The best places to visit in Nepal
The mountain kingdom of Nepal may be tiny, but it undoubtedly punches above its weight as one of the world’s most enticing places to visit. With the majestic Mount Everest straddling its borders, it has a rare and mythical quality.
Visit the Kathmandu Valley and you’ll find temples, palaces and pilgrimage sites, while the city itself is abuzz with bazaars, shrines and artisans. For a walk on the wild side, the river plains and jungle of the Chitwan National Park are home to Bengal tigers and gharial crocodiles. You’ll also find medieval villages with Newari mansions and narrow cobbled streets. And everything is set against a backdrop of the dizzying heights of the Annapurna and Everest mountain ranges. For more on the best places and time to visit Nepal, check out our recommendations in this article.
WorldRemit Content Team
• 4 mins read • Updated
What’s the best time to visit Nepal?
The best time to visit Nepal is in the autumn - between October and December. At this time, you’ll find the skies are a beautiful, clear blue and the views spectacular.
However, if you want to avoid this prime tourist season with its higher prices for flights and hotels - mid-September is an excellent time to visit, as is May when the rhododendrons burst into bloom.
After peak season (October - December) - the weather remains dry until about April, but the temperatures do vary between regions. January and February can be very cold, especially at night, with average temperatures of 6°C in Namche Bazaar.
The monsoon season arrives in June and lasts until the end of August. Clouds obscure the views and heavy rain and landslides make travel difficult, plus many places close down. So, it’s best to avoid travelling there at this time.
The best activities and places to visit in Nepal
1. Kathmandu
The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is most visitors' first port of call. It’s a vibrant, bustling, but slightly dusty city that offers you so much to do. It has an eclectic mix of temples, historic sites, shrines, restaurants and busy streets. While here you can plan a hiking or trekking trip, shop at the Thamel area and eat delicious local food at restaurants like Forest and Plate, Places, and Yangling.
The best activity to do in Kathmandu is possibly a visit to the beautiful Hindu Pashupatinath Temple. It’s a sacred place known by Hindus all over the world, with millions visiting here during Maha Shivaratri. It’s a huge and sprawling place to visit - so set aside some time for it and immerse yourself in this truly sacred place.
2. Bhaktapur
This special UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur, is well worth a visit, despite tragically suffering significant damage during the earthquake of 2015. Dating back 600 years, it was one of the three medieval “Royal Cities” of Nepal in the Kathmandu Valley.
Start your visit at Durbar Square where you can see the Royal Palace. Then go temple hopping - the Nyatapola temple, the Dattatreya temple, the Taleju temple, and the Bhairavnath temple. Then one of the best things to do in Bhaktapur is shop! What for? Puppets, handicrafts, and lovely pottery. For something a little more active, there’s also the opportunity to go mountain trekking and biking.
3. Pokhara
Pokhara is the tourist capital of Nepal and feels a great deal more Western and chilled than Kathmandu. Its attraction for tourists is reflected in the fact that it’s also the most expensive city in Nepal. Back in the day many hippies made a home here, possibly in search of themselves and huge mountains to conquer.
Fewa Lake is a central hub of activity here with its colourful boats, ready to take you out to explore more of this part of Nepal. So, what’s the best thing to do in Pokhara? You have a choice of whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, canyoning and paragliding trips in the surrounding countryside.
4. Lumbini
Lumbini, is a significant and holy place to visit, as it’s the birthplace of Buddha. He was born in 623 B.C. in the famous gardens 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.
The best thing to do in Lumbini? Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Lumbini Monastic Site, the Royal Thai Monastery, the World Peace Pagoda or just stroll around and relax in the gardens if that’s more your thing.
5. Gorkha
The stunning town Gorkha lies on the slopes of Himalayas in north-central Nepal, and is a place of immense historical and cultural significance. Around 300 years ago, when all the rivalling fiefdoms of Nepal were unified into one monarchy and divided up the country into 50 different states, Gorkha was born.
It’s also a place of tremendous natural beauty. You could simply spend your time contemplating the green valleys and the mountains around. Or you could be more active. The best activities in Gorkha? You could try the Manaslu Circuit Trek. Mount Manaslu lies just towards the east of the great Annapurna massif. The highest point of the trek is at Larkya La pass, from where a breathtaking view of the Manaslu can be taken in. While in Gorkha you can also visit Gorkha Museum and Manakamana Temple. A Mahadev temple, a Vishnu temple, a Ganesh temple and a Bhimsen temple are also close by.
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We hope this article has given you a taste of what a trip to Nepal may be like. If it’s whet your appetite and you're now reaching for your suitcase or backpack, check out these other articles to help you on your way.
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