Kathmandu Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Kathmandu Shopping

Kathmandu is the center of Nepal’s history, art, culture and economy. Whether you need to purchase mountaineering gear or hand-made crafts, the Thamel area of Kathmandu is the best place to do your shopping.

Thamel Area

The North Face

The North Face Outlet in the Thamel area is the only official North Face dealer in Nepal. Other items with a North Face label sold outside of the outlet store may be second-hand or fake. If you are in the market for mountaineering and outdoor gear and are not set on a brand, consider the Sherpa Outdoor store, which carries similar products and the money you spend will stay local.

MapPoint

Shop at MapPoint in the Thamel area for great posters and prints of mountain scenes. Just make sure you package your purchase so it is protected when you travel, and avoid hanging anything in direct sunlight, as pictures may fade.

Khukuri House

Gurkha knives called kuri-khukuri are a must-buy in Nepal, and you can get them at Khukuri House in the Thamel area.

Hand Crafts

The diversity of shops to be found in the Thamel area means that you can find a wide variety of Tibetan paintings, wood carvings, puppets, mandalas, and other souvenirs and gifts. Hand-embroidered pashminas are also a popular purchase. Some tourists suggest that you haggle to get the best price, while others recommend you shop around the area, decide what you want, and pay the price for that item as it is probably fair.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about shopping in Kathmandu.