Tucked away in the Himalayan Mountains, this enchanting nation’s natural landscape is dominated by eight of the world’s tallest peaks, including the iconic Mount Everest. In addition to the numerous ambitious climbers who flock here to face the challenge of climbing this majestic peak, Nepal attracts large numbers of eco-tourists eager to experience this intriguing country’s virtually untouched natural wonders including lush subtropical forests home to a range of exotic wildlife. Nepal’s cultural landscape is just as diverse as its natural one, playing host to an array of distinct ethnic groups. Other popular tourist highlights include: the capital city of Kathmandu with its exquisite temples and palaces; the sheer magnificence of Patan’s Golden Temple; Chitwan National Park, for its impressive scenery; and, of course, Bodnath, the nation’s most sacred Buddhist monument.
Nepal’s capital city serves as the departure point for treks into the Himalayas, including Mount Everest and Annapurna, and as a result, it is a major travel and tourism hub. Besides its proximity to these world-class hiking trails, the city also features many charms of its own, including an exquisite setting amidst snow-covered mountain peaks, friendly locals, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a series of ornate stone temples dating back hundreds of years. Don’t miss a visit to the sacred Boudhanath Stupa, the ancient tree-swathed site of Swayambhunath, or Kathmandu Durbar Square with its 12th-century temples.
The village of Nagarkot is situated in central Nepal, only 30 kilometres from the hub of Kathmandu. Although the journey to get there from the city is notoriously slow (taking about two hours to complete), visitors will be richly rewarded by famously scenic views of the Himalayas (including Mount Everest) and a number of excellent hiking trails. Active travellers will relish the climb to the remarkable lookout point of Nagarkot View Tower, as well as the wonderful Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail (which incorporates both the Nagarkot Nature Trail and the Tamang Village Walk), while there are also challenging mountain bike routes leading all the way to neighbouring Bhaktapur. Finally, accommodation in the village is plentiful, with a range of hotels offering stunning views - best enjoyed between October and December, or March and April, when skies are clearest.
Resting on a hilltop above the highway town of Dumre, Bandipur is an ancient trading town in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal. This attractive and remarkably well-preserved village is known for its fascinating Newari culture and quaint traditional Newari houses. With its impressive 18th-century architecture, lack of motorised vehicles and a vibrant bazaar offering alfresco dining, Bandipur offers a wonderfully authentic cultural experience. Visitors can look forward to some spectacular views of the dramatic Annapurna Range as well as the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Langtang. The surrounding hills provide excellent hiking trails which lead through tribal villages, holy caves, lush forests, and hilltop shrines which once doubled as fortresses.
Set in the Terai Lowlands of south-central Nepal, the Chitwan National Park is known for its extraordinary biodiversity. This impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site is characterised by lush forests, grasslands, rich floodplains, rolling hills, beautiful rivers, and ox-bow lakes. The park is one of Nepal’s most celebrated nature reserves as it serves as one of the world’s last refuges of the Bengal tiger and the one-horned Asiatic rhinoceros. There are also deer, monkeys, leopards, Indian elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears, and over 500 species of bird inhabiting this spectacularly scenic expanse of protected wilderness. Don’t miss the chance to explore the northern reaches of the Rapti River in a traditional dugout canoe, or to visit the Balmiki Ashram, which is a popular Hindu pilgrimage site.
The second-largest city in Nepal, Pokhara sits on the shores of Phewa Lake in the central region of the country. Often called the ‘Adventure and Leisure Capital of Nepal’, and known as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara is a popular hub offering plenty to see and do. The range of activities on offer is impressive, with lakes and waterfalls to admire; yoga, reiki, and meditation classes to attend; caves (such as Mahendra) to explore; boating, canoeing, and whitewater rafting on the waterways surrounding the Lake to enjoy; and a number of challenging hikes to test your fitness (the viewpoint of Sarangkot is particularly rewarding). Meanwhile, serious trekkers can access the Annapurna Base Camp from Pokhara, the first stop for a number of stunning trails through the spectacular mountain range.
As previously described
