✅ Langtang North Lumbini South

The April 2015 Nepal earthquake killed 8,000 people and injured more than 20,000. It occurred at 11:56 AM with a magnitude of 7.8. The main epicenter was Gorkha, Barpak, and it struck at approximately 8.2 km depth, making it the worst natural disaster since 1934. The earthquake triggered a massive avalanche that killed 21 people, and another avalanche in the Langtang Valley left 250 people missing. Langtang North Lumbini South is a blog for those deeply interested in the natural beauty of Nepal.

✅ My Experience

I thought of traveling and experiencing the lifestyle of the Mountain, Hilly, and Terai regions one year after the earthquake. Many countries and international communities were still reporting Nepal as unsafe for traveling.

All tourist and trekking infrastructure is open. Hotels and restaurants in tourist districts such as Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, Lumbini, and Chitwan are available. Major trekking routes like Langtang and the Manaslu Circuit are popular, with local restaurants and guest houses operational in these areas.

I was in the Langtang Valley at the beginning of this month. The old path along the Langtang Lirung riverside from Syaprubesi has many landslides. Hotels and cafés are still closed, but the mesmerizing views of the forest, wild bees, and frequently spotted wild animals such as monkeys, snow leopards, and deer made the first day of trekking very interesting. The Langtang Valley Trek is open for trekkers.

✅ Further Information

After the Langtang Valley Trek, I went to Pokhara. The city is the main gateway for trekkers into the Annapurna region. It is also the headquarters for rafters, kayakers, paragliders, and mountain bikers. At 800m above sea level, much lower than the capital, the climate is pleasant but occasionally humid. The atmosphere is more relaxed than the plains in summer and warmer than Kathmandu in winter. Phewa Tal (Lake), known among locals as the Pokhara Shining Lake, is the main attraction. Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, bars, shops, and the entire tourist area are open.

Spending three days in Pokhara encouraged me to feel that I live in one lovely country. I left Pokhara on the afternoon of the third day for Palpa.

Palpa's high hills command impressive views of Nepal in all directions, with the great Madi Valley in the west and the Kali Gandaki River along its northern border. Most people here follow Hinduism, followed by Buddhism, with a few Muslims and Christians also residing in the district.

The district’s main attractions include Ranimahal (Ranighat), Srinagar Danda, Vairabsthan Temple, Palpa Durbar, and Ridi. Srinagar Danda is a 1600m (Tansen) high hill just north of Tansen, the district headquarters. From the tower, there is a magnificent view over the Kali Gandaki River and the Himalayas. The dense pine forest on the southern slope and natural vegetation with the national flower, Rhododendron, on the northern slope are famous among naturalists.

✅ More About Nepal

Another architecturally significant place not to be missed is Ranimahal, known as the Taj Mahal of Nepal. It was built by Khadga Shamsher JBR in 1894 AD as a monument of deep love for his queen Tej Kumari. This lovely palace is built above a single colossal stone near the Kali Gandaki River.

Bhairabsthan, home to the largest ‘Trishul’ — a symbol of Lord Shiva — is another important attraction, especially for Hindus.

Ridi River, about 20 km northwest of Tansen, is also a pilgrimage site. The famous pagoda-style Rishikesh Mandir and Ridi River attract pilgrims, especially on the 1st of Magh (Nepali calendar), when pilgrims from all over the country visit to take a sacred bath and pay homage to the temple.

Furthermore, Palpa is famous for various handicrafts and cottage industries. Visitors are often eager to buy souvenirs such as Dhaka fabric products — including shawls, purses, and more.

✅ Conclusion

It is easy to get here as there are direct bus services between Kathmandu and Tansen, Pokhara and Tansen, Bhairahawa and Tansen, and other places.

After Palpa and Tansen, I traveled to Lumbini, approximately a 4-hour drive from Tansen. Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, lies in Nepal’s Terai region and is a major pilgrimage site in the center of Rupandehi District. The adventurous ten-hour drive from Kathmandu will take you to several international monasteries. According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who achieved enlightenment around 500 BCE. Lumbini hosts many temples, including the Mayadevi Temple. The Holy Pond is also here; Buddha’s mother took a ritual bath here before his birth.

✅ Image

Photo by Tobias Federle on Unsplash