Whether scaling the slopes of Mount Everest or paying homage to the birthplace of the Buddha, a trip to Nepal is a top destination for many travelers. Located between China and India in South Asia along the Himalayas, the country boasts some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet, from snow-capped mountains to subtropical forests. Nepal’s culture is equally diverse, filled with centuries-old temples and shrines, a host of colorful festivals, and plenty of exotic goods to study and purchase.
From adrenaline-pumping activities like hiking, kayaking, and paragliding to quiet walks among medieval temples and hidden palaces, this country offers more memorable travel experiences than can be packed into a single visit. An overview of the best places to visit in Nepal:
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is an electrifying mix of medieval streets, Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas, and vibrant city life. Kathmandu has a comprehensive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu is crowded, noisy, and dusty, but it is also unique in its diversity. While in Kathmandu, don’t miss Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the 2015 earthquake, many old buildings were seriously damaged, but now most buildings are slowly being restored, mainly with the help of China. You will see offer signs indicating China’s donation and assistance in restoring these ancient artifacts. Well, China seems to have reached everywhere.
Other attractions in the city of Kathmandu are Pashupatinath Temple, the holy place of Hindu pilgrimage, Buddhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath Stupa, two Buddhist sites. Narayanhiti Palace and Garden of Dreams are 2 interesting places to visit in Kathmandu. And of course, be sure to visit Thamel Bazaar. Thamel is definitely your one-stop solution for all your trekking and hiking needs.
After exploring the city of Kathmandu, visit 2 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur were the 3 ancient kingdoms of Nepal. The 3 Durbar squares are beautiful and grand in their own right.
While many complain that Kathmandu is crowded and noisy (which I completely agree with), I found Kathmandu completely fascinating. In fact, there is a sense of calm in the midst of all the chaos of the city. Something exactly like what we experienced when we were in Varanasi. Interestingly, Varanasi has a Nepalese temple built by a Nepalese king on a ghat.
If you don’t like the chaos of Kathmandu, you can visit the rural landscape of Kathmandu Valley. A trip to Nagarkot will bring you closer to the mountains and give you a sense of serenity. Although Nagarkot is now quite commercialized with many hotels built here and there and no longer unconventional, the place is still much more serene than Kathmandu.
Pokhara is probably the next most visited place in Nepal. While downtown Pokhara can be quite crowded and noisy, Lakeside Pokhara is a haven of tranquility. Set against Machapuchcha Peak (Fishtail Peak) around Phewa Lake, Pokhara is a haven for lazy travelers, backpackers, trekkers, and adventure enthusiasts. After all, the Annapurna Circuit, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, and Mustang Valley all start from Pokhara. You can also indulge in various adventure activities like paragliding. There are some other tourist attractions in Pokhara. But the best place is the Peace Pagoda at the top of the hill. It was definitely one of our favorite places.
Evenings by the lake in Pokhara are totally cool. There are shacks and restaurants along the lake where you can sit, enjoy the sunset and drink beer. Pokhara is the perfect antidote to busy Kathmandu.
Tourists often overlook the old Newari village of Bandipur due to its slightly off-the-beaten path, but the place is well worth a visit. Bandipur is a living open-air museum of Nepal’s ancient Newari culture. The city was once a stopping point on the Indo-Tibetan trade route.
The village has beautifully preserved traditional Newari houses with intricate woodwork (Newari houses are known for their elaborate woodwork. You can see some of them in the old streets of Kathmandu). The city has a distinctly European feel to it, with quaint houses and traffic-free streets. You can also visit the nearby peak for a great view of the surrounding valleys.
When you are in Nepal, you will see various graffiti on the walls, the bus says “Buddha was born in Nepal”. Well, Lumbini is the place where Gautama Buddha was born. We think that our Nepal travel guide would never be complete without mentioning Lumbini. Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense global importance, is visited by thousands of Buddhists each year. The Maya Devi Temple is the most significant place in Lumbini. The place has several monasteries, stupas, and temples built by the Buddhist community.
Located in the lowlands of Nepal, on the border with India, Chitwan National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Nepal. It once served as a royal game reserve, but currently has the distinction of being an empty game reserve in 2015. You can see one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, crocodiles, gharials, and monkeys on safari hunting. Having said that, try to avoid going on an elephant safari. We did it once and decided never to do it again!
Bhaktapur, the third of the “Royal Cities”, is located just outside Kathmandu, on the old trade route to Tibet. For Bhaktapur, the trade route was an arterial connection and a major source of wealth. Its relative remoteness at the time allowed the city to develop independently and in a way that set it apart from the other two cities.
Unlike Patan and Kathmandu, the population of Bhaktapur is predominantly Hindu. The best place to start a tour of the city is Durbar Square, which is home to several temples in addition to the palace. The entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 2015 earthquake damaged many buildings in Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square; The main temples are almost completely repaired. However, other buildings in the complex remain in ruins. Restoration work funded by Unesco stopped in 2019 and the organization had to withdraw due to threats against its staff. The project has been handed over to the Department of Archaeology, Nepal. The recovery is underway, albeit very slowly.
The Annapurna region is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal, with options ranging from days to weeks. Three main routes in the Annapurna region intersect and converge at places, and you can choose a section or variation of the route. The routes are well marked and easy to follow.
The Annapurna Circuit around the Annapurna Mountains takes around 21 days to complete and is incredibly popular with people who have plenty of time. This route is sometimes called the “Apple Pie Circuit” as most of the teahouses along this route serve their own version of fried apple pie.
A popular trekking destination in the region often offered in trekking packages with the Annapurna Circuit, is the trek to Poon Hill (3,210m) near Ghorepani. Most trekkers try to get to Poon Hill early to catch the sunrise and stunning views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Singha Chuli.
The Annapurna Sanctuary is located between the Annapurna peaks and takes five days to reach. Muktinath is on the way to Annapurna but has since become its own destination. The Muktinath route traverses the Kali Gandaki valley east of Annapurna and takes seven days. Mustang, north of Muktinath, is a small area that was only opened to tourists in 1992. This area has its own interesting culture.
In many respects, the Annapurna region north of Pokhara is an ideal area for walking. The dramatic contrasts in the Nepalese countryside are particularly visible, from the subtropical vegetation of the Pokhara Valley to the characteristic dry rain shadow areas of the Tibetan Plateau. People and cultures are also very different: facial features, food, homes, lifestyles, customs, and religion.
The Annapurna region was declared a protected area in 1986. More importantly, it has a good infrastructure to support the many trekkers passing through the region. Trails are well maintained and food and lodging are plentiful.
The summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, reaches a height of 8,848 meters (29,028 feet). Trekking in the Mount Everest area became popular after the first ascent of the summit in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing Norgay.
Since then, many others have reached the top of the mountain, but many more have hiked the route to Everest Base Camp only to catch a glimpse of the top in the distance. The hill has seen its fair share of tragedy and drama over the years. The 2015 earthquake and previous avalanches, along with disputes between climbers, have left their mark on Everest trekking and climbing.
The Everest Region is not generally considered the most scenic region in the country for trekking, but Everest’s allure makes it a popular destination for mountaineers and trekkers alike. There are different routes to access the base camp and different options to organize a trip.
Many trekking companies offer guided treks with a Nepalese company or a Western company. It is also possible to hire a private guide or porter and do it yourself; However, all hikers are technically required to have a guide. The main hiking seasons are spring and autumn, from March to May, and from September to December.
For those who don’t want to hike up Mount Everest but still want to see the mountain, it’s possible to see it on a clear day from the hilltop town of Nagarkot near Kathmandu. Hotel staff will knock on guests’ doors on clear mornings when Everest is visible. This may be the lazy traveler’s best chance to see the highest peak in the world.
The best time to visit Nepal depends on where you want to go and what you want to do. Nepal has a temperate climate with four main seasons centered around summer and monsoon. Before planning your trip to Nepal, decide when you want to visit the country.
Autumn is the peak season in Nepal when the weather is clear and dry. It’s not too cold at high altitudes, nor too hot in the Terai region. The rain has already washed away the pollution and dust and you get a clear view of the mountain peaks. It is also the best time for trekking. During this time, thousands of trekkers came to the Everest and Annapurna region. Kathmandu is also the most expensive.
The weather is more stable and clear during this time. During this time, the trekking trails are relatively less crowded as the temperature drops quite a bit. If you can stand the cold, this is a wonderful time to be near the mountains. Otherwise, the Terai region or the plains have excellent weather. This is a good time to explore the cities of Nepal.
This is the second best time to visit Nepal. The weather is warm and the days are long. Rhododendrons flourish at high altitudes. This is the best time to see wildlife. It is also a good time for hikers. However, during April and May, fog settles over most of Nepal due to burning crops. Therefore, visibility can be low, especially in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.
It is the lean season for trekkers in Nepal. The monsoon brings heavy rain, landslides, and clouds that obscure views of the mountains. However, the field takes on a fresh green look. July and August are also the best time to visit Mustang Valley, which is in the rain shadow area.
So visit the mountainous environment of Nepal, and enjoy a diverse landscape. Be sure to visit our website before visiting Nepal. Because you need our help to facilitate your flight and hotel booking. Thanks for being with us.
© Copyright 2025 Tripnlove | All rights reserved. | Developed by BitwiseCode Technologies
