Are you willing to capture the beautiful moments of your traveling experiences in the Himalayas? Do you want to rejoice with nature and culture at a time in the company of friendly people of Nepal and pristine mountain landscapes? The passionate longing is over now! Give a break to yourself and escape in the remote Himalayas to explore nature’s treasure. The holiday paradise is waiting and your job is just to explore the top 7 hill stations in Nepal. The top 7 hill stations in Nepal are culturally diverse, and naturally attractive.
Illam
Ilam, the hilly region in the eastern region of Nepal, is a small hill town with pristine landscapes of slopes tea gardens, mountain streams, dense natural forests, holy sites and a unique culture. The hill station is also one of the richest districts in Nepal in terms of its cultural diversity, natural landscape, and flourishing cash crops. Likewise, the naturally rich hill station is popular for botanical and anthropological research among visitors in the region. While visiting Ilam, you will be at the proximity of Kanchenjunga Circuit Trekking and beyond using Ilam as a base you can take excursions for a day or more. Ilam has many spectacular places to visit. Among them, Mai Pokhari (2,121m), one and half hour drive from Ilam Bazaar, is a pristine little lake surrounded by a variety of flora and fauna. Mai Pokhari is a religious and historical spot in Ilam. The lake is considered the sacred abode of Goddess Bhagawati. Different species of medicinal plants, herds and orchids are found in the Mai Pokhari area. Rare animals like the musk deer, leopard, porcupine, jackal as well as numerous migratory birds and rare insects are also found in the area. In the same way, Kanyam, on the way to Ilam Bazaar, has large tea estate that has made Ilam famous for more than a hundred years. Kanyam tea gardens is popular among tourists for picnicking, sightseeing, and photography. If you really want to explore Ilam, then embark on Kathmandu Valley & Tea Garden Tour that promises your acquaintances with the culture of Kathmandu and beauty of Ilam.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot (2195m), another top hill station located 32 km east of Kathmandu, is one of the most scenic spots in Nepal. The spot is renowned for its spectacular sunrise view of the Himalaya. While enjoying Kathmandu Tour, you can easily cover Nagarkot. Visitors often travel to Nagarkot from Kathmandu to spend the night so that they can be there for the breathtaking sunrise. Nagarkot has acquired fame as one of the best spots to view Mount Everest as well as other snow topped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. It also offers a panoramic view of Kathmandu Valley as well as an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. Besides, short treks from Nagarkot are unique and delightful. For anyone who wants to have an adventure without exerting much effort, a hike to Nagarkot surrounding areas would be a good option. One can traverse short distances on trekking trails and come close to nature’s wonders.
Dharan
Dharan (349m), the popular hill station of the eastern part of Nepal, is a gateway to Makalu Base Camp Trek and the eastern hilly districts such as Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Terathum. The geographical location, climate, religious shrines, and places of religious and historical values make Dharan an important destination for national and international visitors. The hill station embraces cleanliness, openness, and friendly hill people. Dharan is basically reputed for having over 25 Temples and holy sites like Pindeshwar temple, Dantakali temple, Pancha Kanyan temple, Buddha Subba temple etc., making it an important pilgrimage destination. Besides, the spot is the gateway to beautiful tourist attractions of the eastern hills of Nepal: Dhankutta, Taplejung, Kumbhakarna Himal, Kanchenjunga, Makalu-Varun National Park, Arun Valley, Tinjure-Milke, Hyatrung Fall, and Sabha Pokhari. Other interesting point in Dharan is the Bhedetar which is located 9 km away where the British Prince Charles had climbed. There is even a Charles Tower on the peak, from where you can see a panoramic view of the fort, hills, waterfalls, forests, and high Himalayan range. Beyond Bhedetar, you can further travel to Dhankuta, Raja Rani Hill, Hile Bazaar, and Basantapur. Basantapur, another hill top station located about 90 km from Dharan, is the starting point for trekking to Kanchanjunga Base Camp.
Daman
Daman (2,400m) is such a hill top station from where travelers can have a view of the breathtaking grandeur of the world’s highest peaks from the far west of Dhaulagiri to the east of Mount Everest. It is eighty kilometers south-west of Kathmandu on the mountain highway known as Tribhuvan Highway and has a view tower fitted with a long range telescope. The view tower at Daman offers the views of an amazingly large section of the Himalayan range stretching from Mt. Everst in the East to Mt. Dhaulagiri in the West. Enjoy hiking around the villages that offers an opportunity to connect with the local life. To capture beauty of Daman, it is better for you to make a Nepal Sunrise Tour.
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel (1550m), situated 32 km east of Kathmandu on the way towards Tibet, is popular for its natural beauty and ancient traditions. There are some beautiful old buildings in this town which has culture with its old Newari heritage. The hill top station is ideal for spectacular snow-capped peaks, sunrise and sunset views. There are some good day walks in this area. If you have completed your Extended Kathmandu Valley Tour then just make a little effort to cover this popular scenic landmark of Nepal. From the main town, a short visit to Namobuddha, with the stupa and Buddhist Monastery, will be rewarding. Panauti, a village noted for its numerous temples with magnificent woodcarving, is a short distance from Dhulikhel. Furthermore, Dhulikhel has several ancient temples dedicated to Sweta Bhairav, Hari Siddhi, Shiva, and Narayana, each with an interesting story related to how they came into being.
Bandipur
Bandipur, midway on the Prithivi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, is a picturesque Newari town that still retains much of its centuries-old appeal. Bandipur presents sightseers with a heady mix of history, architecture, incredible views, awesome caves and unspoiled landscapes. Located at an altitude of 1,030 m, it has been described as a natural view tower, providing a spectacular panorama of the entire Annapurna Range plus the peaks of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Langtang to the Marsyangdi valley. Apart from the stunning views of the Himalaya and the Marsyangdi Valley, a visit to the hill station is an opportunity to get a close look at Newari cultural that reflects the refined civilization of the Kathmandu Valley. Bandipur is also a great place for adventure sports like paragliding, caving, rock climbing, rafting and hiking. If your eyes are hungry for nature’s company, especially the panoramic views of the Annapurnas and the living museum of Newari culture then just walk for Nepal Holiday Tour and throb with pulsating beauty of Bandipur.
Gorkha
Gorkha, a scenic hill town with great historical significance situated on a small hillock at an attitude of about 1000 m, offers a panoramic view of snow-capped mountains. Beyond the mountain views, Gorkha Durbar primarily attracts the visitors. The historical palace is situated on the top of the fortified hill above the township. On the west side of palace is the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali. There is also a famous cave sheltering the statue of Gorakhnath Baba. From the top of the hill above Gorkha palace and from a saddle east of the bazaar, the view of Manaslu and Himalchuli is spectacular. Gorakhnath Cave and Manakamana Temple are other religious landmarks of Gorkha. Besides, while being at the yard of Around Manaslu Trek you can also make various short trek from Gorkha. One can also walk a long day’s walk to Besishahar, which is the usual starting point for Annapurna and Manang treks.
