Towards the north of the Kathmandu valley, just from where the hustle and bustle of the urban world start to fade away, and the imaginary lines of the city get blurred into the outskirts, lies the Shivpuri National Park. The sprawling sub-tropical forest, spreading for around 160 square meters, the forested area covers the districts of districts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. Other than being a biodiversity hotspot, this is also a favourite place of the locals for hiking, trekking and mountain biking.
Namo Buddha Monastery is located about 45 kilometers outside Kathmandu in the Kavre District. Since the monastery is situated on slightly elevated land, it is a center of attraction that offers breathtaking views. Previously known as Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, Gautam Buddha renamed it as Namo Buddha, which means ‘Homage to Buddha’. This monastery has an interesting legend about 6000 years old but was only founded in 1978 by V.V. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche.
Known For : Paragliding in Nagarkot Nagarkot Nature Trail Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail
If you want to see the Himalayan mountains in all their glory, Nagarkot is the place to be! This tiny village burrowed in the lap of the towering peaks is a part of Nepal's Bhaktapur district. Perched at the edge of Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot gives you one of the widest panoramas of the Himalayan ranges - you can spot 8 out of the 13 Himalayan ranges from the comfort of your hotel. The Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Jugal, Everest, Numbur, Ganesh Himal and the Rolwaling ranges can be seen from Nagarkot on a clear day - can the scene get any more postcard-perfect than this!?
Best Time: October to March
Located 15 km to the South West of the magical valleys of Kathmandu, this climb is considered to be highly adventurous and demanding (5.7-5.11 grade climb). The months of monsoon (June-August) should be avoided as the rains make the rocks slippery to climb. Autumn and Spring are the best seasons to visit this place and indulge in some rock climbing. On your way there you will spot many monasteries and temples where you can halt for a break. 8 different routes take you to the rock climbing spot. All of these routes are well maintained. It is recommended to hire an experienced local trekker who can guide you with all the know-how.
The Hattiban Resort is a popular resort where guests can relax here and soak in the picturesque beauty of the Nepalese Alps, spanning from Langtang to Gauri Shankar. This hotel, at a distance of about 20 kms from Kathmandu, is the second oldest resort in the Hattiban area and is surrounded by tall pine forests. They offer small and private cottages or lodges, ranging from INR 7.5k-9k per night, with all amenities and breakfast included.
Neydo Tashi Choeling Buddhist Monastery is located one hour away from Kathmandu. The primary purpose of this monastery is to preserve the Neydo tradition. Around 200 monks live here, and visitors are allowed to interact and know more about their monastic life as well.
With trekking trails, lush greenery, and a variety of species of flora and fauna, the Langtang National Park is the fourth national park that was established in Nepal in 1976. The Langtang National Park is situated at an approximate distance of 32 kilometres to the north of the capital city of Kathmandu and is connected to the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The picturesque park is also home to the serene, high altitude Gosaikunda Lake, which is believed to be sacred. Being encompassed by hills on all sides, this place makes for a sight to behold.
Now that you have a brief idea about the experiences Kathamandu awaits you, pack up, explore and let us know about your experiences in the comments section below!