Kirtipur is a Newar town built on a ridge between two hills south-west of Kathmandu, with a fine view of the capital and the Himalaya behind it.
Its strategic position made it the last and most stubborn of the valley's towns to fall to Prithvi Narayan Shah in the 1760s, and its imposing temples recall that proud past. The atmosphere is far calmer than in the city, a little out of time.
We like Kirtipur because it sees few tourists, and for its temples, shrines and stone houses, and the wide panorama from the top of the town.
Walks we suggest
Kirtipur to the Chobar gorge
Instead of driving back, we can walk to the Chobar gorge in about two hours, passing the small village of Panga and the Vishnu Devi temple, then climbing a path to Chobar village on the hilltop. From there, buses and our vehicle can take us back to the city.
