There are basically two types of tourist destinations which will be of interest for visitors. The first group is the places where we have our world heritage sites, historical monuments and places of cultural interest. The second group is our natural heritages and places of scenic beauty and great landscapes.Places of tourist interest in the mountains of Nepal are not mentioned in this page. You will find them on the home page of this site.

Inside Kathmandu valley 

The Kathmandu valley consists of three  medieval cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur and other small towns of Panauti, Dhulikhel , Kirtipur etc  on its outskirts.

These three cities are like open museum of medieval arts, culture and tradition.
There are seven world heritage sites declared by UNESCO within a periphery of about thirty kilometer in this valley.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu, the capital and the largest city of Nepal, derives its name from Kasthmandapa  or "house of wood" a pagoda-style temple you can see in Durbar square . A few steps away is the Temple of the Living Goddess, where the clients may catch a glimpse of the living goddess  Kumari at one of the open windows overlooking the inner courtyard. All around the splendour of historical monuments is the hustle & bustle of the market place. Vegetable vendors, trees of flutes, salesmen with their wares displayed on their person, souvenir hawkers, street shop selling imported goods and tucked away in a quiet corner the glittering bead market for custom made bead necklaces.

Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon meaning the "city of devotees" lies 14 km east of Kathmandu.This well preserved city  is the home of medieval art & architecture and still retains its rich medieval aroma. A city of farmers, Bhaktapur is also known for it's pottery and weaving. Bhaktapur is the most charming and the best preserved of the valley’s three cities. The intricately carved temples, alleyways and timeless atmosphere of this place is simply intriguing. The major sightseeing places in Bhaktapur are The Durbar square , the Golden Gate, Palace of 55 windows, Bell of the barking dogs,  5 storied Nyatapole Temple, Bhairavanath Temple, Dattatrya Temple, Pujari Math etc Bhaktapur can be done along with a hike to Changunarayan temple or  a visit to Nagarkot.

Patan
Patan is also known as Lalitpur or the "city of fine arts" and is the oldest city in the valley. This Buddhist City is said to have been founded by the Buddhist  Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Patan is the source of arts and architecture of the valley, a great center both of the Newari Buddhist religion and of traditional arts & crafts with 136 bahals or courtyards and 55 major temples. Well known among these are the Krishna Mandir, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Kumbheshwar temple, Jagatnarayan temple & the Mahabouddha temple. Patan is enclosed within 4 Buddhist stupas set on the four-corners of the outer boundaries of this ancient city. A tour of Patan would also include a visit to the Tibetan refugee camp to witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets using age-old methods of dyeing and finishing.The central zoo of nepal is near by and has interesting varities of wild animals.

Swoyambhunath Stupa
About 45 min of walk from city centre ,atop a green hillock west of Kathmandu stands the great stupa of Swayambhunath, a site over 2,500 years old marking the point where the legendary patriarch Manjushri discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley lake. For centuries an important center of Buddhist learning, the painted eyes of the Buddha gaze out from all four sides of the monument. Constructed to specific rules each with a symbolic meaning, the stupa of Swayambhunath is a model of its kind. The whole is hung with multi-colored prayer flags whose every flutter releases holy prayers. The faithful circumambulate the stupa clockwise, turning the banks of prayer wheels and even prostrating full-length in reverence.  

Swoyambhunath commands great view of Kathmandu valley and the Himalayas and a visit around sunset time will be highly enjoyed.   

Bouddhanath stupa
The stupa of Bodhanath lies 8 km east of Kathmandu. It is the biggest Stupa in Nepal and the Pilgrimmage centre for great number of Tibetan refugees living in Nepal., Many  Tibetan Lamas and Rinpoches reside in surrounding area.Kathmandu is a better place than Tibet or even Dharmashala to learn Tibetan Buddhism as the atmosphere here is not politically charged.This colossal Stupa is set on concentric ascending terraces in the powerful pattern of a Mandala. Around the base of this strikingly enormous and simple stupa is a ring of 108 images of the Buddha and 147 insets

Pashupatinath temple
It is situated 5 kms east of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple of lord Shiva, Pashupatinath, with a tiered golden roof & silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to non-Hindus. The best view is from the terrace on the wooded hill across the river. The large gilded triple-roofed temple was built in 1696 AD though 300 years earlier there was a structure on this site. The Bagmati River is lined with dharmasalas and cremation ghats .There is usually a cremation in progress on one of the platforms by the river, regarded as holy as it flows into the sacred Ganges. There are many occasions when the faithful take ritual baths in the river. One of the most colorful is the women's festival of Teej when dressed in their finest red and gold saris hundreds of women, laughing and singing converge on Pashupatinath. Another great time to be here is the Festival of Shivaratri, the birthday of lord Shiva. 

Changunarayan temple
18 kms east of Kathmandu and a 45 minutes walk up from Bhaktapur lies the beautiful temple of Changunarayan , at the end of a ridge.Changunarayan is the oldest temple in Kathmandu valley dating back 467 AD. The lavishly decorated two-tiered temple was rebuilt after a fire in 1702,  testifies to the considerable talents of the Licchavi King Mandeva I, Nepal’s first great historical figure. The temple stands in a spacious courtyard, with priceless stone sculptures,and writings on copper plates and stone slabs  from the 4th to 9th century A.D. (Licchavi period). produced masterpieces that were entirely. Changunaryan is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. There is a pleasant day hike from Nagarkot to Changunarayan.

Dakshinkali temple
Dakshinkali is 45-minute drive south from Kathmandu. Located inside a lovely forest  at the confluence of two streams, the shrine of Dakshinkali is the most spectacular of all Kali temples. Animal sacrifices are offered to this deity signifying fertility and the procreative powers of the Female, every Tuesday & Saturday. The animals are presented to the priest who will ritually decapitate them with a khukuri knife & bathe the black stone image of Kali in blood.  

Bungmati and Khokana and Pharping
The twin villages of Bungmati & Khokana date from the 16th century and are located south of Kathmandu, down a rutty road dotted with Chaityas. Bungmati is the winter home of lord Rato Machhendranath, the protector God of Patan. The shrine of Karya Binayak is located between the two villages. At Khokana ancient oil presses can be seen at work in village houses.  Bungmati , Khokana and the nearby village of Pharping are the places to see traditional Newari villages in their traditional way.

Budhanilkantha  
9 km north of Kathmandu in a small pond at the foot of the Shivapuri Hills lies the half-submerged massive black stone statue of the reclining Vishnu resting on a bed of snakes. Worshippers strew the sleeping Vishnu with offerings of flowers & rice. It is a monumental sculpture from the Lichhavi period

Kirtipur
Perched on twin hillocks and clinging to a saddle about 5 km south west of Kathmandu lies the village of Kirtipur. A long flight of steps leads up to Kirtipur from the valley floor & a motorable road goes part way up the hill. Steep paths link brick houses built on terraces. The villagers dressed in traditional costume work on ancient looms. The people are well known for their strength and valour. Many historical battles were fought and won by the inhabitants of Kirtipur.  

Kopan Monastery  
A center of Mahayana Buddhism was established in 1969 by two Lamas; Lama Thupten Zopa Rinpoche & Lama Thupten Yeshe. Since its inception the center has been responsible for introducing thousands to Buddha's teaching through meditation courses, lectures & retreats.  

Snakhu  
Hills surround the sleepy village of Sankhu, once on the trade route east to Helambu. Forests above the village hide an important temple to the tantric goddess, Bajra Jogini. Follow the wide stone path north of the village and walk up the steps to the temple, flanked with smaller shrines, stupas and statues. The main structure is 17th century and has a fine golden torana above the door. Behind the temple there are other

Shivapuri  
Shivapuri, at a height of 2,732m, allows one a 360 degree view of the Himalaya in the north & the Kathmandu valley in the south.  The trail up to Shivapuri hill leads through small farming villages & a protected forest of Rhododendrons & orchids with little mountain streams running through it.  This can be made into a most enjoyable full day's programme.  

Namo Buddha  
Namo Buddha meaning "hail to the Buddha" a sacred site, where according to legend Buddhist prince sacrificed his body to feed a starving tigress & her cubs. A carved stone slab at the main stupa depicts the moving story.Buddhist pilgrims  from all over the hills visit this stupa.It is a lovely day hike from Dhulikhel to Namobuddha and back to Panauti.

Nagarkot  
The tiny settlement of Nagarkot clings to a hilltop 36 kms east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2100m. It is one of the best vantage point to view the peaks - from the Annapurnas to Everest, the peaks seem no more than a day's walk away.The sunset and sunrise view  over the Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot is a memory of lifetime for many. It is also possible to do a day hike from Nagarkot to Dhulikhel along the valley rim.

 Dhulikhel  
30 kms east of Kathmandu lies the small resort town of Dhulikhel set on a hill top, enveloped in copper soiled terraces with magnificent views of the central Himalayan peaks. Dhulikhel is well known for its sunrise views and a number of day trails lead along the north ridge of the town.

Panauti
Panauti is a quiet town near Dhulikhel and it can be visited on Namobuddha hike.Many tourists have no idea of this interesting l town with its beautiful temples and picturesque farmlands.
. The banks of the river are packed with  temples, shrines and cremation ghats. Across the river lies the recently restored Brahmayani temple. The Indreshwar Mahadev temple is a 15th century Newari structure with exquisite woodcarvings

Outside Kathmandu valley

Daman  
For those seeking the ultimate pan Himalayan view, Daman is the place to visit. Located 80kms southwest of the Kathmandu valley, Daman (2,400m) offers the only unimpeded view of the entire Himalayan range. Daman is located on the Tribhuvan Highway  between Kathmandu and the town of Hetauda. There is a view tower fitted with long range telescopes.  

Pokhara
Pokhara valley is a scenic 6-hour mountainside drive or a 25 minute flight west of Kathmandu. It is famous for its lakes and its location beneath the towering Annapurna massif. It is highly recommendable to visit this scenic valley, stay in small resort hotels with views of the magnificent Himalayan peaks, go boating on the calm waters of the Phewa and the Begnas lakes or go on tours or day hikes in the nearby hills or if time permits, on a well organized trekking holiday to the base camp of the annapurnas.

Further 12 km east of Pokhara at the end of a road that turns north from highway to Kathmandu lies the Begnas Lake offering the perfect nature retreat because of its  elative seclusion. Splendid hiking, boating and fishing opportunities can be found here. Trekking of different duration can be organised from Pokhara.

Gorkha
Gorkha is a interesting and historical town and lies about 5 hours drive from Kathmandu .Nepal was unified by a Gorkha King some 240 years ago. The historical palace is perched on a high rock .The palace and the temples stunningly beautiful and have a great view of Himalayas.It is one of the hidden jewels of Nepal not visited by many tourists .

Chitwan
About a 5 hour drive or a 30 min flight from Kathmandu lies the Chitwan National Park.This tropical  national park is the home of rhinos, different species of deer , crocodile , leopard , Bengal tiger , peacock, wild cow, wild boar  and a great number of bird species.More than 450 bird species are found in this National lpark.An elephant back safari in this park is highly recommended  for every visitor in Nepal.Chitwan is at a distance of about 4-5 hour drive from Lumbini or Pokhara.

Tansen 
Tansen, a colourful hill town is situated at an altitude of 1,450m. It is the most popular summer resort in western Nepal on account of its location and climate. It has the most extensive views of the country’s chief attraction the Himalaya; from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gaurishankar in the north east. Walking around Tansen town is interesting or short day hike to Ridi can be a rewarding experience. It takes just five hours by car from Pokhara to reach Tansen or just a couple of hours drive from Lumbini.  

Lumbini 
Lumbini, the birthplace of lord Gautam Buddha, is the pilgrimage destination of the world’s millions of Buddhists. The main attraction at Lumbini remains the sacred garden spread over 8 sq. kms and possessing all the treasures of this historical area. The Mayadevi temple (under reconstruction) is the main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. This site, identified by the Indian Emperor Ashoka’s commemorative pillar is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. To the south of the pillar, we find the sacred pond Puskarni, where Queen Mayadevi had her bath just before giving birth to the Buddha. Other attractions include the various monasteries and stupas erected by different Buddhist countries.  

Bhedetar
If you visit eastern Nepal you simply can not afford to miss Bhedetar, at least so did Prince Charles of  England.This stunningly beautiful view point is a short drive from the town of Dharan . we recommend you to visit the beautiful places of Basantapur and Pakhribas as well .Enjoy beautiful views of Everest, Makalu and Kanchanjunga sipping the famous warm beer called Tongba.