Best Morning Walk Destinations Near Thamel: Enjoy Your Walk

Morning Walk

“Half an hour walk early in the morning will be a blessing for the whole day”

Imagine starting your day with the soft glow of sunrise, crisp air filling your lungs, and the rhythmic sound of your footsteps. A morning walk is not just a physical activity—it's a gift you give to yourself. As you step into the world, you connect with nature, clearing your mind and preparing your body for the day ahead.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," said Lao Tzu, and that step could very well be your morning walk. It's a time when the world is quiet, allowing you to reflect, reset, and recharge. Research shows that even a 30-minute walk can boost your mood, enhance creativity, and improve cardiovascular health. The movement gets your blood pumping, your muscles stretching, and your mind focused.

Beyond the obvious physical benefits, morning walks help reduce stress, promote better sleep, and sharpen your mental clarity. It’s like a moving meditation, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. So, lace up those shoes and step outside—your body and mind will thank you!

Most importantly, it is very necessary to do regular exercises like morning walks while travelling because you eat a lot during the vacations. It’s far better to walk into the nature than doing exercises in the closed gym halls of your hotels.

Best Morning Walk Designations Near Thamel

While staying at Thamel, bustling tourist hub of Nepal, you may like to enjoy morning walk from your hotel for, at least, half and hour which will be quite exciting and refreshing for the whole day. Since you enjoy variety of food items and drinks while staying at Thamel in your favorite restaurants during your holiday celebrations, you really require a refreshing morning walks and there are a few best morning walk destinations near Thamel. Morning walks are very refreshing while doing UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour or any other trekking trips in Nepal like Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek and Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek. These walking destinations near Thamel are:

Mahepi Temple Area

Mahepi Temple area is just 15 minutes walk from Thamel located towards the northwest from Thamel. Mahepi Temple area is an idea destination for morning walk lovers near Thamel. You pass Sorhakhutte Chowk and head towards Mahepi Temple area asking local people or following the google map and you will get to Mahepi Temple within 15 minutes.

Mahepi Temple is a Hindu Temple dovoted to goddess Ajima, a group of goddesses of the Newar pantheon. Especially, Newar community of Kathmandu valley goes there and offer prayer to goddess Ajima, a Newari Goddess. Both Hindu and Buddhist go there and worship goddess Ajima.

The Mahepi Jima Temple is locate a top hill surrounded by greed forest with stone steps to climb to the top of the temple and offers a good view of Kathmandu Valley. One can enjoy fresh and cool air early in the morning with a spiritual experience at the premises of Mahepi Ajima Temple area. At the bottom of the Mahepi Temple, you can find enough spaces for regular exercises, yoga and meditation. You can celebrate the morning exercises into the deep woods of Mahepi Temple area. Threfore, Mahepi Temple Area is one of the best destinations for morning walks near Thamel.

Swyombhunath Stupa (Moneky Temple)

Swayambhunath Stupa, often referred to as the Monkey Temple, is a perfect destination for a peaceful morning walk near Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist hub. Perched atop a hill, this ancient religious site offers panoramic views of the city, especially during the early morning when the mist gently lifts and the sun casts a golden glow on the surrounding valley. The walk to Swayambhunath from Thamel takes about 30-40 minutes and is ideal for those seeking tranquility and a spiritual ambiance early in the morning. Along the way, you'll encounter small local shops, monasteries, and a gradual ascent that builds anticipation for the temple's majestic dome.

To reach Swayambhunath, you can walk through the narrow streets of Thamel, following signs or directions from locals, follow the google map or take a short taxi ride that costs around NPR 300-500 to the bottom of the Monkey Temple. Once there, you'll be greeted by a steep staircase leading up to the stupa, adorned with prayer flags, and numerous monkeys roaming around the premises. The site is a fusion of Hindu and Buddhist elements, with the iconic Buddha eyes gazing serenely in all directions. After your visit, you can easily walk back to Thamel or grab another quick taxi ride, making it an ideal short trip for anyone staying nearby.

Visiting and exploring Swyombhunath Stupa is also a part of A Day Tour to World Heritage Site including other sites like Patan, Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa.

You will be benefitted in two ways if you go for Morning Walks to Monkey Temple from Thamel. You can have a look around World Heritage Site, Swyombhunath Stupa and can do some beautiful refreshing early morning exercises in the open spaces among the deep woods of Swyombhunath Hill. You can also enjoy numerous monkeys jumping, running and chattering here and there. There are certain areas separated for regular exercises like aerobic, yoga and meditation, pull up, push up and seta up. One can also capture entire view of Kathmandu Valley with stunning sunrise and the mountain views if you choose Monkey Temple as your best morning walk destination near Thamel.

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square

Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, located near Thamel in Kathmandu, is a perfect spot for a serene morning walk, blending history with tranquility. Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square is 20 minutes walk from Thamel via traditional Ason Bazaaar. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the larger Kathmandu Durbar Square complex and offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the bustling city. The square, which was once the royal palace of the Malla kings and later the Shah dynasty, is adorned with intricately carved wooden temples, shrines, and courtyards. Early in the morning, the square is relatively quiet, allowing you to stroll through its historic architecture, marvel at the ancient Newari craftsmanship, and soak in the cultural ambiance without the usual crowds.

Key highlights of the square include the Hanuman statue guarding the entrance to the royal palace, the Taleju Temple (a three-tiered pagoda-style temple), and the Kumari Ghar, the residence of the living goddess Kumari. The open courtyards like Nasal Chowk and Mul Chowk give a glimpse into royal ceremonies and daily life from centuries past. Walking through this cultural hub during the early hours offers a calming experience, perfect for those looking to combine a peaceful walk with a rich dive into Kathmandu’s history and heritage.

You can do three things at the same time if you choose Hanuman Durbar Square as your morning walk destination during your stay in Thamel. These are: you can explore traditional Ason Bazaar and buy the stuffs you like, enjoy fresh morning walk for one hour and explore UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square. You can enjoy the walk through serene traditional cobbaled street of Asona Bazaar and Hanuman Durbar Square Area.

Nagpokharai via Narayanhiti Museum

‘Nagpokhari via Narayanhiti Museum: A Scenic and Refreshing Morning Walk near Thamel’

The Nagpokhari walk via Narayanhiti Museum is one of the best morning walk routes near Thamel, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and local culture. Starting from Thamel, a vibrant tourist hub, the route takes you through quieter streets, passing the grand Narayanhiti Palace Museum, a former royal residence that now tells stories of Nepal's monarchy. The museum’s stately exterior, with its lush garden surroundings, is a refreshing sight in the morning light.

Continuing towards Nagpokhari, a serene pond surrounded by greenery, you’ll feel transported away from the bustling city. This peaceful spot is known for its tranquil atmosphere, where locals come to relax or offer prayers at the nearby temple. The walk provides a mix of urban and natural scenery, perfect for enjoying cool morning breezes and the soft sunlight reflecting off the pond. The pond, Nagpokhari has a serene and tranquil surrounding with enough spaces for regular exercises and walks. The walk is just for 20 minutes from Thamel passing through Garden of Dream before you pass through Narayanhiti Royal Palace.

Refreshment options along the way include small local cafés offering freshly brewed Nepali tea and snacks like sel roti (a traditional Nepali fried bread) and juju dhau (creamy yogurt), perfect for a light breakfast. This route is ideal for a peaceful morning walk that combines light exercise with cultural and scenic highlights.

Next to Nagpokhari, there is newly opened garden which will offer you an amazing opportunity to do exercises into an open space with different green plants and flowers. It is beautiful to go there and do exercises into the the park.

What is the best destination for morning walk near Thamel?

The best destination for morning walk near Thamel is Mahepi Ajima Temple or Swyombhunath Stupa ( Monkey Temple). If you want just half an hours walk from Thamel, then, go to Mahepi Temple area or if you want little longer walk like for an hour from Thamel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you can go to Swyombhunath Stupa. In both destinations, you will enjoy the walks with normal exercises like aerobics, yoga and meditations, push ups, pull up and seat up and stretching your body. You can enjoy these activities into the wild nature, the deep woods of either Mahepi Temple or Swyombhuanth Stupa. Between two sites, we recommend you going with Monkey Temple as it is an hour walk to world heritage site with mesmerizing views of whole Kathmandu Valley and some mountain views with stunning sunrise from the top of

Swyombhunath Stupa.

Can go morning walk near Thamel?

Yes, you can go morning walk near Thamel while staying in hotel for your vacation in Nepal. There are a few idea destinations for morning walk near Themel. The best morning walk destinations near Thamel are: Swyombhunath Stupa, Mahepi Ajima Temple, Nagpokhari Area and Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Area. Swyombhunath Stupa and Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Area are world heritage sites and Mahepi Temple Area and Nagapokhari Area are just normal sites, not UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for exploration and refreshments walks and visits.

Is it possible to go Morning Walk near Thamel?

Yes, it is possible to go morning walk near Thamel for at least half an hour to one hour. The ideal and the best destinations for morning walks near Thamel are: Hanuman Dhoka Durbar via Ason Bazaar, Nagpokhari Area via Dreams of Garden and Narayanhiti Royal Palace Museum, Mahepi Temple Area via Sorakhuttee and Monkey Temple via Sobhabagati temple. The best of all is Swyombhunath Stupa ( Monkey Temple) as you can enjoy the fresh and cool air with enough space for relaxation and exercises in the premises of world heritage site. At the same time, you can witness and capture all Kathmandu Valley View and some of the spectacular mountain panoramas.

Where to go for a walk in Kathmandu?

If you are staying in Thamel, the most popular tourist hub in Nepal and in Kathmandu valley, you can go morning walk to a few places nearby. These places are: Swyombhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Mahepi Ajima Temple, a goddess of Newari people of Kahtmandu, Nagpokhari Area, a pond of snake with a beautiful park nearby and Hanuman Durbar Square, another World Heritage Site in Kathmandu. If you like to go half an hour walk in the morning or in the evening nearby Thamel, you can go to either Mahepi Temple or Nagpokhari Area or if people like to walk longer like one hour, then, they can go either Hanuman Dhoka Durbar or Monkey Temple, Swyombhunath Stupa. Wherever you go for walk either in the morning or in the evening, you will enjoy fresh and cool air with marvelous cultural and religious insights of Hindus and Buddha.

What is the most beautiful natural place in Kathmandu?

The most beautiful place of Kathmandu is Swyombhunath Stupa, a world heritage site. The stupa is, probably, the grandest of all around the world with massive Buddha’s half-closed eyes printed on it. The stupa has serene premises with holy ponds, colorful prayer wheels and prayer flags, hundreds of monkeys jumping here and there, souvenir shops, greed woods and also offers the visitors magnificent views of mountains and the entire Kahtmandu valley. The fresh and cool air you breath at the top of Monkey Temple or Swyombhunath Stupa is pure and truly a boon from Lord Buddha. So, if you are in Kahtmandu and looking forward to vist the best and the most beautiful place in Kathmandu, definitely, you should visit Swyombhunath Stupa( Monkey Temple). You will feel solely blessed after your visit.