Shopping & Local Markets Guide: Nepal, Bhutan, and India
We'll be scouring some of the best places in the world for handmade textiles, artisan crafts, and cultural souvenirs. Here's what to buy and where to find authentic items in Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
Unique Souvenirs by Country
Each country has a distinct artistic tradition, and shopping for locally crafted souvenirs supports artisans and helps preserve these traditions.
Nepal is famous for handmade textiles, jewelry, and Buddhist artifacts. Look for Thangka Paintings, Singing Bowls, Pashmina Shawls, Handmade Lokta Paper, Prayer Wheels & Flags, Rudraksha Beads, and Mithila Paintings.
India offers some of the world's best textiles, gemstones, and decorative handicrafts. Shop for Mughal Miniature Paintings, Jaipuri Quilts & Embroidered Textiles, Marble Inlay Work (Pietra Dura), Handmade Leather Goods, Silver Jewelry & Gemstones, Saffron, Spices & Teas, and Brass & Copper Homeware.
Treasures of Nepal
Where to Shop in Nepal
Thamel Market (Kathmandu)
Best for pashmina, jewelry, and thangka paintings.
Bhaktapur Artisans' Village
Great for ceramic pottery, woodwork, and Lokta paper.
Patan Handicraft Center
Best for Buddhist art, statues, and metalwork.
Asan Bazaar (Kathmandu)
Authentic street market experience with herbs, spices, and textiles.
Great for prayer flags, books, and handmade incense.
Bumthang Textile Weaving Center
Best for Yathra wool weaving and silk fabrics.
Paro Weekend Market
A great place for fresh produce, incense, and local wooden crafts.
Indian Treasures
Mughal Miniature Paintings 🎨
Hand-painted detailed artwork from Rajasthan, often featuring royal or religious themes.
Jaipuri Quilts & Embroidered Textiles 🧵
Hand-stitched cotton quilts with block prints, famous in Rajasthan and Agra.
Marble Inlay Work (Pietra Dura) 🏛️
Decorative marble tabletops, plates, and boxes made with inlaid gemstones, inspired by the Taj Mahal.
Spices & Teas 🍵
Buy saffron, cardamom, masala chai blends, and Ayurvedic herbs.
Where to Shop in India
Chandni Chowk (Delhi)
One of the oldest markets, best for spices, fabrics, and jewelry.
Kinari Bazaar (Agra)
Famous for marble inlay work, traditional sarees, and embroidered textiles.
Dilli Haat (Delhi)
Best for state-run craft stalls with fixed prices (no haggling needed!).
Sadar Bazaar (Agra)
Good for handmade leather goods.
Tips for Shopping & Bargaining
Ensuring Authenticity
Pashmina in Nepal: 100% pure pashmina is light and warm—check labels and avoid cheap synthetic blends.
Marble inlay in India: Real pieces are cool to the touch, while fake resin versions feel warm.
Handwoven textiles in Bhutan: Look for natural dyes and handmade stitching—machine-made imitations exist.
Bargaining Tips
In India & Nepal: Bargaining is expected! Start at 50% of the initial price and negotiate politely.
In Bhutan: Prices are fixed in government-approved shops, but you can negotiate in local markets.
Always ask for a receipt if buying high-value goods like jewelry or artwork.
Shipping Large Items
Nepal & Bhutan: Some high-end shops offer international shipping for carpets and heavy crafts.
India: Agra and Delhi have specialized shipping services for marble, brass, and rugs.
Let's Make a Deal! Key Phrases for Shopping & Bargaining
Bargaining is a big part of shopping culture in Nepal and India but is less common in Bhutan (where many handicrafts are sold at fixed prices). These key phrases will help you get the best deal without offending local vendors.
Nepal 🇳🇵
Yo kati ho? - How much is this?
Yo dherai mahango cha - This is too expensive
Ali kam garnus - Please reduce the price
Bhutan 🇧🇹
Di ga-ler re? - How much is this?
Di ga-ler zhum-pu re - This is expensive
Kadrin che - Thank you
India 🇮🇳
Yeh kitna hai? - How much is this?
Bahut mehenga hai! - Too expensive!
Theek hai, main ise leta/leti hoon - Okay, I'll take it
Haggling Like a Pro:
I asked AI to create some scripts. The last one ill give you a chuckle. After all, bargaining is supposed to be fun! Click to open →
Nepal: Bargaining for a Pashmina Shawl 💲Vendor’s Price: NPR 4,000 💬Your Target Price: NPR 2,500
You: "Dai/Didi, yo kati ho?" (Big brother/big sister, how much is this?)
Vendor: "Yeh NPR 4,000 ho. This is pure pashmina, very high quality!"
You: "Ah, dherai mahango cha! Ma NPR 2,000 dinchhu." (Oh, very expensive! I will give NPR 2,000.)
Vendor: "No no, madam/sir! This is real pashmina, very soft! For you, special price—NPR 3,800."
You: "Mero mitra le yesto shawl NPR 2,500 ma kinyo. Ma NPR 2,500 tirna sakchhu." (My friend bought this for NPR 2,500. I can pay that price.)
Vendor: "No, no, very cheap! But okay, for you… final price NPR 3,000."
You: (Smile and pause for a moment... then start walking away.) "Thik cha, ma arko pasal herchhu." (Okay, I will check another shop.)
Vendor (calls you back): "Okay okay, NPR 2,500, but final price!"
🎉 You got the price you wanted! Pay with a smile and say: "Dhanyabad! (Thank you!)"
Bhutan: Bargaining for a Wool Scarf: 💲 Vendor’s Price: BTN 3,000 💬 Your Target Price: BTN 2,500
You: "Di ga-ler re?" (How much is this?)
Vendor: "This one is BTN 3,000. Very fine handwoven wool!"
You: "Di mang-leb re! Nga BTN 2,500 nyo gi yin." (This is expensive! I will buy for BTN 2,500.)
Vendor: "No, no, this is special work. Cannot discount."
You: "Okay, thank you, I will check another shop."
(Since bargaining is not very common in Bhutan, the vendor may not lower the price, but sometimes they’ll offer a small discount.)
India: Bargaining for a Marble Inlay Box: 💲 Vendor’s Price: ₹2,500 💬 Your Target Price: ₹1,500
You: "Bhaiya, yeh kitna hai?" (Brother, how much is this?)
Vendor: "Madam/Sir, this is very special! Hand-carved, real marble. ₹2,500 only!"
You: "Bahut mehenga hai! ₹1,200 dungi." (Too expensive! I will pay ₹1,200.)
Vendor: "No no! This is best quality, very famous work! Okay, ₹2,300 for you."
You: "Mujhe pata hai asli price ₹1,500 hai. Bas itna dungi." (I know the real price is ₹1,500. That's my final offer.)
Vendor: (Pauses, then shakes his head dramatically) "Madam/Sir, ₹2,000 final price. Otherwise, no profit for me!"
Vendor (calls you back): "Okay okay, ₹1,500 last price!"
You win the negotiation! Pay and say: "Shukriya, bhaiya!" (Thank you, brother!)
The Great Battle for a Pashmina Shawl in Nepal
🛍️Item: Luxurious “100% Pashmina” Shawl (which is probably 30% pashmina, 70% polyester) 💲Vendor’s Price: NPR 5,000 💬Your Target Price: NPR 2,000You (entering like a VIP, adjusting sunglasses): "Dai, yo kati ho?" (Brother, how much is this?)
You (entering like a VIP, adjusting sunglasses):
➡"Dai, yo kati ho?" (Brother, how much is this?)
Vendor (dramatically, like he's revealing a treasure chest):
➡"Madam/Sir, this is 100% pure, finest quality pashmina from the Himalayan goats, woven by the most skilled hands in Nepal! Just for you—NPR 5,000!"
You (raising an eyebrow, feeling skeptical):
➡"Five thousand?! Did a Himalayan goat personally knit this for me while meditating on Everest?"
Vendor (without missing a beat):
➡"Madam/Sir, not just any goat—a spiritual goat that only eats the purest mountain herbs! That’s why it’s so soft!"
You (narrowing your eyes, touching the fabric):
➡"Hmmm… it feels nice. But I think this goat also ate a little polyester on the side. I’ll give you NPR 1,500."
Vendor (clutching his heart, gasping in fake horror):
➡"What?! NPR 1,500?! Madam/Sir, you are breaking my heart! This is not bargaining, this is robbery!"
You (dramatically shaking your head, placing hand over heart):
➡"Brother, I, too, have a heart. But my wallet? My wallet is suffering! NPR 2,000—final price. Otherwise, I must walk away… forever."(Dramatically start walking away like a Bollywood hero/heroine in slow motion.)
Vendor (chasing after you, fake-crying like he’s losing his first-born child):
➡"Madam/Sir, okay okay, NPR 2,500! My family will be homeless if I go any lower!"
You (turning back slowly, squinting like Clint Eastwood in a Western standoff):
➡"Brother… NPR 2,000, and I promise to tell all my rich tourist friends to come buy from you."
Vendor (exhales dramatically, shakes his head in ‘defeat’):
➡"Madam/Sir… you are a tough negotiator. Okay, NPR 2,000! But only because I like your face!"
🎉VICTORY! You got the deal. You shake hands, exchange smiles, and walk away with your legendary pashmina… and a great story.
➡You (smirking, whispering to yourself):"That was more dramatic than a Netflix series."
What's the Best Souvenir for You?
Lightweight & packable
Lokta paper journals (Nepal), prayer beads (Bhutan), spices (India)
Bhutanese stamps, Mithila paintings (Nepal), Mughal miniature art (India)
Your trip includes some of the best artisan markets in the world! Each souvenir carries a story and cultural heritage, making them meaningful keepsakes.