Top 15 Places to Visit in Nepal

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia. It has a population of 29.3 million and is the 93^rd largest country by area. Bordering China in the north and India in the south, east, and west, it is the largest sovereign Himalayan state. Kathmandu is the nation’s capital and the largest city in Nepal. It is a multi-ethnic nation with Nepali as the official language. There are so many fascinating places to visit in Nepal that a lot of people around the world are unaware of. Nepal is a beautiful country with never ending stunning landscapes, charismatic mountains, and mesmerizing lakes.

A country with beautiful weather, where the highest mountain peak lies, where Lord Buddha was born, the rich natural and cultural heritages make Nepal a must-visit. A trip to Nepal is one of the top destinations for many travelers. Our country offers more memorable travel experiences. And not just for foreigners, we Nepalese can too have our own holiday within the country. Here’s an overview of 15 best places to visit in Nepal.

Everest Base Camp (EBC Trek)

The most thrilling, exciting, and challenging trek for the trekking lovers is the Everest Base Camp. You can immerse yourself in the wonder of the Great Everest Himalayas. With the beauty of the Himalayas, the EBC trek is culturally enticing which makes it ‘The trek of a lifetime’ for the trekkers. Experience the Khumbu’s many majestic features, go through amazing mountain valleys and revel in the region’s awe-inspiring hallmarks.  Similarly, observe the legendary Sherpa Culture of the Khumbu region.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek (ABC Trek)

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is also one of the best and popular trek routes because of everything it has to offer within its short distance. With a perfect blend of nature and cultural diversity, the journey goes passing through the spectacular and tranquil landscapes: hills embellished with beautiful Rhododendron bushes, walk through bamboo, oak, and alpine forests, stay at welcoming Gurung and Magar villages, look out for exotic wildlife, and unravel yourself in the natural hot water springs at the end of your trek.

Kathmandu

Being the capital of our country, Kathmandu has got a lot of places where you can visit. Kathmandu is known as the main city where most of the tourists are attracted. Basantapur Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Hanuman Dhoka, Indra Chowk, Garden of dreams, Swoyambhu Nath, Pashupati Nath, Budhanilkantha etc. are some of the amazing places you can visit.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is known as the most preserved city of all the cities in Nepal. Bhaktapur is a place where you can find some amazing old religious temples and houses. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the main attraction for the tourists in Bhaktapur. Except for Durbar Square, you can also visit Siddha Pokhari, Kamal Binayak, and the Palace of Fifty-five Windows among others that lie in Bhaktapur. The pottery square can be an awesome place to get souvenirs. What better to take back than handmade, beautifully crafted ornamental clay pots?

Patan

Patan is one of the 3 royal cities of Nepal. Patan is filled with shrines with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments. The city is known for its rich tradition of arts and handicrafts and as the birthplace of master craftsmen and artists. Treat your eyes with the Thanka and painting found around the square and enjoy the Museum while learning about Nepal’s history. Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Mandir, Mahaboudha, The Zoo, Godavari are some of the main tourist areas in Patan.

Pokhara

Pokhara is a major tourist hub of Nepal. Well known for its lakes and view of the mountains, the city offers a combination of nature and culture and is mostly known as the gateway to the trekking route “Round Annapurana”, which is usually a trek of 25 days. About half of all tourists visiting Pokhara are there for the start or end of a trek to the Annapurna Region – Annapurna Base Camp, Ghorepani Poonhill, Jomsom and Mustang. Pokhara is quite a modern city with only few tourist attractions in the town itself. Most interesting is the old center in the north of the city where many old shops and warehouses in the Newari style can still be found. You can also visit many places in Pokhara like Davis Fall, Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake, Mahendra Gufa etc.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is a conservation area in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. Chitwan National Park is a place where you can enjoy wildlife. Go to jungle walks, jungle safaris on jeeps and elephants, canoe in the Narayani River and simply observe the wildlife.

Janakpur

Janakpur is mentioned in Ramayana as the birthplace of Sita, Ram’s consort. It is also believed that it was in Janakpur that Lord Ram and Sita met and were married to each other. Janaki temple, Dhanushadham and Ram Mandir are some of the attractions in Janakpur.

Lumbini

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, is a Buddhist pilgrimage site located in the Nepalese town of Kapilavastu, district Rupandehi, near the Indian border. It is one of the reasons why Nepal is well known in the world. Maya Devi Mandir is the main attraction of Lumbini, which preserves the traditional site of the Buddha’s birth.

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake is known as the world’s highest lake located in Manang District of Nepal in the Annapurna range at an altitude of 4919m. Tilicho Lake is also famous for its religious point of view as many Hindu pilgrims from around the world visit the lake. The lake is the destination of one of the most popular side hikes of the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang can also be called ‘a peek into the hidden world of Buddhist kingdom’ of Mustang, also called Lo. Lo used to be a part of the Tibetan empire, and is therefore very closely related to Tibet; not only the culture, also the landscape is very much related to Tibet. Upper Mustang trek offers a spectacular trekking experience in the remote trans-Himalayan mountain region of Nepal. Mustang is mostly a barren landscape where the villages with their bright colored fields are like Oasis in the deserts which lies in the shadow of the Dhaulagiri region and is a complete desolate landscape. The culture of the people living there is one of the major attractions for tourists and visitors alike.

Rara Lake

Rara Lake also known as Rara taal is the biggest lake situated within the borders of Nepal. The lake lies at an altitude of 2,990 meters above the sea level and covers an area of 10.8 square kilometers. Rara Lake is surrounded by Rara National Park on all sides which was established in 1976. Boat in the clear waters, hike to nearby hills for nearer views of the mountains and lake, meet the charming local people, or just take a walk around the lake watching out for a wildflower or a rare bird on the way.

Poon Hill

Poon Hill is the viewpoint in the Annapurna Foothills that offer beautiful and magnificent mountain views. The trail goes through patchwork valleys, dense mossy forests and past icy waterfalls where one can stop to cool off and rest. On the way to Poon hill around every corner is an alluring glimpse of the high mountains, the whole horizon of which is revealed to you as you reach the higher points of your trek.

Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda Lake is considered as one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Nepal. The lake is situated inside the Langtang National Park and located at an altitude of 4,380 in the Rasuwa district. Gosaikunda Lake is an adventure travel destination that has been described as a religious site according to Hindu mythology. Every year during Janai Purnima in August, hundreds of Hindu pilgrims visit for a holy bath in the lake. It is basically an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake surrounded by the spectacular mountainous view and is a significant place of interest in the Dhunche-Helambu trekking route.

Panch Pokhari

Panch Pokhari is a group of five Hindu holy lakes in the Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal. The lake is the 9^th highest altitude wetland in the world. It lies in the arms of very beautiful Himalayan Range and pristine nature. It is very popular for pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhist. Many Hindus and Buddhist pilgrimages visit this sacred lake in Janai Purnima.

Besides those mentioned above, there are a lot of other places to visit in Nepal. Although small in size, Nepal is known in the world as a nation of color and contrasts – a hidden Shangri-La of nature, culture, and adventure.

So, there you go! These are the 15 places to visit in Nepal. How about rightfully using your holidays and make a visit to Nepal?

Which of these places interested you the most? Let us know in the comment section below.