A small landlocked country in the south-east of Asia, what Nepal lacks in area- it makes up for that with its impressive height.
Nepal is the home of the some of the tallest mountain peaks on the planet. Eight of the ten tallest mountain peaks are located in Nepal.
Apart from its impressive Himalayan tapestry, Nepal is also a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country that is occupied by people following different religions and beliefs.
Nepal is also among the last vestiges of authentic age-old tradition that has remained unchanged since the beginning of time. From diverse land topography to amazing cultures and practice of ancient ethnic traditions, visiting Nepal is a marvelous affair of colorful adventures and amazing revelations among many natural beauties.
Top of the Ampha Lapcha Pass
With the commercialization and development of the tourism sector in the country, many esteemed travel and trekking agencies like Nepal Hiking Team offer amazing services at reasonable prices, making visiting the country an easy and affordable vacation.
There are many things to do in the country, and there are options for people of all ages, experiences, preferences, and demographics.
Here are the 5 Top Things to do in Nepal
- Trekking
Trekking in the country is perhaps one of Nepal’s most popular adventures. There are many amazing destinations and regions that offer spectacular experiences.
Trekking incorporates all of the best aspects of any region- from the exploration of the fascinating landscape, visit many ethnic villages and settlements located at the crevasses and foothills of the mountain, and reaching the base camp of most tall mountain peaks.
One of the most famous trekking journeys is the Everest Base Camp Trek which takes place in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is perhaps the most famous trekking journey in Nepal and the entire world.
Every year, thousands of trekkers and travelers from all around the world visit the country to undergo this trekking journey.
There are many highlights that trekking in the country provides to its visitors. Among the many, the spectacular sight and views of the cerulean Himalayan peaks are the major crowd-pullers. The sight and views of the colossal mountain peaks from the trekking trails are unprecedented. The trek to Everest Base Camp is surely one of the best for this kind of enjoyment.
The more popular trekking destinations are regions like the Khumbu, the Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, and Upper Mustang.
There are many off-the-beaten-paths trekking destinations as well that are located in remote and isolated parts of Nepal that offer a very secluded and refined trekking experience.
Other major highlights of trekking include the many ethnic villages along the trail to the base camp. Since Nepal’s multiculturalism is one of its prominent aspects, the villages and the settlements along the mountains offer beautiful insight into the lives of the local indigenous people as well. For example, the Khumbu is a prime Sherpa settlement of the county, and trekking in the Khumbu provides incredible insight and showcases the opulent Sherpa culture. Likewise, many trekking options vary in duration and trip grading.
Trekking trips can occur throughout the country at all times of the year, and each region offers unique attributes and features that differ from the rest.
- Peak Climbing
Peak Climbing in Nepal offers much the same experience as trekking. Still, it does vary from trekking in one very specific aspect- Peak Climbing is way more thrilling and dangerous than regular trekking journeys.
The trails to the peak follow much the same routes as regular base camp treks, but at the end of the journey, it is not simply the base camp that is the final destination; it is the summit of the mountain peak itself!
The adventure factor is advanced in Peak Climbing, and it is a spectacular experience! The feeling of utter accomplishment as one reaches the top of the summit of the mountain peak is indescribable. Many climbable peaks in Nepal are famous among mountaineers, like the Island peak, the Mera Peak, the Peak of Naya Kanga, the Pisang peak, the Lobuche peak, and the Tharpu Chuli peak, among others.
Peak Climbing involves a lot more strenuous physical strain and is done with the help of Sherpa climbers using climbing equipment like Ice Axes, Pick Axes, Crampons and ropes. It is a perilous journey where the stakes are raised, and the mountain peaks’ snowy acreages must be carefully traversed.
It is more suited towards adventure seekers and mountaineers, but novice trekkers can also try this out. Most of the climbable peaks lie in the Khumbu and the Annapurna region, and the journey to the summit involves the cultural aspect of the regions as well.
- Cultural Tours
Cultural Tours in Nepal are a matter of the amazing traditions of the people, architectural buildings that are built in unusual and unique Nepali styles, and old reminiscent buildings that are the remnants of Nepal’s glorious past. Nepal is a country that has one of the densest concentrations of World Heritage Sites in the world; in the Kathmandu valley alone- there are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within walking distance from each other.
Outside of the valley, other World Heritage Sites include the birthplace of Lord Buddha- Lumbini, and two Natural World Heritage Sites of Chitwan National Park and the Sagarmatha National Park. The three ancient cities of the Kathmandu valley- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur each have their own Durbar square complexes. Each contains old Malla palaces, temples, and shrines dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses, idols and statues of deities and heroes and amazing wood carvings done on the buildings and an intricate showcase of spectacular stone masonry.
The architecture of the temples in the country is also exotic and depicts the unique shikhara, Gumba, and pagoda styles of buildings. Temples like the holy temple of Pashupatinath, the Swayambhunath, and the Bouddhanath stupa all hold special reverence in the Hindu and the Buddhist people of the country, and they are important pilgrimage sites as well where thousands of pilgrims from all over the world visit festivals and celebrations.
Furthermore, Nepal also sees the celebration of many Jatras and festivals that masterfully depict the myths and legends of the country and its past. Culture Tours in Nepal are rich and exciting, and there are many sites and settings to see all across the country.
- Rafting
White water rafting in Nepal is also one of the most popular things to do here. Nepal is the second-richest country regarding water resources, and hundreds of rivers, and tributaries drain various parts of the country.
With the melting of glacial snow and ice originating from the mountains, the ever-flowing rivers offer one of the most thrilling water sports experiences on the planet.
Popular rafting rivers in Nepal include the Kali Gandaki, the Seti, the Sun Koshi, the Bhote Koshi, and the Trishuli, among many others.
The fast-flowing rivers are great for rafting adventures and are also beautiful sites for enjoying the riverside biodiversity of the country as well. The ebb and flow of the silver-white rivers offer some of the most breathtaking and remarkable rafting experiences. Usually, rafting in Nepal is done during the monsoon, but it can be done at any time of the year.
- Wildlife Adventures
Nepal is notable for its biodiversity as well along with its multiculturalism. Because of the land differences and the topography, Nepal has developed several biomes throughout the country that caters to the preservation and perseverance of many naturally diverse features and hallmarks.
The geomorphology of Nepal is mainly divided into three major regions- the Terai, the hills, and the mountains. All different regions have their climatic variations along with floral and faunal presence. To protect its natural riches and treasures, Nepal has developed and established a network of more than 20 protected areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves, hunting reserves, and many Ramsar sites.
The national parks and conservation areas are spread over large areas of land and cover a vast majority of settlements and villages as well. The protection parameters of the national parks and the conversation areas also include the natural elements like mountains, lakes, and glaciers, along with the region’s plants and animals.
Many endangered species of plants and animals are protected in Nepal, like Snow Leopards, Asiatic Elephants, Himalayan Black Bears, Himalayan Thars, Mugger Crocodiles, Royal Bengal Tigers, One-Horned Rhinoceroses, Red Pandas, and the national bird of Nepal- the Impeyan Pheasants among countless others.
Wildlife Adventures in Nepal mainly occur in the famous Chitwan National Park and the Bardia National Park, where the jungles, savannah-like grasslands, and marshes are explored on elephant backs. It is a great way to be close to nature and experience the animals’ wonder in their natural habitat. Since the parks also include ethnic villages, exploration, and visit to the settlements is also a part of the adventure.
There are many more things to do in Nepal. Adventures like Trekking in Nepal, from Escape Himalaya, along with other activities like short hikes, paragliding, zip-flying, and boating, can also be done. Nepal is relatively cheap and affordable and can be visited at all times of the year. The diversity of the country really presents amazing and exuberant experiences for its visitors. It is a country that has to be visited at least once in life!