Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Nepal

Nepal is a country of rich and diverse culture, as it is home to a diverse mix of people, languages, ethnicity, and social structures. Every year thousands of tourists visit the country to explore its natural habitats and cultural heritage. There are hundreds of destinations in Nepal that beckon tourists from across the world to explore the bountiful beauty that nature has gifted this country.

Here are the top 10 tourist attractions in Nepal that one can add to their next-to-go list and explore — 

Annapurna Conservation Area

Annapurna Conservation Area is one of the most popular places in Nepal owing to its proximity to the Annapurna Base Camp. It is also one of the closest trekking destinations from Pokhara, which lies around 40kms north of the city. 

Established in 1992, Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several endangered plant and animal species.

The world’s deepest gorge — the Kali Gandaki Gorge, and the Annapurna Mountain Range lies in the north of the region.

Peaks of Annapurna I, II, III, IV, Himchuli, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchre, and Shringi Himal are visible from the region.

Sagarmatha National Park

Sagarmatha National Park is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that was built in 1976 by the Nepal Government in the Everest region.

Several trekking destinations like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Gokyo Lake, and Three Passes, that lie within Sagarmatha National Park are very popular among tourists.

Along with trekking, the National Park also offers magnificent views of the Mahalangur Mountain Range, including the highest peak in the world — Mount Everest.

Besides, there are several other mystic mountains in this area, including Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Island Peak.

Sagarmatha National Park is home to several endangered animals, such as the snow leopard, Himalayan Tahr, Red Panda, and 194 species of birds and several rare herbal trees and shrubs.

Travelers can reach Sagarmatha National Park by taking a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla or via bus to Salleri and then trek to Lukla.

Manaslu Conservation Area

Manaslu Conservation Area, a popular tourist attraction in Nepal, was established in 1998. It covers a total land area of 1663 square kilometers and is home to 33 species of mammals, 110 species of birds, 11 species of butterflies, and three species of reptiles.

Manaslu Conservation Area, that starts from Arughat and ends in Larke La Pass, is rich in diverse climatic conditions as it spreads widely from sub-tropical to Nival regions.

The beautiful vistas of Mount Manaslu, Himal Chuli, Chamar, Shringi Himal, Tsum Valley and the Kali Gandaki river are a must-visit.

Travelers can reach Manaslu Conservation Area after a drive from Kathmandu to Besi Sahar and then trek to Arughat.

Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is also called ‘The City of Temples.’ The city is famous for its holy sites and shrines like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Budhanilkantha, and Dakshinkali.

The Kathmandu Valley is very rich in history as well. The three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan are significant to the Malla and Shah Dynasties, who ruled the Kingdom of Nepal for centuries. The Royal Courtyards, Golden Taps, Halls and historical sites are some of the must-visit parts of the Durbar Squares.

Besides, there are several historical landmarks such as Dharahara, Clock Tower (Ghantaghar), Sahid Gate, Rani Pokhari, and Hanumandhoka.

Kathmandu can be visited all across the year to explore Nepal’s culture and history.

Pokhara

Pokhara is one of the top tourist attractions in Nepal. The beautiful ‘City of Lakes’ has several beautiful lakes like the Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, and Rupa Lake.

Pokhara is a vantage point to view Himalayan peaks like Machhapuchre, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Himchuli. The shadow of Machhapuchre that dances on the surface of Phewa Lake is one of the top attractions.

Besides lakes, there are several places to visit in Pokhara, like Sarangkot Hill, International Mountain Museum, Tal Barahi Temple, Davis Falls, Mahendra Cave, and Shanti Stupa.

The nightlife on the Lake Side is very popular among partygoers as the city has several westernized pubs and hospitality centers where one can enjoy live music, dance parties, and free drinks.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park lies in the central Terai region of Nepal, and it is one of the best destinations to go on a jungle safari. 

It is a protected area established in 1973 AD by Nepal Government to conserve wildlife and plant species.

Besides the National Park, there are several other destinations like Bis Hazari Lake, Elephant Breeding Sanctuary, Devghat, Jalbire Waterfall, and Tharu Village where travelers can explore the culture and natural heritage of the Terai region of Nepal.

Travelers can reach Chitwan after a drive from Kathmandu Bus Park or by taking a direct flight to Bhadrapur Airport.

Bardia National Park

One of the main reasons to visit Bardia in Nepal is the Bardia National Park, which is a sanctuary well-known for its Bengal Tigers.

Popular Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio had visited the Bardia National Park to spread awareness for protecting the endangered species.

Bardiya National Park is home to 642 species of animals, 407 species of resident and migratory birds, 125 species of fish, and 839 varieties of plants.

There are several homestay facilities in the Tharu community that can be visited to experience the culture of Nepal.

Travelers must not miss the Machhan Tree House when they visit Bardiya, alongwith the jungle safari, and bird watching at Bardia Shiva Community Forest.

Muktinath Temple

Muktinath is one of the holiest places for both Hindu and Buddhist devotees. It is one of the high-altitude tourist destinations that lies 3,762 meters above sea level. Travelers can reach directly by taking a flight to Jomsom and then hiking to Muktinath. it can also be explored as part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Muktinath Temple has 108 spouts where people take a holy dip believing that their sins get washed away after bathing in the water bodies. The Eternal Flame and other shrines around the temple are also very popular. 

Tatopani, a natural hot spring close to Muktinath, is where trekkers take a bath after covering the exhausting Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Upper Mustang

The Upper Mustang is a cold desert region in Nepal that is popular among adventure-seekers and travel enthusiasts.

The trek starts with a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom and then a hike to Kagbeni. Along the way, there are diverse Thakali and Sherpa settlements where travelers can enjoy the hospitality and Thakali cuisine.

For followers of Buddhism, the ancient Tibetan Gompas are a must-visit. The wall-carved settlements of Lo-Manthang provide historical insights into the ancient kingdoms in the region. 

Those visiting the Upper Mustang region can view the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Mountain range, Gompas, traditional villages, and lush green forests.

Lumbini – the birth place of Lord Buddha

Lumbini, is one of the holiest sites for Buddhists as Lord Buddha was born here.  The city, which falls in Kapilvastu district of Nepal, has several tourist destinations like Maya Devi Temple, Maya Devi Garden and Pool, Ashoka Pillar, and the Palace, that are very popular among tourists.

Lumbini has several meditation centers that help people mediate and attain inner peace.

Travelers can reach Lumbini by driving to Kapilvastu or by taking a flight to Bhadrapur or Bhairahawa and then taking a short ride to the destination.

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