Visit Nepal, without missing anything essential

Destinations

Four stops in the Kathmandu Valley, less than an hour and a half apart, and nine elsewhere in the country, from the tigers of Bardia in the far west to the tea hills of Ilam in the far east, by way of the high-altitude desert of Mustang. Click on the map or on a card.

Kathmandu ValleyKathmanduTemples, stupas and bazaars: the capital and its three great sacred sites.Time needed: 2–3 daysFrom Kathmandu: you're thereDiscoverKathmandu ValleyPatanThe city of Newar craftsmen, its royal square and its museum, the finest in the country.Time needed: 1 dayFrom Kathmandu: 20 to 30 minDiscoverKathmandu ValleyBhaktapurThe best-preserved royal city in the valley, almost car-free.Time needed: 1–2 daysFrom Kathmandu: 45 min to 1 h 15DiscoverValley rimNagarkot and DhulikhelTwo Himalayan balconies for a sunrise, an hour from Kathmandu.Time needed: 1 dayFrom Kathmandu: 1 h 30 to 2 hoursDiscoverBelow the AnnapurnasPokharaPhewa Lake, the Annapurnas as a backdrop, and the gateway to the treks.Time needed: 2–4 daysFrom Kathmandu: 25 min by plane, 6 to 10 h by busDiscoverTeraiChitwan National ParkRhinos, crocodiles and sal forests, in the southern plains.Time needed: 2–3 daysFrom Kathmandu: 6 to 7 h by busDiscoverTeraiLumbiniThe birthplace of the Buddha and its monasteries from all over the world.Time needed: 1–2 daysFrom Kathmandu: 35 min by plane (Bhairahawa)DiscoverHillsBandipurA car-free Newar hilltop town between Kathmandu and Pokhara.Time needed: 1–2 daysFrom Kathmandu: 5 to 6 h by roadDiscoverFar eastIlamThe tea hills of the east, facing Kanchenjunga, off the beaten track.Time needed: 3–5 daysFrom Kathmandu: 45 min by plane + 3 to 4 h by roadDiscoverFar westBardia National ParkThe wildest park in the Terai, and the best chance of seeing a tiger.Time needed: 3–5 daysFrom Kathmandu: 50 min by plane + 2 h 30 to 3 h by roadDiscoverTerai (Mithila)JanakpurSita's city, its white marble temple and Mithila art.Time needed: 1–2 daysFrom Kathmandu: 25 min by plane, 10 to 12 h by busDiscoverHills (Palpa)TansenA hillside Newar town between Pokhara and Lumbini.Time needed: 1–2 daysFrom Kathmandu: 4 to 5 h from PokharaDiscoverKali Gandaki valleyMustang by jeepJomsom, Kagbeni, Muktinath and, beyond, the kingdom of Lo: the high-altitude desert without trekking.Time needed: 4–10 daysFrom Kathmandu: via Pokhara: 20 min by plane or 7 to 9 h by roadDiscover

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The essentials before you go