Central nepal

This region incorporates the city of Kathmandu. Kathmandu, and the beautiful Kathmandu Valley are among Nepal's most popular tourist destinations, with many tours and trekking routes into the surrounding area starting from the city. To the south of the city you will find Bhaktapur, one of the World Heritage Sites.

Further to the south you can visit Chitwan National Park where you can see tigers, elephants, monkeys, rhinos, bears, deer, crocodiles, leopards, river dolphins and a staggering 867 species of birds. It is the most popular wildlife park and therefore a bit crowded and commercialised. If you want a quieter adventure further from the crowds then we recommend checking the other national parks out in Nepal. Two whole days in the park is really the minimum for wildlife spotting. You can either stay in one of the luxurious lodges or in Sauraha located on the northern banks of the Rapti River.

Another famous place is the World Heritage–listed Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. It is no great surprise to learn that Lumbini is of huge religious significance and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.