What s great tour guide! Knows the alternative stories others won't tell. Friendly, funny, reliable, trustworthy, compassionate, honest, and authentic.

Great, feels authentic, in the middle of Kathmandu's busy, colorful everyday life. Wonderful tour and companionship.

What an amazing day. I recommend anyone visiting Kathmandu to undertake this experience and support the queer community here. It's a hands on and immersive experience that you will never forget. Thank you so much for a lovely day!

We enjoyed a very lovely cooking class with Ayaam, great food and good conversation. Would highly recommend this class!

Wow! I had a fantastic time on the Thangka Painting Workshop tour. The tour took us to a real thangka artist workshop where several master artists and their apprentices were painting thangkas. The artist that helped me catered the tour to my level of ability and was willing to let me paint as much or little as needed to get a beautiful final product. I left with a beautiful thangka and a good understanding of the process behind this sacred art. The tour guide Aayam was also very friendly and provided clear explanations that gave me the needed context to appreciate this tour fully.

We had an incredible day exploring Kathmandu with Aayam, a certified guide and founder of Queermandu who has an innate understanding of the magic of duality and intersections. This wasn’t your average gay tour—it was thoughtful, adaptable and culturally rich, feeling more like a day out with a friend who truly knows the soul of his city. Aayam picked us up from our hotel and tailored the day to what we’d already explored, seamlessly weaving new areas and experiences into our itinerary. Our first stop was a surprisingly gentrified farmer’s market where we indulged in chocolate and swapped coffee for Sherpa craft beer. This modern boutique space was a striking contrast to our next stop—the spice market, one of Kathmandu’s oldest and most chaotic bazaar areas. The energy there was wild! From there, we were guided into hidden squares tucked behind unassuming doors. These spaces revealed Kathmandu’s remarkable spiritual diversity, featuring European Christian style statues, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim origins coexisting harmoniously in a single sacred area. We learned how Hindu mythology is rich with deities that embody both masculine and feminine aspects, symbolising the unity and balance of these energies. Every turn of this tour highlighted how different worlds live side by side, blending and thriving in ways that felt deeply moving and relatable. We also visited Aayam’s home where we made “homo momos” with his mum and sister. The experience was playful and warm—a personal and intimate glimpse into local life and a colourful twist on tasty traditions. Next, we took a taxi (a cost-friendly option pushed by budget us) and climbed to the hilltop for Swayambhu Mahachaitya. The panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley made you stand still. On the descent, Aayam took us into a local Newar neighborhood where a Sasa Twa celebration was taking place. We picked up some great dance moves by the guys and heard some new favourite songs! We sat on the ground to share a communal meal and felt the essence of Newar culture—equality, togetherness and connection. The flattened rice bowls (chiura) paired with rice wine were delicious! This gay tour wasn’t just a surface-level exploration or “just” an LGBTQ+ tour; it was an honest and heartfelt dive into Kathmandu’s intricate layers—spirituality, culture and community all woven together. Aayam has a unique gift for uncovering the contrasts and connections that make the city so extraordinary. We covered so much more but my thumbs hurt from typing!! We spent a full day, from 11am to 9pm, immersed in this rich world that we’d never have found without Aayam. Every moment was worth it and we left with our hearts full. Highly recommend this for anyone searching for something real, deep and unforgettable. Thank you Aayam 🙏

Aayaam was a fantastic host and tour guide. I booked this experience a little over a month ago in anticipation of my trip to Nepal for NYE! Aayaam was extremely kind, accommodating, and passionate about all things Queer in Kathmandu and Nepal in general. As a solo traveler and a proud member of the rainbow community, Aayaam ensured I felt welcomed and safe throughout the entire experience. It was an incredible to be able to explore the city with a guide who was knew the language, culture, history, food, economy, religion, and their respective impacts in the Nepali Queer Community. If you are going to Kathmandu, don’t hesitate to book this wonderful experience.

This is my third time in Nepal and my second time booking an activity with them. Both times 2 for 2 have been really great. I loved my guide. I loved the fun cultural experience and learning to cook. My other trip was to an ancient city. Loved it.

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in Kathmandu! The master is so patient and sits with you throughout the whole process and teaches you how to paint it. Even if you make mistakes he will help you correct it. You don’t feel rushed for time at all and the final product you can take home as a great souvenir! I definitely recommend to do this when you have time!

It was e great experience. We had a lot of fun an the hosts were fabulous. It was interesting to see the process and to help. And now we have a spectacular souvenir. Thanks so much.

The Gurkha knife making course was a fantastic morning spent learning how to create a Kukri knife. Aayam was a fantastic guide who kept us company and made us laugh during the course. Indra was a very knowledgeable craftsman who helped us create a beautiful blade. Definitely worth doing if you’re in Kathmandu and want a hands on experience where you get to take your knife home afterwards to show off to family and friends

Operator communicated well in preparation and throughout the experience. A short walk through a residential area brought us to the workshop of the master craftsman. The host was very spirited and welcoming. Good quality materials were available for the experience. The improvised machinery would not be considered safe to use by western standards, and as such the master craftsman handles this part of the activity. On overall positive experience with a highly unique and personalized takeaway. Thank you to rhe operator and host for a job well done. Looking forward to returning in future for the operators other traditional activities offered, which aren't necessarily offered here so I suggest to ask in advance for a more enjoyable trip to Nepal.

Such a good experience! What a fun and unique way to learn making momo. Our guide was super friendly and knowledgeable and learned us many different techniques and styles for making the momo. Also the setting with his sister and mom helping out with everything is so nice. Good vibes overall and would definitely recommend this anyone staying in Kathmandu!

I had an unforgettable experience at the Gurkha knife-making workshop! Aayam was not only skilled and knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly, funny, and easy to talk to, making the entire experience feel welcoming and fun. He walked me through each step of the knife-making process with clear, detailed explanations and patiently answered every question I had. It was fascinating to learn the techniques and history behind crafting such an iconic tool. I highly recommend this unique, hands-on experience to anyone looking for something truly memorable. You’ll leave with newfound skills, great memories, and a beautifully crafted, razor-sharp souvenir!

The momo class was not only instructive but also very fun! Aayam was an excellent teacher and we could really chat about any topic. Very welcoming and sweet! His business is slowly growing and we can only wish him the best for the future!