Tansen
If visitors are wondering which place in this kingdom would give them a taste of everything, we suggest that they give Tansen a try. Tansen is a small town of approximately twenty thousand people. It is on the way from Pokhara to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and it is not too far from the Royal Chitwan National Park. Located 4,300 meters above sea level, on the south flank of Srinagar Hill, the greatest attractions of this town are its ancient culture, friendly people, excellent mountain views, and, above all, its serene atmosphere. The weather remains moderate throughout the year, and it is a pleasant place to visit in any season.

The town's mostly Newar and Magar inhabitants have long been known as staunch warriors. The kings of Tansen wielded great power over western Nepal in the fifteenth century. Palpa, their kingdom was the last to be defeated by the conquering Gurkhas who unified today's Nepal. These people became even more famous in the Anglo Nepal war of the early 1800s. Col. Ujir Singh Thapa who commanded the army in the region was in an extremely trying situation at the time. His men were outnumbered four to one by the English forces. He desperately asked for divine help before going into battle, promising a temple in the name of the mother Bhagwati (who is ferocious and loves blood sacrifices) if she would help him. He won. In 1815, he kept his word and built a temple to the goddess. However, fighting is not the only forte of Tansen residents.

Janakpur
Janakpur is the capital of the ancient state of Mithila and the Janaki Temple, located in the center of the city, is well known in the Hindu Kingdom. Sita the wife of the legendary hero Ram was born in Janakpur. Throughout the year, many pilgrims come to pay their respects to Ram and Sita who are the main religious attractions in Janakpur. The city is thronged by worshippers and visitors alike especially during the festival of Bibah Panchami. This annual festival is celebrated on the occasion of Ram and Sita's marriage and their wedding ceremony is enacted throughout the week. During this period, the city is enlivened by the wedding festivities.

Ram and Sita (Janaki) are the two central characters of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. In the story, Ram strings a bow that originally belonged to Lord Shiva the Destroyer and in the process, the bow breaks into three pieces. One piece flies up to heaven. Another falls down into the depths of the underworld. Today, there is a huge pond called Dhanush Sagar above the very spot. The third piece flies to present day Dhanushadham, about 40 kilometers from Janakpur. There, visitors will see huge rocks shaped liked a bow. Thus, after Ram's successful attempt to string the bow, Janaki's father, King Janak gives his daughter's hand in marriage to the brave prince of Ayodhya

Ilam
Ilam is the far eastern district of the country, inhabited by people of different colors living in peace and harmony. Neighboring the famous Indian hill town of Darjeeling, it is situated on the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga, The third highest peak in the world. Ilam is adorned with an almost limitless range of lush-green tea gardens. The rolling hills covered with tea leaves are simply majestic. The thick white fogs alternatively descend to veil the gardens and then suddenly vanish. Greenery prevails all over the hills of Ilam all around the year. Ilam Tea Garden located near Ilam Bazaar and Kanyam Tea Garden located halfway between Terai plain and Ilam Bazaar are the major gardens of Nepal. Ilam is linked by a fine metalled road with the East-West Highway of Nepal. Pashupatinagar, situated at northern boarder of Ilam, is an important entry point for travelers from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Mirik. Darjeeling, a famous hill station of India, is just two hours drive from Pashupatinagar. There are regular bus services to Pashupatinagar and Ilam from Kathmandu and Biratnagar.

Dharan
Dharan lies right at the foot of hills, but the transformation when coming from Terai is dramatic. It is a hill town with hill people. Dharan is also the gateway to such towns in eastern hills as Dhankuta which are being developed as regional center for the whole area. Until 1989 there used to be a British Gurkha Camp in Dharan which was used to recruit Gurkha soldiers from the eastern hills. Rais and Limbus from eastern Nepal used to constitute the major portion of Gurkha soldiers. Dharan is now a bustling bazaar town that has grown rapidly. Temples of Dhantakali, Buda Subba and Singha Bahini in Dharan are unique and famous, This hill town is linked by a metalled road with the East-West Highway of Nepal. It takes two hours in bus to reach to Dharan from Biratnagar.

Dhankuta
Although Dhankuta is only 75km by excellent road from the Terai, it seems more like a million miles. This hill town is being developed as a regional center of Eastern Nepal. It is quite a large town with good views, mild climate and plenty of interesting walks in the surrounding areas. The town owes prosperity to the fact that it was a major recruiting center for Gurkha regiments of the British Army. Quite a bit of British aid money has been spent in the viciuity.

Hile
It is situated about 13 km north of Dhankuta Bazaar. The panorama of the major peaks of eastern Himalaya including Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest), Makalu, Lhotse and Kumbhakarna can be enjoyed from Hile.

Charikot/Jiri
About 133 kilometers from Kathmandu, Charikot provides a spectacular mountain view of Gaurishankar. In the eastern upper part of Dolkha township there is a famous roofless temple of Dolkha Bhimsen. The highway to Jiri is famous for the environment friendly approach adopted during its design, construction and maintenance. Jirels, one of the unique ethnic groups of Nepal reside here. The Swiss government has spent quite a bit of money for the development of this area. Jiri, in fact, is one of the major starting points for mountain trek to Mount Everest region.

Namche Bazaar
The name of Namche bazaar is generally associated with that of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. It is the entrance to the Everest, region. Situated on the lap of Khumbu Himal range at an altitude of 3440 meters, Namche Bazaar is about 241 km. from Kathmandu and the distance is generally covered within 15 days by trekking. One can also fly from Kathmandu to Lukla and Syangboche in the Everest region. This place is the home of legendary Sherpas. Namche Bazar can be used as the starting point for trekking to Thyangboche, Debuche, Periche, Pangboche, Lobuche and Gorakhshep which are famous destinations in the Everest region. Besides, Namche is the gateway to the Sagarmatha National Park. Accommodations are available in all the trekking destinations mentioned above.

Humla/Jumla
Jumla, on the banks of the Tila River at 2370 meters, is one of the highest rice growing areas in the world. The entire Tila valley is covered with paddy fields growing a unique red rice that is more tasty than white rice, but is scorned by most local People. The people in this region speak their own version of Nepali. The people throughout the region are Thakuris, and also Chhetris who have the highest social, political and ritual status.

Dolpa
Dolpo is the most remote and least developed district in Nepal. Although a few anthropologists and geographers had explored the region, the entire district was closed to trekkers until 1989 when the southern part of Dolpo was opened to organized trekking groups. Peter Matthieseu's "The Snow Leopard" and Snellgrove's "Himalayan Pilgrimage" have contributed to the mystique and attraction of Dolpo.

Mustang
Jomsom is the district head quarters for the Mustang region of Nepal. To many people, however, Mustang implies the area of Nepal that extends like a thumb into Tibet. This is the region described in Michel Piessel's book Mustang, and includes the walled capital city of Mustang, to Manang.

Muktinath/Jomsom
The famous temple of Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated 48 km north east of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3749 meters. The temple is situated on a high mountain range and is visited during fair weather. During the festival of Janai Purnima, Hindu devotees gather here to pay homage to lord Muktinath. The visitors get lodging facilities at Dharmasala and Maharani Pouwa. Another famous temple of Jwaladevi, the goddess of flame, is situated about hundred meters south of Muktinath. There are two ways to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Either take a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and like for a couple of hours via Kagbeni or trek all the way from Pokhara which takes about 7 days. There is also an air service from Pokhara to Jomsom

Manang
Situated at the lap of gigantic Himalayas, Manang is a unique village with a compact collection of 500 flat-roofed houses separated by narrow alley ways. To reach a doorway you must ascend a steep log notched with steps. The setting of the village is most dramatic, with the summits of Annapurna and Gangapurna less than 8 km away, and a huge ice fall rumbling and crashing on the flanks of the peaks. A 6 day trekking from Besi Sahar of Lamjung District will take you to the Manang village. There are regular bus services to Besi Sahar from Kathmandu.

Baglung
Located in the middle hills on the west of Pokhara, Baglung is the headquarters of Dhaulagiri Zone. It is situated on a terrace overlooking the Kali Gandaki river which is famous for deep gorges and notorious bends. It is the trading town of quaint streets and traditional buildings where merchants from the Terai plains in the south and the hills in the north come together to barter. Inhabited by different ethnic groups, Baglung offers the most scenic view of Mount Dhaulagiri towards its north. It has recently been connected to Pokhara by a 72 km black-topped highway. On the way to Baglung, you can enjoy the picturesque view of the incredibly long range of Annapurna Himal towards north.Baglung is also a good starting point for Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve where controlled hunting of some species is allowed. The reserve is famous for the blue sheep. The trek from Baglung Bazaar to Dhorpatan takes about four days. Daily bus services are available to Baglung from Pokhara and Kathmandu. It is 3 hours by bus from Pokhara. There are a few standard lodges at Baglung Bazaar

Devghat
Devghat is a popular pilgrimage spot situated at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trisuli rivers. It lies just north of the jungle safari destination of Royal Chitwan National Park. During the Makar Sankranti festival in January, Hindu devotees gather here to take holy dips in the river. There are a number of sacred and historical sites around Devghat which provide interesting side trips: the Triveni temple and Balmiki Ashram where the great sage Balmiki had his retreat, the Someswar Kalika temple and fort, Pandavanagar where the protagonists of the Mahabharat once lived and the Kabilaspur fort built by the old kings of Palpa.

Nuwakot
The old fortress town of Nuwakot used to be an important strategic outpost. It controlled the ancient trade routes to Tibet and the kings of medieval Nepal maintained large garrisons here. Nuwakot possesses a number of artistic buildings on the hill top which recall the traditional architecture of the Kathmandu valley. It offers terrific views of the mountains and the surrounding rural villages . The palace of Nuwakot was once the palace of the great King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who conquered Nuwakot before conquering the Kathmandu valley. There are regular bus services to Trishuli from Kathmandu. The hill top of Nuwakot can be reached by Jeep from Trishuli in half an hour. A short trek of about one hour will also take you to the hill top.

Panchmul Sirubari
Panchamul Sirubari is the first model village designed to experience village life tourism of Nepal. It is a nature gifted place and is one of the most culturally rich Gurung villages. Panchamul Sirubari is a unique example of eco cultural tourism in Nepal and is a new tourism product originated by local people.

Helambu
Helambu, situated about 72 kilometers north- east of Kathmandu, is famous for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate. There are many Buddhist monasteries amidst a rich and enchanting landscape. Sundarijal is the starting point for three days trekking to Helambu. Sundarijal is just 11 kilometers away from Kathmandu linked by a metalled road.

Gosaikunda
One of Nepal's most famous religious places of pilgrimage is Gosainkunda lake situated at an altitude of about 4360 m. Surrounded by high mountains on the north and east, this lake is grand and picturesque. There are other nine famous lakes such as Saraswati, Bhairav, Sourya and Ganesh Kunda. Every year during Janai Purnima in August, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come here to lake holy bathe in the lake. The large rock in the center of the lake is said to be the remains of a Shiva shrine and it is also claimed that channel carries water from the lake directly to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan, 60 km to the south. The best approach to Gosainkunda is through Dhunche,132 kilometers north-east of Kathmandu. Dhunche is linked with Kathmandu by a motorable road. The trekking to Gosainkunda from Dhunche takes two days

Birgunj
Birganj is the busy border town which serves as the main entry point to Nepal for travelers from India. It is a rapidly growing industrial town connected to Bihar's Raxaul. If you are traveling from Calcutta and Patna to Kathmandu, you have to pass through Birganj. For almost all the travelers, however, it is just a stopping point for over night on the way to Kathmandu or Royal Chitwan National Park. Birganj is facilitated with a number of lodges for average to luxurious accommodations. There are plenty of bus services starting from Birganj and reaching to Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara, Gorkha, Nepalganj, Janakpur, Biratnagar, Kakadbhitta, Dharan, Pashupatinagar and many other motorable destinations.

Kodari
Kodari lies on the Nepal-China border. Besides being a place of stunning natural beauty, it has an exotic history going back to ancient times as the starting point of the trans- Himalayan caravan route, the Nepalese equivalent of silk road. Merchants bound for Lhasa would head north from Kodari and cross the Kuti pass before turning east to begin the perilous journey over the Tibetan plateau. This border village is still an important trading center between Tibet and Nepal. The 144 km Arniko Highway connecting Kathmandu with Kodari passes through magnificent river gorges and splendid mountain scenery. Three kilometers short of Kodari is the famous hot water spring called Tatopani, meaning hot water. People come here from all over Nepal to bathe in the hot water for its therapeutic value.