Most of the territory of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is occupied by the Himalayas - the highest mountain system on Earth. But not only lovers of mountain climbs or other activities come here. Nepal is famous for its spiritual practices, so everyone who is looking for enlightenment or parting words tries to visit the holy places of this country.
In spring and especially in autumn, mountain climbers come to Nepal. Here you can make a track of almost any difficulty level, and the most daring can try to conquer the highest peak of the Earth.
You can admire the unique nature of this country in three national parks, which require special permits. In addition to unforgettable impressions from Nepal, they usually bring warm blankets and pashmina clothes, various ceramic and leather handicrafts, Nepalese tea and souvenirs.
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What to see in Nepal?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Kathmandu Valley
One of the most visited and developed places in Nepal is the Kathmandu Valley. More than 130 local archaeological sites, some of which date back to the 1st century AD, attract tourists from all over the world. There are also several temple complexes sacred to Buddhists and Hindus.
Kathmandu city
Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal, its capital and cultural center. Many temples, narrow picturesque streets, famous stupas, palaces and museums - this is not a complete list of Kathmandu's attractions. And to the north of the Palace Square there is a new tourist center where you can spend the night, have a meal or get access to the Internet.
Lumbini
Famous Nepalese settlement where, according to legend, Buddha was born. Lumbini is a pilgrimage site and popular tourist destination in Nepal. This complex consists of many monasteries, temples and stupas, among which the main place is occupied by the Maya Devi temple, which is adjacent to the column of King Ashoka.
The ancient city of Patan (Lalitpur)
One of the most ancient settlements, which now almost merges with the capital of Nepal. The center of Patan is the Durbar temple square, where there are about 10 temples in which a variety of deities are worshiped. You can also visit the Buddhist monastery in which the rulers of Nepal were crowned, and in Patan you can buy souvenirs for every taste or just visit the zoo.
Bhaktapur city
The ancient city located east of Kathmandu is prized by Nepalese tourists for its authentic look and numerous architectural monuments. The most visited places in Bhaktapur are the Krishna Temple, the Royal Palace, Taumadhi Tole Square, the bell and the temple of the goddess Taleju. Fans of organized excursions should visit the Bhaktapur National Art Museum.
Pokhara city
The third largest city in Nepal. The local picturesque lake Pheva and beautiful views of the Himalayas make this city a popular tourist destination. Many mountain tourist routes start from Pokhara, and lovers of comfortable rest await the Lakeside quarter, where you can find a hotel, restaurant or club for every taste and budget.
Mountain peak Chomolungma (Everest)
The visiting card of Nepal is the highest earthly peak, which many climbers from all over the world are trying to conquer. The best time to climb Mount Everest is spring and autumn, and the approximate preparation time takes about 2 months and is quite expensive. For those who are not ready to spend a lot of time and money, the Base (altitude 5300 m) and Advanced Base (altitude 6400 m) camps are open.
Kanchenjunga mountain range
On the border of India and Nepal, there is the Kanchenjunga mountain range, which consists of 5 peaks. Attempts to "take" the top of Kanchenjunga have been made since 1905, but only in 1955 the participants of the British expedition succeeded. Climbing this mountain range is quite difficult and dangerous, so only experienced climbers can do it.
Durbar Square (Kathmandu)
One of the main places in Kathmandu is Durbar Square. The entrance is paid, but the ticket is valid all day. In total, there are about 50 archaeological sites, and the center of the square is the Hanuman-Dhoka Palace, from the high tower of which a beautiful view of the city opens. Unfortunately, many local attractions were badly damaged by the 1934 earthquake.
Annapurna National Park
In 1986, the Annapurna National Park was created to protect the mountain range of the same name. The main purpose of visiting these places is mountain climbs. There are several hiking trails in the park, the longest of which is called the Annapurna Trail. Also in the park there are sacred places of Hindus and Buddhists, and climbing one of the mountain peaks is prohibited for religious reasons.
Chitwan National Park
200 km from the capital is the Royal Chitwan National Park, formed in the favorite hunting grounds of Nepalese kings. Since 1973, Chitwan has been protected by the state, and wild animals can be observed here in their natural habitat. In this national park, tourists can stay in small houses, and excursions around the territory are made in jeeps or elephants.
Sagarmatha National Park
Since 1976, over 1000 km² of the Himalayas has been part of the protected area of the Sagarmatha National Park. The famous Everest peak is located within the boundaries of this park. There are also several villages in which the Sherpa people live, who provide the services of guides and guides for those wishing to conquer Everest. There are several Buddhist monasteries in Sagarmatha, the most famous of which is Tiangboche.
Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower)
In the 19th century, two 11-storey towers of Dharahara and Bhimsen were built in the central part of Kathmandu, on which special observers were on duty and gave a signal when they saw the enemy. After the destruction of one of the towers in 1934, both names passed to the surviving tower. Since 2005, Dharahara has been open to tourists, but the 2015 earthquake completely destroyed this structure.
Swayambhunath Temple Center
One of the most revered Buddhist centers is located in the village of the same name on the outskirts of the capital of Nepal. 365 steps lead to the hill on which the central Buddhist stupa Swayambunatha is located. The stupa itself is surrounded by a park, and there are several Tibetan monasteries nearby. There are also many monkeys in the vicinity of the hill.
Pashupatinath temple
The large Hindu complex Pashupatinath, located in the east of Kathmandu, is extremely popular with tourists, and many locals visit it daily. Wandering yogis gather here, and hermits live in caves. Funeral ceremonies are held in a large temple courtyard on the west bank of the river, usually watched by tourists from the east bank.
Copan monastery
Buddhist monastery was founded in 1969, located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Copan is open to everyone. This place is known all over the world for its meditation courses. They are taught by experienced Lamrim masters on average once every couple of months. Here you can also get individual advice from the abbot of the monastery.
Bodnath Temple Center
One of the main centers of Buddhism in Nepal is the Bodnath temple complex. In the center of the complex there is a large stupa in the form of a spatial mandala, and around it there are many monasteries of different directions and schools.Also on the territory of Bodnath there are shops, souvenir shops and even restaurants.
Kumari-Ghar Temple (Temple of Goddess Kumari)
The living Hindu deity Kumari - the embodiment of the goddess Taleju - has its own temple, built in the 18th century. The goddess living in the three-story Kumari Ghar palace is a little girl from the Shakya caste who meets special criteria. Nepalese can often be seen under the windows of the temple, waiting for Kumari to look at them.
Mechendra cave
Locals call Mechendra Cave "the home of bats" because many of these animals have found shelter here. Many stalactites adorning this cave, the Nepalese artificially betrayed the appearance of the Hindu god Shiva. The lighting in Mechendra is not very good, so tourists should bring lanterns here.
Lake Pheva (Feva)
The unusually picturesque freshwater lake Pheva spills in the valley near Pokhara. In clear weather, in the clear waters of Pheva, one can observe the reflection of the peaks of the Annapurna mountain range. And in the middle of the lake there is an island on which the Bahari temple is located. To visit this religious monument, you should take a boat trip.
Tracks in the mountains of Nepal
The best time for hiking in the Himalayas is during the autumn months. It was at this time that many tourists come to the country who want to make trekking ascents to the Nepalese mountain peaks. The most popular are the rather difficult and expensive routes to the base camps of Annapurna and Everest.
Rafting in Nepal
Among other entertainments, rafting is quite popular in Nepal - rafting on mountain rivers on special inflatable boats. Many Himalayan rivers are perfect for this sport, which allows you to choose a route with any complexity of the rafting. So, the Bhote Kosi river is considered one of the best options, Trisuli is suitable for a leisurely family rafting, and the prepared athletes will certainly like the San Kosi river.
