Nepal’s major travel attractions

Here, you can find Nepal’s major travel attractions .

Everest Region and Everest Base Camp Trek 
Mt. Everest in English, Sagarmatha ( the head in the sky) in Nepali and Chomolongma ( Mother goddess) in Tibetan language is the world’s highest mountain peak . To reach and feel grandeur of the Mt. Everest is the dream of  all travelers and trekkers.To climb and stand atop Mt. Everest is the dream of climbers and mountaineers.  Yes, Everest is the dream for all wherever we come from and whatever is our passion. After the successful ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953 by the Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgey Sherpa together, the enthusiasm on the Everest has been rocketed. Everest has welcomed and accepted hundreds of brave souls on her peaceful lap since it was first attempted.

You can trek to the Everest Base within couple of weeks and Base Camp trek has been the most sought after trek program in Nepal. You can fly by Helicopter to the Kalapatthar or Everest Base Camp within few hours. Or even you can take a beautiful flight to the Everest by small plane for an hour. These are the way to enjoy the mighty Everest Region and the Mt. Everest ( 8848 m. ).

Everest region is the most beautiful Himalayan part of the world conserved inside the Sagarmatha National park which is the World Heritage Natural site of UNESCO. The world’s tallest mountain Mt. Everest ( 8848 m.) along with various peaks over 8000 m. such as Nutpse, Lhotse, Cho Oyu,  beautiful looking peaks like Amadablam,  the popular peak climbed by largest numbers trekkers/ climbers such as Island Peak or Imjatse, the difficult peak to climb like Thamserku and other various peaks as Lobuche, Cho la Tse, Tabache, Kwonge, Kantenga are featured in this region. Everest region and activities, properties are listed with many world’s records in the Gunnies World Record book.

Some of the popular Trek in the region are ;

Everest Panorama Trek : This can be done in the short time period like 7 – 9 Days. The view of Everest from Syangboche, Tengboche or Khumjung is superb. The view of the Everest is not as close as you can see from the Kalapatthar though.

Everest Base Camp Trek  for about 12- 14 days is beautiful trek in the region. You will reach as high as 5545 m. ( Kalapatthar ) which is higher than many highest peaks in other continents. Likewise, Gokyo lake in the Dudhkoshi valley is beautiful. The Gokyo Ri is one of the best view point of Mt. Everest and other peaks in the panorama.

Everest Base Camp Trek with Gokyo Lake and Cho la Pass offers challenging base camp option to travelers of adventure in mind. There are other many high passes to crosses to experience the high altitude treks in the Himalayas and beauty. From these passes, the panoramic view of the Himalayas is beautiful. There are some peaks that you can climb such as Island Peak, Lobuche peak, Amadablam, Mera peak etc. and start the journey to the summit of the World’s highest peak on the earth.

Annapurna Region and Annapurna  Base Camp Sanctuary Trek
Annapurna literally means the fulfillment of the grains and the goddess of grains. Annapurna I peak ( 8091 m. ) and Maurice Herzog played vital role to introduce Nepal and her Himalayas to the outer world since 1950 AD. The successful ascent of Mt. Annapurna in 19450 became the milestone for Nepalese tourism. Before this time this pristine state were completely closed for westerners to visit and travel.

Annapurna region is another beautiful region for trek, and view of Himalayas. Beautiful panoramic view of Annapurna ranges, Dhaulagiri range, Fishtail and other number of smaller peaks are beautiful to enjoy. Annapurna Conservation Area Project covers the area of 7629 Sq Km.which is the land for about 1226 species of plant, 22 species of amphibians, 478 species of birds, 101 species of mammals. It is estimated that there are 9 different species of Rhododendron and Ghorepani – Tadapani area is taken as the biggest jungle of Rhododendron in the world.

The most popular Trek in the region is Annapurna Round ( Annapurna Circuit ) trek which takes you to the high pass at an altitude of 5416 m. The trek in this region is more comfortable than in the Everest Region in regards to walking trail, altitude problems and others. The view of the mountains, the culture of the people living in the region and the beautiful valleys, waterfalls is some major attractions of the region. There are also number of peaks to be climbed and experience the climbing of Himalayas. This trek was voted one of the best walking trail of the world. Annapurna Range including Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV,Peak 29, Himalchuli, Mt. Manaslu, Throng Peak, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak are some major peaks which can be seen during thre trek.

Likewise, the trek to Annapurna Base Camp is another beautiful trekking in the region. Annapurna Base Camp at an altitude of about 4200 m. from the sea level is shaped as bowl and surrounded by the peaks like Himalchuli, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Annapurna IV and II, Fishtail and other smaller peaks. The trek can be done in some 10 – 12 Days from Pokhara.

Muktinath and Jomsom Trek, Ghorepani and Poonhil Sunrise Trek, Upper Mustang Trek, Ghandruk and Dhampus Trek are some of the popular trek programs in the Annapurna Region. This is the beautiful place to experience the life of the famous Gurkha Soldiers.

Langtang Region and Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang is the nearest trek region situated north of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The trek to Langtang Valley can be done in 10 – 12 Days. The people living in the region are from Tibetan origin and following the Tibetan culture and practice. The newly developed Tamang Culture Heritage Trail is one of the beautiful trek to experience the beauty of Langtang region with the culture of the ethnic Tamang People.

The drive of 7- 8 hours will take you to the starting of the Trek. Various Tibetan peaks and Langtang Himal, Langtang Lirung can be viewed closely from the trek.

The Langtang region can be combined with Gosainkunda Lake. This lake is associated with the Hindu epics and myth that the Shiva ( God of Destruction ) once swallowed the poison. He then started to suffer from the effect of the poison and walked here and there. Finally, in Gosainkunda area, he used his trident to break the stone. Then he drank the water coming out of this stone and lowered the effect of poison. This is the same place where he broke the stone with his trident.

In around August, thousands of Hindu pilgrimage goes to pay homage to the Lake and take bath. The trek can be continued to the Helambu region crossing the Lauri Bina Pass.

Manaslu Region and Manasalu Trek

Mt. Manasalu is known as Killer Mountain amongst the climbers and mountaineers. The holy mountain for the local people first climbed by the Japanese mountaineer in 1956 AD.  This 8156 m. high mountain peak situated in the west part of Nepal ( in between Kathmandu and Pokhara )is regarded as one of the tough climb and many attempts were failed before it was scaled in 1956.

Manaslu region is in the Gorkha district, which is the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal and the home of the Brave Gurkhas. The unification of Nepal started in mid 18^th century by the King Prithvi Narayan which ends in the 1816 AD with the treaty which shaped the present Nepal. So, the region is very popular for the history of Nepal. The most popular temple of “Manakamana” literally translates as wish fulfilling goddess is in the region.

Larke La Pass Trek or Manasalu Round Trek is the single most popular trek in the region. Recently, there are many other trek destinations are explored such as Lower Manaslu Trek, Barpak Home stay Trek, Rupinala Pass Trek and other short treks in the lower midhill of Gorkha. Due to the strategic location bordering with Tibet ( Autonomous region of China), there are many villages and towns are not allowed to foreigners to travel. It is required to obtain special permit to enter those areas and limited permits issued each year.

The people in the northern Gorkha are Buddhists and following Buddhism closely with Tibetan practice.The treasure of these towns are beautiful, artistic and ancient Buddhist monasteries. Monastic life , non sacrifice and non violence are some characteristics of the people living there. The trade is between Tibet and Nepal.

Dolpa and Western Region

West and far west Nepal has lesser concentration of the Himalayas. There are not very high peaks like in the Everest Region and east but the terrain and the landscape is more challenging to trek. Dolpa is the most popular trek for the adventure seekers and nature lovers. The Government of Nepal has limited the visit with close monitor due to the strategic location bordering the Tibet. So, the special travel permit for this region is required.

The people here follows the Bonpo religion, Ningmapa Buddhism and others. Ningmapa school in Tibet was established in about 7^th – 9^th century. In Dolpa, the Bonpo religion which was pre Buddhism religion of Tibet is still existing. The age old monasteries, ancient Buddhism and bonpo religion, beautiful natural beauty are some characteristics of the Dolpa Region.

The trek in Dolpa region is divided into two with Lower Dolpa Trek and Upper Dolpa Trek. Nepal’s deepest Lake called She Phoksundo lies in the Shey Phoksundo National Park.

In the same region, west to Dolpa lies the Nepal’s biggest Lake called Rara Lake. The Rara National Park and the Lake is beautiful to trek and explore.

Makalu | Kanchanjunga and Eastern Region

East to Everest region lies the famous Makalu Barun Region and further east the Kanchanjunga Region.Kanchanjunga ( 8586 m. ) as the third highest mountain on the earth lies in the border of Nepal’s Himalaya and Indian Himalaya popularly known in the eastern part. The view of Kanchanjunga from Pelling Sikkim is also the beautiful and many travelers go to Sikkim to view this peak close without trekking to the base for many days.

Makalu Barun National Park, bordering with Sagarmatha National park in the west covers about 1500 Sq Km. Most of the part of the National Park is covered by snow and wild. There is Makalu Barun conservation area as well covering some 830 Sq km. The park contains rhododendron, junipers, various herbs and delicate wild flowers.

 Chitwan National Park for the Game Drive
Chitwan National Park Game Drive Tour is one of the most beautiful add on tour in Nepal after your Trek to combine. OR, you can only visit Chitwan, Kathmandu and Pokhara as Luxury Tour in Nepal.  lies some 170 km south west of Kathmandu is the most visited national park in Nepal and considered as one of the best managed park in the South Asia. It was established in 1973 AD and was the first National Park of Nepal can covers some 932 Sq. km. It lies in the inner Terai lowlands of South – Central Nepal. Chitwan National Park was listed in World Heritage Natural Site in the year 1984 by UNESCO.

The park provide habitat for endangered one-horned Rhinoceros, Gharial crocodile and tiger. There are more than 43 species of mammals and 450 species of birds. The endangered animals such as wild elephant, Gaur and four – horned antelopes are found in the park.

There are various luxury hotels and resorts in the park to stay and enjoy the park and animal life. There are 2 nights and 3 days programs or 3 nights and 4 days programs. You can fly or drive from Kathmandu, drive from Pokhara, Drive from Lumbini, or any other places of Nepal – Indian border cities because the park is conveniently located in the East – West highway.

Elephant ride in the jungle for about 2 hours to see the wild animal is the most popular program in the park. You can see rhino, boar, deer, birds and other animals during the tour. Village walk and tour of the indigenous Tharu people, Canoe ride to see the crocodile, Elephant breeding centre and culture program of the Tharu people called “ Stick Dance “ are some attractions of the programs.

Kathmandu Valley for the Cultural Heritages and beauty

Kathmandu valley is full of mystery, story and beauty. The valley situated at an elevation of 1350 m. from the sea level and covers some 636 Sq. Km area. This the the cultural city of the world with 7 World Cultural Heritage Sites within the 20 km radius. Kathmnadu is the melting pot of Hinduism and Buddhism. In each and every step as you tour around, you can see the temples, statues, praying centers for Hindus and Buddhists simultaneously.

Before 18^th Century, the valley was ruled by three kings making 3 beautiful Durbar Squares now for us to enjoy the mediavel art, culture and beauty. Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square are three Palace squares of the Malla kings who were in power in the valley from 9^th Century onward till 18^th century. The Malla King came to Nepal from South India in 9^th Century and started to rule in Bhaktapur and then divided into Kathmandu, and then to Patan later on in 14^th& 17^th Century respectively. They brought culture, religious practices, various god and goddesses with them and made the valley full of temples and shrines.

Swoyambhunath Stupa in the hillock some 150 m. higher than the valley is another major point of tourist attraction. Boudhanath stupa and Swoyambhunath stupa are of similar architecture depicting Buddhist philosophy of nirvana. Pashupatinath Temple for Hindus is like Mekkah for the Islams. Thousands of pilgrimage pay their homage to this god Shiva each day from all over Nepal and India. There are various other centers of religious and cultural sites of Hindus and Buddhists here and there all around the valley and you never find it enough.

Since the only International airport of Nepal is located in Kathmandu, any tour and trek programs offer you the chance to enjoy this beautiful town. More, we have Kathmandu Spotlight tour to highlight the importance of Kathmandu and bring luxury in your holiday.

Pokhara Valley for Majestic mountain peak and Relaxation

Pokhara, located some 200 km west of Kathmandu is the most beautiful city of Nepal. Pokhara hosts the most stunning view of the Himalayan peaks including Dhaulagiri range, Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre or fishtail, Manasalu range etc. Pokhara is also known as lake city because of lakes located in the city. Fewa and Begnas lake among them are very popular for the boating and touring around. The most popular activity in Pokhara is to drive hike to Sarangkot for the sunrise view of the Himalayan peaks, boating in these lakes, visit Tibetan refugee centres ( since 1959 some 25000 Tibetan people are residing in Nepal as refugee ), International mountain museum to know about the life in the Himalayas. Pokhara is the gateway to Annapurna region trek as well. Annapurna Base camp trek, Mardi Himal trek, Ghorepani trek, Ghandruk trek with various peak climbing are started from Pokhara.

Nagarkot |Other Hill Stations for Sunrise and Sunset Tour

Nagarkot situated at an elevation of 2,170 m / 7,119 ft is the most scenic place around Kathmandu for the sunrise and Himalayan peaks. Langtang range and other eastern Himalayan peaks are so impressive from Nagarkot. It offers beautiful view of Kathmandu valley as well.

OR Dhulikhel is located in the further eastern rim of Kathmandu valley in the Araniko Highway ( which connects Nepal with Lhasa – Tibet). Dhulikhel also offers the most beautiful panoramic range of the Himalayan peaks and green valley. So, we can drive to any one destination as you like for overnight stay.