Nepal’s famous natural destinations to visit

Being a highly diverse country, Nepal is rich in natural beauty and natural destinations.  Blessed with innumerable gifts of nature, the country is full of wonders serenely complimenting the state of solitude. There are no words to truly describe Nepal’s natural wonders and the grandeur of the snowy Himalayan peaks. The slow Himalayan glaciers, the pristine lakes and waterfalls and the verdant forests that cover the land like an emerald carpet, Nepal’s natural wonders offer a heaven-like pulchritude found nowhere else on Earth. In this article, we are going to be discussing some of Nepal’s famous natural destinations to visit.

Mount Everest

The world’s highest peak, Mount Everest reaches an astounding altitude of 8,848 meters. Lying in the Khumbu region of Nepal, the trail leading up to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most beautiful trekking trails on the planet. Ornamented with the beautiful encompassment of the Khumbu Glacier and Icefall, Mount Everest has a quintessence that demands to be respected. The Sherpa people call it “The Chongmolungma” and its Nepali translation is “The goddess mother of the sky”- Sagarmatha. Because of its massive trekking and hiking appeal, it attracts thousand and thousands of tourists every year. A part of the Mahalangur Range, Mount Everest’s massif includes peaks like Lhotse (8,516m), Nuptse (7,855m) and Changtse (7,580m). Mount Everest is one of the most profound natural wonders of the world and trekking to Everest Base Camp presents a sense of accomplishment that isn’t provided by anything else. Mount Everest definitely takes the cake for one of the best natural wonders on the planet.

Gokyo Lakes

The sapphire oligotrophic lakes in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park are located at an altitude of 4,700-5,000 meters. These natural wonders of lakes are the world’s highest freshwater lake system comprising of six main lakes, of which Lake Thonak is the largest. The lakes also hold a religious significance among Hindu and Buddhist people. Many Hindu pilgrims take a holy bath in the lakes during the Janai Purnima festival which usually occurs in the month of August. The site is worshipped as the residing place of the Snake God. The temple of the Hindu deities Lord Vishnu and Shiva is also situated at the western corner of the lake. The landscape of the lakes are exuberant and sights of mountain peaks like Everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Cho Oyu can be seen from its vicinity. Gokyo Lakes are cerulean and present an astounding natural beauty amidst the Himalayan terrain.

Machhapuchhre

Machhapuchhre is a mountain in the Annapurna Himalayas in the north central part of Nepal. Sacred to the Hindu God Shiva, it is off limits for climbing. Located at the end of a long spur ridge south of the main backbone of the Annapurna Himalayas, Machhapuchhre forms the eastern boundary of the Annapurna sanctuary. 25 km north of Pokhara, the mountain is 6,993 meters in altitude. The name Machhapuchhre translates to “Fish tail” in Nepali. One of the most winsome natural wonders, Machhapuchhre tends to change its tincture from ivory to a cascade of molten gold and burning amber as the Sun’s rays travels down its length during various times of the day, especially during dawn and dusk.


The Kali Gandaki Gorge

Kali Gandaki is the deepest gorge in the world being 5,571 meters lower than the peak of Annapurna I. Pertaining to the Gandaki River in the Himalayas; the gorge separates major peaks of Dhaulagiri (8167m) to the west and Annapurna (8091m) to the east. A popular part of the trekking route from Pokhara to Muktinath, the kali Gandaki Gorge can be visited in the Annapurna Circuit. It also is a part of the Annapurna Conservation Area as well.

Langtang Valley

A region in the Himalayas of Nepal, Langtang lies north of Kathmandu valley and borders Tibet. The Langtang National Park is also located in the area with a majority of Tamang residents occupying the settlements. Langtang Trek has the encompassment of the beautiful Gosainkunda Lakes and the holy Kyanjin Gompa. Known as the Valley of the Glaciers, Langtang Valley is brimming with natural beauties, making it one of the most preferred destinations for trekking.

Mount Kanchenjunga

Kanchenjunga is the third highest peaks in the world with its elevation of 8,586 meters. Lying partly in Nepal and partly in Sikkim- India, Kanchenjunga Himal is also called the five Treasures of the Snow after its five main peaks and has been worshipped by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim. The peaks represent five repositories of God- Gold, Silver, Gems, Gain and Holy Books. The Kanchenjunga region also has the incorporation of the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, home to animals like the Red Panda and Snow Leopards.

Manaslu Mountain

Mount Manaslu is the eight highest mountain in the world, located in the Masiri Himal range. It is the highest mountain in the Lamjung district, reaching an altitude of 8,156 meters. The mountain’s long ridges and valley glaciers offer a winsome sight of the surrounding celestial terrain. The word Manaslu is a derivative form of the word “Manasa” which means “the Mountain of Spirits”. The Nepalese government only permitted trekking to Manaslu in 1991. The trail follows an ancient salt-trading route that goes along the Burhi Gandak River.

Upper Mustang

Mustang is the former kingdom of lo. Remote and isolated, Mustang has one of the most district terrain that is vastly different from any other trekking destination in the country. The area of Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarized area until 1992, which makes it one of the most preserved regions in the world. With the perseverance of ancient Tibetan culture and language, Upper Mustang is one of the most authentic regions for undiluted Tibetan tradition.
There are many more destination in Nepal that are brimming with natural, cultural and traditional variance. In this country of temples and deities, there are no shortages of fascinating destinations for trekking, sightseeing or even adventure activity. With a gorgeous Himalayan tapestry to the north, Nepal is a heaven-like destination that should definitely be on your list of places to visit for a wonderful vacation. Adorned with many places of worship, the opulent Gumbas, temples monasteries and chortens also add a spiritual ambiance to the places. With heterogeneity in natural topography, differences in rituals and practices and a kaleidoscope of vegetation and foliage along with unique flora and fauna, visiting Nepal once is not enough!

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Hope to see you at Nepal Next Time.