What Are Nepal’s Main Tourist Attractions and Activities?
So what are Nepal’s Famous Tourist attractions? Nepal is made up of beautiful landscapes and is also rich in history and culture. In Nepal, you can view some of the most interesting and beautiful buildings and places. Seriously, you won’t know how beautiful Nepal is until you read this article and view photos of Nepal’s famous tourist attractions…
Kathmandu
Nepal’s bustling, sprawling capital is noisy, traffic-clogged, and appallingly polluted, but also vibrant, excellent for shopping and eating, and a great place to arrange trips out into the wilderness. Durbar Square, in the heart of the city, is the location of innumerable temples and ancient monuments, most notably the Old Royal Palace and the Kumari Chowk; the latter is the home of Nepal’s living goddess, the Kumari, a prepubescent girl worshipped as the living incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga.
The other obligatory sight, on a hill west of the center, is the huge Buddhist stupa at Swayambunath, from where the stylized eyes of the Buddha gaze out in all directions on the world. There are great views over the city from here, and the site draws an endless stream of pilgrims – one act of worship here is said to carry 13 billion times more merit than elsewhere.
Kathmandu Valley
Some of the best-preserved historic buildings and temples in the area are found in the ancient city of Bhaktapur, which has its own Durbar Square, featuring the five-story Nyatapola pagoda. Patan, just south of Kathmandu, is the valley’s most Buddhist city, with a calmer, less frantic feel than elsewhere; there’s yet another Durbar Square here, with a fine Royal Palace dating from the seventeenth century and several temples.
A trip out to the valley rim at Shiyapuri or Jamacho is rewarded with some fine views of the Himalayas. Easily accessible from Kathmandu, although strictly speaking outside the valley itself, are Nagarkot and Dhulikel, both great excursions for even better mountain views, and excellent bases for treks.
Pokhara
One of the most popular destinations in Nepal, Pokhara is excellent for simple relaxing amid great scenery and plenty of comforts; the views of the unforgettable Machhapuchhre (or “fish-tail peak”), the Annapurna mountain, and Manaslu ranges are stunning. There are also plenty of local excursions, including hikes to the mountain views of Sarangkot or up to the World Peace Pagoda, on a ridge overlooking pretty Phewa Lake.
Trekking
Nepal has an enormous variety of treks on offer, varying in length and difficulty; some have comfortable accommodation all along the way, while others require you to be self-reliant. It’s worth researching the options, especially if you want to get away from the most popular routes.
The three-week Annapurna circuit involves climbing up to a heady 5380m, passing through gloriously diverse scenery; you’ll need to be reasonably fit to tackle it, though there’s plenty of accommodation and eating places serving Western food en route, and other trekkers for company.
The ten-day Jomosom trek is also highly commercialized, though this doesn’t detract from the many small, ethnically diverse villagers along the route. Everest treks, which get you close to the World’s tallest peak, are very strenuous, the cold and high altitude being serious concerns; you’ll need to allow three or four weeks to do one of these, unless you fly into or out of Lukla, partway along the route.
Those with less time or inclination may want to consider the three-to-five-day Royal Trek from Pokhara, or spending seven to twelve days on the Langtang trek closer to Kathmandu.
Chitwan National Park
On the plains in the far south of the country, the park is the jungle home of the famed Bengal tiger and the Indian rhinoceros, as well as plenty of deer and wild oxen, crocodiles, and over 450 species of birds – among other creatures. Elephant rides, jeep tours, canoe trips, and walks are all available, though Chitwan’s fame and accessibility mean that it can be hard to escape the crowds.
White-water rafting and kayaking
Nepal’s picturesque rivers offer both beginners and the more advanced plenty of opportunities to try these activities. Two- or three-day trips on the Trisuli River west of Kathmandu, and three- or four-day excursions out of Pokhara or on the upper Kali Gandaki are among the most popular. Agents who arrange trips can be found in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Mountain flights
On these excursions, which leave daily from Kathmandu between May and September, you pass just 25km from Everest and get to eyeball a couple of dozen of the world’s highest peaks.
Bardia National Park
In the west of the country, the park doesn’t have as many rhinos as Chitwan but offers a greater chance of spotting tigers. Recent estimates suggest that there are around sixty breeding tigers in Chitwan and 35 in the smaller area of Bardia – so do bear in mind that a sighting is remarkable rather than predictable.
Courses in meditation, yoga, or Nepali
The Kathmandu valley, and to a lesser extent Pokhara, are ideal places to enroll yourself.
Lumbini
A place of pilgrimage for devotees from around the globe, the spot where Buddha was born in 543 BC has ancient archeological monuments as well as modern Tibetan and Theravadan monasteries
Mountain biking
Organized tours, geared to any level of fitness and ability, provide all equipment and accommodation – and a lift if you get tired. Kathmandu and Pokhara are the main centers to arrange trips.
