Best Natural Places To Visit Near Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is a lovely place with a lot of cultural heritages which are worth seeing. The Kathmandu Valley has beautiful natural surroundings which are perfect for a vacation. These locations in the Kathmandu Valley give tourists a unique experience by combining culture and views. These are some of the best places you would like to visit to see and relax in the Natural Places To Visit Near Kathmandu.

Natural Places To Visit Near Kathmandu

Bethanchowk Narayanthan

Narayanthan is a well-known place to visit in the Nuwakot district of Nepal. People love it for the amazing views of the Himalayan mountains, including Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu. There are also many old temples and monasteries to see. You can go hiking and trekking there, which lets you enjoy the beautiful Nepalese countryside and see incredible mountain views.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a nice spot in the hills near Kathmandu. People enjoy it because they can see the beautiful sunrise and sunset over the mountains. You can see big mountain peaks like Mount Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, and Ganesh Himal. Tourists also come to Nagarkot due to the good weather that makes it perfect place for relaxation. People do many things like trekking, riding bikes, or enjoying the calm feeling there.

Chandragiri Hills

Chandragiri Hills is a famous place near Kathmandu in Nepal. You can see a big view of the Kathmandu Valley from here and also the Himalayan mountains like Langtang, Mount Everest and Annapurna. You can go to the top of the hill on a cable car. There is a temple of Bhaleshwor Mahadev at the top of the hill. People like to go there to enjoy the beautiful view and relax from the busy life. It is a nice place to go hiking, plan a picnic, or simply relax and enjoy the natural beauty. Many people from Nepal and other countries go to Chandragiri Hills to see the beautiful hills and stay away from the hustle and noise of life in cities.

Lakuri Bhanjyang

Lakuri Bhanjyang is an important hill station near Kathmandu Valley. You will be able to see a beautiful view of the snowy hills and all of the Kathmandu Valley, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur area. Visitors can view the sunrise, visit Nepali villages, learn about their culture, and taste the local food. The area is a day hiking destination accessible through Ringroad Gwarko, Sanga in Bhaktapur, and the Godavari. Buses can be taken at either Lagankhel or Purano bus stand. Lakuri Bhanjyang is a popular place for nature lover, travelers, and people who want to relax and enjoy its views. The travelers can also go hiking, paragliding, or riding motorcycles.

Shivapuri

Shivapuri is located on the northern part of the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. It is a beautifully natural area with heights ranging from 960 meters to 2732 meters. The park covers various parts of Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, and Dhading districts giving wide views of the surrounding landscape. The Nagi Gumba monastery in Shivapuri is an important place for both the visitors. It also features typical vegetation such as middle hill forests, Himalayan tropical moist forests, pine forests, alder groves and wild Himalayan cherry, walnut and ring-cupped oak.

The park is also home to various wildlife like the Indian leopard, palm civet, golden jackal, Himalayan black bear, yellow-throated marten, small Indian mongoose, Himalayan goat, wild boar, primate monkey, Hanuman langur, Chinese pangolin, Indian crested porcupine, Royle’s pika, Indian hare, orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel, fawn-colored mouse, Hodgson’s brown-toothed shrew, and black rat.

Phulchowki

Phulchoki is the highest hill in Nepal. It is known for its beauty, rich forests and various flora and fauna. With a height of 2,782 meters, it gives beautiful views of the Himalayan range, Kathmandu Valley, and surrounding hills. It is a home to over 570 species of flowering plants and wildlife, that makes it an attractive place for bird watchers. The mountain is filled with wild roses, yellow jasmine, and 300 other species of flowering plants. The hike takes a few hours, which makes it suitable for those with time limitations. You must carry water as the hike can take 3-4 hours. The forest is thick and wild animals like black bears and leopards live in the area.

Kakani

Kakani is a beautiful village in the northwest part of Kathmandu in Nepal. It is known for its Japanese trout fish and strawberry and radish farms. The village sits on the top at a height of 2,073 meters, giving nice view of the Himalayan skyline. Visitors can enjoy fresh trout cooked in local farms and enjoy it in curry sauce or on the BBQ. Kakani also gives a peaceful escape from Kathmandu, giving a slower pace of life and beautiful views. Visitors can hike through Shivapuri National Park or birdwatch in the nearby bird watching area. Kakani also has two memorial parks. They are one dedicated to a 1992 Thai Airways plane crash and another for mountaineers, giving a great spot to watch the sunset.

Sundarijal

Sundarijal is a village located in the northern part of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. It is known for its beautiful Bagmati River and Hindu goddess Sundarimai temple. The village was home to Nepal’s second oldest hydropower station, Sundarijal Hydropower Station, commissioned in 1934. Sundarijal is located 15 km northeast of Kathmandu and is covered by Shivapuri National Park. The village covers 5.18 square kilometers and is a popular tourist attraction, giving hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, temples and picturesque Himalayan views.

Champadevi

Champadevi is also known as Champa-wati. It is a hill in southeast of the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. It lies at an altitude of 2,278 meters. It’s home to an important Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Champa Devi, one of the manifestations of Goddess Parvati or Durga. The Champadevi path is a day hike suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers that takes you through traditional Nepali villages, lush green hills and dense forests. The most challenging section involves a steep climb of 1,969 feet to reach the top, where you can see the top of the nearby hill called Chandragiri.

Chisapani

Chisapani is a beautiful Nepali place. It is located at an altitude of 2160 meters, approximately 7087 feet. It is a 5 to 6-hour uphill hike from Kathmandu and can be reached by local bus from Ratnapark to Sundarijal. During the dry season, 4×4 pickup trucks and local jeeps can also be driven up to Chisapani. The village gives you a beautiful view of the Annapurna, Everest, and Manaslu-Ganesh Himal ranges. It is surrounded by snowy mountains and green hills. The Chisapani Trek is a shortest and popular route that allows travelers to explore Shivapuri National Park and Nagarkot over 2-3 days.

Balthali

Balthali is a beautiful village in Kavrepalanchowk District in Nepal. It gives beautiful views of lush green terrace fields and the Himalayan peaks of Manaslu, Langtang, and Everest. The area is covered with diverse flora, including colorful rhododendron forests, magnolia trees, and Sal trees. Balthali Village Resort is located on a hill. It gives warm hospitality, hygienic food and clean accommodation. Guests can enjoy nature walks, off-road jeep safaris, and yoga sessions. Balthali is a hidden gem with previous guests praising the hotel’s beautiful surroundings, friendly staff, fantastic food, and beautiful walks waiting to be explored.

Lapsiphedi

Lapsiphedi is a village located in the northern part of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. With a population of 5,040, it gives a peaceful escape from the city. The village is surrounded by lush green forests, giving beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains. Visitors can enjoy a Lapsiphedi Tour Package, where they can spend a night in the lap of nature. The Lapsi Tree has activities for both the environment and local people, such as learning traditional crafts and cultural celebrations. The Lapsiphedi Deurali Resort, located on a high ridge. It gives accommodation for guests.

Indrasarovar

Indrasarovar is a rural municipality in Nepal. It is home to the largest artificial lake in the country named Indra Sarobar. The 114-meter-tall dam which is also known as the Kulekhani dam creates a reservoir that stores 85,300,000 cubic meters of water. The water is sent to the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station through a 5.8-kilometer headrace tunnel, which contains two 30 MW Pelton turbine-generators and two 16 MW Francis turbine-generators. The altitude difference between the reservoir and power stations provides a net hydraulic head for electricity generation. Construction of the Kulekhani III Hydropower Station is ongoing.

Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel is a beautiful town in Kavrepalanchok District in Nepal. It is located in a height of 1550 meters above sea level. The town is mainly Newar with other ethnic groups like Brahmin, Chhettri, Tamang, and Dalit also lives in the outer areas. Dhulikhel provides amazing views of the Himalayan range, cultural and religious sites, natural beauty and rich historical Items. The town’s name is derived from the Nepali word “Dhali Khela”. It was once part of the territories of the Bhaktapur kingdom. Dhulikhel provides hiking, cultural exploration, and breathtaking views for travelers.

Pharping

Pharping is a small Newar town in the southern edge of the Kathmandu valley in Nepal. It is known for its Buddhist pilgrimage places such as the Phamting Vajrayogini Temple, Yanglesho Cave, Asura Cave, and Dakshinkali Temple. The Vajrayogini temple is dedicated to Vajrayogini. It is located between the Yanglesho caves and the town of Pharping.

The temple is believed to have been established by the Pamtingpa brothers who were disciples of the Buddhist mahasiddhas Naropa and Maitrepa. The Yanglesho cave is significant for practitioners, as it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava and his consort Princess Shakyadevi meditated in this cave. Nearby, there is a retreat monastery called Rigdzin Drubpe Gatsal Ling dedicated to meditation practices of the Longchen Nyingthig tradition.

The Asura Cave located near the Pema Ösel Ling Monastery is associated with Padmasambhava and is believed to have been a cave where Padmasambhava meditated. Pharping is also home to the oldest hydroelectric power station in Nepal which has been transformed into a living museum. The town has rich heritage, monasteries and peaceful surroundings that attract both pilgrims and tourists.

Simba falls

Simba Falls which is also known as Manikhel Jharna is a hidden paradise in Lalitpur in Nepal. It consists of five small waterfalls. The name “Simba” comes from the Tamang language. It tells about the coldness of the water. It is located around 45-50 kilometers away from Kathmandu city. The trek to Simba Falls is approximately an hour but it may become difficult in the rainy season due to the slippery conditions. A local bus from Ratnapark in Kathmandu to Chapagaun-Manikhel is available for transport. When traveling, it’s advisable to prepare for cold and damp weather, guard against monsoon leeches, carry cash, and possibly plan for overnight accommodations. The optimal time for a visit is between August and September.

Sisneri

Sisneri is a beautiful place located in the Makwanpur district of Nepal. It is also known as the Sisneri Natural Swimming Pool. It is located about 35 kilometers from Kathmandu. It’s famous for its clear blue-green water with fish and surrounded by big rocks. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing day in the lap of nature during the summer. The main swimming pool can get crowded but smaller pools are nearby. Small tea shops serve visitors. An entrance fee of NPR 50 is required before taking a dip. Sisneri has various beautiful places to explore nearby that makes it an ideal weekend destination.

Bhotekoshi

Bhotekoshi is the starting part of the Sunkoshi River in Nepal. The Zhangzangbo Glacier in Tibet is the source of the river. The river flows out of Lumi Chimi Lake in Nepal. It is known for its rafting and kayaking. It is the most vertical river rafted in Nepal with a 15-meter gradient. The river’s natural beauty including its steep drop at the top, attracts rafting enthusiasts from all around the world. Explore the Bhotekoshi River for an adventure in between the beautiful Himalayan landscapes.

Trishuli

Trishuli River is a primary stream of the Narayana River basin in central Nepal. It is formed by mixing two rivers, they are Kyirong Tsangpo and Leende Khola. The river’s name is derived from the trishula, a divine symbol associated with Hindu god Shiva. The river flows through a narrow canyon before reaching the Rasuwa Fort. It is a part of the Nepal-China border. It has significant hydropower potential. The Trishuli Jal Vidhyut Company Limited (TJVCL) was established to harness this potential. The Trishuli River has a basin with over 60% in Tibet, 9% covered by snow and glaciers, and 85% above 3,000 meters. It continues to play an important role in Nepal’s landscape.

Gundu, Bhaktapur

Gundu is a beautiful place in the southern district of Bhaktapur in Nepal. It gives an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its natural beauty includes rolling hills, grasslands, and lush green woods, with Makhamali flowers growing in its fields. Visitors can visit nearby places like Ghyampe Danda, Ranikot and Anantalingeshwor Mahadev which gives beautiful views of the southern village and the northern city. Gundu is also home to the Gundu Dummy Airplane. It is the best place in Bhaktapur for drone shots.