Annex - 4 - 1 : KATHMANDU VALLEY

The great wealth of Culture and Nature awaits you beyond the urban milieu of three ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley. One of them, the city of Bhaktapur (founded in the medieval times), is now preserved as a living museum city. The man-made cultural treasure is truly unique and makes the ancient parts of these three cities, truly the ‘Cities of the Gods in Shangri-la’.

Gold and silver plated temple of Pashupatinath and temples of Living Goddess in Kathmandu, Taleju in Bhaktapur and temples of Patan as well as great stupa of Bodhanath are not only most holy, but also most beautiful sights to see. Most of these monuments are recorded in the World Heritage List.

Nagarkot offers the most fascinating, majestic and a very wide panoramic view of Eastern and Central Himalayas, which can make you spell-bound. The sun-rise and sun-set view from Nagarkot is most famous. This is the only convenient spot to see Mt. Everest (8,848 m). The wide panoramic view covers almost 400 kilometers of Central Himalaya, including the world famous peaks of Mt. Makalu (8,463 m), Lohtse (8,516 m), Cho-yu (8,201 m), Gauri Shankar, Shisha Pangma (in Tibet), Langtang, Ganesh, Manaslu (8,163 m) and Annapurna Range. Nagarkot is 30 km east of Kathmandu on the valley rim and takes about 30 minutes drive from Bhaktapur. The City of Bhaktapur is only 5 km east of the Centre of Kathmandu City.

Pokhara is a small, picturesque valley in mid-west Nepal from where the majestic Himalayas can be viewed at a stunningly close range. Great Fewa lake with Rani Ban (Queen’s own forest) under the shadows of Great Anna-purna Range is an unique spot for relaxation and water sports. All-year round splendid climate is truly fantastic, which makes Pokhara highly relaxing lake-side town. This semi-tropical lake lying virtually at the foot of gigantic peaks of (virgin) Mt. Machhapuchre (6,977 m) and Annapurna South enhances the unrivalled beauty of this town. Deep gorge at the Mahendra Pool, ancient Bazaars of Pokhara, Temple of Vindhya Vasini, Devils' Fall and Mahendra Cave, Natural History and Mounteenering Museum and Cultural Shows are other attractions.