VACATION DETAILS

The first national park in Nepal, this world heritage property is a protected area that aims to preserve its wildlife and jungle. Chitwan means "Heart of the Jungle" that is a rich natural area in Terai in the subtropical southern part of Nepal. In total it holds 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish. 

Most tourists stay in Pokhara or environs for a day or two to relax along the lake, but the main reason to go there is that, at 90 mi/145 km northwest of Kathmandu, it's the starting point for treks into the Himalaya—you can see the Annapurna range from town on a clear day.

There's not much in Pokhara itself. The resort area on Lake Phewa has better accommodations generally, although Pokhara has had a building boom, so visitors now have a wider selection of accommodations from which to choose. You can rent a rowboat and paddle out to a temple, located on one of the lake's islands (birds are sometimes sacrificed before the altar there).

Spelunkers might also enjoy an excursion to nearby Mahendra Cave, once believed to house Nidhini, a female demon who devours people and cattle. The white stupa on the hilltop across the lake is the new Peace Pagoda, worth the climb for superb views of Pokhara and the mountains.

If you're not planning a full trek, a day trek can be made to Sarangkot, a small village about a two-hour walk into the mountains. The mountain panorama you get from Sarangkot is far superior to what you can see in town, and in the other direction there's a fine view of the Lake Phewa resort area. The village has comfortable lodges but can suffer from a shortage of water at times. The night view of Lake Phewa is impressive, and sunrise showers the snowcapped mountains with exquisite color.

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is located at an elevation of 4,600 feet in Kathmandu Valley. Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims from all over the world visit the religious sites of Kathmandu, making tourism is a primary industry. Kathmandu is a city rich is culture and history dating back nearly 2000 years, and Kathmandu Valley has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its 7 groups of monuments and buildings with outstanding universal value.