- Cities of Nepal
- Nepal Information
- Culture & Religion
- Adventure in Nepal
- World Heritage Sites
- Mountains in Nepal
- Valleys in Nepal
- Peaks of Nepal
- Rivers of Nepal
- Lakes in Nepal
Cities of Nepal
Spiritual, divine, adventurous and entertaining... the cities of Nepal are a unique blend of tradition and novelty. Then be it the clinging bells of temples at Bhaktpur, the beautiful lakes of Pokhara or the casinos at Kathmandu... a tour to the cities of Nepal introduces you every facet of life. Pack your bags and get ready to for the journey of lifetime. Come lets discover the diversity of Nepal cities...Major Cities of Nepal
Bhaktapur
As the name means in Hindi, Bhaktpur is the "City of Devotees". This divine, ancient town is famous for its multi-storeyed pagodas. Bhaktpur has a calm, soothing and spiritual atmosphere and is one of the most peaceful cities of Nepal.
Birgunj
Birgunj, the commercial capital of Nepal is the second largest city in the country, located in the lower Terai plains, near the Indian border. It is known as the gateway of Nepal because of its location that makes Birgunj a frequent destination for business travelers, executives of foreign projects and agencies, overland tourists, pilgrims and other visitors.
Kathmandu
The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu valley, is the biggest and the most cosmopolitan city of Nepal. Known as the 'City of Temples', it has great temples with historic, architectural and religious importance attached to them. Famous for its rocking casinos, Kathmandu is the meeting point of various ethnic groups. The unique element of the city is that it is a fabled capital of convivial pilgrims and carved rose-brick temples as well as a frenetic sprawl of modern towers and spunky casinos.
Lumbini
Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha. The historical city of Lumbini is blessed with rich natural setting and astonishing architectural beauty. Located in South-Western Terai of Nepal, the historic city takes one back to 623 B.C.
Nepalgunj
Located in the lower Terai region and known as the transport hub for western Nepal, the town is the starting point of the adventurous treks to Dopla and Jumla regions. The border crossing, 6 km south of Nepalganj, is one of the limited number of places where non-Indian foreigners are allowed to cross the border with India.
Patan
The city of fine arts, Patan is the shopping hub of traditional handicrafts and carpets. The city is blessed with beautiful temples and stupas. The Phulchokri mountain near Patan is an excellent spot for hiking. The diversity of the medieval culture has left a rich legacy of impressive sightseeing in the city attracting tourists from far and wide.
Pokhara
This mystical city is rightly called the "Center of Adventure". With sky touching mountains and dazzling waterfalls, the city is indeed a visitors' paradise. In close proximity to nature, this beautiful city of Nepal offers the most esthetic panoramic view of the Himalayas.
Nepal Information
Your Tour Guide
The information on Nepal given below will serve as a guide to the tourists before they actually venture into the beautiful mountain kingdom of Nepal. The site will provide the tourists detailed information on the weather, climatic conditions, history, lifestyle, health, festivals and entertainment sources in Nepal. Country Description
Known as the Land of Everest, Nepal is a developing country with extensive tourist facilities. Cited below is a table on the important facts of Nepal.
| Name of the Country | Kingdom of Nepal |
| Area | 140,800 sq km |
| Population | 23 million (20001 census) |
| Capital City | Kathmandu |
| People | Hindus, Newars, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas |
| National Language | Nepali (Khaskura) |
| Other Languages | Awadhi, Newari, Hindi, Bahing, Limbu, Maithili, Mundari |
| Tourist Language | English |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Government | Parliamentary Democracy & Constitutional Monarchy |
| Major Industries | Tourism, Handicraft, Agriculture and Water Resources |
Useful Resource
Please click on the following links to get important information you should know before you visit Nepal:
Facts of Nepal
Have a quick look at the geographical, political, economic, demographic and national details of Nepal. The factual details are an overview to the small mountain kingdom. Flag of Nepal
The present National Flag of Nepal was adopted on Dec16, 1962. The flag of Nepal is the only national flag which is not rectangular, being based upon two separate pennants which belonged to rival branches of the Rana dynasty, which formerly ruled the country. The two pennants were first joined in the 18th century, but it was not adopted as the official flag until 1962, when a constitutional form of government was established. History of Nepal
Nepal has been a kingdom for over 1500 years from now. The Newars are thought to have lived in the Nepal valley since the 4th century AD, developing a Hindu-Buddhist culture. Between the 8th and 11th centuries, many Buddhists fled to Nepal from India, and a group of Hindu Rajput warriors set up the principality of Gurkha just west of the Kathmandu valley. Although a Newar dynasty, the Mallas, ruled the valley between the 14th-18th centuries. Language of Nepal
Though Nepali is the official language of Nepal, there are as many as 126 listed languages spoken in Nepal. Out of these, three languages, Dura, Kusunda and Waling, have become extinct. Hindus, Newars, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas are the most commonly spoken languages. The visitors may encounter problems as English is not understood in the rural Nepal. So they should prepare themselves with elementary Nepali language. Map of Nepal
The map of Nepal will familiarize you to various mountains, famous cities, wildlife sanctuaries, exotic destinations, pilgrimage sites, major traveling routes and more. The country's trekking, river rafting and mountaineering venues are second to none, and the mysterious capital city of Kathmandu and its royal palace are a 'must see'. Nepal is a spiritual journey, as Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples are inspiring stops along the way. Pictures of Nepal
Nepal is one of the most picturesque country in Asia. The mighty Mount Everest, the ancient cities, the great display architecture found in the temples, the inspiring rivers, and what not. The pictures of Nepal speak for the unsurmountable beauty Nepal is blessed with. Once you see these pictures you can not resist the temptation of visiting Nepal. Transport of Nepal
Nepal is one of the most picturesque country in Asia. The mighty Mount Everest, the ancient cities, the great display architecture found in the temples, the inspiring rivers, and what not. The pictures of Nepal speak for the unsurmountable beauty Nepal is blessed with. Once you see these pictures you can not resist the temptation of visiting Nepal. Visa of Nepal
Nepal is one of the most picturesque country in Asia. The mighty Mount Everest, the ancient cities, the great display architecture found in the temples, the inspiring rivers, and what not. The pictures of Nepal speak for the unsurmountable beauty Nepal is blessed with. Once you see these pictures you can not resist the temptation of visiting Nepal. Weather of Nepal
Nepal has two major seasons - the dry season (from October to May) and the monsoon season (from June to September). Early spring (March to April) and late autumn (October and November) are the best times to visit Nepal, and this period also offers the clearest mountain views and good weather for trekking. From December to February, there is snow on the mountains with freezing temperatures at high altitudes, while the summer months of June to August can be very hot for general travel.
Nepal Culture & Religion
Culture is embedded in the high peaks of Nepal, tradition flows with its rivers, art traverses through its valleys and religion lies in the heart of its people. Nepal, in short, is a country where art, culture and religion are a part of life of the inhabitants. People celebrate every moment with aroma, adding novelty to the traditions without affecting their essence.
Art of Nepal
Art of Nepal
The art and architecture of Nepal is deeply influenced by the religion. Unique craftsmanship can be found in temples, architecture, shrines, fountains and the design of religious objects. Art and religion is so deeply interlocked that it is impossible to separate the one from the other. All art forms express both Hindu and Buddhist iconography.
Buddhism in Nepal
Buddhism, the fourth largest religion all over the world, has strong roots in Nepal. Buddhism in Nepal dates from the birth of Siddhartha Gautama himself, therefore Buddhist influences are evident on the culture of Nepal. Nepal is the meeting point for Indian and Tibetan Buddhist traditions.
Culture of Nepal
The culture of Nepal is a assemblage of music, architecture, religion and literature. This mountain kingdom is multi-ethic and multi-lingual. The land is rich with unique cultural groups like Tharu,Yadav, Ahir, Newars and others.
Food of Nepal
Nepalese are great foodies and their food varieties are hot, spicy and nutritious. Newari and Thakali cuisines are the original taste of Nepal. Otherwise, Nepalese style of cooking has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cooking. Dal Bhat tarkari is the staple food of Nepal. Meat curries and monos are the hot favorites among the tourists.
Music of Nepal
The rhythm, beats, bounce of Nepali traditional folk and classical music is spiritual enough to sooth you and entertaining enough to cheer you. Music is associated with every event in Nepal, then be it birth, marriage, festivals or national events.
People of Nepal
The people of Indo-Aryan community are the original inhabitants of Nepal. No wonder their descendents form the majority even now. Other major groups in Nepal are Gurungs and Magars who live mainly in the western region; Rais, Limbus and Sunwars who live in the eastern mid hills; Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas who live near the mountains of Everest, Annapurna and Mustang respectively.
Religion of Nepal
Religion in Nepal is not only a system of social coherence based on certain rituals and beliefs, rather it is the binding force that ties the mountain kingdom together. Though Nepal is famous, as the world's only Hindu Kingdom, equal respect is given to other religions as well. Buddhism is the second largest religion followed in Nepal, others being Tantrism, Islam and Christianity.
Wildlife in Nepal
The Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, blessed by mother nature with rich and diverse biogeography has several national parks, sanctuaries and reserves brimming with wildlife. Nepalese landscape has altitudinal variance in short distances. This means that the country has variety of vegetation, from luxuriant vegetation and alpine deserts to lush grasslands. It is endowed with rich and varied biodiversity. Altitudinal variances in short distance give Nepal's biogeography variety that range from lush moist forests and sparse alpine deserts to luxurious grasslands in lowland Terai. Some rare wild life creatures reside in the jungles of the Himalayan nation.
Fast Facts
| S.No. | Name | Location | Significance |
| 1. | Royal Chitwan National Park | Chitwan City | UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site |
| 2. | Sagarmatha National Park | Mount Everest | UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site |
| 3. | Royal Bardia National Park | Lowland Terai | Largest Widlife Park in Lowland Terai |
| 4. | Kosi Tappu | East Nepal | Home to the lendangered Wild Buffalo or Arnal. |
Bird Parks
Concentration of bird species in Asia is surprising. Few other countries in Asia have such variety. The Himalayan country straddles two of planet's best bird zone, which are Lolarctic to the north, and Oriental to the south.
Protected Species
Endangered and protected species you can see on your wildlife safari tour are as following:
Tiger, Snow Leopard, Wild Elephant, Rhino, Brown Bear, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Gangetic Dolphin, Wolf, Giant horn-bill, Swamp deer, Wild yak, Nayan, Black buck, Pangolin, Saras Crane, Four horned antelope, Tibetan antelope, Impean Pheasant, Python, Gharial, Indian bustard, Musk deer pigmy hog, Asamese Macaque, Haspd hare
For an ultimate adventure trip try a Wildlife tour to Nepal.
World Heritage Sites
The small mountain kingdom of Nepal is blessed with such astonishing and unique sites that within the area of 140,800 sq km Nepal holds a considerably high number of places recongnised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organisation) as 'World Heritage Sites'. There are altogether ten World Heritage Sites in Nepal, seven of which are in Kathmandu itself. The list includes both natural as well as cultural sites.Cultural Sites
The cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by seven groups of monuments and buildings which display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. The seven sites include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Click on the following links to get detailed information about the individual sites.
» Kathmandu Durbar Square
» Patan Durbar Square
» Bhaktapur Durbar Square
» Changu Narayan Temple
» Swayambhunath Stupa
» Pashupatinath Temple
» Lumbini
» Bouddhanath Stupa
Natural Sites
Nepal's national parks included in the World Heritage Sites List are exceptional areas with dramatic mountains, glaciers, deep valleys and undisturbed vestiges of the 'Terai' region. Several rare species, such as the snow leopard, lesser panda, single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger are found in these park.
» Chitwan National Park
» Sagarmatha National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The World Heritage List includes 830 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.These include 644 cultural, 162 natural and 24 mixed properties. Out of these 10 sites are from Nepal itself. Seven out of these are cultural and two natural.
Some Nepal Sites/Properties submitted on the Tentative List of UNESCO
» The early medieval architectural complex of Panauti (1996)
» Tilaurakot, the archaeological remains of ancient Shakya Kingdom (1996)
» Cave architecture of Muktinath Valley of Mustang (1996)
» The medieval palace complex of Gorkha (1996)
» Ramagrama, the relic stupa of Lord Buddha (1996)
» Khokana, the vernacular village and its mustard-oil seed industrial heritage (1996)
Valleys in Nepal
The Essence of Nepal
Nepal is a country of valleys. The most exotic and richly carved valleys are found here. Trekking through these valleys familirize the tourists to the folklore, culture, religion, geographic diversities including mountains, hills, forests, lakes and rivers of Nepal. Valleys of Nepal
| Name | Location | Significance |
| Kali Gandaki Valley | North of Pokhara | Deepest gorge of the world |
| Kathmandu Valley | Central Nepal | Political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal |
| Langtang Valley | Central Nepal | The Valley of glaciers |
Kali Gandhaki Valley
The Kali Gandhaki Valley trek is one of the finest in Nepal for trekking. Located North to Pokhara, the valley is blessed with serene natural beauty that includes lofty mountains and the world's deepest Kali Gandaki gorge.
Kathmandu Valley
The cultural world heritage site of Nepal, Kathmandu valley has marvellous, uncomparable spectrums of beauty. The valley comprises of the trinity of great, ancient cities of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. Each of the city has its unique attrcations. Kathmandu valley is a cultural assemblage of temples, stupas, viharas, monestries and religious, historic monuments.
Langtang Valley
If kathmandu Valley is the epitome of culture, then Langtang is the zenith of natural beauty. The high soaring mountain peaks, the beautiful glaciers, slow moving rivers and swift mountain streams of Langtang Valley are Nature’s bliss to Nepal. There are several site seeing options available to the tourists. The garssy downs and the meadow strewn with daises and wild premolars.
Trekking Peaks of Nepal
Thriving Heights...
Out of the 10 highest peaks in the world, eight lie in Nepal. No doubt Nepal is the favorite destination for mountaineers and trekkers, with more than 600 expeditions trudging up the Himalayas each year. But not all peaks in Nepal are open for trekking. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has set aside a total of eighteen peaks that can be trekked with the pre-requisite permit of NMA.
Trekking Peaks
The 'Trekking Peaks' of Nepal gives hobby-climbers an opportunity to tackle the high Himalayan peaks without having to organize a major expedition. Although these peaks are lower than their more famous cousins - the 8000 meter peaks - many of the climbs are no less demanding and adventurous in nature. The climbing treks offer a chance to climb a Himalayan summit and a taste of being in the `white wilderness'. Most of these trips can be completed within a short period of time.
| Mountain Peak | Height | |
| In feet | In metres | |
| Mera Peak | 22,476 | 6,654 |
| Kusum Kangguru | 20,883 | 6,367 |
| Gyachung Kang | 25,910 | 7,897 |
| Himalchuli | 25,801 | 7,864 |
| Nuptse | 25,726 | 7,841 |
| Makalu II | 25,120 | 7,657 |
| Jongsong Peak | 24,472 | 7,459 |
| Chamlang | 24,012 | 7,319 |
| Kabru | 24,002 | 7,316 |
| Baruntse | 23,688 | 7,220 |
| Gauri Sankar | 23,440 | 7,145 |
| Pyramid | 23,400 | 7,132 |
| Api | 23,399 | 7,132 |
| Ama Dablam | 22,494 | 6,856 |
Helpline
Ministry of Culture
Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tourism Industry Administration
Mountaineering Division, Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu
Tel: +(977)-(1)-4256234
Nepal Mountaineering Association
Naxal, Kathmandu
Tel: +(977)-(1)- 4434525, 4435442
Fax: +(977)-(1)-4434578
Rivers of Nepal
The Untamed Beauty of Nature
Rivers in Nepal are treated as goddesses. They are the ever flowing and inspiring source of beauty, abundance and infinite adventure. The rugged topography, extreme variations and excessive snow melting in Nepal make this mountain kingdom blessed with blosoming, flowering rivers, running across the country. This makes Nepal an obvious choice for river adventure.River journeys in Nepal are electrifying and nerve thrilling. Your life flashes before you as you comfortably hurtle towards monster boulders and towering walls of water. So come let us indulge in this maddening and bone chilling experience.
Fast Facts
| Name | Location | Speciality | Distance | Duration |
| Sunkoshi | Eastern Nepal | The Golden River | 270 km | 9 days |
| Trisuli | Central Nepal | Best for White water rafting | 38 km | ½ day |
| Marshyangdi | Western Nepal | The Thrilling River | 47 km | 4 days |
| Seti | Western Nepal | The Isolated River | 35 km | 2 days |
| Kali Gandaki | Western Nepal | Best for Kayaking | 70 km | 5 days |
| Karnali | Mid Western Nepal | Largest and longest river | 180 km | 5 days |
Ultimate Sports Adventure & Activities
Nepal is a country of adventures. The raging rivers, high mountains, exotic valleys and jungle safaris are all sources of adventure. Cited below are some of the most thrilling and engaging adventurous activities of Nepal.
River Rafting/White Water Rafting
River Rafting is journeying on torrential river on an inflatable rubber boat. A River Raft is the most enjoyable way of checking one's guts. Both amateur and experienced rafters equally enjoy it. A river trip also provides the opportunity for geological surveys and fishing.
In a country like Nepal, blessed by Himalayan rivers, a river trip is one of the best ways to explore a typical cross section of the country's natural as well as ethno-cultural heritage. The river is regarded as a form of goddess and is used for the purpose of various religious rituals under both Hinduism and Buddhism. A variety of cultural activities can be witnessed being performed along the river. The adjoining slopes of the river often harbor dense vegetation and interesting wildlife.
Kayaking
A water sport, kayaking is a very enjoyable river adventure, specially in the blossoming rivers of Nepal. Kayaks are made from a special type of plastic and have floatation devices inserted to aid buoyancy. Kayakers move through the water with a double blade paddle, and are able to negotiate rapids and obstacles on the river.
With its wide range of rivers and wealth of challenging rapids, Nepal is the perfect destination for Kayakink. Whether you are a total beginner or an experienced white water kayaker keen to tackle one of the challenging rivers, Nepal is ideal for you.
Sightseeing
One can spend hours sitting at the banks of Nepal rivers and watching the waves playing with each other admist the most earthen background. An evening more relaxed, soothing and calm is hard to imagine. If you long for a dream-like, heavenly experience, then let your soul feel the tranquility of being near to Nature's one of the most amiable gift i.e. the rivers of Nepal.
Know-How of River Basins
The splendid rivers of Nepal can be divided into three categories in accordance to their origins. The first category comprises the three main river systems of the country - the Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali river systems, all of them originating from glaciers and snow-fed lakes.
The Koshi River System
- The Koshi river system consists of Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Likhu, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi and Indravati rivers.
- The Arun and Sunkoshi originate in Tibet. The confluence of these rivers is at Tribeni (near Dharan) in Sagarmatha Zone.
- Flowing for almost 10 kms through a narrow gorge before entering the plains, the 'Sapta Kosi' or simply the 'Koshi', swollen with the waters of the seven rivers, finally merges into the Ganges.
- The Kali Gandaki originates in Mustang and converges with the Trishuli at Deoghat in Chitwan. The river is then called the 'Narayani' and goes on to meet the Ganges.
- The Kali Gandaki originates in Mustang and converges with the Trishuli at Deoghat in Chitwan. The river is then called the 'Narayani' and goes on to meet the Ganges.
- The Gandaki river system in central Nepal consists of the Kali Gandaki, Budhi Gandaki, Marsyanghi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraundi rivers.
- The Kaligandaki is the longest river and the Trishuli, the main tributary of this system.
- The Karnali river system in Western Nepal consists of the Humla Karnali, Mugu Karnali, Seti and Bheri rivers and is the longest river system in the country.
- The Humla Karnali, which rises in Tibet, is the main tributary. After entering India, this river assumes the name Gogra.
Lakes in Nepal
Flowing with All Their Beauty
Majestic, splendid and holy... the lakes of Nepal are reverred not only for their natural beauty but also for the spiritual importance attached to them. There are around two hundred lakes in Nepal of glacial and tectonic origin. Mountain lakes like Rara, Phoksundo and Phewa are majestic in extent and beauty. Fast Facts
| Lake | Category | Location | Water Surface Area (hct) |
| Rara Tal | Mountain Lake | Mugu District | 1000 |
| Phewa Tal | Mid-hill lake | Pokhara | 523 |
| GosikundaTal | Mountain lake | Himal region | - |
| Pokshundu Tal | Montain Lake | Dopla District | 180 |
Other Popular Lakes in Nepal
| Mid-hill Lakes | Low Land Lakes |
| Begnas Tal | Rupia Tal |
| Rupa Tal | Gadhbhijala Tal |
| Deepang Tal | Nakhrodi Tal |
| Khaste Tal | Badhaiya Tal |
| Maidee Tal | Sakhunia Tal |
| Syarpu Tal | BudhiTal |
| Rokum Tal | Gaindhawa Tal |
| Mahadev Tal | Beesh Hazar Tal |
| Kailali | Halkhoria Tal |
Activities
Nepal lakes are famous for their crystal clear water, scenic backgrounds and the adventure activities that they offer. Cited below are two of the activities that keep you fresh and vigorous like the blue waters of the lakes themselves.
Boating
The pleasure of touching water waves while siting on a boat cannot be described in words. A relaxing boat drive on Phewa lake of Pokhara is one of the most soothing experiences in Nepal. Leisure boating can be done in various locations. Pokhara, set in a lush topical alley, with a backdrop of the Annapurna range, is blessed with many lakes and is the most famous spot for boating activities.
The Phewa, Begnas and Rupa lakes provide enough space for boating experiences. Phewa Lake is Pokhara's prime attraction for photographers, boaters and shore side strollers.Visitors love sending an hour or two rowing (or being rowed by one of the local boats men) through the many inlets, with a visit to the Varahi island temple.
Fishing
Nepal, the world's second rich country in the water resources having numbers of rivers and lakes, is an ideal location for fishing and angling. There are some specific ethnic group in the hills and Terai region of Nepal whose lifestyle has been based on Fishing. Bote, Majhi, Tharu and Machhuwar are some of them.
With approximately 118 varieties of fresh water fish found in the Himalayan waters of Nepal, fishing can be really exciting. Mahaseer is the most commonly sought sport fish, besides mountain stream trout-like varieties and lowland water species. Pokhara's crystal clear lakes are the best for fishing.
Festivals in Nepal
Celebrating Life...
Festivity is synonym to the Nepalese Culture. For the Nepalese, festivals are not merely the annual spectacles, but also are a living part of their rich cultural heritage. Festivals effectively bind together the Nepalese people of diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs into one nation. Most Nepalese festivals are related to different Hindu and Buddhist deities. They are celebrated on days consecrated for them by religion and tradition.| Month | Festival |
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