- Chitwan
is one of the finest national parks in Asia, renowned for its dense concentration of wildlife and top class tourist lodges, which provide the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat.
Chitwan which means the 'heart of the jungle' is among the last surviving examples of the continuous band of forests and grasslands which once extended from the Indus river in Pakistan to the Burmese border.
The main attraction here is the Royal Chitwan National Park, one of the largest forest regions in Asia teeming with wildlife such as the rare great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth bear, leopard, wild boar, fresh water dolphin, crocodile, more than 350 species of birds and the exlusive Royal Bengal tiger. Royal Chitwan National Park is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural) list.
Visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, nature walks, canoe trips and jungle treks. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors may also take a river raft, first driving from Kathmandu to the river Trishuli or Seti Khola. The five-hour drive to Chitwan (165km overland) from Kathmandu is filled with thrilling views of the hills, rivers and plains with jungles on either side.
- Devghat
is a popular pilgrimage spot situated at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki and Trisuli rivers. It lies just north of the Royal Chitwan National Park.
During the Makar Sakranti festival in January, Hindu devotees gather here to take holy dips in the river. There are a number of sacred and historic 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, Pandavanag where the protagonists of the Mahabharat once lived and the Kabilaspur fort built by the old kings of Palpa.
- Gosainkunda
One of the most famous pilgrimage destinations of Nepal is Gosainkunda lake which is situated at an altitude of about 4,360m. The best approach to Gosainkunda is through Dhunche, 132km to the northeast. of Kathmandu. Dhunche is linked with Kathmandu by a motorable road.
Surrounded by high mountains on the north and the south, the lake is grand and picturesque. There are other nine famous lakes such as Saraswati, Bhairav, Sourya, Ganesh Kunda etc.
- Charikot
Situated about 133km from Kathmandu, Charikot provides a spectacular view of Mt. Gaurishanker. In the eastern upper part of Dolakha township, there is a famous roofless temple of Dolakha Bhimsen.
- Janakpur
A great religious place, Janakpur is famous as the birthplace of Sita, the consort of Lord Ram. There is an artistic marble temple of Sita (Janaki), popularly known as Naulakha Mandir.
Religious festivals, trade fairs and other festivities are held here on Bivaha Panchami and Ram Navami. Janakpur is also linked with Kathmandu by air and road.
- Dhanusadham
lies in Janakpur zone in the Middle Development Region of Nepal. Dhanusa is a district of temples and hermitages where devotees of Lord Ram and Sita pay obeisance.
There are many religious and tourist attractions such as Ram Mandir, Ganesh Mandir, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Baba Makhandada Kuti, etc. Other main attractions are the Dhanusha pond and several other ponds.
- Nuwakot
lies 72km north of Kathmandu. Nuwakot has the nine forts of the region namely Belkot, Kalijkot, Malkot , Dhuwankot, Pyaskot, Simalkot, Dhaibunkot and Salynkot. Nuwakot bears a special importance in the history of Nepal as King Prithvi Narayan Shah planned and launched several unification campaigns from this historic town. A pagodastyle building popularly known as the seven storey Nuwakot Palace stands as the landmark of Nuwakot.
The Bhairavi Temple is the center piece of local religious practice there. Another temple in Nuwakot, the Taleju temple is situated on a small hill in the middle of the town.
