Nepal Travel Guide
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Sightseeings in Nepal: Tourist Destinations beyond the Kathmandu Valley
Sightseeings
Tourist Destinations beyond the Kathmandu Valley Sightseeings in Nepal
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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.

Nagarkot Gallery
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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.

Dhulikhel Hospital
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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.

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.

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.

Pokhara
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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.

Pokhara
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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.

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.

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.

Courtesy of Association for Tourism, Nepal
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Vol. 2 No. 2 Feb- March 2004
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