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Sightseeings
in Nepal: Tourist Destinations beyond the Kathmandu Valley |
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Destinations
beyond the Kathmandu Valley
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Nagarkot |
One
of the most famous tourist destinations outside the Kathmandu valley is
Nagarkot, which is located on the rim of Kathmandu Valley at an elevation
of 7,200 feet. It offers the panoramas of the major peaks of western Nepal
like Annapurna range, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal range, Langtang range, and
Gaurishankar in the east. It is 32 km north east of Kathmandu. It
takes 45 minutes drive from Kathmandu and is best for sunrise and sunset.
At
dawn and dusk the snow-covered peaks are painted in shades of rose, pink
orange and gold. It is a sight not to miss, though one can never be sure
of the visibility of the mountain ranges even during the winter months.
Seeing a single pink peak appearing in the midst of clouds can be as thrilling
as seeing the whole 200-mile panorama of peaks. Since mornings are clearer
than afternoons, it is recommended spending a night up here.
Nagarkot
is also a place for day hikes, especially when you do not have enough time
for long treks. The Best part of these hikes is that everything goes down
the hill from the time you start. The three possible destinations for day
hikes from Nagarkot are Banepa, Sankhu and Changu Narayan. Number of comfortable
hotels and lodges are available here.
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Dhulikhel |
Dhulikhel
is a much larger town than Nagarkot and is situated at an altitude of 5,500
Ft above Sea level, 30 Kms east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. The
city offers a complete panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung
in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The view however is not as good
as that from Nagarkot, one can see for 130 miles. It is a magnificent place
to spend the night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide Himalayan
range. Once an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel
has a glorious past that can be witnessed in the lovely building and intricate
woodcarving found among the shop lone streets and in the temples.
Like
Nagarkot, the city offers numerous interesting day hikes. These provide
the tourists an opportunity to see the Nepali countryside away from the
roads and also giving a taste of trekking. The easiest is the hike to Namobuddha
and back.
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Kakani |
Kakani
1982 meters above sea level and located 29 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu
City is famous for its magnificent view of the Valley. It overlooks the
northwestern Himalayan ranges set against the vastness of the blue sky.
The holiday area of Kakani features attractions ranging from beautiful
alpine scenery to the magnificent Himalayan panorama, particularly of the
Ganesh Himal. Other peaks that can be seen from Kakani are Gaurishankar
(7,134 m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m) and several other peaks. One should not
miss the majestic sunset that Kakani offers.
A
trip to Kakani along the mountain highway, Trisuli Road, is rewarding with
views of green forests on one side and terraced cultivation on the other.
The road to Kakani begins at Balaju and terminates at Kaule where the road
to Kakani bifurcates. The vehicles can go right up to the top of Kakani.
It takes about one and half-hours to reach Kakani by car from Kathmandu.
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Daman |
This
site is situated 80 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu at an altitude of
about 2,400 meters. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway in between
Kathmandu and the town of Birgunj. For a view of the world's highest peaks
extending in one glittering arc from the Far West of Dhaulagiri to the
Far East of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), there is no better place than Daman.
Other peaks that are visible from Daman are Annapurna III (7,555m), Phurbi
Chyachu (6,637m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m), and Gaurishanker (7,134). There
is a view tower equipped with long range telescopes. Daman can be reached
in about four hours from Kathmandu. Simple overnight accommodations are
also available in Daman. A round trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Tansen,
Lumbini, Narayangadh, and Daman is very rewarding.
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Pokhara |
The
Pokhara valley, the most picturesque spot of Nepal, is enhanced by its
lovely lake Few, Begnas and Rupa, and Caves, River gorges and Monasteries.
Situated 200 km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 827m. is connected
by air as well or by bus from Kathmandu is the starting and or ending point
for some of the popular treks including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom
Trek. Pokhara offers the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Fishtail,
Five Peaks of Annapurna and others. It also offers a number of short treks
for those who cannot opt for long and challenging ones. The most popular
among them is Sarangkot (1592 m), a former Kaski fort lying atop a hill
five km west of the old bazaar.
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Sarangkot |
To
enjoy of an eye feast of the Annapurna ranges to the north overlook, the
Fewa lake valley of Pokhara to the south and east, you can walk uphill
for three hours from the foot of Bindya Bashini temples along a ridge rack
northwest of the valley and get to Sarangkot. Very beautiful sunrise and
sunset can be seen from Sarangkot.
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Tansen |
Tansen
is a Himalayan town located on the slopes of a hill called Shreenagar hill
at an altitude of 1343 meters above sea level. Tansen is the most popular
summer resort in western Nepal on account of its position and climate.
It has perhaps Nepal's most far stretching views of the country's chief
attraction -- the Himalayas -- from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishanker
in the northeast. From Shreenagar Danda, one has a view of the Tinau river
valley below and the surrounding Churia and Mahabharat hills, including
the Terai's flat lands to the far south. Tansen is the headquarter of Palpa
District. Tansen is easily accessible. It takes just six hours by bus from
Pokhara to reach Tansen along the Siddhartha Highway. The distance between
Pokhara and Tansen is 123 kilometers. Situated midway along the route from
Pokhara is Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is a convenient stop
on the way to or from Chitwan National Park.
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Lumbini:
A religious destination |
Lumbini
is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya prince, the eventual
Shakyamuni and the ultimate Buddha- the Enlightened One. At the time his
birth of the prince the city was a part of the kingdom of Kapilvastu.
The
main attraction of the city is the Sacred Garden, spread over 08 Sq. Kms
and possesses all the treasures of the historic area. In the gardens that
surround the ruins, there is a Buddha tree where Siddhartha Gautam gained
enlightenment and became Buddha. To the west of the Mayadevi Temple, stands
the Ashoka Pillar, which did Emperor Ashoka erect in 249 BC to commemorate
his pilgrimage to the sacred site. The inscription on it in Brahmi script
proves Lumbini as the place where the Buddha was born in 623 B.C. To the
south of the Pillar one finds the sacred pond- Puskarni ? the place where
Queen Mayadevi took a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha. One
can reach in Lumbini by Bus or car.
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Gorkha |
Gorkha
is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal,
and hence it is the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal. Situated
on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, there is an old
palace known as Gorkha Durbar. The palace is said to have been built by
King Ram Shah. King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify the
Kingdom from this palace of Gorkha. There are two temples of Gorakhnath
and Kali inside the palace precinct. Gorkha Durbar is one of the most outstanding
examples of Nepalese architecture. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple
of Gorkhanath, where from the town derives its name.
The
world famous Gorkha soldiers hail from this place. Gorkha can be reached
in about four hours from Kathmandu and in about two hours from Pokhara.
Regular buses for Gorkha leave at 7 A.M. every morning from the Central
Bus Terminal in Kathmandu. A side trip to Manakamana either from Gorkha
or from Khaireni on the Prithvi Highway is very enjoyable and interesting.
Cable car facility is also available from Kurintar.
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| Courtesy of
Association for Tourism, Nepal |
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