Less than two hours drive from Kathmandu, spending a night, or several (we adapt the duration to your desires), in the dream setting of Nagarkot , at an altitude of 2,100 m, is a real enchantment. The sunrises and sunsets are, on a clear day, magnificent and the walks on the trails near the town are great opportunities to appreciate the highest peaks in the world in pure and crystal clear air. There is no doubt that you will be left speechless by the sumptuous panorama.
Spend a night in the medieval city of Bhaktapur
In Bhaktapur, temples follow palaces, ornate facades and wooden balconies with sculpted brick pediments. “There is something unreal about the buildings you are in. You feel like you are on a theater stage, surrounded by scenery,” says Alexandra David-Néel. Spending a night in Bhaktapur allows you to enjoy the magic of the city when most tourists have left, at the end of the day, and also gives you time to visit a traditional paper factory or a few craft workshops that are legion: musical instruments, wood carvings, pottery, etc.
Follow the trail of the one-horned rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park
With its lush vegetation and the Himalayas as a backdrop, Chitwan National Park, the largest in the country, invites you between river and jungle to watch for monkeys, warthogs, wild buffalo or even one-horned rhinoceroses with a prehistoric appearance, in danger of extinction. Walks and safaris by jeep, boat or on foot offer many opportunities to observe the brilliance of the still virgin nature of this area of rare beauty, a former royal hunting reserve that has become a national park listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stay at Baber Mahal Vilas in Kathmandu
A haven of history, culture and tradition, the perfect base after trekking through the valley and visiting Kathmandu ’s temples and palaces . Not far from the city centre and Durbar Square, the hotel is a beautiful showcase of Nepalese architecture, with buildings in the Rana Durbar, Newari and Teraide styles and interiors adorned with traditional artwork and decorations. The property is located in the heart of Baber Mahal Revisited, a shopping and dining complex inspired by an early 20th- century royal palace . The best part? The rooftop pool offers stunning views of the city and, on a clear day, the mountains beyond.
Our top 6 must-see Nepalese sites
Patan , a wonderful historical city adjacent to Kathmandu, whose Durbar Square presents a superb collection of temples, stupas, pagodas and palaces. The museum there deserves more than a glance. More than a day trip, we recommend a stay of one or two nights, to enjoy the deserted alleys and squares in the evening and early morning.
Bhaktapur , an incomparable city of art, a true museum city with fabulous monuments and rich craft traditions. Pottery, wood carving, traditional paper making, the list goes on.
The Kathmandu Valley , which reveals to the traveler, in addition to its remarkable sites, its lesser-known treasures: villages clinging to the mountainside or monasteries nestled in its valleys, they are called Nala, Panauti, Namo Buddha, Khopasi, Balthali, Kirtipur, and can be discovered during a day trip or during a hike from town to town.
Lumbini , the birthplace of Buddha. In the south of the country, on the border with India , we discover with emotion the place where Siddhartha Gautama was born, one of the great holy cities of Buddhists. We admire one of the pillars of Ashoka, an important archaeological site classified as a world heritage site, and many temples built by Buddhist communities around the world.
Bandipur , for a beneficial stopover between Kathmandu and Pokhara. A remarkably preserved little town, it is irresistibly charming, with its streets lined with old houses with facades brightened by bougainvillea.
Chitwan , a former royal hunting ground that today forms a vast national park, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its tropical plains covered with tall grass and jungle are home to a vast population of one-horned rhinoceroses, but also more furtive Bengal tigers.