Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu is a capital city of Kingdom of Nepal. Other regal sister cities in the valley are Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The Kathmandu valley (1450 M) is famous for scenic beauty, beautiful countryside, ethnic settlements, pilgrimages of holiest shrines for Hindus and Buddhists. There are seven World Heritage Sites declared by the UNESCO in the Kathmandu valley (400 sq. km.) itself. Kathmandu valley has three regal cities called Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan), and Bhaktapur. These three cities used to be capital of three Principalities in Malla dynasty period.
Rim of Kathmandu valley:There are many resort area around rim of Kathmandu valley. Such resort spots are very panoramic and have best spots to see a large range of Himalayas and best point to witness Sunrise and Sunset. Nagarkot is the most visited resort town in the rim of Kathmandu valley. Dhulikhel, Hatiban, and Daman are other famous resort towns in the rim of valley. Nagarkot is famous for Sunrise and Sunset view. Dhulikhel and Hatiban are famous for countryside tour. Daman has widest mountain view.
Access: Such resort towns are best accessed by car.
Pokhara Valley:Pokhara valley (827 M) is 200 Km west of Kathmandu valley. Pokhara is the most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. Pokhara is not a historical or heritage site but it is a land of natural beauty with lakes and mountains. The valley is famous for lakes, snow capped mountains, beauty, and splendid panoramic scenes. Fewa, Rupa, and Begnash are beautiful lakes in Pokhara. The mountain peaks Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail) and Annapurna are the land mark of Pokhara. These splendid mountain peaks are very gorgeous. The reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Mt. Annapurna on lake Fewa is very panoramic. On a clear day you can almost reach out and touch them. You will have a very few words to describe the view of Mt. Machhapuchhre on a clear full moon day.
Places of Interest: Sheti Gorge, Davis Fall, Mahendra Cave, Vindyavashini Temple, Fewa lake, Begnash Lake, Sarangkot, Kaundanda, etc.
Access: Pokhara is best accessed by car, tourist coach, and Air.
Bandipur: Bandipur is a semi-urban town in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is a medieval town lying on the stretch of the mountain and situated halfway between Kathmandu, the capital city and Pokhara. Bandipur is a modern day town with its old antique cultural atmosphere still intact. Bandipur is situated at 1030 m above sea level, and overlooks the Marsyangdi River Valley. Its substantial buildings, with their neoclassical facades and shuttered windows, bespeak past glories. The town was once a prosperous trading centre, it was settled in the early nineteenth century by Newars from Bhaktapur, who took advantage of its malaria free location to develop it into an important stop along the India-Tibet trade route. With them they brought their rich cultural heritage and architecture and which, still today, defines the look and feel of the modern day Bandipur.
Places of Interest: Bazaar, Tudikhel, Shiddha Cave (largest in the Himalayas), etc.
Everest National Park and Namchebazar:Sagarmatha National Park is highest surface on Earth and has Highest peak popularly known as Mt. Everest (8,848 m). Namchebazar is the Sherpa settlement at the base of Mt. Everest. It is a focal point of trekking in Everest region. Namchebazar is best accessed by air up to Lukla and then by trekking. The most popular trekking are around Gokyo, Kalapattar, and Everest Base Camp. For the trekking detail you can visit Trekking in the Mt. Everest region.
Annapurna National Park and Mustang: Annapurna National Park is in most scenic and panoramic range of Nepalese Himalayas. The National Park boundary starts from Rim of Pokhara valley to border with Tibet in the north. The tourism in and around Annapurna National Park is most successful Eco-Tourism in the world. For the trekking detail you can visit Trekking in Annapurna region
Mustang: The trail of Kali Gandaki river take us to deepest Gorge in the world and then to a valley known as Mustang. Mustang has an airfield at Jomsom. A trekking from Pokhara to Mustang is a journey of remarkable Trans-Himalayan trekking.
Muktinath Temple: The Park has one of the holiest shrines of Lord Bishnu and is known as Muktinath Temple. The holy reason is also called Shalgram region. Muktinath Temple is best accessed by air up to Jomsom and then trek (pony) to Muktinath Temple.
Upper Mustang: The upper reach of the Kali Gandaki valley is known as Upper Mustang, which is also known as "Forbidden land". Upper Mustang, being on other side of the Annapurna Himalaya, has a stark Tibetan landscape with cliff hanging monasteries, which contrasts with lush rice field and Hindu shrines at southern side of Annapurna.
Lumbini: Lumbini is a birthplace of Lord Buddha. The site is now developed as a Lumbini Garden and it is 16 Km west of Shiddarthnagar. The beautiful Garden in the Buddha’s time still retain its legendary charm and beauty and remains in the present day Lumbini Garden. Places of interest: Ashoka Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, Archeological excavation sites, various Buddhist temples and monasteries from Buddhist countries from all over worlds. Near by town, Sunauli, is an Immigration post between India and Nepal. Access: Lumbini is best accessed by car, Local bus, and Air (Kathmandu or Pokhara).
Gorakha: A mid-hill town lies between Kathmandu and Pokhara. The legend of Gurkhas begins here. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is the beautiful Gorakha Durbar. The Gorakha Durbar is a fort with palace and temple complex. It was from this very palace that King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify the present Kingdom of Nepal. Gorakha is a starting point of Trekking in Manaslu region.
Places of interest: Gorakha Durbar, Gorakhnath Temple, Gorakhkali Temple, etc. Access: Gorakha is best accessed by car and bus.
Mankamana Temple is on the top of hill in Gorakha district. It is a scenic and pilgrim site. The Mankamana Temple is a famous temple where you wish to fulfill your wishes. Mankamana Temple is best accessed by cable car from Kuringhat at Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara or by half day trekking.
Kuringhat is best accessed by car. Thus the trip to Mankamana Temple can be made a part of the tour to Gorakha or Pokhara. One can do 3 hours rafting in Trishuli river with put out point on Kuringhat and can enjoy cable car ride to Mankamana temple.
Janakpur:Nepal has a narrow belt of Gangetic plain in south along border with India. The plain is best known in Nepal as Terai. Janakpur is in mid-Terai and is famous Hindu pilgrimage site. Janakpur is a birthplace of Janaki Sita. Janaki Sita was married to Lord Ram of the Epic Ramayan. Places of interest are: Janaki Temple, Bibaha Mandap, and numerous beautiful ponds. Janakpur is also a center of famous Mithila Arts and Crafts. Access: Jankapur is connected with Kathmandu by air and by road.
Dharan and Dhankuta: Dharan and Dhankuta are famous sister towns in Eastern Nepal. Dharan is is situated on the east of Nepal, stretched from the edge of northern hill range to the south forest that divides the southern plain land of Terai. Dharan is also a center for Hindu pilgrimage and is popularly known as Barah Chhetra.
Dhankuta is just 3 hours drive from Dharan. Dhankuta, a hill-top town, is a starting point of trek to Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Arun Valley. The nearest airport for Dharan is at Biratnagar.
