Nepal draws visitors who come for a variety of reasons. Some are
lured by the call of the mountains and seeking to climb or trek in the
Himalayas, others are intrigued by the culture and the famous city of
Kathmandu, and yet others come hoping to find some sort of spiritual awakening.
Nepal can be an adrenaline adventure, a cultural eye opener, or a life-changing
experience, depending on the itinerary and mindset of the traveler.
Most visitors will spend some time in Kathmandu visiting sacred
and historic attractions, and then head out into other parts of the country.
Some of the most popular locations outside of the capital are Chitwan National
Park for wildlife viewing, and the lakeside town of Pokhara, a popular area for
starting treks. Trekkers will find a variety of options, with the most popular
areas being the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions.
In 2015, a major earthquake struck Nepal, causing severe damage
in Kathmandu and other areas of the country. Travelers should check on local
conditions before visiting.
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 Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, the third
of the "Royal Cities," lies on the old trade route to Tibet, just
outside of Kathmandu. For Bhaktapur, the trade route was both an arterial link
and major source of wealth. Its relative remoteness at the time allowed the city
to develop independently and in ways which distinguish it from the other two
cities. In contrast to Patan and Kathmandu, the population of Bhaktapur is
primarily Hindu. The best place from which to begin a tour of the city is
Durbar Square, where in addition to the royal palace, several temples are also
situated. The whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many of the buildings
in Durbar Square in Bhaktapur were damaged in the 2015 earthquake.
3 Boudhanath
Stupa (Bodhnath)
The Bodhanath Stupa,
just outside of Kathmandu, is one of the largest stupas of its kind in the
world, and dates to sometime around the 6th century, possibly even earlier.
Like Bhaktapur, it lies on the old trade route to Tibet and is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The stupa sustained minor damage during the 2015 earthquake but
is otherwise in good condition.
The stupa itself is a
symbol of enlightenment but at Boudhanath the symbolism is particularly clear.
Each different shape represents one of the five elements, earth, water, fire,
air, and sphere, which are also the attributes of the five Buddhas. Brought
together in the form of the stupa, their unity reflects in abstract fashion the
structure of the universe itself.
4 Pokhara
Pokhara, at the base
of the foothills, is 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and surrounded by some of
the highest mountains in the world - Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna I. For
many trekkers, Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas. It is the starting
point for treks to Jomsom and the Annapurna region. But visitors will enjoy
Pokhara and the beautiful scenery even if they are not planning on heading off
on a hike.
By population, it is
the second largest town in Nepal after Kathmandu but still does not feel like a
big city. People coming from the Kathmandu Valley notice the much cleaner air
and pleasant climate almost immediately. Lake Phewa, with its cluster of
lakeside hotels, restaurants, and shops, is ideal for those looking for
relaxation and for day excursions. PRINT MAPEMBED < >
5 Trekking in the
Annapurna Region
The Annapurna Region
is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal, with trekking options of
a few days to a few weeks. There are three main routes in the Annapurna Region,
which intersect and combine in places, but trekkers can opt to do a portion or
a variation on the routes. The Annapurna Circuit around Annapurna Mountain
takes about 21 days to complete and is incredibly popular with people who have
enough time. This route is sometimes called the "Apple Pie Circuit,"
in reference to the fact that most of the teahouses along the route serve their
own version of fried apple pie. The Annapurna Sanctuary nestles between the
peaks of Annapurna and takes five days to reach. Muktinath is on the way to
Annapurna but has since become a destination in its own right. The Muktinath
route runs in the Kali Gandaki Valley on the east flank of Annapurna and takes
seven days. North of Muktinath is Mustang, a small region that was only opened
up to tourists in 1992. This area is unspoilt and has its own fascinating culture.
In many regards, the
Annapurna Region, north of Pokhara, is an ideal walking area. The dramatic
contrasts of the Nepalese countryside are especially visible, from the
subtropical vegetation of the Pokhara Valley to the dry rain shadow area, with
features of the Tibetan plateau. The people and cultures are also very
different: facial characteristics, houses, lifestyles, customs, and religion.
The Annapurna region was declared a protected area in 1986. The region has a
good infrastructure to support the many trekkers that come through this area.
The paths are well maintained, and food and lodging are guaranteed.
6 Chitwan
National Park
Chitwan National Park
is the place to come to experience a different side of Nepal, apart from the
hiking and the intrigue of Kathmandu. This is the place for wildlife viewing
and a safari-type atmosphere. At an altitude of only 100 meters in some areas,
much lower than Kathmandu at 1400 meters, this area has a tropical monsoon
climate, usually quite different than what most people expect to find in Nepal.
Visitors come here primarily to see wildlife. Tours from the lodges take
visitors out into the park, either on foot, or more often, on elephants for
close-up views of the animals. The park is home to rhinos, Bengal tigers,
leopards, sloth bears, gaur (buffalo) deer, and many other critters. Freshwater
dolphins (gangetic) and crocodiles inhabit the rivers and streams but are
rarely seen. More than 500 species of birds make Chitwan a paradise for
ornithologists.
Chitwan lies southwest
of Kathmandu close to the Indian frontier and is included in the UNESCO list of
world cultural heritage sites. The best time to visit Chitwan is from October
to February. Average temperatures hover about 25°C (77°F), with high humidity,
although the mornings can be quite cool. June to September is the monsoon
season, with frequent and heavy rain.
7 Trekking in the
Langtang Region:
The Langtang Region,
home to Langtang National Park, is an incredible area for hiking, with some
high passes, extensive views, old monasteries, and beautiful mountain scenery
with rhododendron forests that bloom during the spring hiking season. It is
less developed than some of the other popular trekking areas in Nepal and
generally less busy on the trails, despite its close proximity to Kathmandu.
There are villages with guesthouses and food all along the route, although
somewhat more spread out than in other trekking regions.
This area can be
reached easily from Kathmandu by jeep in seven to eight hours, making it
extremely convenient, with no flights required. On a clear day, the peak of
Langtang Lirung (7,245 meters), which dominates the surrounding area of the
same name, is visible from Kathmandu. Trekking lengths and duration range from
a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the routing. Some trekkers combine
Helambu and Langtang for a longer trek.
8 Swayambhunath
(Monkey Temple)
Set on a hilltop to
the west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is the second most important shrine in the
Kathmandu Valley after Boudhanath. Due to the resident monkeys that inhabit
parts of the temple, it is more affectionately known as the Monkey Temple. The
Swayambhu Stupa, painted with the eyes of the omnipresent god, forms the centerpiece
of the temple complex. It was originally a prehistoric cult site, but the
temple complex dates to the 5th century. Swayambhu plays a major part in the
lives of the Vajrayana Buddhists of Northern Nepal and Tibet, but especially of
the Newari Buddhists of the Kathmandu Valley.
9 Everest and the
Trek to Base Camp
The summit of Mount
Everest, the highest mountain on earth, reaches 8,848 meters (29,028 feet)
high. Trekking in the Mount Everest area became popular following the now
legendary first ascent of the peak in 1953 by Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and the Sherpa Tensing Norgay. Since that
time, many more have summited the mountain, but far more trek the route to
Everest Base Camp simply for a glimpse of the peak far above. In recent years
the mountain has seen its fair share of tragedy and drama. The 2015 earthquake
and previous avalanches, along with disputes between climbers on the mountain,
have left their mark on Everest trekking and climbing.
The Everest Region is
generally not regarded as the most scenic region in the country for trekking,
but the allure of Everest draws climbers in large numbers. There are various
routes to access base camp and several options for organizing a trip. Many
trekking companies offer a guided hike, either with Nepalese companies or
western-based companies. It's also possible to hire a private guide or porter
and do it yourself, however all trekkers are technically required to have a
guide. The main hiking seasons are in the spring and fall, from March to May
and September to December.
For those not looking
to trek to Mount Everest but still wanting to see the mountain, it is possible
to see it on clear days from the hill town of Nagarkot near Kathmandu. Hotel
staff will knock on guests' doors on clear mornings if Everest is visible. This
might be the lazy traveler's best chance of seeing the world's highest peak.
10. Lumbini
Lumbini is famous for being the birthplace of
Siddhartha Gautama, the historic Buddha, known as Buddha Shakyamuni. Situated
off the main tourist track, almost 250 kilometers from Kathmandu, Lumbini is a
worthwhile detour on the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park. In this
pilgrimage town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is a feeling 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.