The mountainous kingdom of Nepal is a destination of spirituality, timeless beauty, and boundless nature. It’s a place that offers a breath of fresh air. The South Asian nation offers a range of experiences, From walking the calming shores of Lake Phewa, where you can catch a glimpse of the icy Annapurna range, to exploring the jungle setting of Chitwan National Park – not to mention the foodie haven that is Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu.

Here are six things you must add to your Kathmandu and Himalayas bucket list

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal

Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kathmandu is the gateway to all that Nepal has to offer. This busy city delights visitors and locals alike with its golden temples, market-filled streets, and mountainous surroundings.

While you’re visiting this special place, be sure to visit the temples and pagodas of Durbar Square. Don’t forget Bouddhanath Stupa, which happens to be one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world.

Explore Pokhara, the country’s second city

Follow an incredibly scenic route out of the Nepalese capital through the Himalayan foothills to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city, which lies on the shores of Lake Phewa.

The city offers a spectacular vista of the Annapurna range, a Himalayan massif that features thirteen peaks over 22,900 feet – keep an eye out for the star of the show, the triangular Machhapuchhare, also known as Fishtail Mountain.

Climb Sarangkot Hill at dawn

To get an exquisite view of the Himalayas without having to trek up Mount Everest, rise early and make the short drive to Pokhara’s Sarangkot Hill. Here, you can take a 45-minute walk up to the viewing platform, where you can take in the sun rising over the highest mountain range on the planet. It is an experience like no other.

See the rushing Davis Falls

Perhaps after your sunrise start, enjoy a hearty Nepalese breakfast of Chiya, a spiced, milky tea, and Sukka Roti, then make your way to Davis Falls. These unique cascades divert into a 500-foot-long tunnel once it reaches the bottom. In Nepalese, the falls are referred to as Patale Chango, which translates to "Underworld's Waterfall".

Enjoy a cruise on Lake Phewa

For a bit of afternoon relaxation, head to Lake Phewa in the Pokhara Valley. The lake is one of the country's largest, known for its natural beauty, fisheries, and as a source of fresh drinking water.

At an incredible altitude of 2,434 feet, the waters of Lake Phewa offer a unique display – a clear, mirror image of the nearby Machhapuchhare, one of Nepal’s most distinctive peaks. 

Lose yourself in Chitwan National Park

Nepal’s first national park, Chitwan National Park, is situated in the subtropical, southern part of Nepal. The stunning environment is famed for being the natural habitat of the Bengal tiger, Gharial crocodile, and one-horned rhinoceros.

Inside the park, you can take a scenic canoe trip along the Rapti River, where marsh mugger crocodiles and rare bird species reside. Be sure not to miss an exhilarating jeep safari in the park, where you can head out into the wild as you with a naturalist guide.

Discover the ancient land in the shadow of the mighty Himalayas on an escorted holiday. Visit Nepal with us.