Top 20 popular places in Nepal 2024,2025,2026
Himalayan Asia Treks and Expedition P Ltd offers an immersive journey through Nepal's top 20 popular destinations, showcasing the country's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. In 2024, adventurers flock to the iconic Everest Base Camp, while spiritual seekers find solace in the serene surroundings of Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. In 2025, the picturesque lakeside city of Pokhara mesmerizes travelers with its stunning views of the Annapurna range, while Chitwan National Park beckons with its exotic wildlife safaris. By 2026, the ancient city of Bhaktapur enchants visitors with its well-preserved medieval architecture, and the vibrant streets of Kathmandu pulsate with energy, offering a blend of tradition and modernity. With Himalayan Asia Treks, every year promises new adventures and unforgettable experiences in the heart of Nepal.
From the highest Himalayan tops to its forested marshes, Nepal is molded via scenes. Our masters have scaled mountain passes and rowed along Chitwan National Park's waterways to find the best places to visit in Nepal. As a result, we can design a customized plan to suit your inclinations, regardless of whether you're after a brave investigation or anxious to see Nepal at a more refined pace.
Nepal is a shockingly different nation that draws in guests for some reason. Some are tricked by the call of the mountains and looking to ascend or travel in the Himalayas. Others are fascinated by way of life and the renowned city of Kathmandu, but then others come planning to discover a type of profound arousing. Nepal can be an adrenaline experience, a social eye-opener, an extraordinary encounter, or the entirety of those mentioned above.
Most voyagers invest some energy in Kathmandu, visiting holy and notable attractions and heading out to different nation pieces. However, the absolute best places to stay outside of the capital are Chitwan National Park for untamed life-seeing and the lakeside town of Pokhara, a mainstream territory for leaving on a journey.
Adventurers will discover various alternatives across Nepal, with the most significant territories being the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang locales.
In 2015, a significant seismic tremor struck Nepal, causing severe harm in Kathmandu and different territories, however rebuilding is in progress, and progress has been generous. A considerable part of the harm has been fixed, albeit some recorded fortunes were lost until the end of time.
To locate the best places to visit, have a perused rundown of the top attractions in Nepal.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The Kathmandu Durbar Square is listed UNESCO, and this complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples, built between the 12th and 18th Centuries, and used to be the seat of ancient Malla Kings of Kathmandu. It is the place where kings of Nepal are crowned and their coronations solemnized. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the palace wall with writings in 15 languages.
Kumari Temple
Kumari temple is the residence of the living GoddessGoddess. Kumari, known as Virgin Goddess, has got some specialties; she must be chosen from a typical Newari cast with nobody marks and injuries and will be replaced by another Kumari after puberty.
Kasthamandap
Kasthamandap is believed to be constructed from the wood of a single tree in the sixteenth century. Kasthamandap is situated near the Kumari Temple. Name Kathmandu was named after this Temple.
Patan Durbar Square
The Patan Durbar Square is made in the 1600s by the Mall Dynasty and the royal palace of Malla kings. It is situated in the heart of Patan City, also listed in UNESCO heritage sites.
The SquareSquare consists of an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards, and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life and houses a museum containing various bronze statues and sacred objects. There are three main courtyards or chowks named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk, and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the SquareSquare. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahity. The SquareSquare also has old Newari residential houses. In addition, there are various other temples and structures in and around Patan Durbar Square build by the Newar Community.
Bhaktapur City Durbar Square
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is also listed in UNESCO, made in the 15th century Palace of 55 windows, situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The palace entrance, Golden Gate, the access to the central courtyard of the palace of 55 windows is a masterpiece in repose art. In front of the castle, the building is a medley of temples of various designs. There are temples like Batsala Temple and the Shiva temple, the replica of Pashupatinath Temple, etc. Nyatapola Temple: This five-story pagoda was built in 1702AD. Each story has two figures (two wrestlers, two elephants, two lions, two griffins, and Goddess'sGoddess's tigress and lioness). This Temple is one of the tallest pagodas and famous for its massive structure and subtle artistry.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
The four seeing eyes of Swayambhunath Stupa watch over the valley from the top of a 77-m high hillock on the western side. This most glorious Stupastupa in the world is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal, and its establishment is linked to the creation of Kathmandu valley out of a primordial lake. The surroundings of the Swayambhunath are covered with small Chaityas and monasteries as well as some Hindu temples.
Boudhanath
This Stupastupa lies 6-km in downtown Kathmandu. This colossal and ancient Stupastupa, one of the biggest in the world, has the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It was built in the fifth century AD. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels.
One can observe devotees chanting religious hymns and playing with prayer wheels.
Pashupatinath Temple
Situated 5km east of the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the Temple of Lord Shiva with two-tiered golden roof and silver doors is famous for its superb architecture. Chronicles indicate the Temple's existence before 400AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati River. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or religious symbol of Lord Shiva.
Nagarkot
The journey will be continuing to Nagarkot, lying at an elevation of 2175m above sea level. This spot provides an excellent and grandstand panorama of the Himalayas. One can see more than 05 of the world's tallest mountains like Lhotse Cho Oyu (8201m), Makalu (8463m), and Manaslu (8163m), and many other lesser summits, including the highest peak Mt. Everest (8848m). The snow peaks look incredibly gorgeous during sunset and sunrise; we will view the magnificent sunset from here.
Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana temple situated in the Gorkha district of Nepal is the sacred place of the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Parvati. The name Manakamana originates from two words, "mana," meaning heart, and "kamana," meaning wish. Venerated since the 17th Century, it is believed that Goddess Bhagwati grants the wishes of all those who make the pilgrimage to her shrine to worship her.
Lumbini – The Birthplace of Gautam Buddha
Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha (light of Asia). It is located in the Rupendhi district of Nepal. The Buddha lived between roughly six hundred twenty-three BC and five hundred forty-three BC. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath.
Lumbini was where the Buddha lived until the age of twenty-nine. Lumbini has several temples, including the Mayadevi temple and others. Also located here is the Puskarini or Holy Pond, where the Buddha's mother took the ritual dip before his birth and where he, too, had his first bath, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace. According to tradition, earlier Buddha was born, achieved ultimate awakening, and finally relinquished earthly form at other sites near Lumbini.
Pokhara
Pokhara is the city of the enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley (827m); it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destination. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificent Mt. Fishtail rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic. At an elevation lower than Kathmandu, it has a much more typical feel to it, a fact well appreciated by the diversity of flowers, which prosper in its environs. Indeed, the valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, and emerald lakes, and of course, the world-famous views of the Himalayas. The best and closer views of Annapurna Ranges and Mt. Fishtail can be seen from here, particularly from Sarang Kot. Pokhara is well connected by air and land with Kathmandu (200km far and 25min/flight) and land with other major destinations of Nepal. The major attractions of Pokhara city are Phewa Lake, Barahi temple, Devid's fall, Bindabasini Temple, Seti George, etc.
Phewa Lake, Spreading majestically westwards from Pokhara, Phewa Tal is the second-largest lake in Nepal. On calm days, the mountains of the Annapurna Range are perfectly reflected in the mirrored surface of the Tal. Away from the shore, the water is clean and deep, and the dense forest along the south side of the lake provides shelter for brilliant white egrets. The best way to appreciate Phewa Tal is by rowboat.
Muktinath Temple
Muktinath is a sacred place for Hindu and Buddhists located in Muktinath Valley at an altitude of 3,710 meters, Mustang District, Nepal. The Hindus call the holy place Mukti Kshetra, which means the "place of liberation or moksha." Mainly the Temple is with a predominant Sri Vaishnava origin and worshipped by Buddhists. This Temple is considered to be the 105th among the available 108 Divya Desa. The ancient name of this place, before Buddhist origin, is known as Thiru Saligramam. The Shaligram sila is considered the naturally available form of Sriman Narayan, the Hindu God HEAD. Chumig Gyatsa is also one of the fifty-one Shakti Piths. The Buddhists call it, which in Tibetan means 'Hundred Waters.' For Tibetan Buddhists, Muktinath-Chumig Gyatsa is an essential place of Dakinis goddesses known as Sky Dancers and one of the 24 Tantric places. They understand the murti to be a manifestation of Avalokitesvara.
Sarangkot
It is located near Pokhara, far from 5 km from Lakeside Pokhara. From Sarankot1600m, on the northern direction, we can see Dhaulagiri in the far west. Annapurna range is visible when the weather is evident on the same side. On the southern exposure, the village overlooks the city Pokhara and its lake on the northwestern outskirts of the town.
Bandipur
Bandipur is located at an elevation of one thousand thirty-meter on a mountain saddle. Bandipur is a hilltop settlement in Tanahun District (Gandaki Zone), Nepal.
It's preserved old-time cultural atmosphere. Bandipur develops it into an essential stop along the India- Tibet trade route. So they brought their cultural heritage and architecture, which has remained unchanged to this day.
Gorkha
Gorkha is a scenic and historical hill town lying almost midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. King Prithivi Narayan Shah the Great, the founding father of Modern Nepal, was born here. From this very place, the King began his campaign to unify all the then small kingdoms formulating the present kingdom of Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy Himalayan peaks is the beautiful Gorkha Durbar, a fort and an artistic temple complex built in the 16th Century.
Budhanilkantha
This Temple is located at the base of Shivpuri Hill and is also called Narayanthan Temple. Budhanilkantha means Old Blue Throat; it is the deity of Lord Vishnu: known as Narayan also. Lord Vishnu is lying on Ananta Sesa in a cosmic ocean. The Creator is thousand years old. Lord Vishnu is about 5 meters long and lying in a 13-meter long tank as if floating with his legs crossed with his sleeping body resting on the coils of Ananta and his 11 hooded head. His four hands hold four symbols of Vishnu, the Shankha as conch shell, and Chakra as disc, Gadha as a club, and the Padma as a lotus flower. It is believed that the deity was carved in the 17th or 18th Century. Only Hindus can walk down and touch their feet.
Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmatha National Park is home to the most noteworthy top on the planet - Mt. Everest (8,848 m); Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Everest. The territory was assigned a national park in 1976 and included a few different pinnacles all over 6,000 m. The recreation center got acknowledgment as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
With a large portion of the recreation center lying over 3,000 m, it is generally rough territory comprised of profound canyons, ice sheets, and gigantic rocks. The Park brags of a wide assortment of untamed life, including more than 118 types of winged animals. While the timberland is commanded by silver fir, birch, rhododendron, juniper trees, creatures, such as musk deer, the Himalayan tahr, the Ghoral, the serow, the wolf, and the Himalayan wild bear, might be seen by travelers in this area.
Once in a while observed, imperiled species observed incorporate snow panther, red panda, and two sorts of stunning fowls - the dark red horned and the Impeyan, Nepal's national flying creature. Littler creatures like marmots, pikas, and martens are additionally found in the recreation center.
The area ranges in height from under 2,000 m above ocean level at Jiri to the high pinnacles of the Himalaya at more than 8,000 m. Thus the recreation center's widely varied vegetation is different with thick timberland of pine, oak, and the blooming rhododendrons found up to 4,000 m above ocean level. The last is one motivation to make an outing to Nepal in the spring when the slopes between 2,000 m and 3,500 m are an uproar of hues.
The best ideal opportunity to visit the recreation center is during the harvest time, a very long time of October-November, and from March-May in spring/summer.
Kapan Monastery
Roosted on a slope not far north of Boudha, Kopan Gumba is one of the most well-known religious communities of Tibetan Buddhism. Every year countless outsiders show up here to contemplate Buddhism and reflection. Kopan Monastery was established by Lama Thubten Yeshe, who passed on in 1984. Curiously, a little Spanish kid named Osel Torres turned into his replacement after he pronounced the incomparable Lama's resurrection. Notwithstanding, the resurrection doesn't dwell at Kopan any longer.
The profound program at Kopan offers early on-level courses in what is known as the Discover Buddhism arrangement, managing the fundamental standards of Tibetan Buddhism and reflection. The deal known as the Next Step arrangement leads to a more profound investigation of these standards.
Courses manage Mind Training, Karma, Death and Dying, Bodhicitta, and that's just the beginning. There are 5-day and 10-day courses and a month-long seminar on contemplation. There are likewise short seminars on Tibetan medication, Thangka painting, and the exceptionally well-known 10-day private procedures in Buddhist brain research and reasoning. Courses fluctuate long, and a few understudies go through months at the abbey committed to their examinations. Previously, many were housed in tents because of the absence of room, yet now there are sufficient rooms to oblige them.
There is a fixed street right to the religious community, yet it is likewise a lovely climb from Boudha. Individuals from a wide range of Nepali ethnic gatherings also join the religious community to become priests at an exceptionally young age. These youthful fellows get proper math, science, and different subjects similar to their peers in nearby schools. But, for the most part, the children are from families who customarily send one youngster to turn into a priest or a religious recluse.
Kapan Monastery was once open to guests the entire week; however, with many such guests showing up, the passageway has been confined. There are a library and an enormous nursery that is illuminated by sun-oriented lights in the nighttimes. An appropriate café with unique perspectives on Kathmandu down beneath is available to all and serves excellent dinners. During special pujas, vast hordes of lovers move up to the religious community to get gifts and give proper respect.
Having reached Kapan Monastery, you should stroll along the edge and visit the Phulhari Monastery, which sits on a slope higher than Kopan. The climb takes not precisely 60 minutes. In the middle of the two is the Vajrayana Monastery. Phulkari merits a visit for the fantastic Thangka artworks that decorate the whole veneer and the insides of the lobbies. The structure was planned by an American engineer/Buddhist priest who has joined the best of eastern and western design. Indeed, even the artistic creations lean towards more pastel hues than the brilliant hues as a rule related to Tibetan Buddhism.
Rara National Park
Rara Lake at 2,990m is the most profound lake in Nepal and one of the most flawless. Encircled by green slopes on all sides, canvassed in juniper trees, one can camp by the shining waters of the lake. Then, go sailing free waters, climb to close by slopes for a closer perspective on the mountains and lake, get to know the beguiling nearby individuals, or stroll around the enormous lake keeping an eye out for wild blossoms or an uncommon winged animal en route.
The recreation center is encircled by high coniferous vegetation and offers an agent test of the locale's greenery. Above 500 various types of blossoms, 20 vertebrates, and 214 types of feathered creatures can be seen in the Rara National Park. Concerning life in the lake, the snow trout is one of the fish assortments recorded here up until now.
The rich vegetation of the recreation center backings differing types of untamed life, including the imperiled red panda, musk deer, Himalayan mountain bear, panther, jackal, Himalayan tahr, Yellow-throated martin, wild canine, wild hog, normal langur, rhesus macaque, and the basic otter. During winter, the recreation center has large amounts of winged animal assortments like coots, incredible peaked grebe, dark necked grebe, red peaked pochard, mallard, regular greenish-blue, merganser, and gulls. Traveler waterfowl and gallinaceous feathered creatures can likewise be seen during specific seasons.
Rara in the far northwestern piece of Nepal is the littlest national Park in the nation, while Rara Lake is Nepal's most excellent lake. The lake is 167m profound at certain spots and depletes into Mugu Karnali's waterways employing Nijar Khola. Chuchemara Hill at 4,087m is the best vantage highlight to appreciate heavenly perspectives on the dark blue lake, the forested slopes, and the snow-topped pinnacles.
Tansen Palpa
Palpa District isn't a long way from Pokhara and handily came to by transport. The old slope town of Tansen in this locale offers a more quiet environment where time moves gradually, and the laid-back way of life is irresistible. Stroll down the cobbled boulevards in the old bazaar to find a lifestyle very not the same as current Pokhara's Lakeside. Investigate the Shreenagar Hills or go for a day climb to the Rani Mahal, when a lively royal residence on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River.
Halfway among Pokhara and the Indian fringe, Tansen features some old imaginative Newari houses and cobbled boulevards. Hundreds of years back, Newar specialists from Kathmandu showed up in Tansen to exchange, carrying with them their craft and design. The beautiful town of Tansen is the central station of Palpa District and the center point of the way of life of the mid-west. The scene ascends from 250m to 2,000m in the rise and is home to various verdure.
Even though Tansen is commanded by conventional Newari engineering, the locale is home to the Magar individuals. The name "Tansen" has its birthplaces in the Magar language, signifying "northern settlement." Palpa is one of the twelve Magar areas of West Nepal and appreciates a rich, different culture and religion. Palpa was the seat of the Sen Realm that governed over this area from the sixth Century for very nearly 300 years.
Janakpur
Walk around the famous Mithila city to encounter the Terai culture of southern Nepal and visit the fantastic Ram Janaki Temple in the town's focal point that attracts suggestions to the well-known Hindu epic Ramayana. The sanctuary is the fundamental fascination of the city and draws enormous hordes of guests. Janakpur has been referenced in the Ramayana as the origin of Sita, Ram's associate. As Ram is accepted to be the manifestation of Lord Vishnu, Sita is assumed to be the manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi.
It is said that Ram and Sita met in Janakpur and, in the end, likewise got hitched here. Janakpur is also one of the sacred destinations on Parikrama (heavenly circle), which faithful Hindus do as a type of love alongside Ayodhya, Kashi, and Brij in India. Another significant strict site close by is Dhanushadham, going back to the Ramayan time. It is accepted to be where the messed up stays of Lord Shiva's bow fell after Ram broke it to win Sita's hand in marriage.
A fossilized part of the messed-up bow is accepted to be saved here. Dhanusha is known for strict touring, lavish environmental factors of trees and forests, the semi-rustic appeal of the Terai rural areas, and the brilliant Mithila quality and culture.
Mustang
Mustang is known for its journeying visits and mountain tours. With an elevation of 3840 meters, this city is separated into two sections: Lower and Upper Mustang. Even though it is generally unexplored, this city is an extraordinary goal for the individuals who need to drench in Tibetan culture, just as in the Nepalese way of life as it is situated close to the Tibetan Plateau.
Lower Mustang is notable for its standard view, while upper Mustang is renowned for its traveling and climbing trails, religious communities, caverns, and neighborhood clans.
This goal is wealthy in vegetation with a scope of rhododendron estates, apple fields, and solid Buddhist culture. Guests get the chance to see the way of life of the mountain individuals, their everyday schedules, and their traditions. In addition, guests can investigate various Tibetan sanctums, religious communities, caverns, and towns to find out about the "Smaller than usual Tibet in Nepal." This North-West piece of Nepal has challenging and magical notoriety and is an incredible goal for explorers, travelers, or individuals who need a getaway from business life and invest some energy in the Himalayas.
Dhulikhel
You can never get enough of the mountains. There is something particular about the beautiful excellence and peacefulness of the magnificent pinnacles that make you need to remain there always and take in the pure outside air. Dhulikhel in the Kathmandu Valley is one such spot, which offers beautiful perspectives on the high Himalayas and the scope of pinnacles that it involves, directly from the Langtang Lirung in the west to the Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and Melungtse, and afterward Number in the east. You must be eager to climb a little over the town to appreciate these all-encompassing perspectives.
Dhulikhel is the ideal spot to stop to go through the night calmly while going from Tibet and returning to Kathmandu. Regardless, the snow-topped mountains with rich greenery on the strides appear to coax the travelers to come and invest some energy with them. The most seasoned territory town of Dhulikhel, situated in the southern end, is another zone here that never neglects to captivate vacationers. This town territory includes old Newari houses enhanced with shocking windows and wonderfully cut entryways, which bear declaration to the brilliant craftsmanship of the nearby occupants of the region, who went through evenings and days to make such dazzling show-stoppers.
Nuwakot
Stuck someplace in the middle of the seventeenth-century vibe and 21st-century offices, Nuwakot is one of the most alluring goals of Nepal. Yet there are very few attractions to see; the Nuwakot Palace and its Durbar Square in itself are sufficient to draw the explorers who love to dig where it counts the back rear entryway of history. Before the unique goal, it is currently, Nuwakot used to be a position of most extreme authentic hugeness. Situated around 75 kilometers west of Kathmandu, or more at the juncture of Trisuli and Tandi's streams, Nuwakot once used to be the memorable capital town of the extraordinary realm of Kathmandu Valley, back when government despite everything existed.
The stronghold and its environmental factors are not the only matter of enthusiasm for Nuwakot. However, it is the focal one. Being near Langtang Himal, open doors for climbing, journeying, and mountain biking is inside the town's vicinity. The one-hour movie from the clamoring Trisuli Bazaar down the slope up to Nuwakot is a course that numerous vacationers pick.
The entire spot is specked with hidden food and convenience spots to take into account your necessities. Perspective on the Trishuli River is likewise a terrific severe scene and worth catching on this excursion. The stream goes directly through the center of Nuwakot. Further tough, this equivalent stream transforms into a sore spot for water boating.
