Mountain Viewing

The name Nepal conjures up visions of the Himalayas. When we talk about sunrise or sunset viewing in Nepal, it is usually understood you go where there are mountains to gaze at. There are countless hilltops where you can wait for the early morning sun to light up the snowy peaks or the setting sun to display a palette of changing hues from yellow to pink and red. The dazzling shower of color can be viewed from the surrounding mountains of Kathmandu valley. Some of the popular scenic destinations are:

Kakani

Less frequented by tourists, Kakani (1,982m) is equally enchanting and lies 23 km northeast of Kathmandu. For visitors who wish to avoid crowds this is the ideal place to go and gaze at mountains. The superb views of Ganesh Himal, Annapurnas and Langtang make Kakani worth visiting.

The hillside is resplendent in strawberry fields and a rhododendron forest stretches down towards Balaju from where the climb up begins. Kakani is also a popular picnic spot for local Nepalese people.

Daman

For the best panoramic view of the Himalayas, Daman at 2,322m is arguably at the top of the list. An incredible unobstructed view of the Himalayan range from Dhaulagiri to Everest can be had from this hilltop. That is worth spending time and money to see. This lies on the old Tribhuvan Highway between Kathmandu and Hetauda. Once when this used to be the only road coming into the Kathmandu valley from the plains (Terai), everybody coming by road was obligated to pass through Daman. There are hotels and resorts to stay in and transport can be arranged for you. Spring is a good time to visit as the sky is clear and the rhododendron forest is in full bloom.

Outside Kathamandu Valley : Antu Danda

In Ilam district in eastern Nepal, Antu Danda is known for its unmatched views of Mt Everest and Mt Kanchenjunga, the highest and the third highest mountains in the world. It is famous for sunrise and sunset viewing. A motor road goes up to Chhipitar from where you can easily walk to Antu Danda.

Chisopani

A three-hour walk up from Sundarijal, which is 15 km north east of Kathmandu, lies a little settlement on top of a hill called Chisopani. Chiso=cold & Pani=water. The water here is icy cold most of the year, hence the name. Sundarijal can be reached by bus but the easiest is to hire a taxi from Jorpati, the area immediately after Boudha although there is no demarcation to tell where Boudha ends and Jorpati begins. The hike up passes through beautiful vegetation, a crystal clear stream and a light forest if you do not climb straight up the steps. There are many lodges here and the view is superb stretching from the Annapurnas past the Ganesh Himal and Langtang. Spring is the best time to visit as the rhododendrons are in bloom. Within the forest can be seen some species of orchids.

Sarangkot

This scenic spot of Sarangkot (1592m) is a short walk from Pokhara Bazaar and is usually the end or beginning of an extended trek. It is best to visit in the early hours of the morning to view the mountains. This itself is a popular trek as the view of not only the Annapurna range but also the lake below and Pokhara valley is awesome. There are many lodges and restaurants so an overnight stay may be a convenient way of seeing the mountains at dawn. There are also many routes leading up to Sarangkot, the easiest one passing by Binda Basini Temple.

Poon Hill

Poon Hill is one of the most popular viewpoints along the trekking routes. The trek starts in Pokhara and from Deurali, Poon hill is an hour's climb away. Deurali itself is a short distance further than the famous Ghorepani. Trekkers climb up early in the morning to the hilltop to catch the first rays of sunshine, which bathe the distant mountains into a host of vibrant colors. Poon Hill has been described in guidebooks as one of the best Himalayan viewpoints in Nepal. Indeed it is, and many posters and post-cards can be seen being sold around Kathmandu that highlights the incredibly beautiful view. There are many places to stay in at both Ghorepani as well as Deurali. This is also one of the popular treks in Nepal as the views are great and it leads on to interesting destinations like Muktinath, a very important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists.

Tansen

Tansen (1343m) lies on the slopes of Srinagar Danda in central Nepal. It is a popular resort to spend the summer months. Known for its panoramic views, Tansen is strategically placed to allow views of mountains from Dhaulagiri in the west to Gauri Shanker in the east. Below lie the Tingu River, the Churia hills and the Terai stretching endlessly. It is only six hours away from Pokhara. Tansen also serves as a stopover while visiting Lumbini. There are hotels in Tansen, so halting overnight may be a good idea before pushing on to Buddha's birthplace along the Siddhartha Highway.

Kala Pathar

There seems to be no dispute as to where one can get the best view of Mt.Everest. All agree that the view from Kala Pathar is unrivaled. Kala=black and Pathar=rock. It lies on the Everest trek route and is 5545m above sea level. It is in fact a small peak in the Himalayan context. It would be a major peak in other parts of the world where they boast of 4000m peaks. You can either put up at Gorakshep, which is close by or go on to Lobuje to spend the night in more comfort.