The magnificent central Nepal valley of
pokhara lies nestled beneath the splendid Annapurna range,
home to some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountain
peaks of Nepal. It is situated about 200 kilometers/125
miles west of Kathmandu and is the second most popular tourist
destination in Nepal. Stretched out on one side is the serene
Phewa Lake while to the north lays the splendid 140-kilometer
Himalayan Panorama including the famed Machhapuchhre (the
Fish Tail). A perfect blend of fascinating mountains, beautiful
lakes, artistic and sacred temples, Inquisitive caves and
exciting spots like Sarangkot attract people from all around
the world to enjoy a relaxing holiday in this "Lake
City of Nepal".
Royal Chitwan National Park:
Widely acknowledged as one of the best
national parks in Asia, the Royal Chitwan National Park,
with an area of 932 square kilometers is the oldest national
park in the kingdom. It is located about 150 kilometers
/94 miles southwest of kathmandu in the subtropical lowlands
of Nepal and is a World Heritage Site since 1984. A good
population of the most graceful Royal Bengal Tiger, the
rare Greater One-horned Rhino, Wild Cattle/ Bison, Wild
boars, Leopard, Wild Elephant, different species of Deer,
Crocodiles, Python, Striped Hyena, Pangolin and more than
500 species of birds make Chitwan a wildlife Paradise.
Elephant Safaris, Canoe Rides, Jungle
Drives, Hikes, Round-table Discussions, Slide Lectures and
Tours to the Ethnic Villages add to the charm of staying
in the Deluxe Wildlife Resorts amidst the tranquility of
the nature.
Lumbini:
Lumbini
is the symbol of peace for all humanities and is the most
Holy ground for the whole Buddhist world. Queen Maya Devi
gave birth to prince Siddhartha at this place in 623 BC, who
later on became the Buddha. The first major Buddhist ruler
of India, Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar In 249 BC to commemorate
his visit to this holy place. Now it stands proudly right
in front of the Mayadevi Temple as a historical monument.
The Maya Devi Temple has a stone image of Maya Devi giving
birth to Lord Buddha as she holds onto a branch. Excavations
have turned up a stone bearing a "foot print" indicating
the exact place of birth. Adjacent to the Mayadevi temple
is a sacred pond called "Pushkarni Pond" where Queen
Maya Devi is said to have bathed and Prince Siddhartha was
given his first purification bath after his birth.
Around an hour's drive northwest from Lumbini lies the interesting
archeologically important site of TILAURAKOT. This has been
identified as the ancient Kapilvastu, the capital of King
Suddodhana, Buddha's father, and where the Buddha himself
as Prince Siddhartha spent the first 29 years of his life.
Lumbini Museum, Kapilvastu Museum, Lumbini Library (containing
some 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture)
and the artistic temples/monasteries (built by different nations
like China, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar and others) glorify your
trip to Lumbini.
Lumbini is situated in the Terai plains of Nepal at a distance
of about 282 kilometers/176 miles to the southwest of Kathmandu.
You can travel to Lumbini both by road via Pokhara or Chitwan
or directly by air from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa followed by
a short drive
Royal Bardia National Park:
Royal Bardia National
Park is the most undisturbed and the largest wilderness area
in the terai lowlands of Nepal. It is densely covered by Sal
forests, riverine forests & grassland and is a perfect
habitat for endangered animals like Wild Elephant, Greater
One-horned Rhinoceros, Black Buck, the Gangetic Dolphin, Gharial
Crocodile and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. More than 360
species of birds including the endangered Bengal Florican,
Sarus Crane, Silver-eared Mesia and the Lesser Florican are
found in the park.
Royal Bardia National Park can be reached by a short flight
(50 minutes) from Kathmandu to Nepalganj followed by a drive
of about 3 hours or by surface (about 11 hours from Kathmandu,
8 hours from Chitwan and 3 hours from Mahendra Nagar - Royal
Shuklaphanta National Park). A trip to Bardia National Park
is best combined with rafting in the thrilling Karnali river
with or without trekking and / or Shuklaphanta and Chitwan.
Royal Shuklapanta Wildlife
Reserve:
The
Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve - situated in the southern
part of Far-western Nepal at an elevation of 90 to 270 meters
above sea level, is very close to the Gaddachowki Entry Point
on Nepal-India border. The phantas - plains with tall grasses
and forests provide the best habitat for the Swamp Deer, which
can be seen in large herds - probably the largest in the world.
Other wild animals in this tiny reserve (just 305 square kilometers)
include wild Boar, Wild Elephant(40 - 45), Rhinoceros, Blue
Bull, Leopard, Hog Deer, Hispid Hare, over 300 species of
Resident and migratory Birds and the most sought after Royal
Bengal Tiger(30-35)!
Tours to Shuklaphanta
are best combined with the Corbett National Park, Dudhwa National
Park, Nainital, Delhi or other destinations in India; or,
with Bardia, Lumbini and / or Chitwan in Nepal. The best time
to visit Shuklaphanta is from October to April. One can fly
from Kathmandu to Mahendra Nagar or to Dhangadhi in the far
west followed by a short drive to the reserve or, can reach
to the same by surface. Elephant Safaris, Jeep Drives and
Walks provide the best game-viewing opportunities in Shuklaphanta.
Janakpur:
Janakpur was the
capital of the ancient kingdom of Mithila, which existed around
700 BC. It stands out as the cleanest and the most attractive
towns of the terai and is named after the legendary king Janak.
The most sacred sites are the Janaki Temple dedicated to Sita;
the Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir built over the spot where Ram and
Sita were married, Ram Mandir dedicated to Lord Ram and the
holy pond Dhanush Sagar.
Janakpur is thronged by thousands of pilgrims and other visitors
throughout the year and especially during the festival of
Bibaha Panchami (The annual festival to Celebrate the marriage
of Sita and Ram when the whole city is enlivened by the wedding
festivities for a whole week). Janakpur is also the center
of the Mithila arts and crafts in Nepal. A number of good
hotels in this sacred city will make your stay comfortable
and enjoyable. You can best combine Janakpur with Safari tours
in the Royal Chitwan National Park or in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife
Reserve.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve:
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
is situated in the embankments of the Sapta Koshi river system
in eastern Nepal. It covers an area of 175 square kilometers
and is the only place for the last surviving population of
Wild Water Buffaloes in Nepal. Spotted and Hog Deer, Wild
Boar, Blue Bull, the endangered Gharial Crocodile, Gangetic
Dolphin and more than 439 species of Birds have been recorded
here.
Koshi Tappu is proud to be the habitat for many species of
birds not seen elsewhere in Nepal. Some 20 species of Ducks,
2 species of Ibises, many Storks, Egrets, Herons and the Endangered
Swamp Partridges & Bengal Florican quench the thirst of
the bird watchers at Koshi Tappu.
Daman:
Daman is a hilltop popular
for the view of the world's highest peak - Mount Everest.
It is only 80 km away from Kathmandu but you will need to
drive for about four hours because of the mountain highway.
However, the drive through the scenic landscape and villages
is quite enjoyable. You can have luxurious accommodation and
cuisine of international standard at Daman. Your visit to
this tranquil place far away from the effects of mass tourism
can be best combined with Wildlife Safari Tours in Chitwan
or Koshi Tappu.
Nuwakot:
Nuwakot is interesting
to the lovers of Nepalese history and to the trekkers too.
You can see a wonderful palace of Great King Prithvi Narayan
Shah, the founding father of Modern Nepal. The hilltop of
Nuwakot is one of the best spots for watching the terrific
Himalayan panorama. You can trek from here to Langtang National
Park area and beyond.
Muktinath/ Jomsom:
Muktinath is situated
at an altitude of 3800 meters /12500 feet above sea level
in Mustang district on the northern arc of the Annapurna circuit
trekking trail. It is held sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists.
Set around the main temple of Lord Vishnu is 108 waterspouts.
The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal
flame fed by natural gas spewing out of the ground.
Jomsom (2713 meters/8900 feet) is another popular tourist
destination in the area just about 18 kilometers/ 11 miles
southwest of Muktinath. You may fly to Jomsom directly from
Kathmandu, Pokhara, or trek to the area. Pony Rides are the
alternatives between Muktinath and Jomsom or vice-versa.
Gorkha:
Gorkha is a scenic
and historical hill town lying almost midway between Kathmandu
and Pokhara. King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founding
father of Modern Nepal was born here. It was from this very
place that the King began his campaign to unify all the then
small kingdoms formulating the present kingdom of Nepal.
Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy Himalayan peaks is
the beautiful Gorkha Durbar, a fort and an artistic temple
complex built in the 16th century.
Treks to the Manasalu Region start from Gorkha and treks to
the Annapurna Circuit can be started from here too. Gorkha
is also best combined with wildlife safari tours in the Royal
Chitwan National Park.
Tansen :
Tansen (1371 meters/4500
feet) is a very picturesque town ((123 kilometers/77 Miles
south of Pokhara) Located on the Siwalik Mountains - the youngest
mountains in this region, it offers an ultra-wide Himalayan
panorama ranging from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gauri Shankar
in the east! Looking downhill, one has a sweeping view of
the Tinau River valley, the Churia range and the Terai flat
lands. The breathtaking views are accompanied by the ancient
culture, friendly and welcoming smiles of the local people
and the peaceful atmosphere- all perfectly blended.
You can combine your trip to this pristine destination with
Pokhara, Lumbini- the Birthplace of Lord Buddha, With Gorkha
and/or with the wildlife safaris in the national parks down
in the lowlands.