Top 20 rated tourist attractions in Nepal
* Annapurna Circle - The 330 km (205 mi.) long mountain walk from Dumre to Pokhara around the Annapurna massif is famous for both its spectacular scenery and its cultural diversity. Accordingly this classic route is walked relatively often, especially the more simple walk around Annapurna in a clockwise direction. In addition to the two weeks for walking three to five days should be added on for acclimatising and resting. The lowest point is Dumre at 480 m (1574 ft) and the highest point is the Thorong La Pass at 5416 m (17,769 ft).
* Annapurna Sanctuary - The walk to the Annapurna Sanctuary is a classic walk in the middle of the heart of the Annapurna massif. Destination is the Annapurna base camp, a moraine surrounded by 6000m to 8000 m (19,685 ft to 26,246 ft) high peaks. This land is sacred to the Gurungs, the inhabitants of the surrounding area. According to their tradition women and members of lower classes are forbidden to enter this region. Unclean foods such as meat, eggs and garlic are not allowed, neither is slaughtering nor hunting. Naturally the sanctuary, which was only ever visited by shepherds for short periods, was a paradise for animals and plants.
* Bhaktapur - Unlike Kathmandu and Patan which are situated close together, the third of the “Royal Cities”, Bhaktapur (pop. 70,000), lies some 14 km (81/2 mi.) away, “outside the holy hollow of the Valley” on the old trade route to Tibet. For Bhaktapur the trade route was both arterial link and major source of wealth. Its relative remoteness allowed the city to develop independently and in ways which distinguish it from the other two. With farmers - some of the best in the Valley - numbered heavily (60 per cent) among its inhabitants, the city is self-supporting.
* Chitwan National Park - The Chitwan National Park lies south-west of Kathmandu close to the Indian frontier and is included in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites. Protected within the park are remnants of the jungle which once covered the Indian sub-continent from the Indus in Pakistan to the Burmese border. Chitwan is located in the Rapti Valley, largest of the flat “dun” valleys of the inner Tarai separating the Siwalik hills in the south from the mountains of the Mahabharat chain to the north. The northern section of the park takes in the floodplains of the rivers Reu, Rapti and Narayani, a flat region of grassland, swamps and lakes 150 m (500 ft) above sea level. To the south Chitwan extends into the hills of the Siwalik range (600 m (1970 ft)).
* Chobar Gorge - The picturesque Chobar Gorge is spanned by a small suspension bridge, ordered by the Ranas from a manufacturer in Aberdeen (Scotland) in 1903. The bridge had to be transported piecemeal across the mountains from India before being put in place, something of a technical miracle at the time. The rocky cliffs of the gorge are pierced with caves, ideal retreats for meditation. An underground passage is reputed to run from the caves via a subterranean lake to the Adinath Lokeshwar Temple in Chobar. On the south side of the gorge the bank of the Bagmati River has been paved to make ghats, steps used for ritual ablutions and cremation. People also come to the ghats to wash and launder clothes while buffalo bathe near by.
* Daman - The village of Daman lies on the Tribhuvan Highway mid way between Hetauda and Kathmandu. The 2322 m (7620ft)-high ridge affords the most spectacular view in all Nepal of the Himalayan chain with peaks from Dhaulagiri to Sargamatha (Everest) visible through the telescope on the viewing tower.
* Janakpur - Janakpur (pop. 72,000) is situated in the south of the Tarai 22 km (131/2 mi.) from the Indian border. The town is the heartland of the ancient Maithili culture which gave birth to its own language and script. Janakpur is also a popular pilgrim center; it was here that Sita (also known as Janaki), the heroine of the Ramayana, was born and where Rama was married.
* Kathmandu - At the crossroads of the great civilizations of Asia, seven groups of Hindu and Buddhist monuments, as well as the three residential and palace areas of the royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, illustrate Nepalese art at its height. Among the 130 monuments are pilgrimage centres, temples, shrines, bathing sites and gardens – all sites of veneration for both religious groups.
* Langtang National Park Trek - On a clear day Langtang Lirung (7245 m (23,769 ft)) is visible from Kathmandu. It dominates the surrounding area of the same name which stretches from the north of the Helambu to the Tibetan border. The one-week walk through the Langtang National Park leads to the glacier at the foot of the mountain, then to near the base camp and back. On the way there are good views of the Ganesh Himal chain. The countryside is quite thinly populated but it is possible to spend the night in village guest houses. From the lowest point in Trisuli Bazar at 541 m (1775 ft) to the Kyanjin gompa at 3800 m (12,467 ft) the walk cuts through various climatic zones.
* Lumbini - Lumbini, a town in the Tarai about 22 km (131/2 mi.) west of Bhairawa, is famous as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama the historic Buddha, known as Buddha Shakyamuni. Situated well off the tourist track, almost 250 km (155 mi.) from Kathmandu, Lumbini is a worthwhile detour from the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park. In this pilgrimage town there is no tourist hustle and bustle - it is visited mainly by Buddhist pilgrims from Japan, Thailand and Tibet retracing Buddha’s footsteps through the stations of his life. Lumbini is remarkable only for its tranquility, undisturbed by major celebrations and largely devoid of sights. Only a few relics from the excavation site remain to bear witness to the importance of the town and these have come within the framework of the Lumbini Development Project. Lumbini has been nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO list of world cultural sites. Archaeologists hope for major discoveries both here and at Tilaurikot (27 km (17 mi.) west), once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kapilvastu. At the present time excavation work is under way.
* Mount Everest Trekking Route - The route first leads through the mountainous countryside of Solu before reaching the higher Khumbu region. Unlike in the Annapurna region it does not follow river valleys but runs vertically. As it is constantly up and down the walk to the base camp actually covers a climb of 9000 m (29,527 ft), so to speak, the total height of Everest above sea level. The route goes through regions with sharply contrasting topography and climates, from the hot Tarai to the glaciers of Khumbu. In between are the Siwalik Hills and the Mahabharat chain with the valley of the Sun Kosi. The walk continues through the Sagarmatha National Park.
* Muktinath - A renowned pilgrim site, Muktinath is located in the heart of the Himalayas in the northern region of Mustang. Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike its shrines are perched on a mountain ridge 3700 m (12,143 ft) and 3980 m (13,062 ft) above sea level. In Hindu tradition Muktinath is known as Muktichhetra (”Place of Salvation”). Here Brahma lit fire upon water and reconciled the contradictory elements thereby. An eternal flame still burns, reputedly sustained by nothing more than water, stone and earth. Muktinath became hallowed ground for Buddhists when Guru Rinpoche, passing through on his journey to Tibet, left a footprint in the rock. The 84 siddhas dropped their wooden staffs, which grew into a poplar grove, a miracle in an otherwise treeless land.
* Muktinath Route - The Muktinath route mainly follows the valley of the Kali Gandaki, which makes its way from the dry rain shadow area of Annapurna to the sub-tropical jungle. The valley of the Kali Gandaki is the deepest in the world, on the western side Dhaulagiri (8167 m (26,794 ft)), on the eastern side Annapurna (8091 m (26,545 ft)) both only 30 kilometres apart. The river has carved itself several thousand metres deep into the mountains. An ancient trading route follows the Kali Gandaki to Tibet. However after the Chinese invasion relations came to a standstill. The flourishing trade has been replaced by tourism. Guest houses and restaurants are extremely comfortable. Tourists, with their expensive equipment, bare footed sadhus and pilgrims on their way to Muktinath all mingle side by side.
* Mustang Trekking Route - The route to Lo Manthang is the continuation of the walk to Muktinath and can easily be combined with it. The small principality of Mustang is an enclave of Tibetan culture which until recently had only been entered by a small number of foreigners. Among them were the Englishman David Snellgrove and the Frenchman Michel Peissel. At the beginning of 1992 the region was opened up to tourism with only groups being legally allowed to enter. Mustang is interesting for its own individual culture and its local breeds of horses and dogs. Not too much interest should be shown in these giant dogs as they fulfil their duty as guard dogs with a passion one would do better not to experience.
* Narayanthan - Budha Nilkantha - This delightful small town (pop. 23,000) near Banepa remains relatively untouched by the changes taking place elsewhere in the Banepa Valley. Large and prestigious temples are the only reminders of past glories when Panauti enjoyed a prime position on two trade routes and even boasted a palace. Situated at the confluence of the Rivers Rosi and Punyamati, the town occupies a sacred site. A third river, called Lilamati, visible only to the wise, is said to flow into the others from the Gorakhnath Shrine on the hill above the town.
* Panauti - This delightful small town (pop. 23,000) near Banepa remains relatively untouched by the changes taking place elsewhere in the Banepa Valley. Large and prestigious temples are the only reminders of past glories when Panauti enjoyed a prime position on two trade routes and even boasted a palace. Situated at the confluence of the Rivers Rosi and Punyamati, the town occupies a sacred site. A third river, called Lilamati, visible only to the wise, is said to flow into the others from the Gorakhnath Shrine on the hill above the town.
* Patan / Lalitpur - Patan is one of the major cities of Nepal. The official name of the municipality is Lalitpur and it lies in the district with the same name (inside Kathmandu valley). Patan is often considered to be the oldest and most beautiful among the three royal cities (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur) in the Kathmandu Valley. It is best known for its finest tradition of arts and crafts and its rich cultural heritage.
* Phewa Valley - Although Pokhara is commercialized and at times suffers from a surfeit of tourists, it actually has a great deal of charm. The delightful Phewa Valley is one of its principal attractions. In the mornings a veil of mist floats over the lake, behind which the mountains form a magnificent backcloth. The water of the lake is only 19 m (62 ft) deep and is very dirty. An invigorating swim is only possible in the middle of the lake or from the opposite bank. Rowing boats can be hired but any breeze is usually too light for sailing or windsurfing. Boats go to the Vahari Temple on Lake Phewa’s small island. On Saturdays in particular - Saturday being an auspicious day for sacrifices - boatloads of folk clutching billy-goats and cockerels are ferried across the channel between the island and the shore.
* Pokhara - Pokhara, situated at the base of foothills 200 km (125 mi.) west of Kathmandu, represents for many trekkers the gateway to the Himalayas. It is the starting point for treks to Jomsom and the Annapurna group. With more than 146,000 inhabitants Pokhara is the third largest town in Nepal after Kathmandu and Biratnagar. People coming from the Kathmandu Valley notice the much cleaner air and pleasant climate. Lake Phewa, with its cluster of lakeside hotels, restaurants and shops, is ideal for seekers after relaxation and for day excursions. Pokhara consists of many different parts and lacks cohesion: airport, bazaar, Lakeside, Pardi, as well as the shopping centers of Mahendra Pul and Chipledhunga are far away from each other, also the long connection road is difficult to reconnoiter on foot. Happily there are now taxis with meters, whereas previously very high taxi fares were charged. However, for the visitor with sufficient time, it is better to hire a bicycle.
* Tansen - Tansen (pop. 14,000) lies 1400 m (4595 ft) above sea level on the south side of the Mahabharat range, just off the Siddharta Highway from Pokhara to the Indian frontier (Bhairawa). The combination of a pleasant climate, mountains and escape from the tourist throng make Tansen and its surroundings a delightful area for trekking. The town is a good base for shorter treks such as the route from Pokhara to Tansen via Dhorpatan or along the Kali Gandaki from Beni.
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