Where to go in Nepal

Kathmandu is a fascinating place to explore.  You’ll find ornate palaces and ancient temples a short stroll away from the famous tourist area of Thamel, crammed with bazaars, bars, and nightclubs.  Time-honored temples rub shoulders with modern boutiques, contemporary cafes housed in traditionally carved buildings, and markets displaying unusual vegetables, which you’ll find turned into delicious meals in the city’s most chic restaurants.  

The Durbar Square is the cultural hub of Nepal, with its labyrinth of narrow streets, intricate temples, and palaces dating back to the 12th century. Locals gather daily, older generations in traditional clothing, the younger immersed in their phones. Nearby, Swayambhunath, a 2000-year-old Buddhist stupa capped by gilded copper, attracts pilgrims. Venture to Bhaktapur, an ancient city with winding alleyways and a palatial complex brimming with architectural gems and local crafts.

Surrounded by many of the world’s highest, snow-capped peaks but dominated by the spectacular, sacred Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail Mountain, it’s hard to top Pokhara for mountain scenery. It makes sense that for adventure enthusiasts, Pokhara is a dream. It is the starting point for many day hikes and the gateway to some of the most famous trekking circuits in the world. There’s hot-air ballooning, paragliding, and white-water rafting.  However, you don’t have to be an adrenalin junkie to visit Pokhara. It is a place of extraordinary natural beauty from which you can enjoy snow-capped views, the serene Phewa Lake, a visit to the Peace Pagoda which offers spectacular views of the Annapurna Range, and don’t miss the museum dedicated to Gurkha Soldiers. Within the broader surroundings are gentle walks on the lower slopes, a Tibetan Refugee Camp, and several stunning villages. 

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the Kathmandu Valley, which has seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in an area that is just 30km long and 17km wide. What makes these extraordinary is that they are all either living in heritage towns or working in religious sites and temples. It’s a dream for photographers – you’re spoilt for choice. The beautifully preserved medieval districts of Bhaktapur and Patan, with their extraordinary Newari architecture, provide a remarkable contrast in style to Kathmandu city, and the towering Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are visited by thousands of pilgrims every day, as are Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Beyond these ancient capitals and temples, there’s a beautiful array of cultures to explore, a thriving arts and crafts scene, chic boutiques, cafes, tea shops, and the nearby hill stations of Dhulikhel and Nagarkot. It’s easy to see why some people arrive and never leave.