KATHMANDU CITY:
Known as Kantipur, the capital of the kingdom of Nepal. Nowhere in the world con one find the same concentration of culture, art and tradition that exists in Kathmandu valley. This city is a concentration of temples. Near the Durbar square is the residence of Kumari the Virgin Goddess who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of the temple residence. Kasthamandap the source of the mane Kathmandu. Hanuman Dhoka the ancient palace to the Nepalese royalty.
PATAN CITY:
Known as Lalitpur. It is 6 km. south east of Kathmandu city across the southern bank of the river Bagmati. The city is full of Buddhist monuments, Hindu temples and the ancient palace. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers it is also known as the city of artists.
BHADGAON CITY:
Known as Bhakatapur is the home of medieval art and architecture. 14 kms east of Kathmandu city. The main square of the city contains innumerable temples and other architectural showpieces: the Lion Gate, the palace of 55 windows, the Batsala temple, the Nyatpola temple.
KIRTIPUR:
It is a small town 8 kms. southeast of Kathmandu on the top of a hill. This historical town has many sights to offer: old houses, traditional costumes, people working on ancient looms.
BUNGMATI:
Bugmati, (summer Home of Rato Machhendranath) is quintessentially Newar, and what at first looks like a tiny village quickly envelops you in its self- contained world. All alleys eventually lead to the broad, teeming central plaza and the great white temple of the Lord Machhendranath.
SWAYAMBHUNATH:
This stupa is said to be more than 2000 years old and is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas, it is 4 kms. West Kathmandu city and is situated on a hillock. One can have a spectacular view of kathmandu valley.
PASHUPATINATH:
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River. It is a pagoda-style temple with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. One of the most holy temples in the entire Hindu world.
BOUDHANATH:
One of the world’s largest stupas, Boudha is generally acknowledged to be the most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside Tibet. Tibetans simply call it Chorten Chempo “Great Stupa”- it has become the Mecca of Tibetan exiles in Nepal.
DAKSHINKALI:
Literally meaning the kali of the South, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, a Hindu Goddess of power. It is situated 20 kms. southwest of Kathmandu and is famed for its natural surroundings. Every Tuesday and Saturday, animals are brought for sacrifice at the pith of Kali.
CHANGHUNARAYAN:
It is situated 24 kms east of Kathmandu on a hilltop; this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said to have been built is in the 4th century A.D. The temple is richly decorated with sculptures and carvings, from where we can have a beautiful view of the surrounding’s countryside.
NAGARKOT:
It is situated at an attitude of 7,133 ft. above sea level, 32 kms east of Kathmandu. A panorama of major peaks of most of the eastern Himalayas as well as many of the western Himalayan peaks can be seen from here. Best for sunset and sunrise.
DHULIKHEL:
It is situated at an attitude of 55,00 ft. above sea level, 30 kms.east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway, a scenic and ancient town. From here one can have a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges from East to the West. Best for sunset.
DAMAN:
For a view of the breath-taking grandeur of the world’s highest peak, from far west of Dhaulagiri to east of Mt. Everest. There is no better place than Daman. It lies 80 kms southwest of Kathmandu on the mountain highway the Tribhuvan Rajpath.
POKHARA:
Pokhara is a rare combination or the long arrays of snow-clad peaks, crystal clear lakes, turbulent rivers with deep gorges and picturesque villages inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people. This area is famous trekking and lies 200 kms. west of Kathmandu.
GORKHA:
King Prithibi Narayan Shah the great, who unified the kingdom of Nepal during the 18th century, was born in the township of Gorkha. The Gorkha Durbar is situated on the top of a fortified hill above the township about one hour’s walk uphill. From here one con has a panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges.
LUMBINI:
Lumbini the birthplace o Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace, compassion and non-violence. It is situate 306 kms. In the western Terai of Nepal. The Lumbani garden complex has a stone pillar commemorating the visit of Emperor Ashoka around 250 BC.
ROYAL CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK:
The Royal Chitwan National Park is a large areas of low, heavily forested hills bordering India in the south, a heaven of wild life, the lordly tiger, lumbering one horned rhino, leopard, varieties of deer, wild boar and some four hundred species of birds. It is situated 132 kms. south of Kathmandu.
ROYAL BARDIA NATIONAL PARK:
The Royal Bardia National Park is situated on the eastern banks of the Karnali River, about 400 kms. west of Kathmandu. The park is 968 sq. kms. In area and extends from the Churia hills southward to the gentle slopes of the ‘Bhabhar’. Bardia is the home of a wide variety of animals, such as Baghora and Lamkoili, varieties of deer, black buck, wild boar, monkeys, small herds of wild elephants which are rarely seen, small population of crocodile and the Genetic dolphin. More than 350 bird species have been recorded in Bardia.
SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK:
Unique among natural heritage sites worldwide is the Sagarmatha National Park, which includes Mt. Everest (8,848m) and other high peaks. Located North-east of Kathmandu, Sagarmatha is 1,148 sq. km in area and consists of the upper catchments areas of the Dudh Kosi, Bhote Kosi and the Imja Khola rivers. Much of the park lies above 3,000m. Sagarmatha is rugged, with deep gorges, glaciers and nonnegotiable ice and rock. Locally known as the ‘Khumbu’, it is the home of the famous Sherpa people.
LANGTANG NATIONAL PARK:
Langtang is one of the most unspoiled national parks of Nepal. Situate North of Kathmandu, it is the most easily accessible highland sanctuary from the capital. It covers 1,710 sq.km. forming the upper catchments areas of two of Nepal’s largest river systems- the Trishuli and Koshi. There is a great altitudinal variation, starting at 1,500 m. and ascending to the top of Mt. Langtang Lirung at 7,234 m. As a result the park has immense ecological diversity. Some of the attractive areas of the park include the Langtang Valley, the holy lakes at Gosainkunda, and the forested hillsides above the village of Helambu.
KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE:
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies on the flood plains of the Sapta- Koshi in Saptari and Sunsari districts of eastern Nepal. The Reserve covers 175 sq. kms. and offers important habitat for a variety of wildlife. The last surviving population (about 100 individuals) of Wild Buffalo or arna are found here. Other mammals occurring here are varieties of deer, wild Boar and blue bull. A total of 280 different species of birds have been recorded in the reserve. The endangered Gharial, Crocodile and Genetic dolphin have been recorded in Koshi River.
ANNAPURNA CONSERVATION AREA:
The Annapurna Himal region of Nepal encompasses 2,600 sq. km. of mountainous terrain, containing some of the world’s highest peaks and deepest river valleys. The area has been widely recognized as a naturalist’s paradise. The upper sub-alpine steppe environment harbors some of the rare snow leopards and blue sheep. Other areas of the region protect bird species such as the multicolored Impeyan, kokalas, and blood pheasants amongst a multitude of other birds, butterflies and insects. Many plants native to Nepal are found in this forest. The conservation area has 100 varieties of orchids and some of the richest temperate rhododendron forests in the world.
