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Nepal Tourism: Top places to visit and things to do

December 26, 2021

Snowy mountain peaks, pristine lakes, tranquil monasteries, historic shrines and a hub for adventure seekers, Nepal is indeed a dreamland! Being home to eight of the ten highest mountain peaks in the world, including Mt. Everest, it is known as the abode of the mountains for a reason. Spiritual, wanderlust or adventure yogi, Nepal has got sweet surprises for everyone! 

Here’s a list of the best places to visit and things to do in Nepal. 

Kathmandu 

The capital city of Nepal is a centre bustling with activities. It houses several famous sacred shrines and historic monuments. Here are some of the must visit places in Kathmandu. 

Durbar Square:

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Looking back down the lane of history, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan were three rival cities for hundreds of years but now they’re all run together. Durbar Square of Kathmandu is the largest palace square in the three royal cities and it is the gem in the crown of Kathmandu. Adorned by beautiful shrines, monuments and vibrant culture, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must visit in Kathmandu. 

Lord Pashupati Nath Temple:

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Revered as one of the most important Hindu temples, the Lord Pashupati Nath Temple is located on both the banks of the Bagmati river. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is believed that anyone who dies here is reborn as a human regardless of the bad karma that they did during their lifetimes. It was honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and is a must visit when in Kathmandu. 

Boudhanath Stupa: 

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Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, is a famous worship centre located at a distance of 11km from the city centre. Honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, this stupa, constructed sometime around in the 14th century, lies on the ancient trade route from Tibet. It is a must visit Buddhist site when in Nepal. 

Swayambhunath temple:

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Famously known as the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath Temple is a famous religious site in Kathmandu. It is believed that circumambulating the main shrine with a pure mind will wash away all the sins. A bright white stupa, topped with a golden spire stands in the centre of the temple compound and one gets to see a bird’s eye view of the city of Kathmandu from here. A lot of monkeys have made this place their home, hence earning it the name, the Monkey Temple. 

Dakshinkali temple:

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Situated at a distance of 22km from Kathmandu, the Dakshinkali temple is a religious site famous for its rituals. Twice a week animals, particularly male goats and cockerels, are sacrificed here as an offering to the deity. 

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Pokhara

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal after Kathmandu and is widely known as the tranquil lakeside city. Guarded by some of the highest mountains in the world, like Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna I, it is that picturesque town that you’ve dreamt of. Pokhara is also known as the Gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, which is a popular trekking trail in the Himalayas. Here are some of the must visit places in Pokhara. 

Phewa Lake:

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A perfect spot for relaxation in Nepal, Phewa Lake is a freshwater lake in Pokhara. The reflection of the mountains in the lake is so beautiful that it seems like the mirror of the mountains! Enjoy the sunrise from a boat or just relax by the lakeside, there are a lot of options to just unwind in Phewa. 

Tal Barahi Temple :

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Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, Tal Barahi is an island temple located on the serene Phewa Lake. The two storey pagoda structured temple is believed to be built by King Kulmandhan Shah in 1416. Barahi, means ‘boar’ in Nepalese, which was a form taken by goddess Durga to kill the demons. It is a beautiful temple and one can reach it only by boat. 

Davis Waterfalls :

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Known as ‘Patale Chhango’ in Nepalese, Davis waterfall is a stunning waterfall that marks the point where the Pardi Khola stream disappears underground. It is a must visit in Pokhara and you can’t stop but marvel at the grandeur of nature when here.  The 500 feet tunnel that the waterfall creates runs approximately 100 feet below the ground level. 

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave :

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Discovered in the 16th century, Gupteshwor Mahadev Temple, considered one of the longest caves in Nepal, is a popular pilgrimage site. Among the two chambers in the main cave, the largest chamber has a huge stalagmite Shiva lingam. What makes this underground cave special though is the water from the Davis waterfalls that runs through this cave. It is indeed an experience that you should enjoy while in Pokhara. 

Sarangkot :

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Lying in the outskirts of Pokhara, Sarangkot is the highest viewpoint that is easily accessible from Pokhara. Offering stunning views of the Annapurna mountains, it is a favourite spot for those who want to witness gorgeous sunrises and adrenaline filled adventures like paragliding and zipline.

Bindhyabasini Temple :

The ancient temple dedicated to goddess Durga, stands on top of a small hill. It is a beautiful temple where the goddess is worshipped in the form of Shaligram. 

Peace Pagoda :

Built in 1996, this brilliant white Buddhist pagoda style monument stands atop a hill overlooking the Pokhara valley and offers stunning views of the mountains and lakes. Staying true to its name, you are definitely going to find a lot of inner peace  here, gazing at the beautiful and tranquil nature. 

Dhampus 

Dhampus is a small dainty village that offers spectacular views of the snow capped mountains. The horizon offers grandiose views of Mt. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna ranges and you can’t help but marvel at their spectacular beauty when you are so enormously close to them. One can also witness gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the Himalayas. 

The Dhampus Trek is one among the classic treks of Nepal and a favourite among the travellers. Usually the trek begins from Phedi village or Khande and this a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse of the golden fields, forests and mountains of Nepal. 

The Gurung Community:

Another major attraction of Dhampus is the traditional Gurung village. Gurungs or Tamu (as they call themselves) are an ethnic group of people living in these mountainous areas. The warmth and hospitality offered by the Gurungs will surely make you feel at home. 

Neghu Baraha:

The Neghu Baraha is a fabled pond near to a Vishnu temple and you can visit it as you take a casual stroll around the village. The pond has a mysterious aura surrounding it and locals say that despite being fringed by so many trees, the pond remains clear of leaves and twigs all year round. They say the birds that come in the afternoon pick all of them, keeping the pond spotless. 

Australian Camp:

The Australian Camp Trek is one of the easiest treks to do when in Pokhara. Australian Camp is another beautiful village which offers unobstructed views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Standing at a height of 2060m above sea level, you can also witness spectacular sunrises over the Himalayan ranges. 

Adventures 

Everest Mountain Flight:

Maybe it’s not everyone’s call to take the arduous journey to reach the summit of the highest mountains on the planet. But you do get a mind-blowing option to fly above them and watch them real close from up above with a flight trip around Everest. This hour-long sightseeing of the mountains, gorges and glaciers of the Himalayas is offered by Buddha Air, Yeti Airline, and Simrik Air. You get to see glimpses of Mt. Everest and almost 20 other highest peaks. We promise it’s going to be an amazing experience!

Paragliding:

If you want to take one step ahead and get an aerial view of the Himalayas, then paragliding in Nepal is something you shouldn’t miss. Pokhara, Lakuri Bhanjyang,Godavari, Chapakharka, Kot Danda, Phulchowki and Bandipur are some of the best places for a thrilling paragliding adventure in Nepal.

Bungee Jumping:

Ready to take that leap? Bungee jumping is one of the best adventure activities to try in Nepal and The Bhote Koshi Gorge and Hemja in Pokhara offer an adrenaline filled Bungee jumping. 

Zipline:

Long, steep and fast – zipline in the land of the Himalayas is something that you shouldn’t miss! 

River Rafting:

Hold on. If you ever thought that Nepal is just about the mountains, then here’s a surprise. Nepal is home to a lot of beautiful and mighty rivers, which is why river rafting in Nepal is definitely going to be the perfect dose of thrill that you wished for. Karnali, Kali Gandaki, Upper Seti, Marshyangdi, Sun Kosi and Tamor are some of the top places for river rafting in Nepal. 

Are you ready for your Nepal adventure? We have amazing packages that you can’t afford to miss!