A 25 kilometer road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu brings you to an ancient Gorkha - the untouched and captivating town of Nepal! Some 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into 50 tiny states, and Gorkha was one of them. King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of `Shah Dynasty' which runs Nepal today, unified Nepal into one kingdom. His Gorkha palace resides on top of a hill at an altitude of 3281 feet (about 1000 meter) The King would watch-over his people as far as his eyes could see from the tallest palace in the very center of Nepal! Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors who fought with knives against guns.

Visit the Gorkha palace here to begin your sightseeing of the region.Climb the palace steps from the bottom of the hill, all the way to the top, climbing about one thousand seven hundred steps (1700), in about two hours. That's some hiking to do! If you get tired sit down on a step or think how much easier the trip down will be! You will be glad you got to the top. On a clear sky day, you can view Himalayan range including spectacular view of Manaslu and Himalchuli Mountains, and panoramic views of the valleysIn the Gorkha District of Nepal a community tourist program is in its third year of operation. The area is full of natural beauty, panoramic views, green mid-hill trekking, unspoilt jungle areas, lakes, caves, waterfalls and flora (medicinal, scented and edible plants).

Village tourism, a recent innovation, is successfully demonstrated at Sirubari in Syangja a half day s distance from Pokhara. It is a three hour walk from the road-head just 30 kilometers from Pokhara. A management committee takes responsibility for visitors, their welcome, accommodation, sightseeing and guiding. The village consists of 60 households of which many are offering guest accommodation. It is a very neat and clean village, the accommodation is simple, but comfortable, with good bedding, as well as clean toilet facilities. Meals of daily fresh food are eaten with the family, and each evening there is entertainment provided by the community, which is usually Gurung dancing and singing.