Pokhara

This is one destination if you're not someone who likes to sit in one place. There are so many things to do in this nest of the Himalayas. The adventurer will die to be in a place like Pokhara which is a town in Nepal located on the banks of Fewa Lake. For an average traveler, it's a long way to the top if you go hiking to Sarangkot. But as you reach the peak pre-dawn, the sun comes up over the Annapurna Himalayas. It makes for a breathtaking view.

Being away from the chaos of Kathmandu and the huge devotee crowd of Bhaktapur, Pokara is a sleeping beauty which only wakes up to the glorious snow-peaked mountains. You can plan your trip in such a way that you get to live in Pokhara for at least 3-4 days. There are several hotels to choose from – Hotel Temple Villa, Mandala or Karma Guest House. The rent is cheap and the view spectacular.

Leave your room early in the day and trek/take a taxi to the World Peace Pagoda for a stunning view of Phewa Lake and Pokhara. One can sit for hours viewing the distant Himalayas. In the afternoon, you can also attend a Puja ceremony held every day at 3:30 pm at Jangchub Choeling Buddhist Monastery.

Once you are done sight-seeing, it's time for some action. You can go paragliding from the top of Sarangkot, landing at the edge of Phewa Lake. You can also indulge in whitewater rafting through the upper or lower Seti Gorges at Pokhara during summer time. Before you set out for a longer trek to the Anapurna range, inquire in advance about the camps which arrange these treks. There are numerous trekking possibilities, ranging from 2-3 days to the longer 14-20 days.

It doesn't matter where you're in Nepal, there's a natural abundance of cafes, hotels and sight-seeing options to choose from. The Nepali people are warm and extremely helpful. But always beware of strangers in a new city. The rest is you, your snow-clad shoes in the snow-clad mountains which await you.