Pokhara
Pokhara is the second biggest valley after Kathmandu in hilly region. It lies in the western part of Nepal. Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. Many tourists visit Pokhara Valley to see the Himalayan range and lakes. Pokhara is also famous for boating, trekking, rafting and extreme sports like rafting ,canoying and bungee jumping. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, the number of international tourists to Pokhara in 2009 was 203,527, and the same year 509,956 international tourists visited Nepal and the number is increasing every year. Tourists are attracted to Pokhara for its natural beauty and the places. There are many places to visit like Mahendra cave, David’s fall, Barahi temple, Bat cave. The second largest lake Phewa lake lies here. Sarangkot from where we can see the sunrise and sunset lies in Pokhara. We can see the mountain from close which gives heavenly pleasure to eyes and soul.
Chitwan
Chitwan is another valley of hilly region. It is located in the southwestern part of Nepal.The district takes its name from the Chitwan Valley one of Nepal’s Inner Terai valleys between the Mahabharat and Siwalik ranges, both considered foothills of the Himalayas. Chitwan is one of the few remaining undisturbed vestiges of the Terai region, which formerly extended over the foothills of Nepal. The people inhabiting the Chitwan District are predominantly peasant farmers cultivating mainly food and cash crops such as rice, maize, wheat, beans, lentils, mustard and vegetables. The district is the major maize producing area in Nepal. Chitwan is very popular for tasty Taas, a spicy fried goat-meat lunch dish served with Bhuja or Cheura available in many restaurants. Momo, Sukuti Khaja Set and other NewaCuisine also available. Dal bhat is the staple food of the area, meat and dairy products are also widely consumed. For centuries, traditional fermented foods and beverages have constituted about 20 per cent of the local diet. Depending on altitudinal variation, finger millet, wheat, buckwheat, barley, vegetable, potato, and soybeans are grown. Chitwan has a particularly rich flora and fauna. Chitwan National Park lies here where different wild animals, birds along with flora and fauna are preserved. This has been the tourist attraction place mostly for jungle safari.
Lumbini
Lumbini is located in the south central Terai of Nepal, situated in the foothills of Himalaya. Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha – the apostle of peace, and the Light of Asia – was born in 623 B.C. In historical terms, the region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruins and antiquities, dating back to the pre-Christian era. The site was described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha’s time and still retains its legendary charm and beauty. For centuries, Buddhists the world over knew that the general area of Lumbini was where the Lord was born. In the words of those famous Chinese pilgrims of antiquity, Huian Tsang and Faeihan, ‘Lumbini -where the Lord was born – is a piece of Heaven on Earth, where one could see the snowy mountains amidst a splendid garden, embedded with stupas and monasteries.
Lumbini is the fourth largest tourist destination in Nepal. Nearly 20,000 tourists visit the area every year (Source: Nepal Tourism Board). Recently, UNESCO has declared it a World Heritage Site. It has great potential to grow as the major tourist destination in years to come.
Bandipur
Bandipur is the living museum of Newari culture, a beautifully preserved village crowning a lofty ridge above the highway stop of the Dumre. Its winding lanes are lined with traditional Newari houses. Time seems to have stood still here, although it has taken a lot of effort to preserve the magic while developing the town as a destination. Bandipur was originally part of the Magar kingdom of Tanahun, ruled from nearby Palpa (Tansen), but Newari traders flooded in after the conquest of the valley by Prithvi Narayan Shah. Bandipur bazaar is situated on a ridge above the highway town of Dumre, and presents sightseers with a heady mix of history, architecture, incredible views, awesome caves and unspoiled landscapes. Located at an altitude of 1,030 m, Bandipur has been described as a natural view tower, providing a spectacular panorama of the entire Annapurna Range plus the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Langtang to the Marsyangdi valley which is below 500 m. Apart from the stunning views of the Himalaya and the Marsyangdi Valley, a visit to the town is an opportunity to get a close look at Newar cultural life that reflects the refined civilization of the Kathmandu Valley.Bandipur is also a great place for adventure sports like paragliding, caving, rock climbing, rafting and hiking.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot known as the land of sunrise and sunset with its breath taking view of Himalaya and mountains lies in Bhaktapur district of Nepal. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley. The scenic beauty of the place makes it a very popular hiking route for tourists. It is located approximately 7000 ft (2000 m) above sea level and 28 km from Kathmandu International Airport. Nagarkot commands one of the broadest views of the Himalayas in the Kathmandu valley (8 Himalayan ranges of Nepal out of 13 from here). The ranges include Annapurna range, Manaslu range, Ganesh himal range, Langtang range, Jugal range, Rowling range, Mahalangur range (Everest range) and Number range with views of the Kathmandu valley and Shivapuri National Park. Nagarkot has a reputation as the top spot for enjoying Himalayan views from the comfort of your hotel balcony. Just 32km from Kathmandu the village is packed with hotels, stacked up on a ridge facing one of the broadest possible views of the Himalaya. In terms of views, a visit to Nagarkot between October and March will nearly always be rewarded with a view, but be warned the mountains are notorious for disappearing behind cloudy skies on any given day (or hour). It can get very cold at Nagarkot, so bring warm clothing.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikel is the administrative centre of kavrepalanchowk district, Nepal. Dhulikhel has been for centuries an important trading centre on the commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. Since time immemorial, people of Nepal travel to Tibet to bring home salt and gold. Likewise, the Tibetans every year with their flocks of sheep enter into Nepal during Dashain, the greatest Hindu festival. They use to purchase chilies and other daily necessities in Nepal and return to their homeland. In those days, a whole day walk from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel was comfortable for Tibet trippers with easily available of food and water at Dhulikhel at the evening for overnight stay. There are numerous temples in the town depicting traditional and old Newari craftsmanship. These are places of worship for local people. The core area of Dhulikhel has interesting narrow cobbled streets and lanes embedded with number of Hindu Shrines and a few Buddhist Stupa. The panoramic views of mountains can be seen from Dhulikhel so tourists are excited to visit Dhulikhel and it has been the tourist attraction place day after day.
