Nepal, despite its tiny size, has a stunning array of scenery, from towering peaks to gentle slopes, lush rainforests to arid highlands. Because of the wide variety of people and cultures who call Nepal home, the country’s calendar is always jam-packed with festivals, celebrations, and special events. It is home to an amazing variety of adventures, experiences, and activities, from Himalayan hiking and city exploration to wildlife safaris and water sports like rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking.
It’s difficult to know where to begin when there are so many possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just passing through, these are some of the highlights of your trip in Nepal.
So here is our pick of what you could do. Each of them is worth making to your bucket list of travel. Divided into three sections – the first is for the adrenaline addicts seeking the storm and the calm, while the second is for the spiritually inclined, and the third on culinary indulgences is for everyone!
Hike up and down the Himalayas
There is a vast array of paths in Nepal, from short, self-guided walks to epic, multi-week adventures, and planning a trip is simple and affordable. Both the magnificent Himalayan backdrop (Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains) and a fascinating glimpse into the highland civilisations are provided.
Annapurna Sanctuary, Everest Base Camp, and the Langtang Valley are the most well-known trails, although there are many more.
Seek for the Terai’s lone-horned rhinos.
The larger one-horned rhinoceros had been hunted to the brink of extinction on the Indian subcontinent by the early 20th century, but the species has since made a full recovery thanks to intensive conservation efforts.
Along with tigers, wild elephants, gharial crocodiles, and hundreds of species of birds, these magnificent animals may now be seen in the woods, marshes, and grasslands of Chitwan and Bardia national parks in the Terai, a stretch of lowlands extending the length of southern Nepal.
Visit the Koshi Tappu Bird Sanctuary.
The Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve may be found in the eastern region of the Terai and is a popular destination for birdwatchers. In its marsh and grassland areas, you may see at least 527 different bird species, many of which are endangered. The red-necked falcon, Bengal florican, and swamp francolin are just a few of these birds.
Wild water buffaloes called Arnas have enormous horns and are critically endangered, so you could possibly see a few of them.
Get on your bike and ride through the mountains.
Mountain bikers can access remote regions of Nepal thanks to an intricate system of back roads, tracks, and trails, some of which have been in use for decades. While it is possible to go out on your own (rental bikes are plentiful in the big tourist hubs), many of the roads are uncharted and are best enjoyed on a guided trip, especially if you are a novice biker.
Excellent options include the two-day Scar Road trek from Kathmandu, the six-day trek from Muktinath to Pokhara, and the twelve-day trek from Jomsom to Lo Manthang.
Pokhara Paragliding
Pokhara, a relaxed city on a lake, is one of the best spots on Earth for adventure sports fans. Located between the Annapurna and Manaslu mountain ranges, this area is ideal for adventure tourism.
You may also enjoy spectacular mountain views when paragliding in Pokhara, after taking off from the adjacent peak of Sarangkot and gliding across the blue sky on thermals.
White water rafting is a must.
Although Nepal is best known as a hiking destination, it is also home to some of the world’s best white water rafting and kayaking. A one- or two-day journey down the Trisuli river, near to Kathmandu, is a great way to get a taste of Nepal without breaking the bank.
You may also spend a week navigating the wilderness on the Sun Kosi or Tamur rivers, or take on the more difficult Bhote Kosi, Nepal’s steepest rafting river, which rushes down from the Tibetan border.
Visit Bandipur and relax.
Bandipur, a picturesque market town set on a hill, is the ideal location to kick back and take it easy for a while. Many of the charming townhouses from the 18th century have been renovated into high-end hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts.
Even though you could go for a stroll, rock climbing, or visit a neighbouring silkworm farm, nothing beats ordering a coffee and sitting back to take in the breathtaking Himalayan scenery or people-watch.
Trip to Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, or Daman for a dawn view.
Villages and towns dot the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, and from their lofty perches, they enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayas, especially around daybreak. Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, and Daman are only short trips outside Kathmandu.
In addition to the many free or cheaply priced vistas, many of their inns and hotels are designed so that guests may look out at some of the world’s tallest mountains from the comfort of their room or balcony. Visit between October and December or March and April for the best chance of seeing the blue sky.
View the Janaki Mandir with awe.
One of Nepal’s most impressive temples may be found in the Terai city of Janakpur, which is a popular pilgrimage site because of its connection to the Hindu epic the Ramayana. The marble Janaki Mandir is a temple devoted to the goddess Sita; it was designed in the Baroque Mughal style and has several domes, turrets, and arches.
In the early evening, when the temple’s lights are glowing and songs float softly through the air, the temple is at its most beautiful.
Visit the magnificent Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, which sits atop a hill to the west of Kathmandu and is adorned with the painted eyes of the Buddha, a golden spire, and a plethora of temples, shrines, restrooms, and sculptures.
Devotees ascend the steep stone staircase twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, to perform a kora (religious circuit) of the massive stupa, which is believed to be at least two thousand years old. It’s a great place to watch the sun go down because of the panoramic views it offers the city and beyond.
Travel to the spot where the Buddha was born.
Siddhartha Gautama, better known as the Buddha, was born in the western Terai city of Lumbini in 563 BCE. The Maya Devi Temple, dedicated to his mother, stands on the site today. It is believed to have been built about 2200 years ago. It is the second holiest Buddhist site after Bodhgaya in India, where the Buddha attained enlightenment.
In addition to the Maya Devi Temple, the expansive complex also has gardens, a museum and cultural centre, and a glittering peace pagoda, all of which were constructed by Buddhist groups worldwide, including China, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Discover the mediaeval architecture of the Kathmandu Valley.
Kathmandu and its neighbouring towns of Patan (also called Lalitpur – “City of Beauty”) and Bhaktapur are renowned for their evocative mediaeval architecture, particularly in their ancient districts. Durbar Squares (royal plazas) still include well-preserved or renovated palaces, temples, shrines, and pavilions, many of which are available to the public despite the devastation caused by the earthquake in 2015.
Together with other Buddhist and Hindu sites in the Kathmandu Valley, such as Swayambhunath, they make up a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Visit Bodhnath to get insight into Tibetan Buddhism.
Tibetan Buddhist exiles have established a flourishing community in the Kathmandu Valley settlement of Bodhnath (also known as Bouda). An enormous whitewashed stupa erected about the sixth century CE serves as the site’s focal point, attracting visitors worldwide. Monks and students in maroon robes, colourful prayer flags, and shops selling butter lamps throng the neighbouring streets and plazas.
Tibetan Buddhist theory, practice, and meditation courses, ranging from beginning seminars to advanced study programmes, are offered by a wide variety of Bodhnath monasteries and institutions to international tourists.
Try some Newari dishes while in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a major backpacker hub in Asia and as such has a wide selection of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars, and pubs serving cuisine from all over the world in addition to Nepalese staples like daal bhaat tarkari (a dish made with lentils, rice, and vegetables) and momos (steamed or fried dumplings).
Only leave the Kathmandu Valley with sampling some authentic Newari cuisine. Although most Nepalis are vegetarian, several Newari cuisines prominently contain meat such as buffalo, goat, and wild boar. Choila (hot grilled buffalo strips) and baji (beaten rice, like rolling oats) are two dishes you must try.
Have some tea.
The picturesque mountain hamlet of Ilam and the surrounding green hills produce some of the best tea in the world. They are geographically and climatically similar to Darjeeling, India, which is just over the border, although they lack that city’s size and worldwide fame. The tea plucking season lasts from April to November, so a trip to the gardens and a cup of tea is a necessity.
It’s important to time your visit to the Himalayas, jungle safari, or the ancient temples of the Kathmandu Valley just perfectly. The best times to visit Nepal for trekking and other outdoor activities are the spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild and the sky are usually clear.
Summer monsoon, when travel may be difficult due to wet weather and vistas disappear behind thick rainclouds, and winter when routes are slippery and the hills are snowbound, see fewer visitors. Read more about what special festival or event occurs each month here and plan your trip accordingly.Discover the allure of bucket-list-worthy travel to Nepal with Ante Finem. Nestled in the embrace of the mighty Himalayas, Nepal offers a captivating blend of awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the adrenaline-pumping treks to the Everest Base Camp to the tranquil beauty of ancient temples in Kathmandu, every step unveils a new facet of this enchanting country. Let us be your guide to exploring Nepal’s towering peaks, serene valleys, and spiritual treasures. With Ante Finem, your journey to Nepal will be a true adventure of a lifetime.
