Nepal has a lot to offer to travelers, hikers, and nature seekers. Nepal, it is often said, is a utopia of natural beauty. The marvelous scenic beauty of Himalayas in the northern part of Nepal is not only remarkable but offers a lifetime experience to patrons.
From adrenaline-filled activities like mountaineering, kayaking and paragliding to serene strolls among medieval temples and hidden palaces, this country offers more memorable travel experiences than can be squeezed into a single visit. An overview of the best places to visit in Nepal.
1. Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.
For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to each other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here.
Kathmandu's Durbar Square was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake, with many buildings destroyed beyond repair.
2. Lumbini
The Buddhist Pilgrimage site, Lumbini where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautam in 563 BCE lies in the Rupandehi district of Province no. 5. Siddhartha Gautam who later on went to be known as Lord Buddha after his enlightenment founded Buddhism. Lumbini which covers an area of 1.95 ha has a number of temples including the Mayadevi Temple. This beautiful and peaceful birthplace of Lord Buddha was made a World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1997.
Many Hindus come here for pilgrimage on the full-moon of Baisakh as per the Nepali calendar to worship Queen Mayadevi as Rupa Devi as the Hindus believe Lord Buddha as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
3. Pokhara
Kathmandu may be the capital but Pokhara is the heart of Nepal. The largest city of Nepal which covers an area of 464.24 km . Sq. Is the provincial capital of province no. 4. The major economic background of this place is tourism. In fact, we all know Pokhara for tourism activities.
Pokhara which lies in the headquarter of Gandaki zone and Kaski district is one of the major tourist destinations of Nepal. From the deep beautiful lake to the high glorious mountains, everything is here in Pokhara. The Phewa tal, world peace pagoda, Annapurna range, Mount Machhapuchre, Sarangkot are some of the major tourist attracting destinations of this place. Apart from that Pokhara is also famous for many adventure activities like rafting, Bungee jumping, zip line, Paragliding, Para hawking and many more. Pokhara receives thousands and thousands of tourists every year. The Barahi temple is the most important monument in Pokhara, built almost in the center of Phewa Lake. Phewa Lake is the second largest lake in the Kingdom, the center of all attraction in Pokhara. Devi’s Fall is locally known as the Patale Chhango (Hell’s Fall). Devi’s Fall (also known as Devin’s and David’s) is a lovely waterfall lying about two km southwest of the Pokhara airport on the Siddhartha Highway.
4. Rara National Park
Rara National Park is a protected area in the Himalayas of Nepal and was established in 1976. Covering an area of 106 km2 (41 sq mi) in the Mugu and Jumla districts, it is the country's smallest national park. Its main feature is Rara Lake at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft).[1] The park was established to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Humla–Jumla Region of Nepal. Rara taal is the biggest lake situated within the borders of Nepal.
Rara National Park is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and protected with the assistance of the Nepal Army.
5. Everest Base Camp
Everest base camp is the most thrilling, exciting, and challenging trek for the trekking lovers. It is an enthralling world class journey in the high Himalayas that leads you to the base camp of the highest peak on earth. Situated in Khumbu region, Nepal it is a beautiful heaven in itself.Everest Base Camp is the gateway for all the climbers that attempt to climb the highest summit.it is the most famous trekking location that holds a long history of pride, glory and tragedy too.
Everest Base Camp trekking gives an enthralling life time experience. It will lead to the best view points on earth like Kala Patthar (5555 m). Along with that will also be able to witness the unbelievable and magnificent view of Mt. Everest and other nearby mountains. Everest Base camp trek will give a life time experience of the pictorial Khumbu valley.
6. Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek)
Annapurna Base Camp is one of the best legendary and classical treks in the world offering the chances to observe and explore the typical Nepali village, and traditional way of life. The Annapurna Base Camp route goes passing through spectacular and tranquil landscapes, charming Gurung and Magar villages, lush green Rhododendron, bamboo and alpine forests to the trip’s last and final destination, Annapurna Base Camp at the height of 4130m
Annapurna Base Camp serves as a gateway to one of the world's most dangerous peak, Annapurna I, which has 38 percent fatality-to-summit ratio.
7. Shey Phoksundo National Park
The Shey Phoksundo National Park is the largest and only trans-Himalayan national park in Nepal. It was established in 1984 and covers an area of 3,555 km2 (1,373 sq mi) in the districts of Dolpa and Mugu in the Mid-Western Region, Nepal.
Shey Phoksundo National Park provides a diversity of spectacular landscapes and ranks among the most scenic mountain parks in the world. Much of the park lies north of the Himalayan crest.The Langu river drains the high Dolpo plateau located in the north-east of the park. The Suligad and Jugdual rivers form the southern catchment flowing south into the Thuli Bheri river.
8. Tilicho Lake
Tilicho Lake is a lake located in the Manang district of Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 4,919 metres in the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. Anyone attempting to do the Annapurna Circuit route usually cross these watersheds between Manang and Kali Gandaki valleys above the 5,000 meters high Thorong La pass. Various lodges have been built between Manang and the Lake, but there aren’t any accommodation sites or even teahouses past the Tilicho Base Camp lodge.
Tilicho Lake and the trek as a whole is a very revitalizing experience, yet a very demanding and an extremely adventurous terrain, not meant for everyone, only the adventure junkies so-to-say. Tilicho Lake is the destination of one of the most popular side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek. The hike takes additional 3–4 days. No camping is required, as new lodges have been built between Manang and the lake. The final approach to the lake is done in a day hike from the lodge at Tilicho Base Camp.
9. Upper Mustang Trek
The Upper Mustang can also be called a peek into the hidden world of Buddhist kingdom of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be a part of the Tibetan empire, and is therefore very closely related to Tibet; not only the culture, also the landscape is very much related to Tibet. Surrounded by rocks in all kinds of colors and bizarre formations, Mustang is mostly a barren landscape where the villages with their bright colored fields are like Oasis in the deserts. Mustang lies in the shadow of the Dhaulagiri region and is a complete desolate landscape. The culture of the people living there is one of the major attractions for tourists and visitors alike.
The upper Mustang is the homeland of the Thakali, who speak the Thakali language, and whose culture combines Tibetan and Nepalese elements. Life in Mustang revolves around tourism, animal husbandry and trade.
10. Khaptad National Park
Khaptad National Park is a protected area in the Far-Western Region of Nepal which was established in 1984 on the advice of the region’s holy man Khaptad Baba. The Park stretches over four districts of Bajhang, Bajura, Accham and Doti and covers an area of 225 square km. The landscape consists of steep slopes, streams and moorland. It is considered to be one of the best scenic landscapes Nepal has to offer, with various landscapes and species of birds and animals along with different kinds of vegetation it surely is a place where almost none of the beauty has been rearranged by human hands. Certainly a place where one can experience the true essence of tranquility and peace.
11. Panch Pokhari
Panch Pokhari is a group of 5 Hindu holy lakes in the Sindhupal chowk District of Nepal. It is 9th highest altitude wetland in the world.
Panch Pokhari is Nepali for ‘five lakes’ at the base of Jungal Himal, which are considered to be holy and of religious importance. The trek to Panch Pokhari is a 12 days trek to these five holy lakes through untouched traditional villages in the presence of spectacular Himalayan landscapes. The trek offers pristine mountain views, rich culture and genuine adventure combined with unsurpassed scenic beauty and biological diversity as you make your way to a group of high altitude lakes, sacred to both Buddhist and Hindu people.
12. Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. It was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 952.63 km2 and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal in the districts of Nawalparasi, Parsa, Chitwan and Makwanpur. In altitude it ranges from about 100 m in the river valleys to 815 m in the Churia Hills.
It is certainly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal, with several lodges and hotels providing full accommodations inside the park along with elephant-jeep-safaris, rafting tours and guided jungle walks. The park is a sheer example of wildlife exploration and all the different kinds of birds and vegetation that provide importance to its existence.
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