“Don’t listen to what they say. Go see.”
What best can ever come out of things we hear when experiencing and living those moments of glory are just a few clicks or few distances away. Radiant and a sort of beacon to the travelers, Nepal entails the needs of every enthusiast longing for a perfect getaway into the wild or exotic cultures. These make Nepal a nation for the tourists.
Nepal has been a tourist destination since the 1930s and later popular amongst mountaineers when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay successfully climbed the Mount Everest in the ‘50s. Then started the popularity of Nepal as a destination for mountaineering enthusiasts, trekking fanatics, and thrill seekers. Nepal is home of the mighty Everest (8848m) which merely justifies its significance. It is also synonymous to warm culture, natural beauty, and extravagant festivities. All these attractions spice up the country as a melting pot for tourists. From the glorious Himalayan range to the Terai plains, from Annapurna Base Camp trail to Everest Base Camp, from shrines of Muktinath and Pashupatinath to Swayambhunath stupa and Boudhanath, Nepal caters to tourists of all type.
The choices Nepal offers make it stand out. Hotels, with a single to the 5-Star rating, and activities, from spiritual, leisurely, adventure to thrill, Nepal has everything, unlike other destinations. Hyatt Regency and Soaltee Crowne Plaza will fit your luxurious travel needs while the Himalayas and trekking trails will satisfy your need for an out of the box experience. So much so that, sluggish and time-constrained folks can take on a Heli tour or a mountain flight that will take them up close locales accessible only on foot.
Stretch your stay as you please with treks and tours customizable to your schedule. Whether you are a solo globetrotter, group of buddies or love-birds on vacation, Nepal has something for you to make your stay memorable and worthwhile.
What better way to explore the natural riches of this beautiful country than to embark on a journey on foot? Take a worthwhile trip through the trails carved out along the vast landscape that takes you across luscious forests and rivers while crossing ravines and suspension bridges. The trails for trekking in Nepal are classified into beaten tracks and off-the-beaten tracks. First is the one frequented often and more popular while the second track is seldom traversed and loaded with undisturbed beauty. The popular treks will take you places like the Annapurna Base Camp, Everest Base Camp, and Ghorepani Poonhill Trek, whereas the pristine tracks will be a remote affair with locales secluded from these popular destinations. They include the Upper and lower Dolpo, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Khopra Danda trek, and many more.
Trekking in Nepal is an evergreen activity as the trails take you to remote locales with a distinct identity. The food, culture, lifestyle, religious beliefs, and overall their altered concept of the world is worth exploring. While it's an emotional exploration of a meager living, it’s satisfying to watch these folks happy with their amenities. It is worth mentioning that our journeys into these regions directly support the community and help them get along.
Nepal is all about its culture and heritage. With some monuments dating back hundreds of years, its significance is self-illustrative. And the beacon of tradition passed on generations after generation has managed to keep the flame lit. Kathmandu Valley is a museum in itself with 7 World heritage sites within a radius of 7km and numerous other shrines and sites of archeological importance to complement these heritage sites.
UNESCO listed World Heritage sites within the valley include, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Changunarayan Temple. These sites and museums possess a collection of artifacts with archeological, historical and artistic importance. The architecture of these areas reflects skills of ancient Newar and Shah Dynasty.
Heritage tours are conducted throughout the year and are generally an introduction tour when tourists arrive to take on more challenging excursions. Participate in a festivity, if you get the chance as Nepal observes several of these throughout the year. Festivities are when everyone gets together and celebrates with a purpose reflecting a long line of tradition and culture.
Nepal has a region stretching from east all the way to the west claimed as the Terai plain. And a popular excursion in this area is the Jungle safari along some of the UNESCO listed heritage sites of natural significance. The Koshi Tappu Wildlife reserve, Chitwan National Park, and Bardia National Park are a few in this belt with few more in the Hilly as well as the Himalayan region. The bio-diversity of this region coupled with wilderness activities make up for a great experience.
The Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhino, and species of crocodiles are all to be stalked as the jungle safari lets you into the wild world. Activities such as bird watching, canoeing, and rafting along rivers within the national park are also on the cards. You can even piggy-back on an elephant and head into the jungles in search of exotic wildlife and vegetation. Cultural shows and visits to indigenous villages will offer a glimpse of remote lives and tribes residing within the reserve. There are special parks that promote game-stalking activities, however, in a particular season and with a valid hunting permit.
The Jungle Safari is a special package offered by adventure and tour operators. Pre-booking is required and any additional requirement or activities should be listed at the time of booking.
Nepal offers a host of Adventure sports activities for thrill seekers. The choices include mountain climbing, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, bungee jumping, zip line, paragliding, ultra-light aircraft flight, skydiving, mountain biking, and loads more.
From venturing into the mountains for a stint on mountaineering or partaking in a rock climbing experience in Kathmandu, we get a taste of physically draining hiking activities. An activity out of the ordinary is water sports including rafting, kayaking, and canoeing in some of the exciting rivers like the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli. The Last Resort, north of Kathmandu, offers an out of the box activity at the Bhote Koshi gorge, deepest in Asia, with its Bungee jumping and Tandem swing. The drop is a 160m drop with a free fall of 3 seconds for bungee and 6 seconds for the tandem swing. To add up, the tourist town of Pokhara offers a range of thrilling activities like the zip line. A line from atop a hill takes us on a 1.8km long ride at speeds of 120kmph with views of the surrounding valley. Additionally, it can be packaged with paragliding, ultra-light aircraft, and mountain biking activities.
With all acts regulated by associations and followed up by authorities, one can rest assured of safety and enjoy the time with their family. While most activities are open to all age groups, some require you to meet specific criteria and physical attributes. Make sure to inquire before you book any of the activities.
The tourism industry of Nepal guarantees a unique experience. Whether a seasoned traveler or a first-timer, your experience in Nepal will be one of the most exciting and one for the books. Be it the elephant polo sport or an ultra-light flight across the Himalayas, a host of adventure sports activities coupled with the more famous trekking and sightseeing tours ensure your appetite of a wholesome adventure is fulfilled.
Welcome to the land of Himalayas!