Dharan City

Set in the thick jungles of eastern Nepal, the city of Dharan has boomed in recent decades, pushing back against its dense jungle setting. It received its name from the dharan (wooden platforms) used by fellers to saw the logs of the surrounding forest. At the meeting point of the Himalayan foothills and the Terai Plains, Dharan is an attractive base for exploring the natural and cultural wonders of Nepal.

Outdoor Attractions

From Bedhetar, arguably the best viewpoint in all of the Terai and set just 6 miles from Dharan, a wide swathe of Himalayan peaks can be seen. Raja Rani Hill, just more than 12 miles from Dharan, also is a splendid viewing spot for Kanchenjunga, Makalu and Everest. Visitors also may enjoy the misty hills and tea gardens of the nearby hilltowns of Dhankuta and Hile, each about 30 miles from Dharan. Via Hile, it is also possible to reach Basantapur, about 50 miles east of Dharan, from which treks depart to the base camp of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world. Other than hiking and trekking, adventurers may enjoy paragliding from Bedhetar, 10 miles from Dharan, or whitewater rafting on the Kosi and Tamur rivers.

Cultural Attractions

Dharan contains a plentiful mix of cultures, races and castes, offering a diversity of cultural attractions. As one of the sacred Hindu shakti peeths (places where parts of the body of the goddess Sati, or Shakti, fell to the earth), the city contains more than 25 Hindu temples. The temples of Dantakali (which houses the sacred teeth of Sati), Panch Kanya, Buddha Subba, Pindeshwar and Shiva Jhata are most worthwhile to visit, each featuring distinct architectural styles and attracting regular pilgrims. Also, the monuments of Pakhri Bash mark an old British recruiting camp for the famed Gurkha Army. Also in the vicinity is Dhankuta's atmospheric bazaar and its lively market, as well as Hile's impressive Tibetan temple, Urgay Namedo Chöling Gompa.

When to Go

As for much of Nepal, the best time to visit Dharan and its surroundings is from late October to February. The skies are clearest in late autumn, and views from Bhedetar are best following the cleansing of the summer monsoon. During the winter months of December to February, the weather is cool and crisp, dropping to as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit, though views become increasingly clouded with dust as winter and spring reach their ends. From May to October, the region experiences soaring temperatures of up to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as monsoon rains from June to September, making travel difficult on many of Eastern Nepal's roads.

Getting There

One of Eastern Nepal's travel hubs, Dharan is easily reached by bus from across the region. Buses from Dharan's Banu Chowk connect with Kathmandu (15 hours), Biratnagar (1 hour), Bhedetar (1 hour), Dhankuta (2 hours) and Hile (2-3 hours). An airport at the city of Biratnagar, about 25 miles south of Dharan on the Indian border, has flights connecting mostly with Kathmandu. Biratnagar is also the closest Nepali city to India's vast rail network (India's Jogbani Station is only a quick hop across the border), and therefore handy for connecting to the vast majority of the subcontinent.

Accommodations

Dharan is host to plenty of lodging options, and at least a dozen of its hotels are within easy reach of the city center. The majority of Dharan's offerings fall between the budget and mid-range varieties, with guesthouses and hotels such as the Aangan Hotel, Ambassador Hotel, Pancha Kaya Resort and Hotel Naya Yug. Most hotels have on-site restaurants that offer a mix of Nepali and Western cuisines.