Longer Excursions
To the east, one can visit Dolakha and Charikot
in a few days time. A historic Newar trading town, Dolakha boasts the
impressive Bhimsenthan and Devikot temples. Its charming alleyways stretch
out on a hilly spur, granting wide views of lush green valleys on all
sides. Charikot, the Dolakha district headquarters, offers fantastic
views of the double-peaked Gauri Shankar massif, as well as the lesser-known
stretch of central-eastern mountains surrounding it. From here, day
hikes can be made to Kalingcok, a sacred peak at 3690 meters that offers
magnificent Himalayan views and hosts thousands of local pilgrims every
year.
Trishuli is a small town on the beautiful
banks of the Trishuli River, 75 kilometers north of Kathmandu on the
way to the Langtang National Park. The ride to Trishuli takes you through
many different eco-systems, as well as ethnic areas. The Western Himalaya
hover above in all their glory while you stop at local tea-shops to
chat with villagers and soak in the warm mountain sun.
Daman was one of the first hill towns to be developed
as a mountain-viewing resort, and it maintains its splendor to this
day. 80 kilometers north of Kathmandu, there is no better place to view
the peaks as they extend in a snowy arc from Dhaulagiri in the west
to Everest in the east.
A trip to Kodari takes you up to the Sino-Nepali
border, and cruises through diverse eco-systems including the Bhote
Koshi river valley and scenic hillside villages. You can stop at a hot
springs along the way, or visit villages just off the road. If you don’t
have time to visit Tibet itself, reaching the border lets you see the
mountains on the other side!
Manakamana is one of the more important Hindu pilgrimage
sites in the country, and recently the first high-tech cable car in
Nepal has been built to access it. This makes the trip possible in one
day, and floating over the hilltops in your cable car is a unique experience
unavailable anywhere else in the country. |
