Traveling to Nepal can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. With its myriad beautiful views, different cultures, and rich heritage, Nepal welcomes all kinds of travelers from all over the world to visit and enjoy their tour of the country. In this article, we are telling you some of the must-visit places that you should definitely include in your itinerary if you’re planning on visiting Nepal soon.
Top 10 Best Places To Visit While Travelling In Nepal
Traveling in Nepal should be on your bucket list, especially since it’s not just one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, but one that also has an interesting history and culture to match it. Between the Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas, mountain ranges, lakes, and picturesque villages, you’ll find there are plenty of places to visit while traveling in Nepal – here are the 10 of the best places to visit while travelling in Nepal.
1. Kathmandu
This should be at top of your list if you’re traveling in Nepal. It is not only a place to see history but also a good place for shopping, dining and nightlife. The city has something for everyone. You can find all kinds of souvenirs here ranging from traditional arts and crafts to modern gadgets. You can even find some rare items that are hard to find elsewhere in Nepal or abroad. Kathmandu is also famous for its architectural wonders, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Pashupatinath Temple, Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Stupas. If you’re traveling in Nepal during winter season, there are numerous cultural festivals held here throughout December and January.
2. Pokhara
Located on a giant lake, with lakeside views, Panchase is situated at elevation of 1,460m. Panchase is one of most popular places for paragliding and hang gliding. In fact, Pokhara was first place where flying lessons were started by Himalayan Paragliding School. The view from Panchase is stunningly beautiful – big fish-shaped Pokhara Lake surrounded by hills covered with greenery and colorful flowers. It’s also home to many adventure sports activities like rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping etc. There are several hotels near Panchase for accommodation.
3. Lumbini
Just north of India, Lumbini is one of several important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. It is best known as the birthplace of Buddha (Lord Gautama Siddhartha), and marked by a series of large stupas that make up its core archaeological area. The nearby Maya Devi Temple was built to house an ancient tree under which Buddha’s mother gave birth. The temple grounds also include a museum with artifacts from around the site. Because of its religious significance, travelers should be aware that Lumbini closes early in observance of holy days and holidays.
4. Bhaktapur
It is located in Kathmandu Valley, 3 km east of Kathmandu. It was a powerful Newar kingdom until 1769 when Prithvi Narayan Shah became king of Nepal and shifted his capital from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu. After fall of Malla dynasty, under leadership by Shreedhar Sapkota Bhaktapur has become one of tourist destinations situated near Kathmandu. The major attraction of Bhaktapur is its beautiful architecture which resembles medieval towns of Europe with its well-preserved ancient temples, towers and woodwork. The town has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, monuments and outstanding value.
5. Patan(Lalitpur)
Located about 40 kilometers from Kathmandu, Patan is an important historical city and has a number of historic sites. The Ram Mandir and Dattatreyaya Temple are some of these places. The temple houses a 10th-century bronze image of Lord Rama, who is worshipped by Hindus as an incarnation of Vishnu. The Narayan Hundi inside Patan’s temple is said to be one of its kind in South Asia. It was constructed during King Bhupatindra Malla’s reign. This hundi collects money not only from Hindu devotees but also Buddhist pilgrims. It is believed that if you place your hand on the stone slab under which water flows out, all your wishes will come true. The Kumbeshwar Mahadev Temple is another popular place in Patan that attracts many visitors every year. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati.
6. Upper Himalayas And North West Region
The upper Himalayas and North West Region of Nepal is not just about Mount Everest and Gokyo Lakes. However, it is home to some amazing trekking routes such as The Upper Mustang Trek, Muktinath Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Ganesh Man and Around Annapurnas Trek and Langtang Valley trek among others. For those who prefer mountaineering there are plenty of peaks around 6000 meters including Mera Peak (6476m), Island Peak (6189m), Lobuche East (6186m) and Chulu East (6091m). For those looking for a little more chill time after their adventure, Pokhara offers great opportunities for relaxation.
7. Eastern Terai and Lower Hills
If you’re traveling into Nepal from India, you’ll pass through Eastern Terai and Lower Hills. This is home to Kathmandu and Pokhara, and—while it might be tempting to hop on a flight out of there and fly elsewhere—spending some time exploring these places is worthwhile. The region has beautiful landscapes, great trekking opportunities (including Everest Base Camp), and fascinating temples like Swayambhunath (or Monkey Temple) near Kathmandu. It’s also close to Chitwan National Park for wildlife viewing.
8. Western Hill Region
Western Hill is a popular destination for tourists traveling to Nepal, as it offers stunning scenery and easy accessibility. The major attractions include Budhanilkantha Temple, Swayambhunath Temple, Bungamati Village, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and many others. There are also several hotel accommodations available in Western Hill for tourists travelling to Kathmandu. It’s one of those must-visit places when travelling to Nepal.
9. Trek To Everest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp Trek is one of those places you can’t afford to miss when traveling in Nepal. This trek will take you through very diverse climates and topography, from cool dense forests to windy high-altitude plateaus, where each day will bring fresh sensations. It takes about 3 weeks to complete it but it’s worth every minute! It starts at Lukla (2800m) where your guides will help you with your luggage and walk with you up to Phakding (2610m). From there on, its a steep climb up for two days until Namche Bazaar (3440m), which is also called The Village of Gurungs. From here on, things get more interesting as we start our journey towards Everest Base Camp.
10. Cultural, Religious, and Adventure Activities
There’s an abundance of cultural, religious, and adventure activities located throughout Nepal. Often tourists are hesitant to travel to countries with less of a westernized society but traveling in Nepal is safe, exciting, and allows visitors unique experiences not found anywhere else. To make your travel plans more complete, check out these five places that you must visit while traveling in Nepal. With some of the highest mountains in Asia, spectacular natural beauty including its rivers, lakes, and glaciers; Nepal offers something for everyone. This makes it one of my favorite destinations on earth. However, many people have yet to explore it. If you have ever considered visiting Nepal or have been thinking about adding it to your bucket list; now is a great time to do so! I personally recommend visiting during spring or fall when there are fewer crowds but good weather still exists.
