Five ‘Must-See’ Nepal Attractions for your Nepal Holiday

1. Annapurna

Annapurna is a geographical region of Nepal that encompasses a stunning range of Himalayan peaks and offers fantastic trekking opportunities for those who enjoy a challenge. The seven peaks are surrounded by an extensive conservation area and it is here that a range of trekking routes start and finish.

The Annapurna Circuit is one of the most popular treks and is of world class standard. The route takes in the mountains and the lowlands and provides hikers with some of the most stunning scenery Nepal has to offer.

2. Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur is equally as beautiful and unique as Kathmandu in its architecture and heritage. The city itself is crammed with attractions however Durbar Square has long since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This one square, built over the course of many centuries, houses the Palace, the Golden Gate, Bhupatindra’s Column and the Taleju Bell. Sections of the Palace lie in ruins however they are still well worth seeing.

3. The Mount Everest Trekking Routes

There are plenty of trekking routes to choose from that scale the first section of Everest and explore the Sagarmatha National Park below. These routes provide treks that last up to 16 days and the most exhaustive of them finishes at the Mount Everest base camp.

On the way up, trekking parties get to marvel at the stunning scenery, the snowy peaks, Buddhist monasteries and a number of traditional villages that are inhabited by the Sherpas of the area.

The heartland of the Everest region, known as Solukhumbu, is one of the top attractions for trekkers and nature lovers, whether they decide to try the base camp trek or not.

4. Chitwan National Park

The Chitwan National Park is about six hours by road from Kathmandu and offers nearly 1000sq.km of tropical and subtropical forests to explore. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and boasts over 40 species of mammals, 450 species of birds and over 45 species of amphibians and reptiles, many of which are endangered and highly protected. The Park offers 4WD safaris, canoeing expeditions, elephant rides along popular trekking routes and guided jungle walks.

5. Lumbini

Lumbini is located in the Terai Plains of Southern Nepal and is one of the four holiest places of Buddhism. It is reportedly the birth place of the Lord Buddha and attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. This UNESCO World Heritage Site’s main attraction is undoubtedly the Sacred Garden which possesses the treasures of the area and includes the actual birthplace of the Buddha.

Spread over 8 square kilometres the garden itself is stunning however the International Monastery Zone close by also has a number of temples and monasteries that are definitely worth a look. The Cultural Zone is also a must-see as the Lumbini Museum houses coins, religious manuscripts, terracotta fragments and metal sculptures that date from many centuries ago.

Annapurna

Annapurna is often described as one of the most beautiful areas of Nepal and consequently is has become one of the most popular choices for enthusiastic trekkers. The area consists of a series of six Himalayan peaks and the lowlands that surround it and the entire massif is conveniently located in Central Nepal.

The Annapurna Peaks

The six peaks of the Annapurna massif stretch over 55km in length with the highest – Annapurna 1 – standing over 8000m tall. This makes it the 10^th highest mountain in the world. The other five all stand over 7200m in height and the panoramic view that the massif presents is truly astounding. The majority of the mountains that make up the massif are snow and ice climbs and as such Annapurna, in its entirety, has one of the highest fatality rates in the world at around 40%.

ACAP

ACAP is the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. The conservation area covers the Annapurna massif and the surrounding lowlands for an area of over 7600sq km. This makes it the largest, and most visited, conservation area in Nepal. Not only are the landscapes and views of the Himalayas breathtaking from the lowlands, the trekking opportunities are amongst the best in the country and over two thirds of people Trekking Nepal make a point of visiting the region during their holiday.

Trekking in Annapurna

There are numerous world class trekking routes that run through the Annapurna conservation area however most people choose to enjoy the sights and experiences of the major three:

The Jomsom Trek – this is a simple trek that ends in the town of Jomsom in the Mustang region of Nepal. Jomsom has an altitude of 2800m but if trekkers are feeling more adventurous there is also the option to continue up the trail to Muktinath at 3800m. The additional hike is well worth the trouble as Muktinath is the site of many holy temples that are sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus.

The Annapurna Sanctuary Route – this route runs for 40km from Nepal’s second city, Pokhara, up to the base camp of the Annapurna Mountains. The camp sits 4000m up in a glacial basin surrounded by the peaks of the massif. The ecosystems and landscapes in the basin are considered to be paradise for nature lovers and as such are a big attraction for trekkers.

The Annapurna Circuit

The circuit trek is a favourite with Nepal Adventure Tour operators and so it’s easy to find a trek running at virtually any time during the year. The circuit encircles the Annapurna massif and requires around three weeks to complete. It is well worth doing though as trekkers get to experience the true culture of the region while also benefiting from mountain landscapes and lowland terrain that rivals the rest of the world.

In addition to these lengthy treks around the Annapurna region, there are also a number of shorter alternatives available. The most popular short treks start at Pokhara (as most treks in the region do), and finish at Ghorepani or Ghandruk; two traditional towns a few days trekking away. These shorter versions provide ample opportunity to experience the beauty of the area and can be included in any type of Nepal holiday.

Home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, Nepal’s mountainous and hilly regions offer some of the most spectacular trekking sites in the world. The immense contrasts in altitude and climate found in the different parts of the country support an equally spectacular mix of life styles, vegetation types and wildlife.

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Nepal’s National Parks

Nepal has over 13,000square miles of conservation areas and national parks, which means there are places of natural beauty to visit wherever you’re staying in the country. Some of the most popular Nepal Sightseeing conservation areas and parks include:

· Langtang National Park

· Sagarmatha National Park, which surrounds the base of Everest

· Mustang Conservation Area

· The Royal Chitwan National Park

· Shey Phoksundo National Park, which is the largest park in the country.

In addition to these five, there are at least 6 more worth visiting and the animals, birds, reptiles and vegetation that you see at each one will be different from the last.

The large national parks are a must for true nature lovers and especially if you fancy Trekking Nepal.