1. Old Kathmandu
Even after suffering damage in the 2015 earthquake. The historic centre of old Kathmandu remains an open-air architectural museum of magnificent medieval temples, pagodas, pavilions and shrines. Once occupied by Nepal’s cloistered royal family and still home to the Kumari, Kathmandu’s very own living goddess. Durbar squire is the gateway to a maze of medieval streets that burst even more vividly to life during spectacular festivals. For an hour walking tours through the hidden backstreet courtyards and temples of the surrounding warren- like old town.
2. Swayambhunath
The iconic-whitewashed stupa of Swaymbhunath is both a UNESCO World Heritage sites and one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist shrines. The great Stupa –painted with iconic, all-seeing Buddha eyes- survived the 2015 earthquake with only minor damage and it remains a focal point for Buddhist devotion. Pilgrims wander the shrines, spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras, while nearby astrologers read palms, and shopkeepers sell magic amulets and sacred beads. Come at dusk for spectacular views over the city lights of Kathmandu.
3. Bodhanath Stupa
The village of Bodhanath is the centre of Nepal’s Exiled Tibetan community and home to Asia’s largest stupa (Pg-128) a spectacular white dome and spire that draws Buddhist pilgrims from hundred of kilo-meters away. Equally fascinating are the surrounding streets, bustling with monks with shaved headed and maroon robes, and lined with Tibetan monasteries an shops selling prayer wheels and juniper incense. Come at dusk and join the Tibetan pilgrims as they light butter lamps and walk around the stupa on their daily Kora.(Ritual circumambulation).
4. Bhaktapur
Of the three former city-states that jostled for power over the Kathmandu Valley, medieval Bhaktapur is the most atmospheric. Despite damage in the 2015 earthquake, its backstreets still burst with temples and pagodas, including the Nyatpol Temple, Nepal’s tallest winding lanes lined with red-brick buildings lead onto squires used by locals for drying corn and making pottery-this is no museum but a living, breathtaking town where residents live their lives public. Stay overnight in a guesthouse or attend one of the city’s fantastic festivals.
5. Patan
Kathmandu’s sister city doesn’t get the attraction it deserves. The city of Newari traders , interconnected Buddhist courtyards and hidden temples has a greater cultural cohesion than any other city in Nepal. Wander the fascinating backstreets, the magnificent Durbar Squire and the Patan Museum, the best museum in the country. Plus ancient Ashoka-era Stupas and the valley’s best collection of international restaurants and it’s clear you need a couple of trips to take it all in. Spend the night here and you will have backstreets to yourself.
6. Everest Base Camp Trek
Topping many people’s travel bucket list is this two-week-long trek to the base of the world’s highest, and most hyped, mountain. Despite only limited views of Mount Everest itself, the surrounding Himalayan peaks are truly awesome. And the half-hour you spend watching the alpenglow ascend beautiful Pumari or Ama Dablam is worth all the altitude headaches you will likely suffer. The crowds can be thick in October, but the welcome at the Sherpa lodges is as warm as their fresh apple pie.
7. Annapurna Circuit Trek
This trek around the 8091 m. Annapurna massif is Nepal’s most popular trek and it’s easy to see why. The lodges are comfortable, there is little earthquake damage during 2015, the crossing of the 5416 m. high Thorong La pass provides a physical challenge and the sense of journey from lowland Neal to Trans-Himalayan Plateau is immensely satisfying. Now a days Road construction has eaten away at either end of the trek but alternative footpaths continue to avoid the road, take your time and explore the spectacular side trips, particularly around Manang.
8.Langtang Valley
Nepal’s third great teahouse trek is nestled in a lovely Alpine valley nest to the Tibetan border. Combing lush bamboo and Himalayan forest with high peaks, pastures and glaciers, Langtang offers incredible variety, especially if you add on a side trek to the holy Gosaikunda lakes, set in a mountain bowl at 4400 m. Langtang suffered greatly in the 2015 earthquake but the lodges have been rebuilt, the trails improved and the trek is open for business. The nearby newly opened border with Tibet offers a superb new overland add-on.
9.Chitwan National Park
In the ‘Other Nepal, down in the humid plains, Chitwan is one of Asia’s best wildlife- viewing spots and the place to don your safari togs and head into the dawn mist in search of rhinos and tigers. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, from scanning the forest for critters to visiting local Tharu villages, and the brave can even take a guided walk through the jungle, surrounded by the hoots and roars of the forest. If you are lucky, you will see Gharial, spotted deer and wild gaurs, plus plenty of exotic birds.
10. Views from Pokhara
Nepal’s second biggest tourist town may lack the historical depth of Kathmandu, but it more than makes up for this with a seductively laid-back vibe and one of the country’s most spectacular lacerations. The dawn views of Machhepuchhare and Annapurna, mirrored in the calm water of Fewa lake or seen from the town’s hilltop viewpoints, are simply unforgettable. Take them in on a trek, from the saddle of a mountain bike or, best of all, dangling from a Para glider high above the valley floor.
11. Lumbini-Birthplace of the Buddha
A Pilgrimage to the Maya Devi Temple. Buddha’s birthplace, ranks as one of the subcontinent’s great spiritual journeys. You can visit the exact spot where Sidhartha Gautama was born 2500 years ago, rediscovered only a century or so ago, and than tour a multitude of temples. But perhaps the most powerful thing to do is simply find a quit spot, and a book on Buddhism, and Meditate on the nature of existence. Travel experiences don’t get much more profound than this.
12.Bandipur
Halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara is this perfectly preserved ridge top village of traditional 18th century Newari houses and temples. Apart from just enjoying the peace and quite, there are some fine walks to be had in the surrounding hills. While adventurous types can arrange to abseil into the Siddha Gufa cave, paraglide over the village or go cannoning in nearby waterfalls. At the end of the day several well-run guesthouses offer atmospheric accommodation in restored Newari mansions.
13. White Water Rafting
Nepal is one of the world’s best rafting and kayaking destinations. Fueled by water rushing down from Himalayan peaks. Rivers such as the Trisuli and Bhote Koshi promise thrilling white water for day trippers-liquid journey that take you down the Karnali, Tamur and Sun Koshi rivers through some of Nepal’s remotest corners. We offer everything from roller-coaster white water trips to serene floats through jungle wilderness.
14. Nepal’s Fantastic Festivals
Nepal has so many spectacular festivals that any visit is almost certain to coincide with at least one. Celebrations range from masked dances designed to exorcise unruly demons to epic bouts of tug-of-war between rival sides of a town. For a full-on medieval experience, time your travel it’s one of the slightly mad chariot processions such as the parade of Rato Machhendranath. When hundreds of enthusiastic devotees drag tottering 20 meters tall chariots through the crowed streets of Kathmandu and Patan.
15. Momos
These little meat or vegetable –filled dumplings are Nepal’s unofficial national dish. Enjoy them in grandiose Newari restaurant, at a shared table in a backstreet in Tibetan kitchens in the towns also in a trekking lodge over looking the Annapurnas –they are the quintessential taste of the Himalaya. Join a cooking class to learn how to make these deceptively simple morsels that are savored from china to Central Asia. Kathmand’s restaurants also fill them with apple and cinnamon, and serve them with ice cream. So yummy!
