Located between the great Himalayas and the Indian plains, a journey into Nepal seems almost cathartic. Deeply spiritual, resilient in spirit and awe-inspiringly beautiful, Nepal should be on the list for those who want to unplug from the city and get immersed in the localness of the place. More so, this is home to the great Mount Everest trail, its base camp being a popular trekking highlight. Nepal’s soothing vistas and simple culture makes it one of the most memorable places in South Asia.
Nepal
Imagine the plains of India, slowly rising into hillocks and then merging with the great Himalayas. The climate of Nepal ranges from steaming hot plains to cool summers and very cold winters. The top reaches of the country are almost always swathed in snow, making it an ideal destination for both summers and winters. The rains come in with vigour between May and July, infusing life into everything arid.
Major Cities / Tourist Places
The unique thing about the cities of Nepal is that each of them has such a distinct character and topography. A trip to the country is enriching in ways that one cannot imagine. Despite being rooted in history, the capital, Kathmandu also has a modern side to it. Juxtaposed with it are the ancient towns of Bhaktapur and Patan. Further away, the lake city of Pokhara embodies the soothing vibe of nature’s best with its shimmering waters reflecting the mountains around. No matter which city you step into, Nepal offers a diverse set of experiences.
Kathmandu
Nagarkot
Dhulikhel
Pokhara
Patan
Bandipur
Bharatpur
Lukla
Iconic Places
Wedged between deep valleys, foothills of the Himalayas or in the middle of tourist-clad swathes of commercial buzz, each town and city of Nepal is intriguing. Innumerable palaces, temples and monuments fill you with awe. There are a number of heritage trails, lesser-known villages and trekking circuits to explore. The towns of Bhaktpur, Patan, Pokhara and Dhulikhel are names that will occur often and are worth your while to get a taste of the different things that Nepal has to offer.
Lumbini
Pashupatinath Temple
Boudhanath Stupa
Dakshinkali Temple
Kathmandu Valley
Chitwan National Park
Sagarmatha National Park
Tilaurakot
Muktinath Valley of Mustang
Ramagrama
Medieval Settlement of Kirtipur
Lo Manthang: Ancient Earthen Walled City
Rishikesh Complex of Ruru Kshetra
Ram Janaki Temple
The Medieval Town of Tansen
Sinja Valley
Bardia National Park
Jomsom
Bhurti Temple Complex of Dailekh
Panauti
Experiences
Apart from trekking on its adventurous trails, Nepal has plenty of other experiences to offer. Amongst these, jungle safaris in the Chitwan National Park, visiting monasteries and getting immersed in the spiritual surroundings of Pashupathinath and other temples are prime. For most travellers, the largest draw lies in the trekking routes, of which the Annapurna circuit and the Everest Base Camp are the most popular. Nepal has also recently acquired the moniker of the ‘adventure capital of the subcontinent’ with rafting and bungee jumping added to the many things you can do to push adrenalin through your veins.
Mountain Biking
Motorbike Tour
Bungee Jumping
Zip Line
Jungle Safaris
Rock Climbing
Mount Everest Flight
Trekking
Paragliding
Ultra Light Aircraft
Traditional Dinner & Cultural Show
Rafting in Trishuli River
Parahawking
Festivals
With Hindus making the largest part of the population composition of Nepal, Dashain (Dushera) is the biggest festival of the nation. Dashain is celebrated to commemorate Goddess Durga’s victory over demon Mahishasur. Tihar is a celebration of lights and colour dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. Apart from these, Buddha Jayanti, Maha Shivratri, Janai Purnima, Gai Jatra and Teej are the other major festivals. Different clans amongst the religious spheres may have slight tweaks.
Losar
Shivratri
Holi
Buddha Jayanti
Janai Purnima
Gai Jatra
Teej
Indra Jatra
Dashain
Tihar
Rato Machhindranath Jatra
Festival Calendar 2024
24thHoli, Kathmandu Valley (24 March 2024)
25thHoli, In Low land – Southern Side (25 March 2024)
08thMaha Shivratri, All Nepal (08 March 2024)
11thBisket Jatra, Bhaktapur & Thimi (11 – 19 Apr 2024)
05thTiji Festival, Mustang & Manag (05 – 07 May 2024)
23rdBuddha Jayanti, All Nepal (23 May 2024)
19thJanai Purnima/Raksha Bandhan, All Nepal (19 Aug 2024)
20thGai Jatra, Kathmandu (20 Aug – 25 Sep 2024)
13thDashain Festival, All Nepal (03 – 12 Oct 2024)
29thTihar (Deepawali), All Nepal (29 Oct 03 Nov 2024)
29thCrow Tihar (Kaj Tihar), All Nepal (29 Oct 2024)
31stDog Tihar (Kukur Tihar), All Nepal (31 Oct 2024)
02ndMha Puja, All Nepal (02 Nov 2024)
03rdBhai Tika, All Nepal (03 Nov 2024)
15thMani Remdu Festival, Everest Region (15 – 17 Nov 2024)
30thTamu Losar, All Nepal (30 Dec 2024)
Top Stays
Nepal has been getting so many visitors for the last few decades that the infrastructure has evolved to include a variety of stays; you can find luxury resorts, simple lodges and tea rooms along trekking trails and easy on the pocket hotels in towns. Home stays are another way to see Nepal closely. No matter where you stay, it is the Nepalese hospitality that trumps all other experiences.