Pokhara (900m) is a remarkable place of natural beauty. Situated at 200km west of Kathmandu valley, the city is known as a center of adventure. Pokhara valley is one of the most picturesque spots in the world. The enchanting town has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. The serenity of lakes and the magnificence of the Himalayas rising behind them create an ambience of peace and magic. This is also an ideal place for relaxation and outdoor activities such as swimming, boating on the Phewa lake, pony treks, short hikes and bicycling. Locally known as Patale Chhahgo, Davi’s fall is an awesome waterfall lying about 2km south-west of the center on the highway to Tansen. Pokhara’s traditional old bazaar is colorful and is ethnically diverse. Newar architecture and craftsmanship is expressed in its temple and windows. At an elevation of 1590 metres, Sarangkot is perched on a high ridge to the northwest of Pokhara and has panoramic mountain views from Dhaulagiri and across the Annapurnas to Manalsu, as well as south over the Pokhara Valley. A short hike to the view point is for those who cannot opt for long, challenging ones. World Peace Stupa is situated on the top of a hill on the southern shore of Phewa Lake. It has four images of Buddha facing in four directions. The pagoda is an impressive sight and its hilltop location commands great view. It is a great vantage point which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna. Mahendra Cave is a large limestone cave, locally known as the House of Bats, is another nature's wonder in Pokhara. The centre of attraction in Pokhara is the Phewa lake - the second largest lake in the country. It is the largest and most enchanting of the three lakes that add to the resplendence of Pokhara. Here, you can sail or row a hired boat across to the water or visit the island temple in the middle. Built in the middle of Phewa lake, Barahi temple is dedicated to the Goddess Ajima - the grand mother. The universal protector is the boar manifestation of Goddess Shakti. She is often worshipped with the sacrifice of animals.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park stands today as a successful testimony of nature conservation in South Asia. This is the first national park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole world. The park covering a pristine area of 932 sq. km is situated in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of southern central part of Nepal. The park has gained much wider recognition in the world when UNESCO included this area on the list of World Heritage Site in 1984.It is a home to over 50 species of mammals, 55 species of amphibians and reptiles and 525 species of birds. Wildlife that thrive here include; the great one-horned Asian Rhinoceros, Gaur, wild Bison, sloth Bear, four different species of Deer, the Rhesus Monkey and the black-faced Langur, the spotted Leopard, the fish-eating Gharial, the flesh-eating marsh Crocodile and the Gangetic Dolphin among many others. It is also one of the last refuges of the Bengal tiger. The birdlife too is very rich and varied and a delight for Ornithologists.
Bardiya National Park
Spread across an area of 968 sq.kms, Bardiya National Park is situated in the mid-Far Western Terai, east of the Karnali River. The park is the most undisturbed wilderness area in the Terai. About 70% of the park is covered with dominantly sal forest with the balance a mixture of grassland, savanna and riverine forest. The park provides excellent habitat for endangered animals like the rhinoceros, wild elephant, tiger, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile, marsh mugger crocodile and Gangetic dolphin. Endangered birds include the Bengal florican, lesser florican, silver-eared mesia and crane. More than 30 different mammals, over 200 species of birds, and many snakes, lizards and fish have been recorded in the park's forest, grassland and river habitats.
Lumbini Garden
Lumbini is the place Lord Buddha-the apostle of peace and the light of Asia was born in 623 B.C. Located in the flat plains of south-Western Nepal and the foothills of Churia range, Lumbini and its surrounding area is endowed with a rich natural setting of domesticable fauna and favourable agricultural environment. Historically, the region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruins and antiquities, dating back to pre-Christian era. The site, described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha's time still retains its legendary charm and beauty.
Begnas village
Situated approx 12kms east of Pokhara, Begnas Lake is the second largest lake of Pokhara Valley. The lake is known for its clear spring-fed water and pristine lush surroundings. The surrounding forest is very rich in flora and fauna and is the habitat of more than 150 species of other birds. The forest is rich in mammals where abundant leopards roam majestically. The pride of this forest is that it is the home of some endangered flora and fauna. You can also enjoy boating and fishing in this lake.
Bandipur hill town
Bandipur lies midway between the capital Kathmandu and Pokhara and situated on a hilltop above the highway town of Dumre. Bandipur is a picturesque town and famous for its own culture and natural beauty. It is an ancient trading town of quaint streets and charming atmosphere. It is situated on a ridge top south of Dumre which lies 135 km out on the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway. While the other trading posts of the Nepali hills have modernised, Bandipur retains its age old cultural attributes. It still has its temples, shrines, holy caves and a Newari architecture that harks back to the Kathmandu valley of old.
Balthali village
Balthali, located just beyond Panuti town and Kopasi is one of the rich cultural village destinations. It offers a sun rise in the east, speculating Himalayan range from Manaslu to Mt. Everest in the north, innumerable rice terraces in the west and the huge bodied green forest of Mahabharat range in the south.
Daman hill
Daman (2,400m) is situated 80kms south-west of Kathmandu. For the view of the breathtaking grandeur of the world's highest peaks extending in one glittering are from far-west of Dhaulagiri to far-east of Mt. Everest, there is no better place than Daman. There is a view tower fitted with long range telescopes.
Janakpur town
Janakpur is the capital of the ancient state of Mithila. Situated in the eastern part of Nepal, Janakpur is another important pilgrimage site for the Hindus. It is the birthplace of lord Sita, the wife of lord Rama. Thousands of pilgrims assemble here throughout the year to pay homage at the Janaki Mandir, Ram Sita Bibah Mandap and Hanuman temple.
Tansen town
Tansen (1,450m) is a small ancient hill town located on the way from Pokhara to Lumbini. Major attractions here are the ancient culture, excellent mountain views, serene atmosphere and friendly people. The weather here makes it a pleasant place to visit in any season. On clear days Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Gauri Shankar and other peaks can be seen.
Muktinath temple
Muktinath is one of the sacred dhams of Hindu religion. It is believed that all miseries and sorrows are relieved once a person visits the temple. Mukti means "Nirvana" or emancipation, "Nath" means God. Both the Buddhists and Hindus hold the temple in high esteem. There are several pilgrimage sites bearing cultural and religious values. For western tourists, a trip to Muktinath not only provides a trek of a lifetime amidst the barren valley and lofty Himalayan Ranges, but also gives them an opportunity to see the homogeneity of Hinduism and Buddhists in the same place.
Gorkha village
Gorkha (1,000m) is a scenic hill-town with great historical significance. King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who unified the Nepal during eighteenth century, was born in the township of Gorkha. Gorkha offers panoramic view of snow-fed mountains. Gorkha Durbar is a historical palace is situated on the top of the fortified hill above the township, about one hour's walk uphill from the bazaar. On the west side of palace is the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali.
Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana temple (1,302m) located on a prominent ridge near Gorkha overlooking the river valleys of Trisuli (south) and Marshyandi (west). The unique location of the place is dramatised during winter when the ridge appears as island above the sea of morning mist. People believe the Goddess here, fulfils the wishes of her devotees, thus she is regarded as Manakmana, the wish fulfilling deity. The temple can be reached by a short cable car ride from Kuringtar on Kathmandu-Pokhara highway.
