« NEPAL • Discover Nepal

Discover magical Nepal

Draped along the spine of the Himalayas, Nepal is a land of sublime scenery, time-worn temples, and some of the best hiking trails on earth. It's a poor country, but it is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures. The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination.

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» Monjo

Settled into the Dudh Kosi River Valley, the village of Monjo is a popular stopping point for travellers trekking their way to Everest Base Camp. The town, much like many of the others that lie along the Gokyo Route to Everest, is fairly non-descript itself. Instead, the village's main function is to house some of the trekkers under its many colorful roofs—travelers who prefer a quieter rest stop than the busier Namche Bazaar just up the trail. As such, there are plenty of guesthouses in town, and with the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park …

» Nagarkot

Nagarkot, a small resort hill station in the Kathmandu Valley, offers some of the best views of the surrounding Himalayan Mountain Range. Outdoors enthusiasts flock to this mountain outpost not only for the views, but also for the serenity. Here thick pine forests and verdant valleys offering plenty of hiking opportunities will surround travelers. Those interested in trekking should consider hiking back out of Nagarkot to Kathmandu or even hike on to their next destination …

» Nagi Gompa

The Nagi Gompa monastery is a nunnery located in Shivapuri National Park and can be found on the northern slopes above Budhanilkantha. At an altitude of 2,330 meters, the monastery is overlooking Kathmandu Valley and is home to over 100 nuns, who have come here to meditate and study the Buddhist scriptures in the peaceful surroundings and clean air of the green mountain landscape. Here, the focus lies not only on awakening to an enlightened nature, but also on transforming harmful mental states to love and wisdom …

» Namche Bazaar

Namche Bazaar is one of several regular stops for people making the trek to Everest Base Camp and hikers usually get here on the second day of their trip. Because of its location at 3,440 meters, many people start experiencing the first signs of altitude-sickness, which is why it is recommended to stay two or even several nights in Namche Bazaar to acclimatize. Nestled into a crescent shaped slope, the town is both charming and exhausting. The village is located on an important intersection of trails, each one of them incredibly steep …

» Nuwakot Palace Complex

The Nuwakot Palace Complex was once one of the proudest historical monuments in Nepal and still presides over the surrounding landscape from a hill above the tiny village of Nuwakot. The fortress’ elevated status combined with the great views over the valley gave it an important strategic significance back in the 18th century. After all, it was a great spot for observing the ancient trade routes to Tibet, as well as detecting anything that might be amiss from miles away. The complex was built by Prithvi Naraan Shah, the first king and founder of the unified Nepal …

» Pashupatinath

Every day, thousands of Hindu pilgrims from around the globe make their way to Pashupatinath Temple to worship the god Shiva. The temple sits on the banks of the Bagmati River just outside of Kathmandu and is not just architecturally beautiful, it’s also one of the oldest and most important Shaivite temples in the world. The complex dates back to around 400 AD, but the current temple was rebuilt during the 17th century. According to local legends, the site of the temple was where the god Shiva hid from the rest of the gods by taking the form of an antelope …

» Phakding

For people doing the trek to Everest Base Camp, Phakding is a fixed stop on the way, a place to get a good night’s rest and some Sherpa curry right before starting the climb in earnest. It can be reached in about three hours from Lukla, the small village that serves as a gateway to the region and the place everybody flies into to start their adventures. Phakding lies at 2,600 meters and is therefore located at a lower altitude than Lukla and the cozy first days walk through rhododendron and magnolia forests is perfect for slowly adapting to the altitude …

» Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park, in Nepalese meaning “the forehead of the sky”, is located in the Himalayan region in eastern Nepal and is the highest national park in the world. Since it includes Mount Everest, the park reaches an elevation of 8848 meters on the very summit. Not only does the park bring in heaps of visitors for the Mount Everest Trek to Everest Base Camp, but also to experience numerous other trails, breathtaking beauty and various craggy peaks. Due to the altitude, the vegetation in the park is rather sparse …

» Sauraha Village

Sauraha was once a tiny, rural village in the humid marshes and thick forests in the Terai Region of Nepal, but since it started serving as the gateway to the Chitwan National Park, has experienced an ever rising influx of tourists. Most of them come to see the nearly extinct King of the Jungle, the Bengal Tiger as well as rhinos, leopards and other jungle wildlife. It’s still a village, but a fast growing one and mainly caters to the many visitors with a wide array of hotels, guesthouses, lodges, internet cafés and shops …

» Shivapuri National Park

Shivapuri National Park, also called Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, forms the northern part of the Kathmandu valley and covers an area of 159 square kilometers. The park is located in the transition zone between subtropical and temperate climates, which can be observed in the parks typical plant life. In the forests, hikers will find many familiar trees and shrubs, such as pine, oak and rhododendron and especially notable are the countless orchids with their large blooms, which can be found everywhere along the way …

» Sundarijal

Sundarijal is not only a village about 15 kilometers outside of Kathmandu, but it is also a village development zone, which encompasses big parts of Shivapuri National Park. Accordingly, the area is especially popular with trekkers and nature lovers and many people start their hikes here, one of the most popular routes leading to Chisapani, a village at over 2,200 meters, from where spectacular sunrises and sunsets can be observed. Sundarijal offers several temples, the Sundarimai Mandir, dedicated to the goddess after which Sundarijal is named …

» Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath Stupa, perched atop a hill just west of Kathmandu, is the oldest shrine complex in the entire Kathmandu Valley. As you approach the ancient stupa from the city, you can see it’s golden spires, white domed ceilings and eerie painted eyes from a distance. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a pack of monkeys who’ve led locals to refer to the complex as the Monkey Temple. The exact origins of the sight, one of the most important pilgrimage sights for Tibetan Buddhists, are unclear. Local legend says the Stupa was originally a lotus flower …

» Thamel District

Everyone in Kathmandu eventually ends up in Thamel District. This neighborhood has everything a traveler would ever need concentrated within several confusing, twisting streets. If feels a bit like a maze, but Thamel offers everything from accommodation, restaurants, coffee houses and tour operators to trekking stores, textile shops, souvenir stalls and money changers. Mountaineers come here to buy their gear, while others simply decide to stay for the busy atmosphere and the excitement of it all …

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