Namaste! Are you looking for a destination that combines breathtaking nature and cultural richness? Nepal is for you! Discover the 10 most beautiful places to visit in this country!
Summary
- 1. Kathmandu
- 2. Kathmandu Valley
- 3. Nagarkot and Dhulikkel
- 4. Pokhara
- 5. Pokhara Valley
- 6. The Annapurna massif
- 7. Langtang National Park
- 8. L’Everest
- 9. Lights
- 10. Chitwan National Park
- 11. Bardia National Park
Many people cannot place Nepal precisely on a world map. It’s understandable. This small country is, historically and geographically, squeezed in a vice between two giants, India, to the south, east and west, and China, to the north. However, despite its small size, Nepal is a country that conceals treasures. On the cultural level, this country of history has let itself be impregnated by Hindu and Buddhist influences, giving rise to architectural marvels. Naturally, Nepal is home to the highest peaks in the world, stunning valleys and vast fertile plains, home to many animal species. Thrill seekers will also find what they are looking for! Nepal is not well known. It is thought to be too small for there to be any interest in visiting it. Big mistake!
From the jewels of the Kathmandu valley to the small picturesque mountain villages, from the tigers of Chitwan to the yaks of the Annapurna massif, the most peaceful walks or the most intense treks, from the jungle of Bardia to the peaks of the Himalayas, the list is long! Discover some of these most beautiful places…
1. Kathmandu
Photo credit: Unsplash – Lesly Derksen
It would be a shame to visit Nepal without spending a few days in Kathmandu, a destination with great must -sees ! Located at an altitude of 1,350 m, the Nepalese capital is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you are passionate about history, in search of religiosity or whether you like to stroll and unearth good deals, you will inevitably find what you are looking for!
Come and discover the ancient Newari royal city and its Durbar Square (downtown), where there are superb temples, impressive palaces and imposing pagodas. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see the living Hindu goddess, the Kumari! If you continue your walk north, don’t forget to get lost in the maze of streets in the bustling tourist district of Thamel , where you can taste a typical dish, have a drink, spend the evening or simply stroll. Further west, you can reach by bus, taxi, or on foot for the most motivated, the splendid white stupa of Swayambunath , one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal. It is also nicknamed the Monkey Temple.
At sunset, the panorama over Kathmandu is worth the detour! If you have a delusion of grandeur, the stupa of Boudhanath , located to the east of the city, is the largest in Asia! Finally, come live a gripping experience by attending a cremation at the Hindu site of Pashupatinah, located to the east of the city, on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river.
2. Kathmandu Valley
Continue your discovery of Nepal by three other sites, classified as World Heritage by Unesco.
Spend a night in Patan , located six kilometers south of Kathmandu, to visit the impressive Durbar Square of the ancient royal city, the museum, the stupas and the old quarters.
Also allow yourself a day to relax in the peaceful and picturesque medieval town of Bhaktapur , located thirteen kilometers east of the capital.
From there, you can reach the Hindu temple of Changu Narayan . If you are lucky enough to be in Bhaktapur in April, for the Nepalese New Year (the Bisket Jatra), you will discover quite singular traditions, such as a gigantic chariot which descends the alleys or the erection of a mast of more than twenty meters, whose fall symbolizes the transition to the new year!
3. Nagarkot and Dhulikkel
Photo credit: Flickr – Neil Young
If you want to admire the roof of the world, you’ve come to the right place! Nagarkot and Dhulikkel are famous for offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan range, and in particular Mount Everest. Are you early? It’s perfect ! The panorama will be even more impressive!
4. Pokhara
Photo credit: Flickr – Madhushree Narayan
Do you want to get some fresh air while enjoying the advantages of city life? Pokhara is made for you. Located 200 km west of Kathmandu, it is the second largest city in the country. Both dynamic and peaceful, Pokhara will seduce the most sensitive, with its poetic setting, and the more adventurous, with the range of activities it offers.
Between a walk on Phewa Lake , a walk to the Peace Pagoda and paragliding, between sunrise facing Machapuchare and rafting descent, Pokhara has not finished surprising you!
5. Pokhara Valley
Photo credit: Flickr – ::ErWin
Do you like to think outside the box? Come and discover the village of Bandipur , located between Pokhara and Kathmandu. You can easily reconcile the cultural side, by appreciating the beauty of the temples and traditional Newaries houses, the nature side, by hiking in the surroundings, and the adventure side, by trying your hand at paragliding or canyoning. You choose !
A few kilometers from Bandipur, stop at Gorkha , birthplace of the king who founded modern Nepal. The village is charming and ideal for living and recharging one’s batteries, far from the crowds of the capital. Located between Bandipur and Gorkha, the temple of Manakamana damaged after the 2012 earthquake, but whose renovation is now complete, offers a breathtaking view of the Pokhara valley.
6. The Annapurna massif
Photo credit: Unsplash – Iqx Azmi
Nepal is the temple of the trekker. It would be a shame to visit the country without hiking, even for a day. There is something for every taste. From Pokhara, it is possible to attack the Annapurnas massif .
From the Poon Hill trek (5 days), via the Annapurna Base Camp (11 days), to the famous Annapurna Tour (18 days), you will be able to satisfy the beginner hiker, as well as the experienced trekker. You will walk along rice terraces, cross forests, pass through small villages where time seems to have stood still, discover remote temples, cross rivers, walk along snowy paths, to reach the high spheres!
If you think you don’t have the necessary equipment to hike, most companies rent the equipment or include it in the price of the trek. Moreover, it is better to avoid hiking in the middle of the rainy season, from June to September! These aspects must be taken into account for any type of circuit.
7. Langtang National Park
Photo credit: Unsplash – Sergey Pesterev
Located north of Kathmandu, on the Tibetan border, Langtang National Park provides access to superb trails, just over an hour from the capital. Again, you can find a whole range of treks, from the shortest to the longest, from the easiest to the most demanding. For those who wish to continue the adventure, it is possible to reach Tibet! Better to trek during the dry season, unless you want to fall prey to leeches or like to hurtle down the trails!
8. L’Everest
Photo credit: Unsplash – Toomas Pies
Are you thirsty for challenges? The steep drops don’t scare you? If you want to be familiar with the sky and rub shoulders with the highest peak in the world, it is possible to launch an assault on Everest , up to its base camp.
The starting point of this mythical Himalayan trek is located in Lukla , which can be reached by plane from Kathmandu. For those who prefer to save their strength, while living an exceptional moment, it is possible to fly over Mount Everest by plane. Chills guaranteed! The best time to trek and fly over is from September to November, as well as April and May.
9. Lights
Photo Credit: By Damian Pankowiec / Shutterstock.com
Do you want to mix history and religion? Not far from the Indian border, come to the origins of Buddhism by visiting the village of Lumbini , known as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. It is here that many Buddhists come on pilgrimage.
10. Chitwan National Park
Photo credit: Unsplash – WeRoad
No, in Nepal, there are not only mountains! There is also the jungle here. We often ignore it, but the wet plains of Nepal are the refuge of several thousand wild animals.
The Chitwan is located southwest of Kathmandu, nine hours by bus from the capital. Plan to stay at least two days, so you can ride an elephant or watch these pachyderms bathe, go in search of one-horned rhinos, tigers and deer, or take a canoe ride to observe crocodiles . Better to be accompanied by a guide! The Terai region is also a region of traditions. You will be able to visit Tharus villages and discover the local culture.
11. Bardia National Park
Photo Credit: By PACO COMO / Shutterstock.com
If you have time, come for a walk in the Bardia National Park , located in the southwest of Nepal. This park has the advantage of being much less touristy than Chitwan Park, because it is more difficult to access. If it is impossible to say that you will see a Bengal tiger there, it is certain that you will have more chances to see one on this site.
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