KATHMANDU, NEPAL – Silence is not something you will often encounter in the bustling streets of Kathmandu, especially if you are staying near the tourist centre of Thamel. Whether it be early morning, evening, or late at night, there are many sounds of the city’s life. From the voices of people, to the sounds of animals, vehicles, and music, the soundscape of Kathmandu always has something to catch your ear.

If you will soon be traveling to Nepal, here are six sounds you can prepare yourself to hear:

Although you will hear every shopkeeper call out to you with the common Nepali greeting of, “Namaste!,” or “Namaskar!,” you might be surprised to learn that Nepal has more than 120 local languages, and that the common language of Nepali is mother tongue to less than half the population. As you travel through neighbourhoods and communities in Nepal, enjoy listening to the local languages of the many ethnic groups who reside across the country.

I hope you like the flute, because you are going to hear a lot of flute music in Kathmandu. As a traditional instrument of Nepal, you can hear and buy many different songs and albums played on flute in shops across the tourist areas. You may also be accosted by enthusiastic flute hawkers, playing tunes and selling wooden flutes on the street. Even monks often learn to play the flute, as I learned during a stay at Kopan Monastery, and as they say, practice makes perfect. And the monks practice a lot.

Motorcycles will be found zipping down every street of Kathmandu, including a few that have no-vehicle rules. Owning a car is a very pricey affair in Nepal, with the government levying a more than 200% import tax on every vehicle brought into the country. And with a less than reliable public transit system, motorcycles remain the primary method of transport for many Nepali families. It’s not uncommon to see a dad, mom, and two kids perched on the back of a bike as they zip through traffic and go about their day.

This is when the ear plugs come in, because once the sun goes down, the dogs of Kathmandu start to howl. There are thousands of street dogs in Kathmandu, and dogs hold a special place in Nepali culture, being the guardians of Naraka, the Hindu version of Hell. Dogs are also celebrated during the festival of Tihar, where the second day of the festival is given over to celebrating and honouring dogs and their special relationship with humans. Although they may be revered, and friendly companions in the streets, be ready to hear dogs howling, fighting, and making sweet doggy love all night when you’re in Kathmandu.

If you are near a temple or monastery, of which there are many in Kathmandu, you are likely to hear chanting and prayers throughout the day. From formal pujas, to the prayers murmured by locals at their morning visits to temple, to the daily recitations of mantras by Buddhists, and those circumambulating at stupas like Swayambunath and Boudhanath, the beautiful and rhythmic prayers you will hear might stir something deep in your soul.

There are more than fifty festivals celebrated annually in Nepal. One of the coolest things about spending time here is being present for the many Buddhist, Hindi, and national celebrations, where the community comes together to honour their religions and traditions. It’s not hard to find a festival in Nepal; when I first arrived in Kathmandu it happened to be Nepali New Year. (Side note: did you know that Nepal has its own calendar and that it is now the year 2075?) The following week I was able to join in the celebrations for Ihi, a Newari celebration where young girls are wed to a wood apple to ensure they become and remain fertile. Celebrations are many, and if you’re game, locals will often invite you to join in the fun.