By Layana Reghunath
If you have never visited Nepal, you have missed the chance to be in the earth’s paradise. This tiny nation will gift you enough breathtaking moments with its scenic beauty and heritage. It is marked as the highest country on the world map and hence is named the “roof of the world” or “trek nation.” The country is rich in snow-covered mountains fading into the clouds. Its serene beauty will give you the experience of being in some Disney movies as it is so soothing for the eyes.
Nepal tourism starts from your arrival in Kathmandu. Earlier, it was the main trading route that connected India and Tibet. It will give you a unique travel experience like never before. With a population of 1.7 million, this beautiful city holds on to its vibrant history and ethnicity. People over there follow both Buddhism and Hinduism and will welcome you with their open hearts. Before visiting the Himalayas, tourists spend only a little time in Kathmandu. But actually, this place deserves more of your time; its major tourist attractions are Pashupatinath Temple, Patan, Bhaktapur Darbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Boudhanath Stupa, and Thamel.
If you are looking for a place to relax after tiring Himalayan trekking, Pokhara is an ideal option. Its food and accommodation, panoramic beauty, and adventurous activities will give you enough energy to survive until the next adventure. Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal and is an ideal tourist spot. Adventurers and trekkers never miss this spot as they like to participate in its various adventurous sports like mountain biking, paragliding, skiing, and canoeing.
Around 29 million people reside in Nepal, at a height of about 4800m to 8848m above sea level. Nepal divides itself into three ecological regions topographically: mountains, hills, and terrains. The mountain region covers a land area of 51,817 square kilometres and ranges from 4800m to 8848m above sea level. Nepal shares its northern boundary with Tibet and its east and west with India. Filled with glittering lakes, mountains, dense forests, enchanting monasteries, and temples, it offers everything for a travel freak. Add this beautiful place to your bucket list if you have travel plans this year.
Overview
Let’s take a tour of the world’s most underrated travel destination, Nepal, which has the potential to give you the best travel experience. If travelling is your passion, and you want to explore the world and feel the essence of life, Nepal is a must-visit place. Nepal, on the roof of the earth, is famous for many reasons. But of course, Mount Everest tops the list. Its snow-covered mountains slowly fading into the clouds are a feast for the eyes. And not to forget its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. If you want to escape your busy schedule, visit Nepal and get enchanted by its beauty.
Journey unfolds
Nepal offers more than what you see with your bare eyes. It isn’t just a travel destination; it is a feeling that will take you to eternity. Your travel journey begins with your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. After a quick refreshment, you can start exploring the places in Kathmandu. You can stop at the Thamel Bazal area, famous for its nightlife, and enjoy some mouthwatering street foods like samosas, momos, Katamari, and much more. You have to get some good sleep; your next day will be a bit tiring since you have much more to explore. Taking a tour of Kathmandu, Chitwan, and Pokhara will allow you to experience the magnificent architecture of Nepal. You will experience the rich culture of Nepal by walking around the Kathmandu valley, Chitwan National Park, and Pokhara valley.
The tour will also give you an insight into Nepalese culture, history, and different art forms. The visit to Chitwan National Park will be a new experience for you as you will see the wildlife through a separate window. Pokhara city will give you a breathtaking view of the Himalayas surrounding you. Boating in Pokhara’s lakes will be yet another beautiful experience for you. Nepal has an active nightlife. So you won’t be bored throughout your journey. Now let us understand the places of Nepal one by one.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is famous for its serene beauty, monasteries, and age-old temples. A must-visit place in Kathmandu is Durbar Square. It is one of the three durbar squares of the royal palace located at the heart of the town in the Kathmandu valley, and it is said to have been built in the late 17th or 18th century. The Hanuman Dhoka square, where all the essential ceremonies, including the coronation of monarchs, are held, is also situated here.
The temple doors in Kathmandu are made of silver, while their roofs are of copper, coated with gold. It is a favourite spot for Hindu believers all around the world. The next place to visit is Boudhanath Stupa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South Asia’s largest stupas. It is also a shelter home for many Tibetan refugees; you can find more than 50 Tibetan monasteries around Boudhanath Stupa. This stupa comes in between the ancient trade route of Tibet and the Kathmandu valley. It is believed that Tibetans stop here to pray for a safe journey while taking their yaks on the high passes of the Himalayas.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square combines shikhara and pagoda-style temples made of wood and brick. You can also see the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows and the Golden Gate here. From here, your next destination is Swayambhunath, one of the most recognised symbols in Nepal. The structure of the Swayambhu Stupa was built in the 5th century and is coated in gold. It is covered with colourful fluttering prayer flags all over. Situated on the top of the hills of the Kathmandu valley, this stupa offers a panoramic view of the whole of Kathmandu city. It is believed that Buddha fulfills the wishes of all those who are ready to climb the stairs to offer their prayers to him.
Chitwan National Park
After exploring Kathmandu, your next stop will be Chitwan National Park. It takes almost 6 hours by road from Kathmandu to get there. But the road journey to Chitwan is undoubtedly soothing and pleasurable. You can experience the scenic beauty of Kathmandu Valley, dense forests, and waterfalls throughout the journey. You can also meet sarangi players who will sing to you about Nepali life and history on the road.
The word “chit” means “heart,” “wan” means jungle, and Chitwan means the heart of the jungle. As the name suggests, the Chitwan National Park tour takes you to the heart of the dense forests and too on an elephant ride. Here you can spot wild animals and different varieties of birds here and there. Some rare species, like Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinos, are found in the forests of Chitwan. There is also an elephant breeding centre where you will get familiar with different breeds. You can also visit the Tharu village inside the Chitwan forest and enjoy their cultural dance and mouthwatering cuisine. It will be a memorable day for you as you will be engaged in different adventurous activities like elephant safari, jeep safari, canoeing, jungle walk, bird watching, and much more.
Lumbini
Next, you can visit the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini. It is one of the world’s most popular pilgrimage destinations. It was here that Buddhism originated, and the concept of world peace began here. Undoubtedly, it is a place that you must visit once in your lifetime. It is located in the Terai, the southwestern part of Nepal, almost 300km from Kathmandu.
In Lumbini, you can visit the Maya Devi Temple. This temple was built where Buddha was born. The marker inside the temple gives you the correct location of Buddha’s birth. Lumbini also has Ashok’s pillar, built by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC. It also has the oldest inscription in Nepal. Its height is 6 m, and half of it is under the ground. Tourists also visit the Pushkarana pond, where Mahadevi bathed before giving birth to Buddha. You will be at peace after visiting this spiritual place, and your mind and body will be refreshed once you come out of this beautiful place.
Pokhara
The next favourite spot of tourists is Pokhara, yet another beautiful town in Nepal. Here you can go for a boat ride on the Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. If you are lucky enough, you can see the reflections of the Annapurna mountains in its clear water. You can also stroll around the lakeside, enjoying its scenic beauty. And if all the walking has made you tired, you can rest on the eastern shore of the Phewa lake, popularly known as Baidam. It is filled with many restaurants, hotels, and handicraft shops and is your ideal relaxation point.
After exploring the Phewa lake, you can head to Tal Barahi temple, built in its centre. It is made in the pagoda style and has shakti as the deity. On Saturdays, special poojas are conducted in the temple, where devotees carry male animals and fowl to offer to the deity. After that, you can move towards David’s Fall, also known as Patale Chango. It is the most mesmerising waterfall, situated on the Sidhartha highway, almost 2km from Pokhara Airport. According to the folk tales, a trekker named David got washed away by the Pardhi Khola and vanished in the underground passage beneath the waterfall. Hence it got the name David’s Fall.
You can then stop at Bindyabhasini Temple, the religious centre in the lid bazaar. It has Goddess Bhagwati as its deity, a reincarnation of Shakti. The grounds over there are picnic friendly, where you can spend quality time. The temple has a festive vibe on Saturdays and Tuesdays as many devotees come to offer their prayers. Then we can head to Gupteshwor cave, also known as Gupteshwor Gupha, to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. Its main attraction is the Shivalinga, the structural symbol of Lord Shiva, and it is adjacent to David’s Fall.
Well, that was all about the places you can visit in Nepal. Of course, I haven’t covered all the areas. The list is endless. It will take you more than a month to cover the entire country. It is so beautiful, both inside and outside. So let’s move on to the adventure activities of Nepal. For adventure lovers, Nepal has much more to offer. Elderly people may find it exhausting, but younger generations love the adventure sports of Nepal. The government of Nepal has also started promoting various adventurous activities after realizing their vast scope. Below is a list of multiple adventurous sports that have become a part of Nepal’s tourism.
Waterfall ice climbing
You must have done rock climbing before. But waterfall ice climbing in Nepal will be an entirely new experience for you. Youngsters are attracted to this sport as it allows them to push their limits and seek new challenges. Conquering the toughest icefalls and jagged peaks in extreme climates was a unique experience for the trekkers. Nepal has one of the most extended ice climbs in the world, an 18-pitch 800-metre behemoth located in its northeastern region.
Para Hawking
You must be familiar with paragliding, as it is a popular sport worldwide. But Nepal brings a twist to their paragliding sport. Here you will be paragliding with trained birds like vultures, eagles, and hawks, hence the name para hawking. It might seem like a dream, but it is a reality in Nepal. The birds are so well-trained that they will guide you to the best thermal pockets, and in return, they are awarded chunks of meat.
Mountain Biking
If you are looking for a more challenging adventure sport, you can opt for mountain biking. This sport helps you explore gorgeous landscapes, magnificent mountains, and high-altitude trails of the Himalayan ranges in an environmentally and pocket-friendly manner. Studies have proven this sport has led to a reduction in stress levels and better heart health. They conduct annual mountain climbing championships in Pokhara and Kathmandu, where many tourists participate each year.
Ultra Light Flying
You can now enjoy the beauty of the Himalayan mountains by taking a ride in microlight aircraft. The thrilling 90-minute flying experience will be memorable as you will be able to view the mountain peaks in a closer shot. You will be accompanied by trained pilots who will ensure a smooth flying experience.
Canyoning
Canyoning is a water sport in Nepal that you will not want to miss if you are an adventure lover. While canyoning, you will be repelling down the water canyon by abseiling, jumping, or sliding to discover the magnificent canyon walls and waterfalls deep below. The authorities have taken all the safety measures and will keep you safe throughout the sport.
You can also try their low-risk sports activities like bungee jumping, river water rafting, and jungle safari to satisfy your adventurous mind. Nepal has everything a traveller is looking for and is indeed a paradise on earth. Never miss the golden chance to visit Nepal, as it will be a considerable loss for you.