The incredible city of Kathmandu in Nepal is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. Yet, it is the country’s centre for art, culture, history, and the economy.

Although the capital is the largest city, full of beautiful views and things to do, it is recognised for being extremely busy, leading people to seek an alternative option for their Nepal travels.

Tourism in Nepal hit a record high last year by exceeding one million visitors for the first time in four years, and is only expecting the number to increase.

Nepal’s former Tourism Board CEO believes that the country will see around 1.2 million tourists by the end of the year, with Kathmandu, the country’s capital, being one of the most popular visits.

Well, just a 25-minute drive away from the city is every tourist’s answer to a more tranquil alternative compared to what Kathmandu has to offer.

Located on what used to be the private hunting grounds of the Nepalese royal family is a Gokarna Forest Resort – a five-star luxury retreat and golf course with a protected sanctuary jungle spread across 470 acres.

The area was offered on a lease after the abolition of the monarchy 16 years ago, but there was one condition – a 100-room hotel had to be built.

The golf course had been part of the site since 1999; however, it developed into an incredible 6,755-yard, 18-hole course which, according to the resort’s golf director, Deepak Acharya, could come against some of the world’s best courses, such as California’s Pebble Beach Golf Links.

She said: “The uniqueness of the golf course is what really inspires me, and I have been to at least 200 or 250 golf courses around the world. It’s very serene.”

Deepak Acharya visited the famous Californian golf course last year and described the conditions as “immaculate” but says that Gokarna’s course “is also beautiful in its own way.”

Various wildlife is also spotted on the course grounds, including dears, monkeys and over 60 different species of birds. Some guests have even seen Leopards during the resort’s guided golf cart tour.

Gokarna Forest Resort has a spa, two restaurants, a bar and even better, the site is accompanied by a panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain range – home to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.