Nepal
Introduction
It's
the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. This
is why so many travellers are drawn back to Nepal, armed the second time round
with a greater appreciation of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout
pair of walking boots and a desire for sculpted calf muscles.
Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, Nepal is a land of sublime
scenery, time-worn temples, and some of the best walking trails on earth. It's
a poor country, but it is rich in scenic splendour and cultural treasures. The
kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination.
Whether you get your adrenaline kicks from some of the world's premier white-water
rafting, kayaking and mountain biking, or from the sight of a tiger or rhino
through the dawn mist from atop an elephant in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
is destined to make a big impression on you. Many visitors, drawn to Nepal by
the promise of adventure, leave equally bewitched by the friendliness of the
Nepali people and their amazingly rich and diverse culture.
Places of Interest
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is really two cities: a fabled capital of convivial pilgrims and carved
rose-brick temples, and a splenetic sprawl smothered in dirt, monkeys, beggars
and the pollution of diesel fumes. It simultaneously reeks of history and the
wear and tear of increasing modernity.
Patan
Patan,
the second-largest city in the valley, lies just across the Bagmati River from
Kathmandu, but it's a much quieter and less frenetic place to visit. The city
is justly proud of its temples and artisans and it is their handiwork that provides
the focus of the stunning Durbar Square.
Durbar Square is choc-a-block with the largest display of Newari architecture
in Nepal. It includes the Royal Palace and the two-tiered brick Jagannarayan
Temple. Look up to the roof struts to see carvings of figures engaged in quite
athletic acts of intercourse.
Pokhara
The city of Pokara is renowned for its setting rather than its historical or
cultural endowments. Its quiet lakeside location and proximity to the mountains
mean it is an ideal place for recovering from (or gearing up for) a trek, taking
leisurely strolls or simply putting your nose in a good book.
And wouldn't you know it, Pokhara has some of the country's best accommodation
and restaurants as well. There's a batch of Tibetan settlements, a hilltop monastery
and the pretty Devi Falls nearby. Day walks can be taken to Sarangkot (1592m),
the limestone caves at Mahendra Gufa or Rupa and Begnas Tals lakes. More exertion
(but not much more) is required to tackle the three to four-day Annapurna Skyline
Trek.
For Himalayan views sit on the right-hand side of the plane if you're heading
to Pokhara by air, and left if heading to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu Valley
There are a number of fascinating smaller villages, temples and stupas scattered
around the valley. One of these is probably the best known site in Nepal - the
Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, colloquially known as the 'monkey temple',
after the tribe of garrulous monkeys which guard the hill.
Beyond Swayambhunath, on the banks of the Bagmati River, is Pashupatinath, the
country's pre-eminent Hindu temple and one of the most significant Shiva temples
on the subcontinent. As the Bagmati is a holy river, Pashupatinath has become
a popular place to be cremated.
The Terai
If you come to the Terai expecting snow-clad mountains and jaw-dropping vistas,
you'll soon be disappointed. What you get instead is hot subtropical plains
and some of the most fascinating attractions in Nepal. Foremost among them is
the magnificent Royal Chitwan National Park.
Probably the greatest thrill here is to scout for wildlife on the back of an
elephant. If that's too uncomfortable, you can do the same thing in a jeep or
canoe, or go jungle walking with experienced guides. Watch out for leeches,
which operate with stealth-like efficiency during the monsoon.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is in many ways the most medieval of the three major cities in the
Kathmandu Valley. Despite recent development, the city still retains a distinctly
timeless air, with much of its glorious architecture dating from the end of
the 17th century.
Highlights include Nyatapola, the highest temple in the valley, and Til Mahadev
Narayan, an important place of pilgrimage. Nearby is Potters' Square, where
thousands of clay pots are made and sold. Just east is Tachupal Tole, another
square containing temples and monasteries and craft museums.
Nepal Travel Reservation Form
Tiger Safari
