Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is one of the world's oldest cities. The old part of the city, with narrow medieval streets and lovely little shrines, centers on the Durbar Square. Here one can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures, old monasteries and historic monuments.

Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon , is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell-one of the emblems of the god Vishnu and was founded by King Ananda Deva in A.D.889. The city is 1,402 meters above sea level. Pottery and weaving are its major traditional industries. The city lies fifteen Kilometers to the east of Kathmandu.

The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four points of the compass. The city is three Kilometers south-east of Kathmandu across the river Bagmati. Like Kathmandu, its center of attraction is its Durbar Square complex, situated right in the middle of the market place. The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also know as the city of artists. The city is believed to have been built during the reign of Vira Dev in A.D. 299.

Pokhara, an enchanting city nestled in the tranquil valley (827m), is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-trail summit of Machachhapuchhre (6,977m) rising behind it create an ambience of peace and magic. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, clear lakes and the world famous views of the Himalaya. Situated 200 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is connected by air as well as by road from Kathmandu and Bhairawa, a border town near India. Pokhara offers manificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and others.

Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam. The Shakya prince and the ultimate Buddha, the Enlightened One, is the pilgrimage destination of the world's millions of people faithful to all schools of Buddhism. UNESCO lists this nativity site, identified by Indain Emperor Ashoka's commemorative pillar as a World Heritage Site. The main attraction of Lumbini remains the Sacred Garden which spread over 8sq km , possessing all the treasures of the historic area. The Mayadevi temple is the main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, Lord Buddha's mother giving birth to him. Standing west to the Mayadevi shrine is the oldest monument of Nepal, the Ashoka Pillar. Emperor Ashoka erected the pillar in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred site. To the south of the pillar, we find the sacred pond, {Puskarni} where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to Lord Buddha. Places of various interest surrounds the area There are other places of interest too nearby. It is accessible by air from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. From Kathmandu it takes about eight hours by bus or car.

Chitwan is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges, which provide the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Chitwan which means the 'heart of the jungle' is among the last surviving example of the continuous band of forests and grasslands, which once extended from the Indus River in Pakistan to the Burmese border. The main attraction here is the Chitwan National Park, One of the largest forests regions in Asia teeming with wildlife such as the rare great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of dear, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water, dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species of birds and the elusive Bengal tiger. Chitwan National Park is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) list. Visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, nature walks, canoe trips and jungle treks. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors may also take a river raft. First driving from Kathmandu to the river Trishuli or Seti Khola. The five-hour drive to Chitwan (165km overland) from Kathmandu is filled with thrilling views of the hills, rivers and plains with jungles on either side.

Dhulikhel is scenic and town situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Rajmarg (Kathmandu Kodari Highway). From here one can have a panoramic view of the Himalayan range. From the main town, a short visit to Namobuddha, with stupa and Buddhist Monastery is highly recommended site to visit. Panauti, a village noted for its numerous temple with magnificent woodcarving, is a short distance from Dhulikhel.

It is believed that all miseries / sorrows are relieved once you visit this temple (Mukti=Nirvana, Nath=God). The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3,749m. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set into the wall around it is 108 waterspouts from which pour holy water. 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 take a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to jomsom and hike for 7-8 hours via Kagbeni or trek all the way from Pokhara which takes 7-8 days. It is believed that one should visit this temple after competing pilgrimages of four Dhams in India. This temple is held sacred by Hindus as well as Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas underground. Jomsom is a major center in the Annapurna region. There is a world-class accommodation facilities in Jomsom from where one can enjoy remarkable natural beauty.

Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the great, the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalaya is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive temples of Gorakhanth and Kali inside the place precinct. Gorkha can be reached in about six hours by road from Kathmandu and four hours from Pokhara. A side trip to Manakamana temple , on the way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and interesting. The Nepalese believe that MANAKAMANA Goddess fulfills the wishes of all people and that's one reason why the temple is visited by the tourist and the locals all throughout the year... WHY NOT TRY ?

The khumbu region of Nepal is one of the best-known treks in the world. This is the land of the Sherpa People and the world's great 8,000 meter peaks, many trekkers walk in from the road head at Jiri, through the lovely rolling hills of the Soluregion. Others fly in to the village of Lukla to start their trek .A few days above Lukla is the entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park and the town of Namche Bazaar, where most trekkers take a day to acclimatize to the high altitude. From here one may branch towards the village of Thame or continue on to take on of the two main Khumbu routes, to Gokyo Lake or towards the Everest base camp. Beyond Namche Bazaar is the Sherpa village of Khumjung and further on the famous monastery of Thyangboche. Here the Mani Rimdu festival of dances is celebrated every year.

Nepal's most popular trek begins at the lakeside town of Pokhara and leads six or seven days northwest around the Annapurna Massif, through dramatic changes in landscape, climate and culture to the high village of Jomosom, near the isolated land of Mustang. Trekkers often continue on to the sacred shrine of Muktianath, near the 5,415-meter Thorangla pass and down into the lovely valley of Manang. The route through Manang circles the Annapurna back to the Kathmandu - Pokhara highway. The Annapurna circuit takes one through terraced hills, forests and alpine pastures and through the villages of a number of different cultures.

North of Pokhara is an area protected by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, tucked beneath the southern slopes of the Annapurna Massif. The Sanctuary is an easy trek from Pokhara and takes one through some of Nepal's most lovely rhododendron forests to the Annapurna base camp. There are also numerous one or two day treks out of Pokhara town, where one can have views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurna range, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.

Just north of Kathmandu are two lovely sites where one may experience Tamang and Sherpa life, temperate forest and alpine pastures, glaciers, lakes and snowy peaks. Hemalambu valley noted for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate is just north of the Kathmandu Valley. One can stay in highland monastery villages and small settlements in pristine forests. Above Helambu is a mountain pass the lake of Gosainkunda to the valley of Langtang. Gosaikunda lake itself is situated at 4,380 meters. It is sacred to Lord Shiva and every summer is the scene of an important pilgrimage. Nearby are other lakes including Nagkunda, Bhairavkunda, Saraswatikunda and Suryakunda. The trek passes through a varied landscape ranging from evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls and turbulent streams to sub-alpine grasslands and stark, beautiful mountain sides.
Langtang valley stretches north of Gosainkunda. One travels through pristine forests to the village of Ghoda Tabela, then the valley opens out into a high, Himalayan river plain full of beautiful camping sites, spectacular peaks and wide glaciers. One can hike to the back of the valley or take numerous optional trips to explore glacier-filled side canyons.

The trek to Rara Lake begins at Jumla, a village in trans-Himalayan valley with high rides covered with forests and alpine pastures. The town has an airstrip and tele-communication facilities. The flight from Kathmandu to Jumal passes south along the Dhaulagiri range and provides lovely views of Nepal's western landscape. Three and half day's trek from Jumla to Rara National Park. Rara Lake (2,990m.) has an area of nearly ten square kilometers and is surrounded with hills of pines and rhododendrons. The peaceful surroundings are enhanced by the reflections of the surrounding hills in the lake's bright blue waters.

One of the newest areas of Nepal open to trekkers is the southern part of Shey-Phoksundo, National park. Reached in about a week from Jumla, the center of attraction is lovely lake Phoksundo, famous for the ever-changing colors of its waters. Here one steps on to the edge of the trans-Himalayan plateau that extends from Tibet down into Nepal. This is the region of some of Nepal's most remarkable wildlife, including the blue sheep, the serow and the snow leopard.

One the Far Eastern border of Nepal lies Mt. Kangchenjunga. The valleys approaching the mountain base camp have been opened to trekking, specifically for organized treks. The long trek to the lap of Kangchenjunga takes one through some of the country's richest and most pristine forests. The region is quite uninhabited, so the visitor must bring along all food and camping equipment.

UNESCO has declared 10 World Heritage Sites, 7 inside Kathmandu Valley & 3 outside; Lumbini including Kathmandu Valley are Cultual Heritage & Chitwan National Park & Sagarmatha National Park as Natural Heritage Sites. These seven World Heritage Sites are all amazing man-made wonders still standing majestically - some of them as old as 2500 years.

Lies in the heart of the capital and is popularly known as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace - the Gateway of Hanuman - an ancient seat of Nepalese Royalty. The Palace consists of the huge Royal square imposing a tremendous variety of the temples dedicated to different Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Most of the buildings were constructed from the 15 th - 18 th centuries. The Palace is named after the Hindu Monkey God, Hanuman , and is painted completely red right next to the main entrance (the Golden Gate) of the Palace. He is regarded as the protector of the entire Durbar Square.

Situated on a little plateau across the river Bagmati river, Patan is only 7.8km south-east of Kathmandu city. This city is considered one of the oldest among the three cities of Kathmandu Valley.
The city was founded in 3rd century by King Veera Dev and has the distinction of being the home of the finest Newari craft. The finest Hindu and Buddhist monuments are scattered around but the most important monuments are in the square or close by.
Other features like the Golden window, the royal bath of Sundaru Chowk, the Taleju Temple, and Keshab Narayan Chowk are worth visiting. The four stupas, located in the four cardinal directions, were errected by Indian Emperor Ashoka the Great.

This is a unique city located east of Kathmandu at 1,400m above sea level. With an area of 5 sq. kms. this unique city is divided into 24 traditional localities. It was founded by King Ananda Dev in 889 A.D.
Bhaktapur in supposed to have been built in the shape of a conch shell, a scared symbol of Lord Vishnu. The world Bhaktapur means The City of Devotees.
Bhaktapur; at one time an independent city, was ruled by the Malla Kings. They were very religious and gave importance to their artistic heritage which is evident throughout the city. Some of the significant momuments here are:

• The Lion Gate: Built by King Bupatindra Malla in 17 th century A.D.
• Golden Gate: The main entrance to the famous 55 Window Palace and Royal Taleju. Constructed in 1754 A.D.
• The statue of King Bupatindra Malla.
• 55 Window Palace: This architectural structure dominates the entire Bhadgaon Durbar Square. It is worth admiring.
• Vastala Temple.
• Nyatapole Temple.
• Bhairav Nath Temple.

A Buddhist stupa on a western hills of Kathmandu. The 2,500 year old monument is a holy site replete with symbols. The mound represents the four elements of earth, fire, wind and water. The 13 gilded rings of the spire symbolize the 13 steps of the ladder leading to Nirvana, the final salvation. The shrine is bedecked in colorful prayer flags. Pilgrims and tourists pass to Swayambhumath's holy premises through a path of 365 steps.
Close to the stupa is the Dewa Dharma monastery, noted for bronaze icon of the Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings.
Below are some important dates when pilgrims visit this holy site to take part in religious activities.

• Buddha Purnima, the birth of Lord Buddha - full moon day of Baisakh (April-May)
• Gunla, the holy Buddhist month, according to Newari calender (August - September)
• Kojagrath Purnima (September - October)
• Samyak Day of the Magh (January - February) every 12 years!

One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monument ever built in the Himalayan Kingdom it is 36m high. The stupa is unique with its three level, mandala style, platforms. The structural features of the stupa is somewhat similar to the Swayambhunath stupa. It was built around the 5 th century A.D.
What Mecca is to the Muslims, this Boudhanath Stupa is for Tibetan Buddhists. Every year thousands of pilgrims flock here from all over the Himalayan region.
During the Buddhist festivals, listed with Swayambhunath above, pilgrims gather to celebrate with great reverance to all Buddhist deities.

Pashupati Nath is considered one of the holiest shrines of all the Hindu temples. It is 6km. east of downtown Kathmandu. The temple has remained the presiding deity of ruling Nepalese Royalty.
The two tier magnificient golden temple, with four triple silver doorways, is a unique example of the Nepalese temple architecture. It is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in South-Asia with hundreds of Shiva Lingam shrines and icons Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The temple is spread out over a large area.
The main entrance, for Hindu people only, is on the western side. Tourists may peak inside, or go on the other side of the river to have a glimpse of the temple complex from above. During the festival of Shivaratri (February - March) 10,000's of devotees and pligrims (many from India) visit this temple and make ceremonial fires.

Situated on a small hillock overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, this temple is 12km. east of Kathmandu. The temple is decorated with magnificent art works in metal and wood. This famous temple was built in the 3 rd century A.D. An inscription opposite the temple tells about a historic event which is the first epigraphic evidence of Nepali history. Some of the important sculptures here are:

• Viswo Roop - 8 th Century A.D.
• Vishnu Vikranta - 8 th Century A.D.
• Vishnu mounted in his vehicle Garuda - the mythical manbird.
• Nara Singh Vishnu in his half human and half lion form.

Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, was born in 623 B.C. at the famous garden of Lumbini, which soon became a place of pilgrimage. Among the pilgrims was the Indian Emperor Ashoka, who erected one of his commemorative pillars there. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre, where the archaeological remains associated with the birth of the Lord Buddha form a central feature.

At the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is one of the few undisturbed areas of the Terai region which formerly extended over the foothills of India and Nepal, with its very rich flora and fauna. One of the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros lives in the park, which is also among the last refuges for the Bengal tiger.
"Chitwan National Park" was added to Unesco's World Heritage List in 1984. Chitwan is a rich natural area in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. The park is inhabited by the rare Asiatic rhinoceros and Bengal Tiger. Besides these, there are many elephants, birds and butterflies.

Area: 1148 sq. km.
Established: 1976
Location:
Sagarmatha National Park is located to the north-east of Kathmandu in the Kumbu region of Nepal. The park includes the highest peak in the world, Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), and several other well-known peaks such as Lhotse, Nuptse, Cho Oyu, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Thamserku, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachung Kang. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
Features:
The mountains of Sagarmatha National Park are geologically young and broken up by deep gorges and glacial valleys. Vegetation includes pine and hemlock forests at lower altitudes, fir, juniper, birch and rhododendron woods, scrub and alpine plant communities, and bare rock and snow. The famed bloom of rhododendrons occurs during spring (April and May) although other flora is most colorful during the monsoon season (June to August). Wild animals most likely to seen in the park are the Himalayan tahr, goral, serow and musk deer. The snow leopard and Himalayan black bear are present but rarely sighted. Other mammals rarely seen are the weasel, maren, Himalayan mouse hare (pika), jackal and langur monkey.
The park is populated by approximately 3,000 of the famed Sherpa people whose lives are interwoven with the teachings of Buddhism. The main settlements are Namche Bazar, Khumjung, Khunde, Thame, Thyangboche, Pangboche and Phortse. The economy of the Khumbu Sherpa community has traditionally been heavily based on trade and livestock herding. But with the arrival of international mountaineering expeditions since 1950 and the influx of foreign trekkers, today the Sherpa economy is becoming increasingly dependent of tourism.

National Parks located specially in the Terai region in Nepal attract visitors from all over the world. A visit to these parks involves game- stalking by a variety of means-foot, dugout canoe, jeep, and elephant back. One is bound to sight a one - horned rhino or two at every elephant safari. Besides the rhinos, wild boars, samburs, spotted deer, sloth bear, four-horned antelope are also usually seen. A Royal Bengal tiger may surprise you by his majestic appearance.

Nepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 646 species (almost 8% of the world total) of birds, and among them almost 500 hundred species are found in Kathmandu Valley alone. The most popular bird watching spots in Kathmandu are Phulchoki, Godavari, Nagarjun, Bagmati river, Taudaha and so on. Get your binoculars and look forward to a rewarding experience.

The 800 km stretch of the Nepal Himalayan is the greatest in the world with eight peaks that rise above 8,000cm including the highest in the world, Mt. Everest. Ever since the country opened its peaks to climbers in 1994, the Nepal Himalayan has become a great theatre of mountaineering activity and the drama of success and failure have provided impetus to thousands of men and women to meet the ultimate challenge. The Nepal Himalayan has been an attraction to many people, be they saints, philosophers, researchers or adventures.

The best way to experience Nepal's unbeatable combination of natural beauty and culture riches is to walk through them. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience for a lifetime. Along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temple, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating glimpse of traditional rural life.

Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains on earth. Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Tibetan Plateau. Mountain flights appeal to all category of travelers and have become a popular tourist attraction of Nepal. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations from going for a trek, these flights offer a panoramic view of the Himalayan in just one hour.

For all those cliffhangers out there, Kathmandu offers a roster of stone walls that make for an experience of a lifetime. Now of late, Rock climbing has become a popular sport in Kathmandu, which offers some really terrific places for rock climbing. Nagarjun, Balaju, Shivapuri and Budhanil Kantha are some of the places where you can try this sport.

Rafting is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross section of natural as well as ethno-cultural heritage of the country. There are numerous rivers in Nepal which offer excellent rafting or canoeing experience. You can glide on calm jade waters with munificent scenery all about or rush through roaring white rapids, in the care of expert river-men employed by government authorized agencies. One can opt for day of river running or more. So far, the government has opened sections of 10 rivers for commercial rafting. The Trisuli river ( Grade 3+) is one of the most popular of Nepal's raftable rivers. The Kali Gandaki (5-5+) winds through remote canyons and deep gorges for five days of intense rapids. The Bhote Koshi (4-5) is 26km of continuous white water and the raging Marshyanghi is four days of uninterrupted white water. The Karnali river (4-5) provides some of the most challenging rapids in the world. The Sun Koshi (4-5), 27km, requiring 8-10 days to complete, is a big and challenging river. Adventurers are provided with world-class services by rafting agents. Agencies here provide life jackets, camping and the standard rafting paraphernalia needed by world-class rafting. An extremely popular sport in Europe, canoeing is now available in Nepal. Canoeing gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.

Hot air ballooning is very popular with tourists for it affords the most spectacular bird's-eye view of the Kathmandu valley and the Himalayan ranges towering in the background. On a clear day it's a superb way to view the Himalayan (from over 6000m up), and the view of the valley is equally breathtaking.

The ultimate thrill of a bungy jump can now be experienced in Nepal at one of the best sites that this sport can boast of anywhere in the world. Nepal's first bungy jumping site is situated 160m. Over the Bhote Koshi river, inviting you to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in the surroundings of this amazing place. The jump, at 160m., is staffed and operated by some of the most experienced jumpmasters in the business.

Paragliding in Nepal can be a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeking. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffins vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas.

Ultralight aircraft take off from Pokhara and offer spectacular views of the lakes, mountains and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective. The choice of Pokhara Valley for ultra-light aircraft is appropriate chiefly because of the proximity of the mountains, and the scenic lakes. For those who wished they could fly birds when growing up, this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but this flight is a must. It might be lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worth it. Flights are from the Pokhara airport beginning September through June. The flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day during these months.

The best way to explore the Kathmandu Valley is on a mountain bike. Nepal's diverse terrain is a mountain biker's dream adventure comes true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. There are plenty of dirty roads and trails in Nepal to meet every mountain biker's wildest fantasy. Mountain biking is specially recommended if you wish to explore urban centers of Nepal such as Pokhara and Kathmandu as well as the countryside. Adventurous souls may plan extended trips to such exotic locals as Namche Bazaar, and western Nepal. You could even do the entire length of Nepal across the plains. Mountain bikes are available for rent by the day or longer in many of the bicycle rental outlets in Nepal and around the city.