These Are the Top Things to See and Do in Nepal and Why You Should Add the Himalayas to Your Bucket List Now

WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF

PUBLISHED MAY 2023 • 4 min read

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Landlocked amidst the vast, expansive Indian plains and the towering Himalayas—Nepal is indeed visually charming and picturesque. Whether you’re taking a casual stroll within Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or Patan, be prepared to stumble across quaint Buddhist monasteries and century old stupas. Nepal still holds the crown of a cultural powerhouse. Exploring the tiny kingdom will acquaint you to some top-notch palaces, age-old shrines and intricate temple art.

Nepal is also home to the great Everest Base Camp Trek, a trekker's dream, including everything for those who wish to catch up on an experience unlike others. Hop on a mountain bike or check into a luxurious lodge atop a peak, there’s plenty to see, experience and explore in Nepal.

Chitwan National Park 

Chitwan National Park, the “Heart of the Jungle,” is the first National Park of Nepal—a preserved area in the Terai Lowlands of South Central Nepal. Known for its bio-diversity, its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals like one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers.

The park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill. Dugout canoes traverse the northern Rapti River, home to crocodiles. Inside the park is Balmiki Ashram, a Hindu pilgrimage site.

Garden of Dreams

The Garden of Dreams, a neoclassical historical garden, is situated in the midst of Kathmandu City. The Garden was famous as the garden of Six Seasons which was created by late Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana (1892-1964) in early 1920. After the completion of this Garden, it was considered as one of the most sophisticated private gardens of that time.

Within the Garden walls, Kaiser Sumsher created an exquisite ensemble of pavilions, fountains, decorative garden furnitures and European inspired features such as verandas, pergolas, balustrades, urns and birdhouses. He erected six impressive pavilions, each dedicated to one of the six seasons of Nepal.

Phewa Lake

A paradise in itself, Phewa Lake is the go-to spot for nature lovers and photographers alike! One may choose to rent a canoe or a paddleboat to explore or hire a colorful boat called doonga and sail through the lake for a relaxing ride. Capture the scenic beauty to your heart's content as you sail through the serene waters.

There are also exciting trails in the thick forests surrounding the Lake that make it a perfect destination for nature walks, bird watching and treks. One of these trails leads up to the World Peace Pagoda from where one can enjoy a splendid view of the lake and the mountain ranges. If the natural light is right, one may even see the reflection of the mountain peaks in the water.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is set in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. At the heart of the old city’s maze-like alleys sits Durbar Square—the immediate large square is surrounded by ancient Newari architecture, high temples, popular shrines and the old royal palace. The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property is inscribed as seven Monument Zones.

These monument zones are the Durbar squares or urban centres with their palaces, temples and public spaces of the three cities of Kathmandu (Hanuman Dhoka), Patan and Bhaktapur, and the religious ensembles of Swayambhu, Bauddhanath, Pashupati and Changu Narayan. The coexistence and amalgamation of Hinduism and Buddhism with animist rituals and Tantrism is considered unique.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world at 8,848 meters.

Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, are also found here in the park. The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, adds further interest to this site.

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