At 2,322 meters atop a hill range on the old 1950s Tribhuvan Highway and 80 kilometers from Kathmandu on the first modern road to the south, Daman has nothing much to offer if you don’t stop by it. It could pass without you even noticing it if you happen to be in one of very few vehicles that plies on the now almost forgotten highway.[break]
But if somehow you spend a few minutes looking around, you will fall in love with it because Daman has something to offer that you probably don’t get in any other parts of Nepal.
The Lonely Planet guide to Nepal best describes it: “Daman boasts what is arguably the most spectacular outlook of the Himalaya in the whole Nepal.”
For those living in Kathmandu or Hetauda or Narayangarh, Daman is undoubtedly one of the best weekend getaways on offer – easy, accessible, comparatively near, inexpensive and breathtaking.
On a clear day, almost everyday in September and October, the view tower at Daman offers the exciting and clear views of the panoramic Himalaya from Dhaulagiri on the west to Mount Everest to the east.
During the winter, Daman offers snow.
Not just the snow peaks but the greenery of the hills below them and the cultivated terraces and villages below the foothills also make it a perfect panoramic viewfinder’s delight.
I spent a weekend there with a few friends and family members. The choice of the season was not very good as there was only a glimpse of the Himalayan peaks. Nevertheless, the journey was worth it, for even without the white peaks, the green hills were majestic.
The greenery and wavy landscapes, with a few groups of houses, and clouds moving all over, and fogs covering everything now and then provided us with beautiful views throughout the journey and a wonderful stay at Daman.
With the view tower located at the View Tower Daman Resort, it is a nice place to spend the night at Rs. 1,000 for a room with attached bath, and Rs. 600 without attached bath and air-conditioning. The tower, with a dining space and a viewing point, was built 53 years ago.
For those willing to spend more, a little further is the Everest Panorama Resort with star-class facilities. Down in the market of Daman, there are a few lodges for budget stay.
From there, it takes an hour’s walk on the highway to reach the View Tower.
For sweating and/or religious purposes, a short detour through the jungle is also possible. For example, after walking about 15 minutes from the View Tower towards Hetauda, there is a cement entrance to lead you to the sacred temple of Shree Risheshwor Mahadev. Another choice is a kilometer of peaceful jungle walk to reach a little gompa with colorful hangings of Buddhist prayer flags covering up trees around it. The third destination can be a little further to a sacred Hindu pilgrimage place – a combination of natural big stones on the side of a hill.
On the way, there are a couple of waterfalls – something to marvel at while catching your breath on the trek.
From the south on the other end of the Tribhuvan Highway, Daman is 60 kilometers from Hetauda. For those heading to the Chitwan National Park, Daman can be a stop-by because Sauraha, the gateway to the national park, is just two hours’ drive from Hetauda. For those returning to Kathmandu on another highway via Naubise, it will be one more chance to witness the majestic views of the Nepali hills and Himalayan peaks.