Places to Visit in Nepal

Introduction to Places to Visit in Nepal

Welcome to Nepal! Get ready for a wild ride through the greatest landscapes, rich culture, and a very high spirituality level. 

From trekking trails that will make you fall in love with the country, to ancient temples, Nepal is the perfect place for adventure and much more. 

Here are the must-visit places that showcase the best of Nepal.

1. Kathmandu Valley – The Heart of Nepal

This great city of Nepal consists of three different cities- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan. Consider them the three amigos of history, temples and palaces!

Moving to the valley itself — It is one of the world heritage sites, which means it is a site for historical buildings. You have the Swayambhunath Stupa, which is widely known as the Monkey Temple — because who wouldn’t want to share their snacks with a group of friendly monkeys? Continuing the theme of this city, another place you will feel some spirituality is Pashupatinath Temple. You can also visit Boudhanath Stupa where you will get an excellent opportunity to have that peace of mind.

Walking through the streets of Kathmandu valley will make you feel like you have reached into ancient times  with all those traditional Nepalese culture, art and architecture within there.

2. Pokhara – The City of Lakes

Pokhara — the City of Lakes. The scenery you would be gazing at will be gliding across Phewa Lake, and those amazing views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) and Annapurna range. And best of all, don’t miss Sarangkot to get a short glimpse at the beautiful sunrise. The actual perspective where you can observe each one of the Himalayas getting up.

Pokhara is also the best place in the country  to start off and go on an exciting trek. For nature lovers and adventurers, you can experience the best of everything here in Pokhara.

3. Chitwan National Park – A Wildlife Paradise

Chitwan National Park is going to feel like a real wildlife paradise. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and it has various different wild lives living there. You can go there to spot the elusive Bengal tiger, the one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants, and many more.

You can book jungle safari and enjoy the thrill of going inside the dense jungle. Or, if you prefer a more leisurely slow paced one to see the jungle, take up a canoe ride on the Rapti River – just be careful of the crocodiles there!

And definitely not to miss the cultural show by the indigenous Tharu community, where you can learn traditional dances. Chitwan is your next destination on your holiday to experience Nepal’s wildlife up close.

4. Lumbini – The Birthplace of Buddha

Lumbini is on the other hand, motherland to a great man who has been important to humanity ever since he was born. Very holy place to visit. This is precisely where Siddhartha Gautama was born. Visit the Maya Devi Temple here and the exact place where Gautam Buddha was born. This is an entire area surrounded by the peaceful monasteries which are constructed by the Buddhism communities all over the world. It is an ideal space to reflect, meditate but also think about the big questions in life.

5. Everest Base Camp – A Trekking Adventure Like No Other

The Everest Base Camp Trek is by far the most popular trekking adventure in Nepal. This trek is so popular, it is the best in the hiking world. It attracts thousands of adventurers from every corner of the globe.

In this trek, you will go through Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar which is widely known as the “capital of the Khumbu with lots of colorful markets which are all filled with local goods. Then you will head to Tengboche Monastery, which is taken to be the spiritual center where you can take a moment to contemplate.

As you trek through this remote place in Nepal, you’ll be really amazed with views of Everest that are so beautiful. That you might end up wanting to stay here more. It’s a journey filled with unbeatable sights and the realization that nature is absolutely marvelous and grand.

6. Annapurna Circuit – A Diverse Trekking Experience

The Annapurna Circuit trek feels like a real buffet of various different landscapes which are utterly beautiful. Here, you can experience everything from subtropical forests to high-altitude desert. This trail therefore, is very renowned for its utter beauty and cultural diversity.

As you trek along, you will pass through villages that might just make you want to set up camp right there. Get ready to cross rivers and experience the legendary hospitality of the Gurung and Tibetan communities – they will welcome you with open arms and you will feel like a home-away-from-home.

And then there is the Thorong La Pass, the cherry on top of this trekking journey. It is the highest point of the trek; and the views of the Himalayas are so amazing that you might just forget to take a picture and instead stand there with utter admiration for the beauty that lies right in front of you.

7. Bhaktapur – The Cultural Gem

Welcome to Bhaktapur – the cultural gem of Nepal, where every corner feels like an ancient life. Going around in the most iconic Bhaktapur Durbar Square shall give you a very traditional vibe. You will be surrounded by beautiful Newari architecture and the faint smell of delicious street snacks.

Get ready to enjoy the pottery workshops, where artisans are busy crafting pots! You may also give it a hand and try out your poetry skills. And those wooden carvings? They are so intricate that you might find yourself wondering about the carver. Don’t miss the Nyatapola Temple and the 55 Window Palace – great landmarks that will make you captivated by their beauty. You will try to comprehend how they built such masterpieces without modern tools.

Bhaktapur’s historical charm is really a must-visit for culture lovers, or anyone who just wants to feel like they have traveled back to a time when life was simpler.

8. Langtang National Park – Nepal’s Hidden Gem

Just north of Kathmandu lies Langtang National Park. And if you are searching for a great place to get away from day-to-day life, and some zen among the greenaries, this is your place! It is really the nature on display at this park. You will absolutely LOVE it.

Langtang Valley Trek and Gosaikunda Lake Trek will take you to the world of beautiful rhododendron forests, grazing, glaciers, snow-peaked territories, maybe beyond the limit of your imagination.

For trekkers who want a quieter trekking experience – where you can feel the best of nature, without hundreds of other trekkers – Langtang is the best trek. Just you and the mountains.

9. Gokyo Lakes – A Collection of Sacred Glacial Lakes

Introducing the Gokyo Lakes, Nepal: a truly enchanted group of high-altitude glacial lakes. In the Everest region, these blue pools are so beautiful that the mountains themselves seem to be strutting about, flexing their peaks there.

While you wander about, you are bordered by peaks that look so sleek they could have been photoshopped into existence. And if you feel a bit adventurous, head towards Gokyo Ri, the piece de resistance viewpoint to get those most beautiful panoramic shots of Everest and other peaks.

But wait, there’s more! The Gokyo Lakes are also sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, which gives them a touch of spirituality on top of their natural wonder.

10. Patan – The City of Fine Arts

Home of fine arts but specially venerated at Patan or Lalitpur. If you ever wanted to walk into a live gallery, Patan is the best place to be. The centerpiece of it all is Patan Durbar Square which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples here are completely beautiful, statues, and courtyards are highly detailed. Be sure not to miss the Golden Temple and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and this is another real beauty you can witness. The real admiration goes to the artisans of Patan who are working behind the scene to preserve the art of Nepal. Like residing in a vault.

11. Bandipur – The Hilltop Village

Bandipur is a hilltop village and it truly feels like stepping into a completely different but wonderful universe. It is known for the Newari architecture with a very wide angle mountain view. While wandering the cobbled streets, you will have temples and colorful markets surrounding daily life. While you are there make sure to visit Siddha Gufa which is the biggest cave in Nepal to get adventure oriented. Just advise: it is a cave, so take a flashlight. Not to mention the warmth shown by locals. Sheltering you with the best of hospitality; making sure that they make you feel at home.

12. Khumbu Region – The Land of the Sherpas

Here, in the land of the Sherpas, home to beautiful peaks and warm smiles and endless tea. Not only is this area the gateway to Mount Everest, it will also get you in touch with your inner culture and may very well take your breath away! Walking through well-known villages like Namche Bazaar and Khumjung, you realize that the Sherpa culture is just as impressive as the scenery. Tengboche Monastery While following these walking trails, never skip a stop at the sacred Tengboche monastery and join in with the ultimate spiritual vibes or wander around watching mystics monks perform their best silent pose. The stone walls along the trials are so beautiful with colorful prayer flags flying around. The other area where you can both trek and experience the real-authentic Sherpa way of life is in Khumbu Region.