Tourism Destinations in Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley, the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first stop for the majority of visitors to the country. Once a separate kingdom in itself, it contains three fabled cities - Kathmandu (local name: Yen, population 5,50,000); Patan (Yala, population 1,60,000); and Bhaktapur (Khopa, population 75,000); There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Valley. The history of the Valley begins with the Buddhist saint Manjushree who slashed a passage through the surrounding hills to drain out the primordial waters and make it inhabitable. Over the centuries, a refined urban civilization emerged, built on a unique synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism. Dynasties came and went. Trade and the arts flourished. Its deeply religious Newar inhabitants built fabulous cities and the artistic temples that attracted devout pilgrims as well as rampaging invaders. In the late 18th century, following the founding of modern Nepal within more or less the present boundaries, Kathmandu was made the capital.

Places to see in Kathmandu

• Pashupatinath Temple
• Bouddhanath & Swayambhu Stupa
• Changu Narayan Temple
• Balaju Garden (also known as Balaju Baisdhara)
• Budhanilkantha Mandir
• Kirtipur (Historical City)
• Dakshinkali & Chobhar
• Basantapur Durbar Square

Places to see in Lalitpur (Patan)

• Patan Durbar Square
• Iba Bahi
• Kwa Bahal & Oku Bahal
• Mahabouddha
• The Central Zoo
• Tibetan Refugee Camp
• Banglamukhi Temple

Places to see in Bhaktapur

• Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Potter's Square
• Taumadhi & Dattatreya Square
• Siddha Pukhu
• Surya Binayak Temple

Nagarkot (Hill Station)

Nagarkot is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. It is situated 32 Kilometers east of Kathmandu at an elevation of 7200ft. above sea level. From here you can see the breathtaking panoramic view of the major peaks of eastern Nepal. Himalayan peaks like Manaslu (8463 mtr.), Ganesh (7111 mtr.), Langtang (7246 mtr), Gaurishankar 7134 mtr.) are also clearly seen from Nagarkot. Nagarkot stands at Sunrise & Sunset.

 

Pokhara

If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley (altitude 827m), it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The atmosphere on the shores of Phewa Lake is one of excited vitality as hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and restaurants exchanging recommendations on guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake and above the clouds.

Pokhara (Population 95,000) is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a much more tropical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the beautiful diversity of flowers which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is the home to thick forests, gushing rivers, emerald lakes and of course, the world famous views of the Himalayas.

Pokhara is apart of a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, Bringing goods to trade from remote regions of Himalayas. This is the land of the Magar and Gurung, hard-working farmers and valorous warriors who have earned worldwide fame as Gurkha soldiers. The Thakalis, another important ethnic group here, are known for their entrepreneurship.

Places to see in Pokhara

• Mountain Views
• Phewa, Begnas & Rupa Lakes
• Barahi Temple
• World Peace Pagoda
• Seti Gandaki & Mahendra Gupha
• The Old Bazar
• Bindhyabasini Temple
• Pokhara Museum, Annapurna Museum & Natural History Museum

Adventure Sports in Pokhara

• Boating & Paragliding
• Pony treks

 

Chitwan National Park

One of the most prestigious and well managed park in Asia, The Chitwan National Park covers an area of 976 sq.km. with plans to extend the area in the future. The park's climate is multi-faceted including subtropical forest, swamps, and grassland savanas which including the tiger, Great one horned rhinoceros, scaly ant eater, etc. as well as several other species of reptiles, amphibians, insects and butterflies. View from the north side of the parks are astounding with the snow capped mountains of the Himalayan Range as a back drop to the setting of the camp. Some of the peaks that can be seen on a clear day include: Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and Himalchuli.

 

Janakpur

Janakapur is one of the fourteen zones of Nepal. It has six districts. Dhanusha, Mahottary, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Ramechhap ;and Dolkha. Dhanushadham from which this district takes its name is the holy and famous place where a piece of the massive bow broken by Lord Shri Ram in the Treta Yug (Silver Age). The town of janakapur lies in Dhanusha and is the biggest town in the district and the fifth biggest town in Nepal. Janakpur is a great Hindu religious place. It is famous as the birth place of Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. There is an artistic marble temple of Sita (Janaki), Popularly known as Naulakha Mandir, Religious festivals, Pilgrime, trade fairs and other festivities are held here on Bivaha Panchami and Ram Navami. Janakpur is also linked with Kathmandu by air (30 minutes) and road (8 to 10 hrs). It is bounded by Jaleswor, Sitamahi of India on the South-west, Jaynager of India in the south-east, Dhanushadam is to the north-east and Malangwa in the west. Girijadham is to the south, janakpur is said to contain 52 temples (hermitages) and 72 ponds.

Janakpur is rightly called a town of temples and hermitages where devotees of Ram and Sita make obeisance. Some temple & ponds are known by Historical name which places also have to be seen.

Places to see in Janakpur

• Janaki Temple
• The temple of Lord Shri Ram, Janak, Laxman, Dasarath, Rajdevi, Sankat Mochan, Mauni Baba, Shiva temples
• Shri Ramanand Ashram
• Hanumat Durbar
• RangBhumi Maidan
• The Marriage Canopy
• Gyankup
• Ganga, Ratan & Maharaj Sagar
• Agnikund, Biharkund, Sitakund
• Dugdhamati river
• Mani Mandap