TRAVEL GUIDENCE FOR NEPAL

Top Ten Places to Visit in Nepal

           

Are you ready for some high altitude adventure with in a soul-warming environment? Then pack your bags and experience some of the most majestic peaks, most exhilarating torrents and wonderful people Nepal has to offer. Here are some places you may want to visit when go.

1.) Katmandu

Find your inner peace in the streets of Nepal's capital and cultural center. You can walk on the streets of this once inaccessible city and experience the culture, the people, the history, and the faith Nepal had embraced, imbibed, and relived for centuries. Katmandu is also one of the Nepal's starting points in activities like trekking, rafting and other sports.

2.) Royal Chitwan National Park

If you want to experience some jungle adventure with the elephants and ravaging rapids, you may want to stop by Nepal's Royal Chitwan Park. Covering some 932 sq kilometers, this national park serves as a home for 450 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 43 species of mammals. One can also enjoy guided jungle walks, terai culture, wild life breeding project, and safari drives inside 4WD cars.

3.) Nagarkot

Located 32 kilometers east of Katmandu, Nagarkot is a great place to visit if you want to see how beautiful and majestic the Himalayan Mountain range can be. A lookout tower in Nagarkot, for one, enables visitor to have a 360-degree scenic view of the Katmandu valley and Himalayan Mountain peaks. Drive up the city, book for a hotel, wake up early, and experience a different kind of sunrise with cool winds blowing every word away.

4.) Pokhara

Located some 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, this enchanting city is the rally point for trekking and rafting destination. Pokhara offers perfect scenery and gripping natural beauty not only for those who looks for fun but also for those seeking solace. Be it the preview of the Himalayan Mountain range, a row in Phewa Lake, a trek beside Seti Gandaki River and Devi's Fall, or a peek to the Mahendra Cave, a trip to Pokhara is a experience worth the journey.

5.) Pashupatinath Temple

Four kilometers east of Katmandu lies a temple of immeasurable sacredness for Hindu people - the Pashupatinath. Hindu believes that dying and being cremated in Pashupatinath and having one's ashes scattered in Bagmati River will give a Hindu salvation and release from the cycles of birth and rebirth. Have a peek of Hindus life, death and tradition by visiting this holy ground.

6.) Patan

Art lovers and enthusiasts should always put a stop in Patan in their Nepalese trip itinerary. Patan is the oldest city in the Ksthmandu valley and is the home for Nepalese architecture, arts, traditions, and crafts drawing mainly from religious customs. Walk around the city and feel as if you're walking inside an open museum.

7.) Wildlife Reserve of Koshi Tappu

Sprawling some 175 km2 near the River of Sapta-Koshi in Eastern Nepal, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the best place to watch native and migratory birds in action. Thousands of birds converge in this area, especially during the months of January, February and March. The trip which normally includes jungle walks, jeep drives, and boat rides, coupled with treks to Bhutan and Sikkim or rafting trip in Sunkosi will make any Nepalese trip an unforgettable experience.

8.) Lumbini

Lumbini is the perfect place to go to if you are into cultural, archaeological and religious treasures. With the number of stupa, meditation grounds temples, courtyards and more, a walk in Lumbini is a walk with Buddha. Enter the birthplace of one of the greatest man of world religions - Siddharta Gautama, founder of Buddhism - and be captivated by its serene environment and meditate and reflect with its outmost tranquility and peaceful atmosphere.

9.) Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is an ancient town east of Katmandu in the Katmandu Valley. Experience Nepalese life as it happens in this city by enjoying the scenery in Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Potter's square. Make your trip complete with a taste of Khopa Dhau, Bhaktapur's home-made curd.

10.) Royal Bardia National Park

Located in Western Terai, Royal Bardia National Park is the largest park in the region with 968 km2. It serves as a sanctuary for tigers, small and large mammals, deer, reptiles, birds, and a herd of the last known elephants in captivity. Enjoy wildlife as it happens along with short rafting in Karnali and Bheri as well as trekking to Dolpo and Rara lake.

Tour & Travel Destinations - Travel to Bhutan

        

While you have been to Shimla, Kashmir, Kerela and other sought after Indian travel destinations, there may be few places which are still hidden under the canopies. Bhutan is a place that may not be on the 'Frequently Visited Places in India" list, but people who have visited the place need no testimonials of Bhutan's tranquil halo. For those who haven't been on the land of pseudo Shangri-La, let us embark on a brief journey to this compact place.

Under the covers of rich history, spiritualism and ethnicity, Bhutan offers a stimulating combination of imposing mountains (often clad with snow), placid sceneries and pleasant weather. Bhutan is known by several names like Land of the Thunder Dragon, Shangri-La, Bootan and Druk Yul. Each name contributes to its features, making it mystical and enigmatic.

The heart of Bhutan's culture is its capital Thimpu. This place has a scenic beauty that is enough to set your soul free on the serene mountains! Thimpu also lends an excellent location for trekking, hiking, river rafting and other wildlife excursions. Besides, it also offers various local markets selling exotic items at unbelievable prices. Or more yet, you can just saunter in Thimpu streets and enjoy the weekly markets!

Thimpu has a lot more to offer in terms of entertainment, knowledge, culture and ethnicity, but I would like to leave the rest for you to explore, though I would name some of its famous attractions like Tashichho Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, National Library, The High Court, The Royal Bhutan, Golf Course, Convention Centre, etc.

Buddhism is not only a religion but a way of life in Bhutan. The teachings of Buddhism resonates in every nook and corner, with monks and priests practicing the core Buddhist teachings. The aura of the land is such that your body and mind feel enlightened, with feelings of compassion and virtue for everyone.

So if you are enticed to experience this Shangri-La (much like James Hilton's Lost Horizon), book your tickets and let all your tautness melts right away! However, visiting Bhutan in appropriate weather could enrich your experience. Bhutan being situated in the heart of mountains is severely cold in winters. Seasons of Spring and Autumn are mild with sky being bright and mountains clear. This period also bring Bhutan's magic to forefront with most of the festivals taking place here. So if you visit Bhutan in the months of October and November, you get an opportunity of viewing The Thunder Dragon clad in different colored robes and delicate mists. Have a Happy Journey!