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There
are many beautiful and interesting places, to visit outside the
Kathmandu Valley - places of historical importance of noted for natural
beauty. Most of them can be easily reached from Kathmandu by road or by
air.
Kakani:
Located 29-km north-west
of the Kathmandu city, the fabulous holidays area of Kakani features
attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent
Himalayan panorama particularly of the Ganesh Himal massif. Other peaks
that can be closely seen from Kakani are: Gaurishanker (7,134m.), Choba
Bhamre (6,109 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Himalchuli (7, 893m), Annapurna (
8,091m), and several other peaks.
Gosainkunda:
One of the most famous
religious places of pilgrimage of Nepal is Gosainkunda lake, situated
at an altitude of about 4,360m. The best approach to Gosainkunda is
through Dhunche, 132-kms north east of Kathmandu.
Dhunche is linked with
Kathmandu by a motorable road. Surrounded by high mountains on the
north and the south the lake is grand and picturesque. There are other
nine famous lakes such as Saraswati Bhairv, Sourya and Ganesh Kund, etc.
Dhulikhel:
This ancient town is
situated 30-km east of Kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Rajmarga
(Kathmandu-Kodari highway). From here one can have a complete panoramic
view of the snowy ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in
the west.
Panauti:
It is a thriving village
of the road to Dhulikhel, with some very lovely temples and interesting
old houses particularly beautiful area some 14th century wooden temple
struts. The drive is through beautiful countryside.
Namo Buddha:
It is situated on a hill
above Panauti. It requires an easy drive or good walk to get here.
There is an amazing story concerned with the Buddha which is
commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all seeing
eyes of Lord Buddha.
Timal Narayan:
The route from Dhulikhel
to Timal Narayan is ideal for a short trek. From here one can have a
beautiful view of Gaurishanker Himal and other important peaks as well
as Sunkoshi river. It is also very pleasant to visit to the village of
the tamang people who live in this area.
Palanchowk Bhagawati:
7-km north of the mountain
of Panchkhal, on the top of a hill lies the noted historic temple of
palanchowk bhagawati. The temple houses a three feet long beautiful
artistic stone image of goddess bhagawati.
Charikot:
About 133-km from
Kathmandu, Charikot provides a spetacular mountais view of the
Gaurishanker. In the eastern upper part of Dolakha township there is a
famous roofless temple of Dolakha Bhimsen.
Helambu:
HelambuHelambu situated
about 72-km north-east of Kathmandu is famous for its scenic grandeur
and pleasant climate. There are many Buddhist monasteries amidst a rich
and enchanting landscape. Sundarijal is the starting point to trek to
Helambu which is mere 11-km away from Kathmandu.
Gorkha:
Gorkha is the birth place
of King Prithivi Narayan Shah - The Great, the founder of modern Nepal.
Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the himalayas, there
is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two
attractive temples of Gorakhnath and Kali inside the palace precinct.
Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple of Gorakhnath. Gorkha can be
reached in about 6 hours from Kathmandu and in about 4 hours from
Pokhara. A side trip to Manakamana on the way to Gorkha is very
enjoyable and interesting.
Muktinath:
The famous temple of Lord
Muktinath lies in the district of mustang and is situated about 18-kms
north-east of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3,749m. The temple is
situated on a high mountain range and is visited during fair weather.
There are two ways to get
to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Either to take a direct flight from
Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and hike for a couple of hours via
Kagbeni or to trek all the way from Pokhara. There is also air service
from Pokhara. There is also air service from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Pokhara Valley:
The Pokhara Valley one of
the most picturesques spot of Nepal, is enhanced by its lovely lakes
Phewa, Begnas and Rupa. Situated 200-kms west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is
connected by air as well or by bus from Kathmandu and Bhairahawa a
border town near India. Situated at an altitude of 827m, Pokhara offers
the magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, five peaks
of Annapurna and others. Pokhara?s numerous lakes known as ?Tal? in
Nepali offer fishing, boating and swimming.
Tansen:
Situated at an altitude of
1,343m, 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 attractions. The Himalayas from
Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishanker in the north-east. It takes just
seven hours by bus from Pokhara to reach Tansen.
Lumbini:
LumbiniLumbini is the
birth place of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace, and non violence. It
is situated 250-kms south-west of Kathmandu. The broken Ashokan Pillar,
remnants of old monastery, images of Buddha?s mother Maya Devi, etc.
are still preserved in Lumbini. It is accessible by air from Kathmandu
to Bhairahawa. Also one can reach Lumbini in about 3 hours by bus or
car from Tensen via Bhairahawa. From Kathmandu it takes about 8 hours
by bus or car.
Rapti Valley (Chitwan):
From Kathmandu it takes 6
hours to reach chitwan. Situated 120-kms south-west of Kathmandu, the
main attraction of chitwan is Royal Chitwan National Park. This is one
of the Nepal?s largest forest regions with a wide range of wildlife -
the rare great One-horned Rhinoceros, several species of Deer, Sloth
Bear, Leopard, Wild Boar, Fresh Water Dolphin, Crocodile, more Royal
Bengal Tiger. Visitors to chitwan may view game of Elephant back
excursions, nature walks, canoe trips, from window and on jungle treks.
There are several authorized agencies to organize such safari. Visitors
may also take river raft, driving from Kathmandu to the river Trishuli
or Seti Khola.
Daman:
It is situated 80-kms
south-west of Kathmandu at an altitude of about 2,400m. Daman is
located on the Tribhuvan highway in between Kathmandu and the town of
Birgunj. 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 Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) there is no better
place than Daman. There is a view tower fitted with long range
telescopes. Daman can be reached in four hours from Kathmandu.
Namche Bazaar:
Mount EverestThe name of
namche bazaar is generally associated with that of Sagarmatha or Mt.
Everest - the highest peak in the world. It is the entrance to the
Everest region. Situated on the lap of Khumbu Himal range, Namche
Bazaar is about 241-kms. From Kathmandu and the distance is generally
covered within 15 days by trekking. This place is the home of the
legendary Sherpas. One can fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and Syangboche
in the Everest region.
Janakpur:
A great religious place,
Janakpur is famous as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the consort of
Lord Ram. There is an artistic marble temple of Sita (Janaki),
popularly known as Naulakha Mandir. Religious festivals, pilgrimages,
trade fairs and other festivities are held here on Bivaha Panchami and
Ram Navami days.
Biratnagar:
The second largest city of
Nepal Biratnagar is situated in the Koshi Zone. The city has some of
the largest industrial undertakings in the country. There are a couple
of pilgrimage spots in dharan and barahachhetra nearby the city.
Biratnager is linked with kathmandu by air and road.
Barahachhetra:
A few kilometers from the
main city of Biratnagar, Barahachhetra, the holy place of Hindu
pilgrimage, lies at the confluence of the two rivers the Saptakoshi and
Kokaha. There is the temple of Lord Baraha, the boar incarnation of
Lord Vishnu. Historians have traced the existence of this image from
the 12th century.
Hile:
It is situated about
13-kms north of Dhankuta Bazaar. The panorama of the major peaks of the
eastern Himalayas including Sagarmatha or Mt. Everest, Makalu, Lhotse
and Kumbhakarna.
Antu Danda:
It is situated at an
altitude of 1,677 m. In the llam district and is famous for its unique
views of everest and kanchenjunga. It is the best place for viewing
sunrise and sunset.
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