Kathmandu has numerous identities. It is renowned as the city of gods; it is also called the city of open museums and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites capital as it houses the highest number of World Heritage Sites listed in UNESCO. It was also entitled as the most colorful city in the world several times.

The devastating earthquake of April 25 took its heavy toll upon these heritages sites, and tourists visiting these sites plummeted sharply.

Appearance of these sites is completely different from what media have portrayed so far, or from our imagination harbored from the images of post disaster sites. Though reflection of disaster is apparent, World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu—Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath, Pashupatinath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan, Patan Durbar Square and Basantapur Durbar Square – are marked safe for visit, and the government formally opened the sites for visitors by organizing an event.

Nepal government has urged both internal and external tourists to visit these sites as they stand tall, and look serene and sound as always.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is located 32 kms, east of Kathmandu (see map), Nepal. Nagarkot thrills visitors with its unrestricted view of the mountain range from Annapurna in the west to the mighty Everest in the East.It is a 30-minute drive from Bhaktapur, a 45-minute drive from Tribhuvan International Airport and an hour’s drive from Kathmandu. Taking a helicopter, it is just a 7-minutes’ ride from Tribuhavan International Airport.

Historically, Nagarkot was a place for the royals of Nepal to escape the scorching heat of summer and a hectic city life. In the 60’s explorers would battle the shivering winds and sleepless nights to see the stupendous sunrise and sunsets. Today, still people from all over World, from different walks of life, travel to Nagarkot, to enjoy the picturesque rural scenery of terraced rice fields, green pastures, the sunrise and sunsets; but all in the comforts of a world renowned hotel- Club Himalaya.

7200 ft above sea level : ideal for acclimatization if you are going to high altitude treks or to Tibet or Bhutan .
Summer (May-September) : Nagarkot is windy throughout the year and is 7 Deg C cooler than Kathmandu in summers
Himalayan View : One can view Mt Everest on the North – East to the Annapurna in the North- West with a maximum range of the Himalayan peaks.
Full of legends & History :
Birth of the world – Mahadev Pokhari
Birth of Kathmandu – Manjushree gufa
Unification of Nepal – Prithivi Narayan Shah & his Fort
Summer Palace of the Ranas – Bhangeri Durbar
Sun Risies & Sets with hashish – The Hippie era
So near, yet so far away from the hustle and bustle of caotic Kathmandu
Near the international airport (25km/45minutes) ideal to relax and recover*recoup from jet lag before starting a hectic tour or trekking.
Village walks to experience rural Nepal – Tamang, Newar, Chhetri & Bahun villages within walking distance.
Nagarkot now a tourist hub with many hotels and restaurants to choose from.
Forest walks to see the flora and fauna o the hills as well as bird watching.
Club Himalaya is the jewel on the crown of Nagarkot.
Mountain biking or hiking to Changunarayan, Bhaktapur or Swayambhu.

Nepal Mountaineering Association(NMA) organized press conference at Nepal Tourism Board on 22nd December to felicitate Ms. Sushmita Maskey for her successful climbing of highest mountains of seven continents i.e. Seven Summit. This program was inaugurated by reading the message of welcome and congratulation send by Prime Minister Mr. Sushil Koirala. Dr. chiranjibi Nepal, Financial Advisor of Prime Minister was the chief guest for the program. On this occasion NMA awarded Rs.4,00,000/- to her. During this program, Ms. Maskey shared her experience of her journey. Mr. Suresh Man Shrestha, Secretary of Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mrs. Yankila Sherpa, Chief Advisor of NMA, Mr. D.B. Limbu, President of JTCC Congratulated on her achievement. The chief guest Dr. chiranjibi Nepal also appreciated and congratulated her for this success.

Swargadwari is a hilltop temple complex and pilgrimage site in Pyuthan District, Nepal

Swargadwari is a hilltop temple complex and pilgrimage site in Pyuthan District, Nepal commemorating the special role of cows in Hinduism. It is said to have been founded by one Guru Maharaj who spent most of his life in the vicinity herding and milking thousands of cows. According to traditional stories,

Boudhanath Stupa

(CNN) -- Mention Nepal and most people think snow-capped scenes, of 7,000-meter mountains and the climbers raring to conquer them.

Is there much to the country beyond its mighty Himalayan peaks?

Yes.

Thankfully, for those who don't consider it a vacation to hike for days, eat out of tins and do their business in a hole in the ground, it's possible to "do" Nepal without scaling anything.

Here are six ways to experience mountain country minus the mountain climbing.

SAURAHA, DEC 19 - The 11th edition of the Chitwan Elephant Festival is scheduled to be held in Sauraha from December 26-30 on the occasion of Christmas and New Year 2015.

The festival is aimed at promoting tourism and spreading awareness about wildlife preservation, said Suman Ghimire, coordinator of the event. It started in 2004 as an international elephant race and since then it has been celebrated as a festival.

Nepal-Lanka air links set to resume by Feb

KATHMANDU, DEC 19 - Direct air links between Nepal and Sri Lanka are set to resume after a break of two and a half decades with Colombo-based carrier Mihin Lanka planning to begin services by February, Tourism Ministry officials said.

The low-cost airline, which is owned by the Sri Lankan government, has officially applied for operating authorization to conduct daily flights between Kathmandu and Colombo.

Early morning view of Himalayas from Sarangkot, Pokhara

Early morning view of Himalayas from Sarangkot, Pokhara. Photo by Nanu Thapa Galami Magar
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Feature: Nepal's first aircraft museum to boost tourism in far west region

by Shristi Kafle

KATHMANDU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The opening of Nepal's first aircraft museum in Dhangadi in the far western part of the country, some 500 km from Kathmandu, has attracted local and foreign tourists to the much-neglected region.

Just three months after its opening, the aircraft museum has been the talk of the town and thousands of people have flocked to view the different miniature aircraft on display.

Bhedetar of Sunsari

Photo Feature: Bhedetar of Sunsari

Cycling in Upper Mustang

Cycling in Upper Mustang
Photo feature: NagarikNews
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Cycling in Upper Mustang

Cycling in Upper Mustang
Photo feature: NagarikNews
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Dashera Mela, Khaptad

Dashera Mela, Khaptad. Photo/Bharat Bandhu Thapa
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Elephant bath at Sauraha, Chitwan

Elephant bath at Sauraha, Chitwan. Photo/Sirish BC
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11th Chitwan Elephant Festival 2014

11th Chitwan Elephant Festival 2014
26th - 30th December 2014
Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal 
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२०७१ Poush देखी १५ गते सम्म
सौरह, चितवन्, नेपाल
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Manang after snowfall

Manang after snowfall
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Gangapurna Himal with glacial lake at Manang

Gangapurna Himal with glacial lake at Manang. The turquoise lake enchants every passerby and no one miss to frame the picture !
Photo by Sunil Sharma
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Trekkers' Tips prepared by CIWEC Hospital

Trekkers' Tips prepared by CIWEC Hospital and published by Nepal Tourism Board. A must read for all trekkers.
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Rickshaw race for the first time in Kathmandu

Rickshaw race for the first time in Kathmandu..
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