This is a small landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, bordered by the People's Republic of China to the north and India to the south, east and west. For a small country like Nepal, landscape is diverse, ranging from the Terai in the south to the Mount Everest in the north. Within a very small breadth the elevation of Nepal increases from the plain terrain to the tallest Himalayas. Nepal boasts eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest. The captivating landscape, with a diversity of flora and fauna, is the ultimate destination for a adventure holiday. It has to offer everything to the traveler from easy and short excursions to the long challenges of the snowy peaks, invoking visions of the spectacular Himalayas. Down south the lush meadows, green woodland and fragrant orchards leads to Lumbini the holy land of the Lord Gautam Buddha. Nepal is known for tourism, trekking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, national wildlife parks, jungle safaris, river rafting and for its beautiful temples.
KATHMANDU
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues. For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. Situated in close proximity to each other, today these three almost run together. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here.
BHAKTAPUR
Bhaktapur is the cultural hub of Nepal with abundance of historic, artistic & uniquely architectured, monuments; cultural riches , festivals, dances, music, art, life & life style with in Bhaktapur city and has since attracted millions of tourists. It lay on the trade route between Tibet / China and India. The temple has developed the Pagoda style and the best of them is the five - tiered Nyatapole. Durbar Square is the hub of activity that houses the 55 window Palace and is now a National Gallery. Golden Gate which is nearby is the venue of Taleju Temple. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Taleju Bhawani with Taleju Bhawani and Kumari’s shrines. Photography of goddess is strictly prohibited. Surrounded by green mountains almost around its three sides with clean, fresh mountain air, natural environment, green fields and beautiful view of the Himalayan mountain range, innumerable wilderness of flora and fauna are the main tourist attractions. Things to watch is romantic sun rise and sun set, exciting nearby village walks Siddhi Laxmi Temple, Vatsala Temple, Bhandarkhal Complex, Chatu Brahma Mahavihar, Indrayani Temple, Balakhu Ganesh Temple, Tripura-sundari Temple, etc.
POKHARA
Pokhara, at the base of the foothills, is 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world - Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna I. For many trekkers, Pokhara is the gateway to the Himalayas. It is the starting point for treks to Jomsom and the Annapurna region. But visitors will enjoy Pokhara and the beautiful scenery even if they are not planning on heading off on a hike. By population, it is the second largest town in Nepal after Kathmandu but still does not feel like a big city. People coming from the Kathmandu Valley notice the much cleaner air and pleasant climate almost immediately. Lake Phewa, with its cluster of lakeside hotels, restaurants, and shops, is ideal for those looking for relaxation and for day excursions.
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Chitwan National Park is the place to come to experience a different side of Nepal, apart from the hiking and the intrigue of Kathmandu. This is the place for wildlife viewing and a safari-type atmosphere. At an altitude of only 100 meters in some areas, much lower than Kathmandu at 1400 meters, this area has a tropical monsoon climate, usually quite different than what most people expect to find in Nepal. Visitors come here primarily to see wildlife. Tours from the lodges take visitors out into the park, either on foot, or more often, on elephants for close-up views of the animals. The park is home to rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (buffalo) deer, and many other critters. Freshwater dolphins (gangetic) and crocodiles inhabit the rivers and streams but are rarely seen. More than 500 species of birds make Chitwan a paradise for ornithologists.