Calgary to Kathmandu Flights

  About Calgary

Founded as a Rocky Mountain outpost, Calgary rose from rags to riches as one of Canada's high-end cities after it discovered oil in the early 1900s. Calgary is the commercial powerhouse of Canada and earned quite a reputation for itself after hosting the Winter Olympics. You will find a lot of conventional cowboys in the locality with the wide-brimmed hats and leather boots. You will get a taste of the cowboy culture here if you visit the city in summer for the annual Calgary Stampede. You will get to witness rodeo shows, music festivals and a lot of other events hosted during the Calgary Stampede. You will be treated to a wonderful scenery and some delicious food. There are museums, parks, zoos, everything you look for on a vacation when you visit Calgary. You can just rent a bike and explore the city on your own. No matter what season it is when you head to Calgary, you will always find something to do. The city is also known for its vibrant breweries, and you can't leave without treating yourself to a glass of beer or more. People here are quite friendly and welcoming. You will certainly leave with one or more new friends.

Best Time to Visit Calgary

Spring season hits Calgary in April and May. It is not the most popular season to visit Calgary since not only is the spring season quite short, but also, the melting snow only leads to an increase in moisture and humidity in the city. The parks and other tourist destinations can be quite muddy and wet. It is best to avoid travelling to Calgary during these months. This season is also when the city starts getting ready to welcome the tourists in summer. If you are still planning to visit the city during the spring season, you can get to attend events and festivals like Calgary Expo, Calgary Dance Stampede, The Electric Highway and Calgary Marathon. You can book a hotel in Calgary of your choice and convenience at the lowest price during this time since the demand is quite low. Do make sure you are carrying your monsoon footwear and an umbrella.

June to August is a high tourist season in Calgary for all the right reasons. The city experiences summer and a lot of events are hosted during this time of the year. You can go hiking up the hill or boating by the river. You can even plan a picnic in the parks here. The weather is just perfect to plan a picnic by the lake. The famous Calgary Stampede also takes place in July, and the city sees a lot of tourists buzzing in to witness it. Make sure you book your hotel in Calgary at least a month in advance since the prices increase and availability can also become an issue. You might also want to book your flight tickets to Calgary in advance. You can attend quite a lot of festivals and events during summer like the Lilac Festival, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary Fringe Festival, Calgary International Blues Festival and Calgary Pride.

September to October is the autumn season in Calgary, and it is a pleasant time to head to the city. You won't find a lot of tourists in the city as compared to summer. You will get a better deal on flights to Calgary and hotels, too. You can enjoy all the tourist attractions without having to wait in queues or amidst a lot of tourists. The evenings get pretty chilly, so make sure you also pack warm clothes. You can attend events like the Calgary International Film Festival, Wordfest: International Writers Festival and Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.

Calgary experiences winter from November to March. This is an ideal time to visit Calgary only if you are a fan of winter sports. The Rocky Mountains are pretty accessible, and this is the best time for you to go skiing. You can attend events like the Calgary Winefest, Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest and Glow Winter Festival. You can easily get cheap flight tickets to Calgary in winter, and the hotel prices are also at their lowest. If you are a winter sports fanatic and on a budget, this is the perfect time for you to head to Calgary.

Places to Visit in Calgary

Calgary Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks and buildings in the city. The observation tower is about 190 meters tall and offers a magnificent view of the city. Prince Island's Park is another beautiful tourist attraction in Calgary that is worth visiting. You can plan a picnic in the park or go on a stroll to explore the park. You can catch the Calgary Folk Festival and Canada Day celebrations in the park here. Calgary Zoo is the best place to go to with your family. The zoo has about 1000 different species of animals including gorillas, pandas, lions and so on. Reaching the zoo is also quite convenient since it is pretty close to Calgary's C-Train. Fort Calgary is one of the historical monuments in Calgary that was built in 1875. This is the perfect place to head to if you are a history buff. You can plan an adventurous trip to the Rocky Mountains to ski, if it's winter, or go on a hike. You can take loads of pictures from up top.

Things to do in Calgary

Skiing at the Rocky Mountains is one of the main reasons why people plan a vacation to Calgary. You can also sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city. There is much more to Calgary than just the skiing slopes. You can head to the Calgary Zoo or visit the museums. You can also sign up for a tour of the Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls trip. Calgary is also known for its craft beers and food. If you don't plan on signing up for a food tour of the city, you can explore restaurants on your own. The Calgary Stampede is a very popular event and something you must witness at least once in your life. You can also try the local food from the stalls here at the event. The city is known for the locals who live their everyday cowboy life. You can also attempt to put on a cowboy outfit and blend in with the crowd during festivals. No matter when you visit the city, you will find some event or another to attend. You must definitely attend music festivals and concerts happening in the city during your holiday.

Food and Restaurants in Calgary

Calgary is known for Alberta beef, and it is the most popularly ordered dish in most restaurants. However, you can also try some of the local favourites like cheese buns from Glamorgan Bakery, mini doughnuts at Calgary Stampede or Calgary Mini Donuts, if you are not in town during the festival. You can also try the deep-fried ginger beef at Silver Inn Restaurant. It was invented here in the 1970s and became an instant favourite among locals. Another invention in Calgary was the Caesar cocktail. It is apparently made with hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Clamato juice, vodka and spices. Sounds adventurous, doesn't it? You can order the drink at Westin Calgary and other bars in the town. Vero Bistro Moderne and Gaga Pizza are some popular Italian and Canadian restaurants in the city. The Himalayan is the perfect restaurant to head to if you feel  like eating Asian, Tibetan or Nepali food. Santorini Greek Taverna serves the best Mediterranean and Greek food. The restaurant also has a very trendy decor, and you will love your dining experience here. Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant has a unique decor, and the ambience itself makes you want to sit there for some more time. The restaurant is popular for serving delicious Canadian cuisine.

How to reach Calgary (Transportation)

The Calgary International Airport is the fourth-busiest one in Canada. The flight connectivity to Calgary from India is quite good. KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Canada have frequent flights to Calgary with layovers in Paris, Amsterdam, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Zurich and Frankfurt. If you book in advance, you might come across exciting flight deals to Calgary. The flight journey might be quite tedious since it takes more than 18-20 hours to reach Calgary from India. Make sure you pack everything that you need to be comfortable on your flight to Calgary. You can book a hotel in Calgary that is closer to the airport so you can avoid the commute or to catch an early flight. It will be quite easy and convenient to get a cab from the airport or to book a car rental service. The airport staff is pretty helpful and will give you certain tips to explore the city if at all you ask them about it. In case you missed out on some last-minute shopping, you can always buy souvenirs and gifts from the duty-free shops at the airport.

  About Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a peaceful and serene city in Nepal that will take your breath away. It is the most accessible city in the country and also the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu is popular for its mountains and trekking activities. You can also buy all the trekking equipment you need here, in case you missed out on something. Durbar Squares in Kathmandu is one of the fascinating places and quite old, too. The city is home to over a million people and is at an altitude of 1400 metres. One of the specialities of Kathmandu is that the climate remains favourable throughout the year. You can plan a trip to Kathmandu whenever you want.

Along with lush greenery and a scenic view of the mountains, you will also find a lot of monasteries and temples here. This is the perfect place to embrace spirituality, and the natural beauty of the city makes tourists return to the city. Kathmandu also offers a few adventurous activities for tourists to try. The best part is that Nepal is a neighbouring country to India, and it is quite easy to reach the country.

Best Time to Visit Kathmandu

Late September to December, March and April are some of the best months to plan your trip to Kathmandu. The weather remains pleasant, and you will be treated to views of the glaciers. You will also get to attend the local festivals here. September to December is a high tourist season in Kathmandu and the temperature ranges from 20 to 26 degree Celsius during the day and drops to about 4 degree Celsius at night. The place is dry, and the weather does not affect any of your plans to try out outdoor activities. This is the best time for travellers to go out trekking and explore the city. Since this is a peak season for the city, make sure you book your hotel in Kathmandu several weeks in advance since they will be packed as the peak season approaches. You will also experience wildlife at its best here during these months. You will come across birds, monkeys, elephants, rhinos and more.

March to May is also an ideal time to head to Kathmandu. It is right before monsoon, and the weather is quite pleasant. However, there are high chances that it might rain once in a while during the spring season. The temperature ranges from 9 to 29 degree Celsius. One of the main reasons for you to visit Kathmandu during this season is to see a fully blossomed rhododendron, which only blooms this time of the year. You can also sign up for the Annapurna trek, one of the most famous treks in Nepal.

Kathmandu experiences winter from December to February, and it is a low tourist season for the city. The temperature ranges from 2 to 15 degree Celsius, and it gets really cold. If you are on a budget, this might be a decent time for you to visit the city. You will get cheap flight tickets to Kathmandu, and you'll also get a great deal on hotels. You can sign up for the Annapurna trek or Everest Base Camp if you are planning your trip in winter. You can also attend the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival in December. June to August is the summer season in Kathmandu and the temperature averages around 28 degree Celsius. Since there are high chances of rainfall, too, during this season, make sure you pack an umbrella.

Places to Visit in Kathmandu

While Kathmandu is known for its trekking trails and adventure sports, the city also has a lot of temples and religious sites that you can visit. The Boudhanath Stupa is a popular tourist spot. It is believed that if you circumambulate the stupa without any ill thoughts or ulterior motives, you not only receive good karma but also get a good chance to go to heaven. The Pashupatinath temple is a Hindu temple that is located across the banks of Bagmati River and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thamel is one of the most popular spots in the city that you can head to if you want to go on a shopping spree, enjoy delicious food at some of the cosy restaurants. It is also a WiFi zone, which is another reason why Thamel sees a lot of crowds. The Swayambhunath Temple is another important shrine, and it is believed that praying here will rid you of your sins. It is dedicated to Lord Buddha, and it has a lot of Buddhists and Tibetans visiting. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is where the Kings of Nepal sat and ruled. Half of the site collapsed because of the earthquake in 2015, but it has managed to retain its glory.

Garden of Dreams, also known as Swapna Bageecha, built by Kishore Narsingh in 1920 and has magnificent pavilions, pergolas, ponds and urns that draw tourists to the garden. You can go trekking to the Langtang National Park. It was established in 1976 and is the fourth national park in the country. It is about 32 km away from Kathmandu and is also connected to the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve, Tibet. Kumari Bahal is an ancient palace where a Kumari, who is the chosen Devi, lives. Built in the mid-1700s, the palace has an idol of Goddess Saraswati and also has a magnificent chariot to take the Kumari around the city. Taudaha lake is on the outskirts of Kathmandu and is the perfect place for birdwatchers. You can also go hiking at Phulchowki, which is the highest hill in Kathmandu Valley. You can also visit Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati temple that a lot of tourists visit. If you want to gamble a little bit, you can head over to Casino Royale in hotel Yeti & Yak. You can try your luck at slot machines or other gaming tables. You can also go hiking around Kathmandu and try out different trails.

Things to do in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a popular place for travellers who love going on treks and hikes. If you are a nature lover, this is the perfect place for you. You can either book a hotel in Kathmandu overseeing the mountains or go camping. There are quite a lot of camping trips organised in the city, especially during the peak travel season. The city is popular for momos, and you will find yourself hogging momos all day long. Kathmandu is also known for its religious significance, and there are a lot of temples worth visiting here. You will get to explore and learn more about the culture and lifestyle of the locals. Head over to Thamel to shop for souvenirs, dine at some of the finest restaurants here and take a stroll just to have a nice evening.

Food and Restaurants in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is famous for momos, and you will find a lot of variety in it. You can choose between steamed and fried momos with either chicken or vegetables for stuffing. Tibetan and Indian cultures inspire a lot of cuisines. You will also find a lot of cuisines ranging from Indian, Oriental to European. You can head to Thamel to try a variety of cuisines at the restaurants here. You will find quite a few Indian restaurants here, especially in Thamel. If you want to try naans and Indian curries, Western Tandoori in Thamel is the perfect place. It is a small food joint, and the food here is extraordinary. OR2K serves the best vegetarian and vegan food. You will also find Middle Eastern cuisines on the menu here. If you are visiting any of the temples, most food joints and restaurants near them will only serve vegetarian food.

How to reach Kathmandu (Transportation)

Tribhuvan International Airport is named after the former King of Nepal, Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah. The flight connectivity to Kathmandu from India is excellent, especially since it is the neighbouring country. Vistara and Indigo have frequent flights to Kathmandu from India with a layover in Delhi. If you book your tickets well in advance, you might get cheap flight tickets to Kathmandu. If you are travelling to the city during the offseason, you might come across exciting flight deals to Kathmandu. Patna and Gorakhpur are some of the popular routes to Nepal by bus. You can also hire a taxi or a car to reach Nepal from India if you want to avoid travelling by bus. Though reaching Nepal by road is not the most popularly chosen way to travel since the permissions and formalities at the border might take a lot of time. Taking a flight to Kathmandu is not only time effective but is also quite convenient. You will get a taxi or a car rental service from the Kathmandu airport quite easily. Commuting within Kathmandu is also quite convenient. You can either opt for a cycle rickshaw or a regular rickshaw to get around the city.

  About Tribhuvan Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport is situated in the capital city of Kathmandu, in Nepal. The airport is named after the former King of Nepal, Tribhuvan Bi Bikram Shah. Currently, it is the only airport in Nepal that caters to international passenger traffic. Tribhuvan International Airport operates with a tabletop runway and two terminals. The airport also plays as a hub to two international airlines, including the flag carrier Himalaya Airlines and Nepal Airlines and many other Nepalese airlines too. Buddha Airlines also operates from Tribhuvan International Airport and connects with Indian cities. Currently, due to the passenger traffic and demand witnessed for the country, the Government of Nepal has planned to expand its capacity to the maximum. This is to ensure that traffic congestion is minimised. The works on additional international airports in Nepal such as Pokhara International Airport, Nijgadh International Airport and Gautam Buddha Airport have already commenced.

About Airport Terminals

There are currently two functioning public terminals at Tribhuvan International Airport. One of the terminals is dedicated to catering to domestic traffic while the other one is for international. A specific terminal dedicated to VIP guests is also available and is operated under the Government of Nepal. The space has international guests of the state arriving and are welcomed with enthusiasm. The airport also plans to expand further to add a terminal that would offer a base for helicopter transportation. The terminals also have Radisson Hotel Kathmandu's executive lounge that has been installed for first-class and business-class passengers of various airlines. Thai Airways also has an operational lounge which caters to their business-class passengers along with Star Alliance's gold card members. The airport has a single runway that sprawls across 10,990 ft with no distinguished instrument landing system.

About Airport Authority

Tribhuvan International Airport is owned by the Government of Nepal but is operated under the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. The independent body came into existence in 1998 and had its headquarters in Kathmandu. CAAN was earlier under the Ministry of Work, Communications and Transport from 1957. However, after the Civil Aviation Act was passed in 1996, the regulatory body was formed. CAAN takes care of various responsibilities such as new pilot licenses, certification of aerodromes, construction, management and operations of aerodromes, provision of air navigation services, to name a few. Further on this, the Government of Nepal is planning to establish a separate aircraft accident investigation unit as well.

Top airlines flying from Tribhuvan International Airport

Nepal's proximity to India has enabled a few dedicated flights and airlines operations from Tribhuvan International Airport. The Indian airlines that operate from Tribhuvan International Airport include Air India, IndiGo and Vistara. These flights are directly connected to Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. The airlines fly in and out of Kathmandu Airport regularly.

Along with Indian airlines, the airport also caters to several international destinations and airlines. It connects to about 17 countries and sees regular flight action from international airlines. Some of the important international airlines that operate from Tribhuvan International Airport are Air Arabia, Air China, Bhutan Airlines, Cathay Dragon, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Himalaya Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Sichuan Airlines, Silkair, Thai Airways, Tibet Airlines and Turkish Airlines. The connect to more than 40 international cities across the globe.

Tribhuvan International Airport also has airlines that provide mountain sightseeing flights, including Mount Everest sightseeing flights. Airlines such as Buddha Air, Simrik Airlines and Yeti Airlines offer these sightseeing flights daily. They usually depart early in the morning from the domestic terminal and return in an hour.

Facilities at Tribhuvan International Airport

WiFi - Tribhuvan International Airport offers free WiFi at the airport premise. It is present at the international terminal and ranges from departure to arrival sections. All one needs to do is to log in to the airport's WiFi connection and avail the benefits. There are two WiFi services present at the airport. To get access to the same, you can simply check out the airport's official website or speak to one of the information desks to get more details on the same.

Press rooms - An interesting highlight about Tribhuvan International Airport is the press room facility. They harbour two press rooms which can accommodate 30 and 40 persons respectively. It is mostly used to conduct press conferences and is perfect for global events and conferences. There is a podium as well as seats to handle the audience.

Post office - For immediate courier of documents and important letters from the airport, you can visit their post office too. It is located right within the airport and is ideal for emergency mail services.

Lounge and airport hotel - Although an airline-affiliated lounge is not present at the airport, it does have some interesting lounges. Thai Royal Silk Lounge, which is located at the departure hall of the international terminal building, is worth the indulgence. The place is quaint and has a character that would enhance a traveller's experience. The services provided are also top-notch. As for business travellers who are only travelling for professional purposes, a dedicated CIP Executive lounge is also available. You can find Radisson Hotel, also installed at the departure hall of the terminal building. In case you need to rest and freshen-up, you can book a room within the airport.

Hotel reservation booth - A dedicated hotel reservation booth is also installed at the airport to help travellers with the same. You can find the counter at the arrival hall of the airport. The booths have been set to help passengers to make hotel reservations or collect vouchers or hotel details of the ones they have booked. It is convenient and perfect for first-time travellers.

Nursing station - Nursing stations are clubbed with senior citizen rooms at Tribhuvan International Airport. It is called Senior Citizen & Breast-Feeding Room. Space has been installed to enable new mothers travelling with infants to use an area where they can feed the baby. Not to mention, space can also be used for other activities such as tending to the baby's hygiene, changing of diapers and more. Senior citizens can use the room to relax comfortably and even sleep a little if need be.

Baggage services - Facilities catering to baggage are also available at the airport. The baggage services include the wrapping of the luggage, baggage trolleys and porter facilities as well. Dedicated baggage counter can be found at the airport premise. It is located at the departure hall.

ATMs and foreign exchange - There is a slew of local as well as international bank branches present at the airport. In case you need to make any withdrawals or transfers or need to deposit money or exchange currency, you can make all of that happen at Tribhuvan International Airport. The essential services are available at the airport plus, the currency exchange rates offered by them are also quite reasonable and within budget.

Restaurants and cafe - You will find fine restaurants and dining experiences within the airport premise. You can find them at the terminal at both departure and arrival zones. Along with fine dining restaurants, the airport has also installed food courts and establishments that are affordable and easy on the pockets. Since a majority of backpackers and solo travellers travel to and from Tribhuvan International Airport, they have ensured to make the food experience be just as pocket-friendly.

Medical services - The airport offers impeccable medical services to cater to emergency cases that occur within the premise. There are dedicated first aid rooms and pharmacies at Tribhuvan International Airport. This also includes ambulance and other such medical-related services. You can approach the information desk or speak to the airport staff regarding the same if you're feeling under the weather. These services are provided by professionals of Kathmandu Medical College.

How to reach Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport is very close to the city centre. In fact, it is only about 6 km from the city centre and Thamel, the main tourist attraction. In just about 1 km from the airport is Pashupatinath Temple. Everything is close to the airport, which makes it easier to reach the Tribhuvan International Airport. You can take various modes of transport to reach Tribhuvan International Airport.

Taxicabs

Taxicabs are also available across the country and are the perfect way to reach Tribhuvan International Airport. However, the only flipside with the taxicab is that it is quite expensive.

Buses and minivans

Nepalis often use buses and minivans as a means to get around in the city. It is the most convenient and affordable ways to reach Tribhuvan International Airport as well. There are frequent buses from the city centre to the airport and other parts of the country. Another good way to reach would be to take up minivans. It is quite an experience as you can sit on top of it and enjoy the serenity of the Kathmandu valley. The minivans and buses will reach you to Pashupatinath Temple, which is less than a kilometre away from the airport. You can walk up to the airport right from the temple.