Places to see in Nepal
Nepal draws visitors who come for a variety of reasons. Some are lured by the decision of the mountains and seeking to climb or trek within the Himalayas, others are intrigued by the culture and therefore the famous city of Kathmandu, and yet others come hoping to seek out some kind of spiritual awakening. Nepal are often an adrenaline adventure, a cultural eye opener, or a life-changing experience, counting on the itinerary and mindset of the traveler.
Most visitors will spend a while in Kathmandu visiting sacred and historic attractions, then head out into other parts of the country. Some of the foremost popular locations outside of the capital are Chitwan park for wildlife viewing, and therefore the lakeside town of Pokhara, a well-liked area for starting treks. Trekkers will find a spread of options, with the foremost popular areas being the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions.
In 2015, a serious earthquake struck Nepal, causing severe damage in Kathmandu and other areas of the country. Travelers should check on local conditions before visiting.
Places to see in Nepal – Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city within the world. The decaying buildings within the heart of the town are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets.
For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one among three rival royal cities, along side Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to every other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the most important of the palace squares within 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 within the 2015 earthquake, with many buildings destroyed beyond repair.
Places to see in Nepal – Bhaktapur
Its relative remoteness at the time allowed the town to develop independently and in ways which distinguish it from the opposite two cities. The best place from which to start a tour of the town is Durbar Square, where additionally to the royal palace, several temples also are situated. The whole area may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many of the buildings in Durbar Square in Bhaktapur were damaged within the 2015 earthquake.
Places to see in Nepal – The Bodhanath Stupa
The Bodhanath Stupa, outside of Kathmandu, is one of the most important stupas of its kind within the world, and dates to sometime round the 6th century, possibly even earlier. Like Bhaktapur, it lies on the old trade route to Tibet and may be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa sustained minor damage during the 2015 earthquake but is otherwise in fitness .
The stupa itself may be a symbol of enlightenment but at Boudhanath the symbolism is especially clear. Each different shape represents one among the five elements, earth, water, fire, air, and sphere, which also are the attributes of the five Buddhas. Brought together within the sort of the stupa, their unity reflects in abstract fashion the structure of the universe itself.
Places to see in Nepal – Pokhara
Pokhara, at the bottom of the foothills, is 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and surrounded by a number of the very best mountains within the world – Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. For many trekkers, Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas. It is the start line for treks to Jomsom and therefore the Annapurna region. But visitors will enjoy Pokhara and therefore the beautiful scenery albeit they’re not planning on avoiding on a hike.
By population, it’s the second largest town in Nepal after Kathmandu but still doesn’t desire an enormous city. People coming from the Kathmandu Valley notice the much cleaner air and pleasant climate soon . Lake Phewa, with its cluster of lakeside hotels, restaurants, and shops, is right for those trying to find relaxation and for day excursions.
Places to see in Nepal – The Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Region is one among the foremost popular trekking regions in Nepal, with trekking options of a couple of days to a couple of weeks. There are three main routes within the Annapurna Region, which intersect and mix in places, but trekkers can prefer to do some or a variation on the routes. The Annapurna Circuit around Annapurna Mountain takes about 21 days to finish and is incredibly fashionable people that have enough time. This route is usually called the “Apple Pie Circuit,” in regard to the very fact that the majority of the teahouses along the route serve their own version of fried pie . The Annapurna Sanctuary nestles between the peaks of Annapurna and takes five days to succeed in . Muktinath is on the thanks to Annapurna but has since become a destination in its title . The Muktinath route runs within the Kali Gandaki Valley on the east flank of Annapurna and takes seven days. North of Muktinath is Mustang, alittle region that was only opened to tourists in 1992. This area is unspoilt and has its own fascinating culture.
In many regards, the Annapurna Region, north of Pokhara, is a perfect walking area. The people and cultures also are very different: facial characteristics, houses, lifestyles, customs, and religion. The Annapurna region was declared a protected area in 1986. The region features a good infrastructure to support the various trekkers that come through this area. The paths are well maintained, and food and lodging are guaranteed.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan park is that the place to return to experience a special side of Nepal, aside from the hiking and therefore the intrigue of Kathmandu. At an altitude of only 100 meters in some areas, much less than Kathmandu at 1400 meters, this area features a tropical monsoon climate, usually quite different than what most people expect to find in Nepal. Visitors come here primarily to see wildlife. Freshwater dolphins (gangetic) and crocodiles inhabit the rivers and streams but are rarely seen.
Chitwan lies southwest of Kathmandu on the brink of the Indian frontier and is included within the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites. The best time to go to Chitwan is from October to February. Average temperatures hover about 25°C (77°F), with high humidity, although the mornings are often quite cool. June to September is that the monsoon season, with frequent and heavy rain.
The Langtang Region
The Langtang Region, is home to Langtang park and a fantastic place for hiking, with some passes, extensive views, old monasteries, and delightful mountain scenery with rhododendron forests that bloom during the spring hiking season. It is less developed than a number of the opposite popular trekking areas in Nepal and usually less busy on the paths , despite its close proximity to Kathmandu.
This area are often reached easily from Kathmandu by jeep in seven to eight hours, making it extremely convenient, with no flights required. On a transparent day, the height of Langtang Lirung (7,245 meters), which dominates the encompassing area of an equivalent name, is visible from Kathmandu. Some trekkers combine Helambu and Langtang for a extended trek.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Set on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is that the second most vital shrine within the Kathmandu Valley after Boudhanath. Due to the resident monkeys that inhabit parts of the temple, it’s more affectionately referred to as the Monkey Temple. Swayambhu plays a serious part within the lives of the Vajrayana Buddhists of Northern Nepal and Tibet, but especially of the Newari Buddhists of the Kathmandu Valley.
The 2015 earthquake caused some damage to the Swayambhunath temple complex.
The summit of Mount Everest,
The summit of Everest , the very best mountain on earth, reaches 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) high. Trekking within the Everest area became popular following the now legendary first ascent of the height in 1953 by Hillary from New Zealand and therefore the Sherpa Tensing Norgay. Since that point , more have summited the mountain, but much more trek the route to Everest Base Camp simply for a glimpse of the height far above. In recent years the mountain has seen its justifiable share of tragedy and drama. The 2015 earthquake and former avalanches, along side disputes between climbers on the mountain, have left their mark on Everest trekking and climbing.
There are various routes to access base camp and a number of other options for organizing a visit . It’s also possible to rent a personal guide or porter and roll in the hay yourself, however all trekkers are technically required to possess a guide.
For those not looking to trek to Everest but still eager to see the mountain, it’s possible to ascertain it on clear days from Capitol Hill town of Nagarkot near Kathmandu. Hotel staff will play guests’ doors on clear mornings if Everest is visible. This could be the lazy traveler’s best chance of seeing the world’s highest peak.
Lumbini
Lumbini is legendary for being the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the historic Buddha, referred to as Buddha Shakyamuni. Situated off the most tourist track, almost 250 kilometers from Kathmandu, Lumbini may be a worthwhile detour on the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan park . In this pilgrimage town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s a sense of tranquility. Most of the visitors are Buddhist pilgrims from around the world, retracing Buddha’s footsteps through the stations of his life. The Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to Buddha’s mother, is believed to be the spot where Buddha was born. It contains an ancient stone relief from the 2nd century AD depicting Buddha’s birth.
The Helambu region
The Helambu region may be a popular trekking area, particularly with trekking companies offering guided hikes. This is largely because it’s on the brink of Kathmandu, doesn’t reach astoundingly high elevations, and offers some beautiful mountain scenery. For many of those same reasons, it’s often touted by tour groups as being easy. However, many hikers who come here on tours find it’s more demanding than they feel they were led to believe and harder than they anticipate. Trekking within the Himalayas is usually demanding, and although it’s not as high as other treks, it’s still a physically demanding hike and trekkers should be in good physical condition. With that in mind, this is often a gorgeous trek and well well worth the effort.
The Helambu region is inhabited by the Sherpas and situated within the upper a part of the Malechmi Khola valley. The Helambu Trek are often started in Kathmandu and completed in five to eight days. The typical seven-day itinerary is circular, with the primary day’s section being repeated at the top of the walk. Accommodation are often found in lodges and village guest houses.
