There are many beautiful and interesting places to visit outside the Kathmandu Valley which are full of history and historical remains or remarkable for their beauty. Most of them can be easily reached from Kathmandu by road or by air.
KAKANI: This place, 1982 meters above sea-level and located 29 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu city, is famous for its magnificent view of the Valley. It overlooks the northwestern Himalayan ranges set against the vastness of the blue sky. The holiday area of Kakani features attractions ranging from beautiful alpine scenery to the magnificent Himalayan panorama, particularly of the Ganesh Himal. Other peaks that can be seen from Kakani are Gaurishanker (7,134 m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m) and several other peaks. One should not miss the majestic sunset that Kakani offers.
A trip to Kakani along the mountain highway, Trisuli Road, is rewarding with views of green forests on one side and terraced cultivation on the other. The road to Kakani begins at Thamel and terminates at Kaule where the road to Kakani bifurcates. The vehicles can go right up to the top of Kakani. It takes about one and a half hours to reach Kakani by car from Kathmandu. There are frequent bus and other vehicle services from Thamel to Kaule.
DHULIKHEL: This ancient town is situated 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the side of the Arniko Rajmarga (Kathmandu - Kodari Highway). It is a lovely place famous for its scenic beauty and old tradition. From here one has a panoramic view of the snowy ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. There is a medieval township, Banepa, between Kathmandu and Dhulikhel. There is frequent bus service to Dhulikhel from Bagh Bazaar.
PANAUTI: This is a thriving village off the road to Dhulikhel, with some very lovely temples and interesting old houses. Particularly beautiful are some fourteenth century wooden temple struts.
NAMO BUDDHA: This site is situated on a hill above Panauti. It requires an easy drive or good walk to get there. There is a story regarding the Buddha which is commemorated by an ancient stone slab and a stupa with the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.
TIMAL NARAYAN: The route from Dhulikhel to Timal Narayan is ideal for a short trek. The temple of Timal Narayan, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is situated at an altitude of 2134 meters above sea- level. A local fair is organized on the day of Janai Purnima in the periphery of this temple. From here one has a beautiful view of Gaurishanker Himal and other important peaks as well as the Sunkoshi and Roshi rivers. It is also very pleasant to visit the villages of the Tamang people who live in this area.
PALANCHOWK BHAGAWATI: Some 7 kilometers north of the mountain of Panchkhaal, on the top of a hill lies the noted historic temple of Palanchowk Bhagawati. This temple is said to have been constructed during the reign of King Man Dev. The temple houses a three foot long idol of Goddess Bhagawati carved in a black stone.
DAMAN: This site is situated 80 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu at an altitude of about 2,400 meters. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway in between Kathmandu and the town of Birgunj. For a view of the world's highest peaks extending in one glittering arc from the far west of Dhaulagiri to the far east of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), there is no better place than Daman. Other peaks that are visible from Daman are Annapurna III (7,555m), Phurbi Chyachu (6,637m), Choba Bhamre (6,016 m), and Gaurishanker (7,134). There is a view tower equipped with long range telescopes. Daman can be reached in about four hours from Kathmandu. Simple overnight accommodations are also available in Daman. A round trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Tansen, Lumbini, Narayangadh, and Daman is very rewarding.
CHARIKOT: Charikot, the headquarters of Kolakha District, is 133 kilometers from Kathmandu. Charikot provides a spectacular mountain view of the prominent peak of Gaurishanker. There are many lodges in Charikot and it is worth an overnight stay. Dolakha town can be reached in one hour from Charikot on foot. Predominantly a Newari town, Dolakha was an entry point between Tibet, Northern India, and the Kathmandu Valley. In the eastern upper part of Kolakha township there is a famous roofless temple of Dolakha Bhimsen. The temple is also known as the temple of Bhimeshor Mahadev.
HELAMBU: Helambu, situated about 72 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, is famous for its scenery and pleasant climate. There are many Buddhist monasteries in the region amidst rich and enchanting landscapes. For those who have only a short time for trekking, Helambu is a good place. Sundarijaal, which is 11 kilometers away from Kathmandu, is the starting point on a trek to Helambu. There is regular bus service from Kathmandu to Sundarijaal. Helambu can also be reached via Panchkhaal.
GORKHA: The Gorkha township is the headquarters of the district of the same name. Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, and hence it is the ancestral home of the Shah Kings of Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, there is an old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. The palace is said to have been built by King Ram Shah. King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify the Kingdom from this palace of Gorkha. There are two temples of Gorakhnath and Kali inside the palace precinct. Gorkha Durbar is one of the most outstanding examples of Nepalese architecture. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple of Gorkhanath, where from the town derives its name.
The world famous Gorkha soldiers hail from this place. Gorkha can be reached in about four hours from Kathmandu and in about two hours from Pokhara. Regular buses for Gorkha leave at 7 A.M. every morning from the Central Bus Terminal in Kathmandu. A side trip to Manakamana either from Gorkha or from Khaireni on the Prithvi Highway is very enjoyable and interesting.
POKHARA VALLEY: The Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Nepal. The
beauty of the valley is enhanced by the lakes Phewa, Begnas, and Rupa, which have their source in the
glacial region of the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas. Pokhara is situated 200 kilometers west of
Kathmandu and is connected by air as well or by an eight hour bus ride from Kathmandu. A highway
named Prithvi Rajmarga links the Lake District with Kathmandu and another highway, Siddhartha
Rajmarga, also known as Sunauli Pokhara Rajmarga, links Pokhara with Bhairahawa. This highway passes
along a picturesque region between the midland valleys and the Terai belt of the Kingdom. Pokhara Valley
is situated at an altitude of 827 meters above sea-level. For mountain views, Pokhara offers a magnificent
view of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhare, and others. Pokhara is one of the few places in the world to
provide such dramatic views in a subtropical setting. Machhapuchhare, for example, is only 28 kilometers
from Phewa Lake, and not a single mountain range intervenes between the two. Pokhara's numerous lakes,
known as 'taal' in Nepali, offer fishing, boating, and swimming. Comfortable accommodations are available
in Pokhara.
TANSEN: Tansen is a Himalayan town located on the slopes of a hill called Shreenagar Danda at
an altitude of 1343 meters above sea-level. Tansen is the most popular summer resort in western Nepal on
account of its position and climate. It has perhaps Nepal's most far stretching views of the country's chief
attraction -- the Himalayas -- from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishanker in the northeast. From
Shreenagar Danda, one has a view of the Tinau river valley below and the surrounding Churia and
Mahabharat hills, including the Terai's flat lands to the far south. Tansen is the headquarter of Palpa
District. Tansen is easily accessible. It takes just six hours by bus from Pokhara to reach Tansen along the
Siddhartha Highway. The distance between Pokhara and Tansen is 123 kilometers. Situated midway along
the route from Pokhara is Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. It is a convenient stop on the way to or
from Royal Chitwan National Park. Treks to Ridi, Tamaghas, Sandhikharda, Pyuthan, Dhorpatan,
Swargadwari, Baglung, Beni, Jomosom, Muktinath, the Annapurna Region, the Dhaulagiri Region,
Machhapuchhare Base Camp, Pokhara, and other places as well can be organized from or to Tansen.
RAPTI VALLEY (CHITWAN): From Kathmandu it takes seven hours to reach Chitwan. The main attraction of Chitwan is the Royal Chitwan National Park which is situated 120 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. This is one of Nepal's largest forest regions, with a wide range of wildlife: the rare one- horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species of birds, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Visitors to Chitwan may view game on elephant back excursions, nature walks, canoe trips, from jeep windows and on Jungle treks. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Three or four day trips are recommended for a fuller experience of the wilderness. Visitors may also take river rafting trips, driving from Kathmandu to the river Trisuli or Seti Khola and then spending three days on the river camping enroute.
NAMCHE BAZAAR: The name Namche Bazaar is generally associated with that of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), the highest peak in the world. It is the entrance to the Everest region. Situated in the lap of the Khumbu Himal range, Namche Bazaar is about 241 km. from Kathmandu and the distance is generally covered within 15 days by trekking. This place is the home of the legendary Sherpas, who have won international renown as the world's most sturdy climbers with an indomitable will to scale peaks. One can fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and Syangboche in the Everest region. At Lukla accommodations are available in Sherpa huts and lodges. Lukla is the most popular base for trekking in the Khumbu region. Days could be spent hiking and visiting the Sherpa villages, Thyangboche Monastery, Khunde Hospital, Khumjung Hilary School and trekking towards the Everest Base Camp. Accommodations are available at Thyangboche, Debuche, Pheriche, Pangboche, Lobuche and Gorakhshep.
BIRATNAGAR: This is the second largest city of Nepal. Situated in the Koshi Zone, the city has some of the largest industrial undertakings in the country. There are a couple of pilgrimage spots in Dharan and Barahachhetra nearby the city. Accommodations are readily available in Biratnagar. Biratnagar is linked with Kathmandu by air and road. Biratnagar also has a communications network and hospitals.
HILE: This site is situated about 13 kilometers north of Dhankuta Bazaar. The panorama of the major peaks of the eastern Himalayas including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Makalu, Lhotse, and Kumbhakarna (Jannu) can be seen from here.
ANTU DANDA: This site is situated an altitude of 1,677 meters in the Ilam District and is famous for its unique views of Everest and Kangchenjunga and the hills of Darjeeling, Khersang, and Mirik. It is a good place for viewing sunrise and sunset. There is a motorable road from Ilam to Chhipitar and from there, Antu Danda can be reached in four hours walking.
