Gorkha is a district in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. The district has a historical and evolutionary connection to modern Nepal. The legendary Gorkha soldiers/ Gorkhali is derived from the term Gorkha. In the past, the old Nepal was divided into many smaller self-ruling states with their kings. But the great king Prithvi Narayan Shah, who was born in Gorkha conquered the Malla kingdoms, annexing Kathmandu, Patan, Bhadgaon, many regions of Terai, Kumaon, Simal, Sikkim, a large portion of the Tibetan plateau, and valleys of Inner Himalayas. It contributed to the existence of modern Nepal. The soldiers of Gorkha were the region, and the county of Nepal was not colonized by the British in the past. Prithvi Narayan Shah started the regiment of the Shah Dynasty in Nepal.
Now, the Gorkha is a historical relic in Nepal in form of large habitat land. The Gorkha city is on the top of a hill overlooking the valleys and observing the mountain ranges. The Gorkha museum is an old fortress palace with views of Himalayan Ranges like Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and many more. The museum holds the history of Nepal before, during, and after the annex of various self-governing states of historic Nepal till Nepal became a democratic nation in 2008. Due to the earthquake, many walls and buildings were damaged but the reconstruction was done to preserve the history of Nepal. The museum is a Newari-style palace with relics of wars, clothes of the past, and materials used during the 17th and 18th centuries. Also, the Gorakhnath Temple, dedicated to a yogi, Gorakhnath is a pilgrimage site for the Brahmans and Chhetri communities. It is historically important as the late great king Prithvi Narayan Shah was the one who had it made.
This Gorkha Historical Tour will enlighten us about the past of Nepal and the heroic warriors that contributed to the new Nepal. You can immerse in the old tales of wars and victories and treaties that occurred before our birth. So, join Himalayan Advisor on this single-day historical tour in Gorkha to know more about the art, architecture, culture, tradition, and history of Nepal.
We will drive to Gorkha after breakfast in the morning. So, be ready for the exciting trip to the bravest place in Nepal. If we are driving from Kathmandu, it will take us about 2 to 3 hours for a 138 km journey. And if we are driving from Pokhara, it is a 112 km distance with 2 hours of ride to Gorkha. So, the trip can start from Kathmandu of Pokhara according to your location. Gorkha is very famous for Manakamana Temple, Gorakha Nath Temple, Mount Manaslu, and Gorkha Museum. It this day trip, we will visit Gorkha Museum and Gorakha Nath Temple.
After we arrive in Gorkha, we will head to Gorkha Museum. The museum is within a historical castle in a hillock, in the middle of Bazar in Gorkha. The castle is an 18th-century palace called Gorkha Durbar or Tallo (Lower) Durbar. As the durbar is situated in a hillock, it is a strategic location for warfare that occurred in the 18th century in Nepal. The palace is big taking approx. 40 minutes to reach from the base to the top. The top of the palace provides a panoramic view of the many Himalayas like Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Dhaulagiri. The museum within the palace has many historical documents and information on the politics of the 18th century. There are remnants of the past which include old weapons, utensils, mannequins with old clothes of that time, musical instruments, oil paintings, and portraits of kings of the Shah Dynasty. You can also find ancient metals and coins with engraved woodwork in the 12 sectioned rooms of the museum.
Next, we will head to Gorakha Nath Temple. The temple was built by the order of the Great King and conqueror of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah. It was built as a dedication to a famous Yogi Gorakhnath. The temple is visited mostly by the ethnicity of Brahmans and Chhetris. Gorakhnath is their holy site. The temple is decorated with carved windows and is an old-style temple. There is also a Gorakhnath cave near the temple. If time permits, we will visit the cave too.
After exploring the museum and temple, we can either drive to Kathmandu or Pokhara according to our next destination. You can also extend the trip from Gorkha and visit Bandipur along the way or get new day trips or trekking experiences from Pokhara. If you are tight on time or have other arrangements, we will drop you at your pick-up point at the end of the day.
| 1 Person | US$ 299 |
| 2 - 20 Person | US$ 249 |
While Gorkha is steeped in history, this tour is about more than just dates and facts. You'll experience the atmosphere of an ancient city, explore a fascinating museum, and enjoy stunning mountain views. It's a great way to connect with Nepal's cultural roots, even if you're not a history expert.
Shanti was an excellent guide on the seven UNESCO site tour and was extremely knowledgeable about each statue and temple we encountered and asked about on the tour. She was a great photographer and knew all the best places to capture the sights and was helpful on learning the religious...