Best Natural Places to Visit in Nepal 

Whether it is the call of the Mt. Everest or paying a visit to the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Nepal features on the bucket list of many travelers. Nepal possesses the most diversified landscapes despite being a small landlocked country sandwiched between India and China.

From the mountain ranges of the North to the subtropical forest, the landform is as varied as its culture. Nepal is a Hindu kingdom with temples and shrines occupying every nook and corner of this country.

Apart from religion which plays a dominant role in the lives of the ordinary people, the country is a host to plenty of festivals that adds color and vibrancy to its rich culture. It has a lot on its pallet for tourists, from fun-filled activities like mountain climbing to kayaking through the gushing water.

So let us now take a sneak peek into some of the best natural places to visit in Nepal to make your trip more memorable.

Most Beautiful Places of Nepal 

If you desire to come close to the land of holy and nature, you have to see Nepal at least once in your life. If you want to do so, these are the several Nepal beautiful places you should see:

Also read: Epic Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Manipur

Pashupatinath Temple

Many tourists travel to Nepal from the USA to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. This is one of the holiest temples, situated on the bank of the Bagmati river.

The temple is noted for its pagoda-style building encased in gold and silver. Lord Pashupati is one of the many incarnations of Lord Shiva. However, only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple.

Timings: 4 AM -7 PM

Location: Pashupatinath Road, Kathmandu

Nagarkot 

This is a hill station perched at the height of 7000 ft. Its breathtaking beauty makes it one of Nepal’s best natural places to visit. It was the summer retreat of the Royal family of Nepal. However, its scenic views have enthralled tourists from every corner of the earth. The region offers spectacular views of 8 of the 13 Himalayan mountain ranges, including Mt. Everest.

Location: Bhaktapur District, Bagmati Pradesh, Nepal.

Pokhara Valley

Pokhara valley has made it to the list of Nepal’s best places to visit in Nepal. Located at the foothills of the lofty mountain ranges of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna, it offers splendid views.

Pokhara is the starting point of adventure for trekkers en route to the Jomsom and Annapurna regions. The air is cleaner here, and the climate is woefully pleasant.

When to visit: September to November

Location: Gandaki zone, Nepal.

Mahendra Cave

Mahendra Cave is an ecological wonder. The cave abounds in limestone formations – stalactites and stalagmites. These formations have taken on unique patterns and shapes. The locals believe that these shapes resemble Hindu gods. Hence the caves have assumed religious importance.

Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM

Location: Batulechaur, Pokhara, Nepal.

Boudhanath

Those searching for Nepal’s beautiful places should undoubtedly head over to Boudhanath Stupa. This spherical stupa is the largest in the whole world. This is a holy place for Buddhist devotees. They come to this place to perform kora and pay homage to their God.

Location: Buddha stupa, Boudhanath Sadak, Kathmandu

Swayambhu Temple

Set atop a hill, it is amongst the most sacred temples in Nepal. The temple complex is home to a large number of monkeys. So, also famous with the name, Monkey Temple.

What first draws our attention to this temple is a White Stupa with a golden spire. The spire symbolizes Buddha’s eyes. There are several other smaller temples complete with flags and prayer wheels. The temple is equally visited by Buddhists and Hindu pilgrims alike.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Location: Bhaganpau, Nepal.

Thamel (Garden of dreams)

Garden of dreams is one of Nepal’s most popular party places among tourists hoping to spend quality time. Situated in the center of Kathmandu, the beautiful ambiance attracts the young and the old alike.

The garden abounds in pavilions, ponds, fountains, and even an amphitheater. True to its name, the garden of dreams is your ticket to escape the mundane routine. The concept borrows a lot from the beautiful European gardens.

This was initially the private property of Kaiser Shamsher. The garden is also a venue for private and corporate parties, cultural events, and exhibitions. A Kaiser cafe operates from its premises, serving coffee and snacks.

Timings: 9 AM – 10 PM

Location: Tridevi Sadak, Kathmandu

Panch Pokhari 

Panch Pokhari is a cluster of 5 lakes considered holy by Hindus and Buddhists alike. It is situated in the district of Sindupalchowk.

These lakes are surrounded by exquisite natural beauty. The lakes are frequented by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, especially during Jania Purnima.

Panch Pokhari trail takes you through fantastic scenic routes comprising lush green forest and typical rural villages. This region is regarded as the 9th highest wetland undeterred by commercialization.

Tourists looking for offbeat places and spiritual tranquillity should head to Panch Pokhari.

When to visit: April to May, September to November

Location: Bhotang, Sindhupalchowk district

Lumbini

Lumbini is not a mere travel destination, but it is one of the top historical places of Nepal. Legend has it that Maya Devi, the mother of Buddha, gave birth to him there. Even a temple stands in her name in the same spot.

Lumbini has earned the status of a UNESCO world heritage site. The place holds a special significance amongst the Buddhists. They come here seeking solace. Lumbini translates to lovely in Sanskrit, and so it stands today.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Location: Rupandehi District, Lumbini province

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park is home to different animals, birds, and fauna. It offers protection to rare and endangered species of animals like one-horned rhinoceros, gharial crocodiles, and royal Bengal tigers.

The park is truly worth a visit. There are several souvenir shops and resorts to cater to foreign tourists. These resorts even offer customized jungle safaris on elephant backs.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Location: Subarnapur 44200, Nepal

Mustang

Mustang is famous for its trekking trails and scenic views. It lies at the height of 3840 km. However, large parts of it remained unexplored. The city is a learning book for Tibetan culture and Nepal’s way of life.

The area is dotted with monasteries, caves, apple fields, and blooming rhododendron. It remains cut off from civilization except safe for a few backpackers and solo trekkers.

Time to visit: June to September

Location: Gandaki province, Northern Nepal.

Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery is a famous monastery located quite close to Boudhanath. The monastery functions under the authority of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

The place is frequented by foreigners who go there for meditation retreats. Visitors are allowed to freely roam the monastery’s corridors and join in the early morning meditation. The holly place shelters about 350 monks. This monastery holds a special significance among those interested in Tibetan culture and heritage.

Timings: 11 Am to 1 PM

Location: Kopan, Kathmandu.

Phewa Lake

This is a trendy tourist hub. Phewa lake is the second-largest freshwater lake in Pokhara. There is a dam adjoining the lake.

The lake is well maintained and clear. Thus it looks stunning. It is about 4 km long and 2 km wide. The boating facilities are available for all tourists.

Several hotels have come up here to cater to the increasing influx of visitors. The lake water is used to generate electricity. This is evident because a power station has been set up quite close to the lake.

Apart from boating, people can resort to fishing activities during their stay there.

When to visit: October

Location: Kaski District, Gandaki Province, Nepal

Tilicho Lake

Tilicho Lake is found in the Manang district. It lies at the height of 4919 mts. Thus it is considered to be the highest lake in the world. Tilicho lake occupies a prominent milestone in the trekking trail of the Annapurna circuit trek.

The scenic route passes through Manang villages and lofty snow-capped mountains. Tilicho lake holds enormous religious significance among the Hindus.

According to them, Tilicho lake is the ancient lake of Kak Bhusundi, which is mentioned in the Ramayana. There are mountain ranges like the Khansari, Muktinath, and Stilicho surrounding this beautiful lake.

When to visit: September to November

Location: Manang District, Nepal

Shey Phoksundo Lake

This freshwater lake forms a part of Shey Phoksundo National Park. The lake stands at the height of 3611.5 m above sea level.

It takes roughly 7 days to trek from Kathmandu to reach this lake. Bon Po Sect reveres the lake. They consider the lake to be sacred. The beauty of the lake is due to the presence of the snow cap peaks on all sides.

Since it forms a part of the National Park, the place is always brimming with tourists. The national park is noted for rare medicinal plants and herbs. Hence a trek to the lake is generally undertaken by the research scholars.

When to visit- April to November

Location: Dolpa, Nepal

Sagar Matha National Park

The Sagarmatha National park is a famous world life sanctuary. The reserve’s location with the scenic backdrop of the Himalayas offers a picturesque setting. The scenic beauty along with the hiking trails is what attracts tourists.

Visitors have been thronging this place ever since the 1960s despite being officially open to the public in 1976. The reserve is home to endangered species of birds and animals, for instance, the snow leopard.

The area spreads over 1100 sq km. Birdlife International has acknowledged the Sagar Matha National Park. Thus its popularity and importance have increased manifold over the years.

When to visit: October to November

Location: Province no. 1, Nepal

Poon Hill

Poon Hill is very popular among hikers. People generally trek to Poon Hill from Ghorepani to watch the sunrise.

This place offers a fantastic view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. The area gets choked with people during the trekking period.

When to visit: March to May

Location: Kaski District and Myagdi District’s border

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal. It is the focal point of your vacation since all international flights land here.

Kathmandu is a modern metropolitan city with a population of 1.5 million. The city bursts with hotels, travel agencies, curio shops, and religious sites.

The city’s main attraction is the Durbar hall, which faced severe damage during the recent earthquake. The town stands at the height of 4600 ft above sea level. It enjoys a fantastic climate all year round.

The term Kathmandu translates to “wood shelter.” The scenic beauty of this place draws a huge crowd all over the globe. But what makes Kathmandu unique is the sheer variety, from sole enriching experiences to adventure tourism. This is what makes Kathmandu one of the best honeymoon places in Nepal.

When to visit: September to November

Location: Bagmati province, Nepal

Swayambhunath (Monkey) Temple

This temple lies atop the Sengu hills. It is the most sacred and revered religious shrine in Kathmandu.

What first draws our attention to this temple is the dome-shaped stupa and a series of shrines within the temple complex. Revolving around the temple in a clockwise direction will absolve a person of all his sins.

This ancient temple is also referred to as the monkey temple due to the high number of monkeys.

Timings: Open 24 hrs

Location: Swayambhu, Kathmandu

Kala Patthar

Kala Patthar, or black rock, is situated on the southern fringes of Mt Pumori. This is a popular trekking site perched at the height of 5644.5mt.

It offers close-up views of the surrounding peaks, for instance, Mt. Everest, Nuptse, and Changtse. Kala Patthar is the highest peak that trekkers can climb without a permit.

The trek to Kala Panther is not long. It takes roughly 2 hrs to reach the summit from Everest base camp. People generally trek to Kala Patthar to watch the sunrise or obtain an unobstructed view of Mt. Everest. However, you must be an expert mountaineer to brave the weather conditions to reach Kala Patthar.

When to visit: February to June

Location:- Khumbu, Nepal

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

This was the home of the royal family of Bhaktapur. The durbar square enclosure houses Taumadri square, pottery square, and Dattatreya square.

Besides these, some other ancient temples and heritage structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The architectural design bears a close resemblance to the Newari style of architecture.

Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM

Location: Durbar Square, Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Sarangkote

Sarangkote is a small village known for its scenic beauty. It is situated outside the city of Pokhara.

Sarangkote offers fantastic views of the Annapurna range and Fishtail mountains. Tourists climb up the hill to witness the sunrise from the watchtower.

Sarangkot is also essential for its paragliding activities. Tourists prefer to trek to Sarangkote from Pokhara. The village takes its name from a small fort that was present here.

The trekking trail to Sarangkote passes through dense forest. These forests abound in flora and fauna.

When to visit: September to November

Location: Gandaki Province, Nepal

Barun Valley

Barun Valley is located at the foot of Mt. Makulu. It is an untapped valley that travelers least frequent. Thus it has managed to retain its original charm.

The valley is home to gushing waterfalls, beautiful landscape, and virgin forest. It offers an authentic experience of discovering nature at its best. This place forms a part of the Makalu Barun National Park.

People with a passion for nature should visit this beautiful valley. The Barun valley offers a mesmerizing view of the surrounding mountains. Since it is least explored, there are not many tourist lodges or hotels here.

The place is tucked away from civilization. So be prepared to do away with modern amenities for a few days.

When to visit: March to May

Location: Sankhuwasabha district, Nepal

Annapurna base camp

Many tourists visit Nepal with the sole aim of trekking since Nepal provides some of the best trails. For these tourists, we recommend the Annapurna base camp trek.

The trek starts from Kande of Ghandruk and ends in Nayapul or Ghandruk. The path passes through terrace gardens and Rhododendron forest. Treehouses are dotting the entire stretch.

The route offers breathtaking views of the mountain peaks. Passing through the foot of Mt. Machhapuchhre and Annapurna makes the journey all the more memorable.

The best trekking season is during autumn, from September to November. You can discover the simple life of the locals and nature in all its splendor. The entire region falls within the ambit of the Annapurna conservation area.

When to visit: September to November

Location: Central Nepal

Everest Base Camp

There are 2 base camps on either side of Mt. Everest. One is in Nepal at the height of 5364 mts, and the other one lies in Tibet.

These camps are basic and functional restrooms set up at the foot of Mt. Everest. Mainly they are used by climbers to rest a while before resuming their journey.

Sherpas carry the provisions to these base camps on the back of Yakas. A trek to Everest base camp is worth it for its picturesque setting. The trekking route passes through some of the most spectacular sites like Gompas and traditional Sherpa villages.

A journey to the base camp provides invaluable insights into the nitty-gritty that goes into planning an expedition.

When to visit: March to May, October to November

Location: Khumbu, Nepal

Final Thoughts

Nepal is a kaleidoscope of ancient temples, pagodas, and natural wonders. This intermingling of nature and manmade features endears Nepal to the rest of the world. Hopefully, this article will guide you in planning your vacation. A few days spent in Nepal will leave a long-lasting impression on you.

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