Are you traveling to Nepal and want to know the best places to visit? For good reason, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu are Nepal's most popular tourist attractions. I will mention all three places and give examples of why they are the gateways to everything in Nepal!
Nepal is a mysterious and vibrant country that offers a world of fun and adventure to tourists. It is located in Southeast Asia. Nepal is a relatively small country (about the size of the state of Arkansas). Though small, traveling the country is no small feat, as Nepal's topography and intricacies have a lot to offer. As someone who has never traveled to this country before, it can be difficult for you to know what to expect and where to go.
In this quick Nepal overview, I would like to introduce three tourist attractions that anyone traveling to Nepal should experience. Moreover, the reason they are on the list is that they are the gateway to almost all the exciting experiences and places to visit in Nepal.
The three places I will talk about include:
Pokhara
Chitwan
Kathmandu
Pokhara - The City Of Lakes And Beauty:
Pokhara is probably the most famous tourist destination in Nepal. Nestled in a valley at the foot of the Annapurna Ranges, Pokhara is the gateway to the north, opening up many of Nepal's most popular trekking destinations—such as the Annapurna Base Camp trek, which, year after year, accounts for around 70% of the total number of hikers.
Even if you don't plan to hike through the jungle, the city has a lot to offer for you to discover on your own. With the Lakeside tourist site, after Phewa Tal (lake), it has access to beautiful views of the mountains to the north, extreme sports, tourist attractions, and one of the best experiences. The most relaxing experience you will ever have
Regarding extreme sports, you can choose different options. For example, in Pokhara, you can do:
Ultralight Plane
Bungee Jumping
Paragliding
And much more!
My favorite is having the opportunity to go paragliding in Pokhara at Sarangkot Hill, the most famous paragliding place in Nepal. With views of the city and the Annapurna Range to the north, the flight is 30 minutes long and you'll wish it was much longer!
If you decide to enjoy paragliding in Pokhara, I highly recommend skipping the 30-minute drive to the top and hopping on the Annapurna Ropeway. The quick and easy ride to the top of Sarangkot will give you a relaxing experience and you will see the lake and city below in a brand new cable car. Also, the cable car has just opened (2022) and is the fastest way to get up the hill. It only takes about 10 minutes! In addition to paragliding, the cable car will take you to the top of Pokhara, which is full of great restaurants and hotels to stay in. Finally, on a clear day, you can see the entire Himalayas.
After your relaxing and adventurous break in Pokhara, it's time to catch a domestic flight and head to Chitwan!
Chitwan - Say Hello To The Elephants
For tourists in Nepal, Chitwan offers a completely different experience for tourists. Located in the Terai region of Nepal, the landscape and culture of the area are completely changing and transforming from what you are used to in the hilly areas. Spending a few days in Chitwan is a great way to complete your adventure in Nepal, especially after visiting Pokhara for extreme sports and trekking.
Chitwan is a popular destination for jungle activities, water activities, cultural experiences, wildlife and bird watching. Getting to Chitwan is quite easy as you can take a bus from Pokhara or Kathmandu, or even take a plane, saving a few hours of travel. Some of the most popular activities in Chitwan National Park include: Jungle Safari, Jeep and Safari Driving, Nature Walk, Bird Watching, and One Horned Rhino.
The Chitwan area is also rich in culture and is home to the indigenous Tharu people. The Tharu are so unique and have distinct cultural practices. They are all skilled in different crafts, such as colorful baskets made from local herbs. Also, if you are looking to experience more religious heritage and activities, Chitwan is considered a holy place and home to pilgrimage sites and temples such as: Devghat Dham, Ganeshthan, Harihar Mandir, Bikram Baba, and other famous temples. Finally, you can also practice extreme sports in the area, including rafting and kayaking.
Now that you've experienced and seen the hills and Terai of Nepal, it's time to head back to Kathmandu!
Kathmandu - City of Temples and More!
Kathmandu, known as the "City of Temples", has much more to offer than the temples, art, culture, architecture, and heritage for which it is famous. Of course, these aspects are all unavoidable when visiting the Kathmandu Valley. However, if you're looking to get the most out of the city after seeing the durbar squares, you can take advantage of the great spots for sightseeing, hiking, and other activities.
Some of the most popular places around Kathmandu for hiking and sightseeing are:
* Chandragiri
Chandragiri is a popular hiking destination in Kathmandu. Many people are enjoying a day hike to Chandragiri to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The trail passes through jungle and small villages, and when you reach the hills of Chandragiri, you can enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the Himalayas.
* Jamacho
Jamacho Gumba is located on top of a hill in Shivapuri National Park. The Jamacho hike is quite steep and goes through the jungle. Although it can be a bit more difficult, the hilltop observation tower is well worth it as it offers spectacular views of the Kathmandu Valley as well as the mighty Himalayas to the north on a clear day.
* Champadevi
Chamadevi is located southwest of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2280m and is one of the best trekking sites in the Kathmandu valley. The steep hiking trail follows the pine forest decorated with Buddhist prayer flags. On a clear day, the hill offers beautiful views of the mountains, including Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, Langtang Lirung and many more. Plus, the top of this short hike gives you sweeping views of the valley below.
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