The short answer
Nepali, Hindi, Newar and Tibetan names are written in other scripts and then turned into English letters in more than one way, so the same place appears as Kathmandu or Katmandu, Pokhara or Pokhra, Muktinath or Muktidham. All of these usually point to the same place. Search engines, ticket sites and hotel lists do not always treat them as the same, which can make a simple search confusing.
When you book or search, try two spellings and check the district or the nearest town. This chapter lists the common variants for the places visitors ask about most, so you can match a name you saw on a ticket, a social post or a map to the correct page of this guide.
Key facts
- Why
- Different scripts and spellings
- Examples
- Katmandu, Pokhra, Muktidham
- Tip
- Check nearest town
- Use
- Match names to guide pages
How it works
- Spot the variantNote the spelling you saw.
- Check the townMatch with the district or nearest town.
- Match to the guideUse search with either spelling.
- Confirm with the operatorUse the same name in writing.
Insider tip
Keep both spellings in your notes so your operator, hotel and driver match them.
Avoid this
Do not assume two similar names are different places without checking the town.
Related questions
Is Katmandu the same as Kathmandu?
Yes. It is an older or alternate spelling for the capital of Nepal.
Why do search results differ?
Search tools match letters, so different spellings can give different results.
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