Top Things to See
Nepal is a giant kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and emotions. Visitors will have no problem finding superlative attractions, both cultural and natural. Between the mighty Himalayas to the north and the vast plains of the Terai to the south lie hundreds of amazing little villages and towns with a scene all of their own. Hindu and Buddhist temples appear at virtually every turn, and with cities like Kathmandu at the country’s core, you can be sure that Nepal will prove as mysterious and exotic as its reputation suggests.
 Dakshinkali
The temple of Dakshinkali is one of the most eerie sites on the planet. Dedicated to the bloodthirsty six-armed goddess Kali, pilgrims come here twice a week to cut the throats of animals in sacrifice to the deity. Saturdays are always a bizarre scene of blood, guts and religious fervor, particularly during October’s Dasain Festival. This place has to be seen to be believed, and unless you’re scared of blood, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dakshinkali is located at the southern end of Kathmandu Valley.
 Hanuman Dhoka (Old Royal Palace)
At the heart of Kathmandu’s ancient Durbar square lies this spectacular example of traditional Nepali architecture. Although the king no longer lives here, the museum inside sheds light on royal life of Nepal. It’s fun to sit out front and watch the sea of locals pass through the square as they head to temples or back and forth to work.
 Kathmandu
Most visitors spend at least a couple of days in Nepal’s disheveled but vibrant capital getting their bearings and gawking at the continual parade of life. Hindu women in colourful saris, beggars and speeding taxis create a surreal environment unlike that of any other city in Asia. Spend some time lingering in Durbar square and you’ll understand what all the mystique is about. This major stopover on the 1960s Hippie Trail still draws travellers, and for good reason.
 Pokhara
Nepal’s second main travel hub is the quaint city of Pokhara. Nestled against the snowy peaks of the Annapurna range with a placid lake at its heart, this is a great place to base yourself for excursions into the mountains. There is a healthy tourism scene here, with some of the best restaurants and shops in the country. After hitting the daunting Annapurna mountains, spend some time relaxing with a good book and chowing down on something other than dal bhat.
 Royal Chitwan National Park
If wildlife is your thing, don’t miss taking a trek into Royal Chitwan. This impressive park is home to white rhinos, Bengal tigers, and myriad other wild beasts. Jump on the back of an elephant for the ride of your life as you travel into the subtropical realm of this balmy lowland area. More than 300 species of bird add even more life to one of Nepal’s top destinations. The park is located 80 miles southwest of Kathmandu.
 Swayambhunath
One of the world’s most glorious Buddhist stupas is this stunner, reported to be over 2,000 years old. Most visitors will instantly recognise the mystical all-seeing eyes of the Buddha which adorn the four sides at the top of the spire from the myriad t-shirts and stickers they grace. A circus of Tibetan vendors, raucous monkeys and priests buzz around the base and platform of this must-see site in the capital, located one mile west of the city centre.
Top Things to Do
 Buy a Tibetan prayer wheel from the weathered vendors that hang around the base of Swayambhunath temple. The four mysterious eyes atop this Buddhist stupa are perhaps Nepal’s most iconic religious images, and rarely fail to stir the imagination of visitors. At the base of the temple, Tibetans sell traditional trinkets from their homeland such as resonating prayer bowls and hand drums. Besides these charismatic people, there are hundreds of monkeys and a herd or two of goats wandering over the hill and steps, creating one of Kathmandu’s most interesting visual scenes.
 Gaze at the planet’s highest peak, known as ‘Head of the Sky’ in Nepalese. You don’t need to climb to the top of the 29,022 foot high Mount Everest to appreciate its grandeur. Most visitors simply trek their way to one of the neighbouring villages and spend an afternoon looking up at the mountain. For a taste of adventure, walk to Everest Base Camp and see climbers preparing for the ascent. If you’re a fan of mountains, you won’t want to miss claiming to have seen the world’s tallest point of land.
Paddle a boat on the large and scenic lake in the centre of Pokhara. A great way to spend an afternoon is to rent a small boat and paddle around Pokhara’s lake, which provide panoramic views of the Annapurna mountains.
 Search for the elusive Bengal tiger atop an elephant in Royal Chitwan National Park. This amazing wildlife sanctuary along the southern border with India is one of the country’s premier destinations. The most popular excursion to take is a safari on the back on an elephant deep into the game reserve. Although you may not be lucky enough to spot a Bengal tiger or a rare Indian one-horned white rhino, there are hoards of lions, monkeys and other amazing creatures living in their natural habitat. Nepal’s first established national park continues to be a top draw.
 Soar over the Kathmandu Valley in a hot air balloon. One of the most enjoyable ways to see the beautiful green valley that surrounds Kathmandu is to take a ride in a hot air balloon. This is a very popular excursion in Nepal because the views are simply staggering. Beyond the valley lies the Himalayan mountain range, which is best experienced at sunrise when the air is clear and bright.
 Take a scenic flight over the Himalayas and see this vast mountain range from a bird’s eye view. If you can afford it, book a short flight from one of the private operators in Kathmandu or Pokhara. They will take you up in a tiny two-prop plane which can fly close to the mountains, and give you some of the best views imaginable. Scenic flights over Everest and around the Annapurna mountains are a truly memorable experience.
 Trek through the Himalayas. The single greatest activity in Nepal is trekking, and this country has enough established trails to keep you busy for years. Destinations like the stunning Annapurna Sanctuary offer 150 miles of beautiful paths that circumnavigate the range. Villages appear every three or four miles to provide food, shelter and supplies, and the views along the way are simply staggering. There are dozens of different regions where trekking is a thriving industry, and visitors can choose from relatively easy jaunts to hardcore adventures deep into the Himalayas. If you don’t feel like hauling your pack, there are Nepalese porters waiting to do the job for you.
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