Most underrated travel destinations in Nepal Part 2 Aasma Aryal
The Phulchowki Hill Station
Phulchowki is located to the south of the capital and is considered to be the highest hill station. Phulchowki is not only of the best places to visit in Nepal but it is also easily accessible viewpoints. This station can be best for bird-watching. Many hikers are involved in climbing the Phulchowki hill and it is considered one of the naturally rich hikes around the Kathmandu Valley. You can also pass by Nepal’s National Botanical Garden at Godavari along the way to the hill station.
You get breathtaking scenic views of the Kathmandu Valley. You can view the Annapurna range and Mount Gaurishankar to the east from the station as well. It is a trip to remember and you can reach there only within a few hours from the city.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is located in Kavrepalanchowk district of Nepal and it is 30km away from Kathmandu valley. It serves to be home to people of various ethnic groups like Newars, Chettri, Tamang, and Dalit.
Dhulikhel has attractions that are rich in culture, has many historical elements and has magnificent views of the Himalayas. It is an important tourist destination and hiking is also quite popular. You can catch a glimpse of mountains like Mount Annapurna, Mt. Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Gaurishanker etc.
Dhulikhel is home to 72 species of birds and provides an opportunity to catch sight of our favorite bird.
The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the only hunting reserve in Nepal. If you are up for a hunting game, this reserve is the place for you. This can be the best place to find the Blue Sheep. It consists of a landscape with grassy forests and the higher-elevations of the reserve can be covered in snow all year round.
Rara Lake
This is the biggest lake situated within the borders of Nepal, which lies at an altitude of 2,990 m above sea level and covers an area of 10.8 square kilometers is. Rara National Park surrounds the lake on all sides. This park was established in order preserve the beauty of the lake. The park is also used for the protection of unique flora along with the rare and vulnerable species found around the lake. The trek to Rara has been a popular destination for many trekkers. Rara Lake which was aesthetically described by GORP founder Bill Greer as, ‘’a shimmering blue jewel set in a ring of snowy peaks.’’
Janakpur, The Birth place of Sita
Janakpur is the most popular destinations of Nepal if you want to visit a religious place with great cultural importance. As Janakpur is the birthplace of Lady Sita, it is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus all over the world. Janakpur is also famous for architecturally magnificent ‘Janaki Mandir.’
Panch Pokhari
Panch Pokhari is Nepali for ‘five lakes.’ It lies at the base of Jungal Himal and is considered to have a lot of religious significance. If you want to reach Panch Pokhari, you can to trek for about 12 days. The trek to these five holy lakes is through the pathway of the untouched traditional villages with the presence of spectacular Himalayan landscapes. The trek can offer perfect mountain views with authentic adventure along the way. The lakes are said to be sacred to both Buddhist and Hindu people.
The Gorakhnath Cave in Gorkha
The Gorakhnath Cave is said to be the home of the Gorakhnath Baba. This baba is a sage and who according to legends made a prediction of King Prithvi Narayan Shah unifying Nepal. There is also a belief that Gorkha got its name from this particular holy sage. This site is an important site for the Hindus all around the world. The followers of Hindu religion from different parts of Nepal and from different parts of the world come to visit Gorakhnath. The exact location of thia cave is situated ten meters below the southern side of the Royal Palace of Gorkha.