Ilam
This superb little shop has every tea product that you could possibly want to buy, and some charming old ladies to sell it to you. Located near the Green…
Must-see shopping in Nepal
Kathmandu
Originally built in 1919 by the then prime minister for his son, this unique complex of neoclassical Rana palace outbuildings has been redeveloped to…
Kathmandu
It’s worth popping in to peruse this small but interesting collection of quality and unique gifts produced by a hand-picked roster of women’s groups, NGOs…
Kathmandu
One of the best of several shops in Thamel that sell handmade paper products, from photo albums to paper lamps. The paper comes from the lokta (daphne)…
Kathmandu
Good range of crafts and home furnishings, much of it made by disadvantaged or minority groups, with transparent pricing on pashminas (Rs 2325 for a…
Kathmandu
Reliable rentals and gear shop that makes its own sleeping bags and offers advice on the best trekking gear for your trip. Get a season warmer than they…
Kathmandu
The best collection of Tibet-related titles, once owned by the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Janakpur Women’s Development Centre
The Terai & Mahabharat Range
At this art studio in the village of Kuwa, about 1km south of Murali Chowk, around 40 Maithili women produce paper paintings, papier-mâché boxes and…
Patan
Anyone who appreciates carpets should visit this Tibetan refugee cooperative, where Nepal’s enormous carpet industry was essentially born in 1960. You can…
Patan
Near the Kumbeshwar Temple in the backstreets of Patan, this small workshop provides disadvantaged low-caste families (primarily the pode or…
Patan
Mahaguthi was founded by a Nepali disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and its Kupondol showroom is a treasure house of dhaka weavings, handmade paper, ceramics,…
Bhaktapur
This paper emporium is near the Peacock Window, down the side of Pujari Math. Although the paper workshop was badly damaged by the 2015 earthquake it's…
Patan
This bright and colourful modern gallery in Patan's old town casts a light on Nepali multimedia and pop art, selling both limited-edition prints and…
Kathmandu
One of several pukka (not fake) gear shops on Tridevi Marg, offering imported gear at foreign prices. These shops sell everything from Black Diamond…
Patan
Dhukuti packs in three floors of home furnishings, textiles, shawls, scarves, bags and rugs from the Nupri region of Manaslu, and even has Christmas…
Kathmandu
This broad collection of mass-produced crafts and clothing is a good place to start your souvenir shopping. Quality isn’t top-notch, but subtract 20% from…
Patan
Despite the unpromising name, this tourist-oriented crafts complex boasts a number of workshop showrooms selling high-quality carpets, woodcarvings and…
Kathmandu
This designer’s studio is the best place for top-end designer pashmina throws, scarves and sweaters, retailing at around US$160. Yes, it’s expensive but…
Women's Skills Development Organisation
Pokhara
The woven and stitched bags, belts and toys display real skill and care, and make a great souvenir. Sales help generate income for disadvantaged women…
Pokhara
Sherpa Adventure is the place to find outdoor gear that is of a better quality than most of the counterfeit stuff that dominates the bazaar. They also…
Kathmandu
As the name suggests, this is Thamel’s sweetest-smelling shop. It’s a good one-stop shop for dhoop (incense), essential oils, Himalayan soaps and almost…
Pokhara
The people's cooperative society of Tashi Palkhel run this arcade in Lakeside East where you can shop for Tibetan crafts, organise a tour of the refugee…
Hi-Himal Sports Wear International
Kathmandu
This friendly gear shop makes its own down products and offers equipment rental, including down jackets (Rs 60 to Rs 100 per day), sleeping bags (Rs 150…
Patan
Come here for tablecloths, cushion covers and clothing made from dhaka-style cloth from eastern Nepal. Most items are cotton, but silk, banana and nettle…
Kathmandu
This knowledgeable local publisher offers an excellent selection of academic books and is a magnet for local writers and researchers. Ask to see the…
Pokhara
Over 80% of the woven products on sale here have been made locally by deaf and blind men and women in an initiative to empower local people with…
Kathmandu
Kathmandu's best bookstore tragically burned down in 2013. Its reincarnation has risen from the ashes and still has a good selection of titles.
Patan
A recommended place for paper, batiks, Mithila crafts, felt products and clothing woven from natural fibres. Credit cards accepted.
Pokhara
There is no dearth of bookshops in Lakeside but Nepal Mandala probably has the best selection of books and maps in town.
Kathmandu
The better trekking gear shops are at the southern end of Thamel, and Holyland is one of the better choices.
Kathmandu
Sonam makes its own brand of quality trekking gear, with this the larger of its two shops in Thamel.
Kathmandu
Good prices, a central location and a huge selection of new and secondhand titles.
Chitwan National Park
With a good selection of souvenirs, this small, family-run business produces its own honey in various delectable flavours and sells batik art and…
Chitwan National Park
For batik clothing, jewellery, hand-painted T-shirts and elephant-dung paper, which is a lot nicer than it sounds. No sign: located directly beneath Gig…
Nepal
The shop at Shechen Gompa has an on-site workshop that produces painted and embroidered thangkas and incense. The shop also sells Buddhist reference books.
Kathmandu
Durbar Marg has several top-end showrooms concentrating on statues, Tibetan furniture and other crafts. Curio Arts is a good place to start.
Kathmandu
One of the the largest supermarkets in the city, with 13 stores, though the location is slightly inconvenient, south of the Chinese embassy.
Lumbini
This is the place to find an inexpensive (often plastic) souvenir. Located near the main entrance, it's a very long row of shops all selling similar…
