Thamel Handicraft Shops

The lanes of Thamel are a dense, browsable maze of handicraft and souvenir shops selling everything from thangka paintings and singing bowls to pashmina, prayer flags, khukuri knives and trekking gear. Quality varies wildly, so it pays to compare a few shops before committing. It is the most convenient one-stop for gifts and last-minute kit. Haggle politely and expect to knock a fair bit off the opening price, and look for fixed-price shops if you would rather not bargain.