Kathmandu
Nepal Airport
Nepal trip was one of the most memorable trips in my lifetime. We planned it in October holiday season keeping pleasant weather conditions in mind. We took a spicejet flight and reached Kathmandu comfortably in evening.
Kathmandu seemed to be a very busy city. Although we reached there during Nepali famous festival- Vijay Dashain and most of working class in Nepal was out on vacation. Even then the city was crowded.
We headed straight to our hotel Manang in Thamel, tourist hub of Kathmandu.
Thamel Market
Buddha Air flight
As soon as we stepped out of our hotel in Thamel , I got a amazing feel of the city in the evening with livewire resturants , live music and happening crowd. It was a pleasure to enjoy evening at this place full of life and happiness.
The tallest of all- Mt. Everest
Next morning, we went for once in a lifetime experience of Mountain Flight. It was a pleasant and clear morning and we reached Nepal domestic airport and boarded Buddha Air flight. What followed was an eternal experience of viewing Mount Everest and Himalyan ranges from close, which I had actually never dreamt of.
This set the tone of my wonderful and memorable Nepal trip.
By the river Marshyangdi
Mesmerizing view
We did some shopping in Thamel and moved on to our next destination , Pokhara.
The road trip to Pokhara was outstanding and piturestique. It was alongside Marshyandi river and kids enjoyed the road trip. We reached Pokhara by evening and had snacks at our Hotel Landmark’s rooftop with a majestic view of “Machhapuchchhre or Fish Tail Mountain” and Feva Lake. Those were some cherishable moments of my life. Actually, fate of a trip also depends a lot on the accommodation one chooses. One we chose at Pokhara was good.
View of Machhapuchchhre from hotel Landmark
Machhapuchhre peak
Pokhara has been a tourist jewel of Nepal since three out of ten highest mountains in the world – Dhaulagiri , Annapurna I and Manaslu are within the vicinity ( approx 30 miles ) of the city. This lovely town is admired by all tourists and offers lively views of Feva / Phewa lake and Annapurna range including it’s distinguishing feature , the Great “Fish Tail ” or Machhapuchhre Mountain , which lies close to city.
Next morning we got up early at 5 AM and left for Sarangkot for another amazing experience of Sunrise at Sarangkot. It was eternal bliss to see sunrise against backdrop of Annapurna peaks. The day was spent in boating at lake Feva and Day’s tour at Pokhara including Devis fall , Mahagupteshwar Cave and International Mountain Meuseum.
There are many opportunities to do adventure sports at Pokhara.
Sunrise at Sarangkot
International Mountain Museum
Fewa Lake
Smashing water at Devi’s Fall
Kamdhenu Cow at Maha Gupteshwar Cave
Next day we left early by 8 AM for our next destination Nagarkot. On the way , we stopped over to spend some time at the Living meuseum – Bhaktapur. It was a different
experience and a enlightning one.
Durbar Square
The UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) has designated almost 51 World heritage sites in South Asia and Bhakthpur is one of them.
We then reached Nagarkot by evening. It is one of the most scenic spots in Nepal, renowned for its spectacular sunrise and sunset in the backdrop of Great Himalyas.
The sunrise and sunset is best viewed by multiple viewpoints at various hilltops offering panoramic views of the surrounding Himalyas on one side and Kathmandu valley on other.
We saw a spectacular sunrise from our hotel room facing valley. It was so serene and peaceful experience that I will always remember it.
Spectacular sunrise at Nagarkot
Setting sun
By noon we left Nagarkot and reached Kathmandu Valley for our day’s sight seeing.
We headed for Lord Pashupatinath Temple and by the Grace of Lord Shiva , we attended Jal Abhishek ( Puja form ). It was blissful experience and we all felt Blessed. We then went to Boudhanath, which is an ancient religious complex in Kathmandu valley. It is a most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site and Tibetan Buddhism . We proceded to another another religious site and UNESCO world heritage site – Swayambhunath , which is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in Kathmandu valley. Also known as “Monkey temple” , it has a stupa having Buddha eyes and eyebrows painted on , between them the number one (in devanagari script) is painted in a fashion of nose.
We then reached airport in the evening and took flight back home , refreshed from a memorable trip with shades of adventure,religious,historical and natural tourism.
Stupa at Swayambhunath Temple
I plan to return again in near future and cover rest of Nepal including Chitwan National Park.Would spend some more time in Nagarkot.
Nidhi KM
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