traffic, and a tone that requires restraint from visitors.
5Patan
Patan feels artistic and Newar, with palace squares, metal workshops, courtyards, cafes, and a calmer base than Thamel.
6Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is a separate historic city in the valley, with brick lanes, pottery squares, temples, yogurt shops, and a slower heritage rhythm.
Day trips
15km / 45min-1h by taxi or bus from central Kathmandu
Bhaktapur
The brick city has Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, pottery lanes, and juju dhau yogurt, all better with a full slow day.
7km / 25-45min by taxi across the Bagmati from Thamel
Patan
Patan Durbar Square, the museum, courtyards, and metalwork shops are close enough for a half-day but worth longer.
32km / 1.5-2h by car from Kathmandu
Nagarkot
The ridge town is used for Himalayan sunrise views when haze and weather cooperate. Overnight stays improve the odds.
Getting around
Taxis, ride-hail where available, local buses, tempos, and walking handle the valley, but traffic, dust, and narrow streets slow everything. Keep Boudha-Pashupatinath, Durbar Square-Thamel, and Patan-Bhaktapur as separate clusters rather than crisscrossing the valley all day.
Common questions about Kathmandu in November
- Will the places on my list be open when I'm in Kathmandu in November?
- Not always. Opening days and hours vary by weekday, season, and holiday. Paste your Kathmandu list into Tripnostic and it checks every place against the exact dates you're there, flagging closures before the trip instead of at a locked door.
- How do I plan Kathmandu days without crossing the city twice?
- Tripnostic groups your places by neighborhood so each day stays in one or two areas instead of zig-zagging. It also flags what needs booking ahead, so timed tickets and reservations don't fall through.
- What to pack for Kathmandu in November
Pack for November's weather, not a generic Kathmandu checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 18°C / 64°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 10°C / 50°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 6 days.
- How many days do you need in Kathmandu
- 4 days covers the main Kathmandu highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Kathmandu worth visiting in November
- Yes. Kathmandu in November: 17.8°C high, 10°C low, 30mm rain over 6 days, 10.6h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.