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7 Best Places To Visit In Nepal

A quaint hidden country located in the Himalayan foothills, Nepal is a paradise that is often looked past by travellers visiting South Asia. It’s surrounded by India from the South and East, Tibet from the North and Bhutan and Bangladesh, narrowly connecting via the Sikkim state. Unlike bustling India, its closest neighbour Nepal is quite the opposite. From the breathtaking Mount Everest to the countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, Nepal belongs on every traveller’s bucket list. Join us as we trek uphill to discover the top places to visit in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp

Best Places to Visit in Nepal Number 1 - Everest Base Camp
Photo by Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

Location

Trekking the Everest Base Camp is the second best thing to do if you are a mountain climber or adventure seeker. The first best thing is the summit – of course. Everest Base Camp is located by the foot of Mount Everest and is one of the top places to visit in Nepal. In recent years, several traffic jams were reported blocking the trekking path. Situated 5,600 from sea level, It would roughly take about 12-14 days to reach the base camp. Hence the intensity is much less when compared to the peak.

Besides the thrill one can gain from the trek, the views of the surroundings too are astounding. From scenic monasteries and stupas along the trails to rural tea houses serving traditional chai and momos, this complete Nepali experience is worth it, even if you are not an adventure lover.

Boudhanath Stupa

Best Places to Visit in Nepal Number 2 - Boudhanath Stupa
Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Location

Located in the Capital city of Kathmandu, the Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most visited Buddhist religious sites in the whole world. The stupa symbolizes serenity. Built by Emperor Trisong Detsen of Tibet in the early middle ages, It is based in the ancient trade route where Tibet met the Kathmandu Valley. The surrounding of Boudhanath is home to many Tibetan refugees, who live in harmony with local Nepali communities. The stupa is believed to house the relics of Kashyapa Buddha and stands 36 meters high. One of the most distinctive features of Boudhanath is the eyes of Buddha painted above the dome. Unfortunately, most of the original construction were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. The stupa was restored to its former glory later, and today it is one of the top places to visit in Nepal. Those who love sightseeing tours must visit Boudhanath.

Chitwan National Park

Best Places to Visit in Nepal Number 3 - Chitwan National Park
Photo by Kedar Bhusal on Unsplash

Location

Home of the endangered one-horned rhino, Chitwan National Park is located in the Terai lowlands. It is one of the most diverse wildlife locations in South Asia. It is Nepal’s first National Park too. Today a UNESCO Heritage Site, Chitwan is home to over 544 bird species, 68 species of mammals and the most adored one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger and Gharial Crocodile. Located about 60 miles from Capital Kathmandu, many wildlife enthusiasts adds Chtiwan to their bucket list of adventures, along with Everest Base Camp Trek. The jungle safari at Chitwan National Park is considered to be a bewildering experience. Travellers get to witness the enchanting wilderness on a backdrop of a captivating landscape. It is undoubtedly, one of the top places to visit in Nepal.

Time lapse from Nuwakot Nepal

Lumbini

Best Places to Visit in Nepal Number 4 - Lumbini
Photo by Kartabya Aryal on Unsplash

Location

Known as the birthplace of Gautama Buddha in 623 B.C, the Lumbini Temple is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world. Although Buddhists travel here for pilgrimage, many people also from other beliefs visit this beautiful place and temple for its historical glory and spiritual sense. Within the temple gardens, the exact spot is marked where Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to the Lord Buddha.

The province of Lumbini possesses a laid-back, tranquil vibe that distinguishes itself from the rest of the fast-paced cities. Surrounding the temple are ruins of ancient monasteries built to accommodate pilgrims, dating back to the 3rd Century BC. Curious adventurers can set out to discover ancient ruins of famous historical locations. Even if you are not a Buddhist, Lumbini is definitely a top place to visit in Nepal.

Swayambhunath Temple

Best Places to Visit in Nepal Number 5 - Swayambhunath Temple
Photo by Raimond Klavins on Unsplash

Location

Located in Kathmandu – atop the valley, the name Swayambhunath derives from the Tibetan tongue – ‘Sublime trees’. It is not only trees that are found here, but countless monkeys. They are not just monkeys, but holy ones. There is a fascinating legend that surrounds how they came to be and lived in the temple complex for generations. Although they’re considered wise, sometimes travellers do find uncomfortable situations as with any primate. Believed to be built in the 5th Century, the Swayambhunath Stupa is similar in appearance to Boudhanath Stupa. It takes 365 steps to reach the main stupa of the temple, and travellers find mini shrines along the path uphill. If you’ve not yet concluded your Everest Base Camp Trek, we insist you visit the Swayambhunath temple first.

Kathmandu

Morning Street in Kathmandu
Photo by Kerensa Pickett on Unsplash

Location

The Capital city of Kathmandu itself is a must-visit destination. Connecting Tibet via the valley, Kathmandu is home to several ethnicities, including Hindus from India. Hence why there’s a high density of religious complexes, pagodas and temples located in close proximity. Most of these buildings belong to Buddhists. A few of the beautiful places to include on your tour is Shri Pashupatinath Temple, the Durbar Square and the Dharahara watchtower. Those planning to trek the Everest Base Camp can prepare for the altitude by engaging in some cycling around Kathmandu. Not only would it help your legs for the trek, but it would make your sightseeing experience more diverse at the same time. Just like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Kathmandu is one of the top places to visit in Nepal.

Pokhara

Paragliders in Pokhara
Photo by Kaushal Subedi on Unsplash

Location

Known as the gateway to the Annapurna region, Pokhara is the ultimate holiday destination of Nepal. Annually over one million tourists visit this beautiful place. Those heading to trek the Everest Base Camp, usually visit this city for preparation. The scenic views of the Himalayan range from Pokhara is such a unique sighting. Travellers from across the region arrive here for extreme sports such as trekking, rafting, and bungee jumping. For those looking to relax on their vacation, Pokhara is one of the top best places to visit in Nepal.

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