Trishuli

TRISULI (pop. 18,700) is 69 km north of Kathmandu over a winding mountain road (three hours’ drive). The town, located at the bottom of a ravine, is the site of a 21-megawatt hydro-electric project. (The dam is 13 km upstream at Tupche.) Nuwakot Durbar, a palace-fortress-temple complex built in 1762, sits atop a nearby hill (two-hour hike). In the old days, large garrisons were kept here because of its vital location commanding the ways to Gorkha, Pokhara and Tibet. Dhunche, 48 km to the north, is the trailhead to Gosaikund (two-day trek) and Langtang (three days). Most of the people here are Tamangs.

Kodari

KODARI (pop. 3,100) lies on the Nepal-China border 114 km north-east of Kathmandu at the end of the Arniko Highway. The village, situated beside the thundering Bhote Koshi river, was a stopover on the ancient trans-Himalayan caravan trail. The Arniko Highway offers an enjoyable drive, taking you through magnificent river gorges and mountain scenery. The Tatopani hot water springs are situated 3 km before Kodari. Most of the inhabitants in the area are Tamangs.

Dolkha

DOLKHA (pop. 19,300) is 133 km east of Kathmandu. The hill town is an ancient Newar settlement known for its shrine of Dolkha Bhimsen, patron deity of businessmen. It is 4 km from Charikot on the Lamosangu-Jiri Highway which branches off from the Arniko Highway. Dolkha, formerly a stopover on the old Tibet trail, offers superb views of Mt. Gauri Shanker. Treks to Rolwaling start here.

Jiri

JIRI is 110 km from the turnoff at Lamosangu on the Arniko Highway to Tibet (or 188 km from Kathmandu). The road winds up and down mountains passing through Brahmin, Chhetri and Tamang settlements. Jiri (elev. 1,860 m) is a picturesque village clinging to a hillside. The weekly market is held on Saturday. The people here are Jirels. It lies at the head of the classic trail to Everest, the route followed by Himalayan expeditions of old. Jiri to Namche Bazaar is a nine-day trek. (Temperature -6 to 28 degrees Celsius.).

Hetauda

HETAUDA (pop. 54,000) lies 128 km south of Kathmandu on the edge of the Himalayan foothills. It is linked by the Tribhuvan Highway, Nepal’s first highway built in 1956 and popularly known as Byroad. The scenic route climbs up and down endless hills, the high point being Sim Bhanjyang Pass (elev. 2,487 m). The Martyrs’ Memorial Park and the Hetauda Cement Factory are interesting visits. Makwanpur Gadhi, an historic fort, is 15 km from Hetauda. Parsa Wildlife Reserve, where you can go animal-viewing on elephant-back, is 25 km.

Birjunj

BIRGUNJ (pop. 69,000) is a border town in the plains, 50 km south of Hetauda. It is an important industrial center and transit point for trade goods. Places to see include Vishuwa where Buddha idols are enshrined atop a wooded mound, the city park with a boating lake and the Birgunj Sugar Factory. Kathmandu to Birgunj is 178 km over the legendary Tribhuvan Highway. The detour via Bharatpur is 270 km. The nearest airport is Simara (25 km).