3 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
Six hours from Kathmandu by bus
When to go
From September to May
Minimum stay
One day
Gorkha (Nepal)
©
David Debrincat
Practical information on Gorkha
Reviews of Gorkha
Gorkha is a small town hidden awayat the foot of the Himalayas, on the road between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
My suggestion:
Though the situation is currently calm, there are apparently Maoist groups hiding in the mountains. There have never been any incidents involving tourists, but it is still a good idea to find out what the situation is before travelling to Gorkha.
My review
The reason I visited Gorkha on my trip to Nepal was more for its geographical location at the foot of the Himalayas rather than its cultural attractions. Apart from the palace, there's little to see here. Additionally, you need to choose the period for your visit carefully. A whole series of sacrifices, one after the other, are carried out at the temple each month in honour of the Hindu goddess Kali. On the day this takes place, you end up literally paddling in blood. The only thing really worth seeing here the rest of the time are the views of the Himalayas.
The main reason for visiting Gorkha is to go walking in the surrounding area. There are lots of hikes to do. In the space of just a few hours, it's possible to venture deep into the surrounding countryside, pass through pretty little villages, meet the local inhabitants, and, of course, admire incredible panoramic views of the Himalayas.
*Following the powerful earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May of 2015, the country is gradually being rebuilt. This article was written before that natural disaster occurred.
©
David Debrincat
Gorkha is a famous Hindu religious site and one of the essential places to see when touring Nepal.
My suggestion:
Visit on a Saturday, which is the Nepalese day of rest, and enjoy all the local activity taking place!
My review
Gorkha is a very steep, hilly place! You have to climb 1,500 steps from the village centre to reach Gorkha Durbar: a Hindu temple, palace and military fort for the famous Nepalese soldiers all rolled into one. Once we reached the top, we enjoyed incredible panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain range, with the clouds making the Trisuli Valley looking like a white lake.
On Saturdays you can see large numbers of local Nepalese people, all dressed in their Sunday best, making their way up the steps to Gorkha Durbar. Most carry a chicken up with them to sacrifice at the temple. Others are happy just to take coconuts. You can also encounter sadhus (Hindu holy persons) here at these times and get a red "tika" mark – a Hindu good luck charm – placed on your forehead.
Although this site is well-worth the trip, there isn't enough to see here to justify a long visit.
*Following the powerful earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May of 2015, the country is gradually being rebuilt. This article was written before that natural disaster occurred.
©
Aurélie Gottar
157 travelers' photos
