Nairobi to Kathmandu Flights

  About Nairobi

The populous city of Nairobi is the capital of Kenya. Located in East Africa, the city actually replaced Mombasa, the former capital of Kenya, owing to the thriving economic and cultural development. Nairobi has been recognised as the financial and cultural hub of the country. Nairobi is also exclusively known to be home to more than 100 major international companies.

Best time to visit Nairobi

Nairobi's geographical positioning is elevated as it stands at an altitude of 5450 feet. Due to this, the city experiences a mild climate throughout the year. This is despite its proximity to the Equator. However, it still witnesses torrential rains, which would put quite a damper on your travel plans. Keeping a tab on the weather conditions ahead of planning a trip to East Africa is highly recommended. The rains could make or break the possibility of your trip, and hence, it is essential that you keep a check on the weather. Nairobi witnesses hot, wet and cold climates. Even though it is mild most of the year, little rain can be quite a change in the humidity level. The city witnessed two monsoons, a long one from mid-March through May and a mild one from late-October to December. During these two monsoon seasons, the months April and November are the wettest months as the rains are at a peak during these two months. The dry months in Nairobi are from July through October and January through February. The dry months actually help ease the heat and humidity in the air.

In terms of months, July and February are the best months to pick for a Nairobian rendezvous. The rain is extremely less to non-existent, and the climate is quite pleasant. You can undertake various outdoor activities too during these months and not worry about the scorching heat or humid weather. The temperatures during this time are also quite low and pleasant for Nairobi standards. July and August are recorded as the driest months in Nairobi, which works perfectly for you if you are planning for an excursion. You should make sure to carry the right clothes for your trip as the temperatures often confuse people. It can turn from hot to humid to cold in erratic schedules. Layering up would be ideal. The hotel prices don't really see a massive difference during the off and peak seasons. As there are many travellers who constantly travel to the city for professional reasons and conferences, the hotel prices in Nairobi remain constant. However, with the demand for accommodation, you might have a tough time booking a hotel in Nairobi. Hence, it would be best to make prior hotel bookings in Nairobi.

Places to visit in Nairobi

Nairobi's wildlife and green expanses are what draws tourists to the city of Kenya. The Nairobi National Park was established back in 1946 and has been fenced on three sides. The southern boundary has been kept open to enable migration of wildlife to move from the park to the Kitengela plains. The park is going through some concerns in the recent past due to the increasing exposure to humans and the rise in the livestock population. The city also has an adorable Giraffe Centre which is dedicated to protecting endangered giraffe from extinction. The natural sanctuary also works as an educational centre to teach visitors about the necessity of conserving wildlife. The city also has an Elephant and Rhino Nursery where African elephants and rhinos are bred. The place ensures to safeguard the lives of these two animals. The Ngong Hills is a famous place in Nairobi. The hills especially have a beautiful green landscape. You can trek up to the hill and watch the sunrise or the sunset at the summit as it is worth all the expedition. Close to the Nyong Hills was once a location for traditional colonial houses.

Things to do in Nairobi

At the foot of the towering Ngong Hills, you will find the beautiful and quaint Karen Blixen Museum. Although it is 10 km away from the city of Nairobi, the place has historical significance. It actually exhibits the life of the famous Danish author, Karen Blixen. While this is a lovely place to start learning more about the author and African history, you should also indulge in some outdoor activities. The Nairobi Safari Walk is basically crossing a specific bridge with nature on all four sides. While you walk on the bridge, you will actually get to witness some rhinos and other animals hanging around the estate too. You cannot miss the Maasai Market, which offers a plethora of colourful artefacts with traditional African designs. You can actually use this expedition to purchase some souvenirs for a friend and close family members from here.

Food and Restaurants in Nairobi

Kenya's capital is making quite a name for itself in the culinary world too. Nairobi's tea and coffee trade might be the most recognised worldwide. However, their fusion food is just as delicious as their coffee. You would be surprised and even slightly amazed by the beautiful melange of flavours and cuisines that the city's food establishments curate regularly. In fact, they continue to add more interesting dishes and meals on their menu as they experiment with spices and ingredients. There are dishes that range from slow-cooked Indian meat barbequed to a crisp to the classic Japanese sushi. Some of the food establishments in Nairobi will definitely amaze you and leave you wanting for more. You can start your food rendezvous in Nairobi from Hashmi BBQ, run by an Indian family. It is one of the most popular food joints In Nairobi and for all the right reasons. With their chooza chicken's sizzling sauce, poussin chips and a generous helping of garden salads, indulging here for some food would take you to nirvana and back. The spice is really spicy, so if you're not up for it, do not risk your gut.

Tamarind is another local restaurant which favours seafood and meat meals. Their highlights are deep-fried crab claws, garlic jumbo prawns and some South African sauvignon blanc. The place also serves vegetarian food, in case you are not too thrilled by their eccentric seafood spread. For the classic sushi, head to Misono. Not just their sushi but even their sashimi and teppanyaki will strike a chord with you. Plus, the place is run by a Japanese family so you wouldn't have to worry about authenticity. The food here is as authentic as it can get. Some other famous food establishments in Nairobi are Soi, Tatu, Maru's Bhajia Cage, AA Mithaiwalla, Talisman and Mambo Italia. Do not be surprised by the well-known Indian restaurants and food joints. They are quite popular in the city and one of the most sought-after ones too. However, if you do wish to explore something different, you should visit J's Fresh Bar. It is basically a British gastropub and has meals from the UK. You will find battered fish and chips, peppered squid and smoked scotch eggs. Plus, an in-house DJ would entertain you with whack music.

How to reach Nairobi (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Nairobi from India is quite decent. Although it could be better than what the current state is of travelling to Nairobi from India, it's still quite good. There are many flights that fly to Nairobi. The most popular route to Nairobi is from Mumbai. In fact, you will find direct flights to Nairobi from Mumbai and at a very cheap ticket price. There are several African airlines that fly to the city from India. Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, EgyptAir, are the most prominent ones that have great connectivity from India to Nairobi. Another popular domestic route to Nairobi from India that has better connectivity aside from Mumbai is Ahmedabad. A majority of flights to Nairobi from India require layovers and connecting flights to reach Nairobi. Cities such as Addis Ababa, Kigali, Muscat, Dubai and Doha are some of the international routes taken to reach Nairobi. However, if you pick an African airline, especially Kenya Airways, you will be able to avoid all the layovers and changing of flights.

The flight duration to Nairobi from Mumbai is also quite decent as it would take approximately six hours and fifteen minutes to reach the Kenyan capital. Depending on which airlines you pick, the travel duration will also change as layovers will have to be taken into consideration. Nairobi to India is quite an expensive endeavour. However, from Mumbai, it is not so expensive. You can book cheap flight tickets to Nairobi from Mumbai. It wouldn't cost you much, and you wouldn't have to compromise on the flight duration as well. It costs between INR 22,000 to INR 25,000, to reach Nairobi from Mumbai. However, if you book from any other Indian city, the prices would see a tremendous surge. Another way how you can snag some cheap flight tickets to Nairobi would be by opting for online flight deals. It would be tough, and you will have to spend a lot of time on the internet to get a cheap flight deal to Nairobi. Since the accommodation prices remain close to constant in Nairobi, the best thing to do would be to club the flight and hotel bookings to Nairobi.

  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.