Gorkha

Gorkha is a district in the western region of Nepal. It became part of Nepal when King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha (also known as Gurkha) unified the country 250 years ago. The district headquarters is in Gorkha Bazaar.



Get in
Gorkha is connected by all weather road from Kathmandu (4 hours), Birjung (10 hours), Bhairahawa/Sunauli (10 hours) and Pokhara (3 hours). Buses are generally crowded. Micro buses are fast and relatively comfortable. Taxi can be hired from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Gorkha.

See

 * Gorkha Durbar. Residence of Shah Kings, at an elevation of 1510 m.
 * Manakamana Temple. Dedicated to the Goddess Durga, this temple can be reached by a cable car running from the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway. The temple receives up to 3,000 visitors daily, which increases to tens of thousands during festival times. The high elevation also allows fantastic views over the Himalayas.
 * Mount Manaslu (8,163 m). The eighth highest peak in the world.





Do

 * Dashain. The festival in Kathmandu starts only after flowers and holy offerings arrive from Gorkha.
 * Cable car. Visiting the Manakamana Temple by cable car is one of the major attractions of the region.



Buy
Local handicrafts, garments and locally grown oranges.

Eat
Simple local, Western, and Chinese restaurants are available in Gorkha Bazaar and Manakamana. Local food stalls are available along the trekking route to Manaslu valley.

Drink
There is no restriction for any drink. Local wine, beer, and raxi (liquor) are available

Sleep
Manakamana has many budget lodges with facilities such as TV, telephone and en suite bath.


 * Hotel Bisauni, Gorkha Bazaar
 * Hotel Prince, Gorkha Bazaar
 * Hotel Old Capital, Gorkha Bazaar

Go next
Go trekking to Pokhara or go to Kathmandu/Pokhara/Birjunj/Sonauli by bus/micro.