The Best Trekking Nepal Vacation And 14 Things To Do
The Best Trekking Nepal Vacation and 14 Things to do
Nepal is a sovereign country in South Asia. It is mainly located in the Himalayas. Nepal has a diverse geography, including fertile plains, subalpine forested hills, and eight of the ten tallest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city. Trekking Nepal would be the beat vacation ever!
Table of Contents
Nepal Map
Informations
When to visit: October and November, when is the beginning of the dry season, are the best months of the year. From February to April, when the dry season ends, is the second best time to visit Nepal.
Language: Nepali
Currency: Egyptian Pound Nepalese Rupee (NPR) aprox. 1$=116.7 NPR 1€=142 NPR
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=3 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant= 12 USDÂ
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is a mountain in the Himalayas and with a height of over 8848 m the highest mountain on earth. It is one of the 14 eight-thousanders and one of the seven peaks. Mount Everest has been named after the British surveyor George Everest since 1856. Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal in the Khumbu region of Nepal on the border with China. The western and southeastern of its three summit ridges form the border. On the Nepalese side, it is part of the Sagarmatha National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Janaki Mandir
Janaki Mandir is a Hindu temple in Janakpur, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of mixed Hindu Nepali architecture. Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,480 square m in a mixed style of and Hindu Kingdomship of ancient Nepal. It is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, colored glass, engravings, and paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets.
The Garden of Dreams
The Garden of Dreams also, the Garden of Six Seasons, is a neo-classical garden in Kaiser Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal, built in 1920. Designed by Kishore Narshingh, it consists of 6,895 square m of gardens with three pavilions, an amphitheater, ponds, pergolas, and urns. From the mid-1960s, upon the death of its patron, Kaiser Sumsher Rana, it lay in neglect but was recently restored with the help of the Austrian government.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a former royal palace complex located in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It housed the Malla kings of Nepal from 14th to 15th century and the kings of the Kingdom of Bhaktapur from 15th to late 18th century until the kingdom was conquered in 1769. Today, this square is recognised by UNESCO managed jointly by the Archeological Department of Nepal and Bhaktapur Municipality and is under heavy restoration due to the damages from the earthquake in 1934 and the recent earthquake of 2015.
Phewa lake
Is a freshwater lake in Nepal formerly called Baidam Tal located in the south of the Pokhara Valley that includes Pokhara city; parts of Sarangkot and Kaskikot. The lake is stream-fed but a dam regulates the water reserves, therefore, the lake is classified as semi-natural freshwater lake. It is the second largest lake in Nepal; the largest in Gandaki Province after the Rara lake in the comparison to Nepal’s water bodies. It is the most popular and most visited lake of Nepal. Phewa lake is located at an altitude of 742 m and covers an area of about 4.43 km2 . It has an average depth of about 8.6 m and a maximum depth of 24 m .
Boudhanath
Located about 11 km from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, its massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 gompas (Tibetan monastery) around Boudha. As of 1979, Boudha Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with Swayambhu, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Kathmandu area.
Pashupatinath
Pashupatinath near Kathmandu in Nepal is one of the most important temple complexes of Hinduism. For many Shivaites the temple is one of the most important places of worship of Shiva and for some one of the Jyotirlingas. Thousands of Hindus who travel from far and wide celebrate the Shivaratri festival here every spring. The sanctuary, along with the other sights of the Kathmandu Valley, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1979.
Swayambhu Stupa
TheSwayambhu is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. The Tibetan name for the site means ‘Sublime Trees’, for the many varieties of trees found on the hill. However, Shingkun may be of the local in Tamang Bhasa name for the complex, Swayambhu, meaning ‘self-sprung’. For the Buddhist Newars, in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites.Â
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is a national park in Nepal established in 1973 as the country’s first national park under the name of Royal Chitwan National Park. It occupies an area of ​​932 km² and is located in the Terai, the southern foothills of the Himalayas. The southern border of the national park is also the national border with India. To the east is the Parsa Game Reserve. In the north the river Rapti and in the west the river Narayani form a natural boundary to settled areas. Together with the Parsa Wildlife Reserve and the Valmiki National Park in India, the area forms the over 2000 km² Tiger Conservation Unit Chitwan.
Sagarmatha National Park
Is a national park in Nepal established in 1976 under the name of Sagarmatha National Park and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. With an area of ​​1148 km², it occupies a large part of the Khumbu and borders on the Tibet Autonomous Region in the north. The national park is named after Mount Everest. The landscape is characterized by rugged peaks – including the Mount Everest, Lhotse and Cho Oyu -, glaciers and valleys carved by glaciers and streams. In addition to the impressive mountain formations, some rare animal species and the cultural sites of the Sherpas living there were the reason for its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage.
Devi’s Fall
Devi’s Fall, also known as Davis Falls, is a waterfall in Nepal. The waterfall is located southwest of Pokhara in the valley of the Pardi Khola – a right tributary of the Seti Gandaki – at about 780 m altitude. Two kilometers to the east is Pokharas Airport. The river has created an impressive gorge in the limestone massif. Immediately below the waterfall it sinks for 150m, runs underground at Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and resurfaces 500m further south.
Kapan Monastery
Situated at the significant altitude, Kapan Monastery gives the mesmerising ambience of the Buddhism culture along with the view of overall Kathmandu valley. A good place to visit for quick refreshment and morning walks.
Annapurna National Park
Annapurna Sanctuary is a protected area in Nepal. It was designated in 1992 after preparations started in 1986 and is 7,629 km² in size. It is not strictly a national park like others in Nepal, as the Annapurna region in Mustang District has been populated, albeit sparsely, for centuries. However, by designating it as a special protection area, sustainable management was sought, and with the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, an organization was also launched to reconcile tourism, nature conservation and traditional ways of life in the region. The protected area was named after Annapurna, an eight-thousander in the Himalayas. It is a popular destination for trekking travelers.
Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana Temple is located 1,300 m above the sea level in the Kafakdada Hill in the Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality in Gorkha, Gandaki Province, Nepal.It is approximately 106 km west of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and about 94 km from the west of Pokhara. Many mountains can be seen from the hill including the Annapurna II, Lamjung Himal, and Baudha which is part of Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world. By hiking from Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality it takes about three hours to reach Manakamana which is about 1,000 m away. Alternatively, pilgrims can take the Manakamana Cable Car which was built in 1998 for about US$7.5 million.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Nepal offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Nepal’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
We managed to find the best three companies that offer hotels, holiday homes and transportation. These are: Booking.com,Trip.com and Vrbo. We have already tested these companies and we warmly recommend them. As a result this will just bring you good deals for your next vacation.
Top Hotels in Kathmandu : Basera Boutique Hotel, Radisson Hotel Kathmandu, Hyatt Place Kathmandu.
Where to eat
Traditional food to try in Nepal
- Nepal doesn’t have its own cuisine. The food mainly comes from India and Tibet. You will also find some restaurants serving Korean, Chinese, Japanese, European, Thai, Indian, and other foreign cuisines.
- Thamel is the best district for finding food in Kathmandu. The best place for food in Pokhara is Lakeside. There are many restaurants allowing a variety of options.
- Dal Bhat is mainly rice served along with lentil soup and vegetable curry or chicken (or meat).
- Gunduk consists of fermented green leafy vegetables, such as radish and cauliflower, which are stored in an earthen pot.
- Gorkhali Lamb is a must-try while you are travelling in Nepal. The slow-cooked succulent pieces of meat lamb are immersed in chunky curry alongside wedges of potatoes and roughly chopped onions.
- Samay Baji is a gourmet dish that has been passed on along the generations of Nepali people. It is a platter containing barbecued buffalo meat, boiled egg along with beaten rice and spicy potato salad.
- Chhoyela is a spicy delicacy traditionally made with water buffalo meat. However, you can find duck and meat versions too.
- Dhindho or Dhido Thali is actually a thick porridge prepared by boiling stone-ground cornmeal, buckwheat flour, millet flour with salt in water.
- Yomari is a fish-shaped winter delicacy. It is made with rice dough to fight cold weather in the mountains.Â
- Samosa is a famous Indian delicacy but is also popular in Nepal. It is a spicy, deep-fried, triangle parcel made of white flour and stuffed with mashed potatoes and spices.
- A fusion of doughnut and bagel, Sel Roti is one of the most sought after snack in Nepal during festivals like Tihar and Dashain.
- Momos are small envelopes of white flour stuffed with veggies or minced lamb or chicken.Â
Unique restaurants in Nepal
Chilly Bar and Restaurant (Pokhara) – Multi-cuisine restaurant providing Western, Chinese, Nepali, Tibetan, and Indian food.
Moondance (Pokhara) is a two-story building by Phewa Lake. The decoration in the restaurant is very elegant. It is best to sit on the terrace for viewing the beautiful lake. They serve European food.
Saigon Pho –Â Authentic Southeast Asian cuisine. All the dishes are well prepared by Vietnamese chefs.
Bhojan Ghriha – You sit on the ground while having your dinner. Traditional Nepalese performances of live song and dance are offered.
OR2K is a vegan restaurant, owned by an Israeli, focusing on vegetarian dishes from the Mediterranean countries.
Chez Caroline provides the best French cuisine. Located in Baber Mahal, it is also an outdoor pub where you can spend your spare time and also enjoy a lazy brunch.
The Krishnarpan restaurant is decorated in traditional Newari style. The traditional dining experience is a low table, where guests take off their shoes and sit on a mat. All of the ingredients are grown on Dwarika’s own organic farm.
The Fire and Ice pizza shop offers the best traditional Italian cuisine. It is famous for providing authentic ingredients, such as mozzarella cheese. You can find any traditional Italian dish on the menu — espresso for breakfast, and spaghetti, risotto, and Bolognese for dinner.
Tips and Tricks
- Flight, accommodation and tour costs peak during Nepal’s October-November high season, which coincides with the best weather for trekking. For slightly lower prices, visit in the March-April
- It’s often cheaper to travel via India
- Take advantage of a free airport pick-up
- Negotiate a discount on your room rate
- Eat like a local
- It’s far better to travel to Chitwan independently and make the arrangements yourself
- Buy a local SIM card on arrival at Kathmandu’s airport or from retailers
- Take your lunch with you
- Carry essentials like medicine from your homeland
- Use ride-sharing apps to get around
- Drink bottled water! Do not drink tap water in Nepal.Â
If you do not go by car and need to know more informations about the tours, things to see and do we recommend this two companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
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Shopping
Whether it is the hand-made jute bags that are trendy and colourful or the hippie clothes or the wooden souvenirs including big, traditional masks, or jewellery – you’ll find all of them in Thamel area. Thamel includes a couple of blocks, some of which are so narrow that it’s easy to get lost!
Cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara are fast developing with new malls and supermarkets springing up every now and then. City Centre, Civil mall, CTC mall in Kathmandu, Lalitpur Mall in Patan and Pokhara Trade Mall are just a few examples. From branded clothes to electronics, you can find a range of brands and products here, along with relaxation spots, entertainment zones and food courts. You can shop for items like branded garments, electronic appliances, kitchen-wares, jewellery, perfumes, watches, toys, fitness equipment, etc.
What to buy from Nepal
Tea – Due to the nationwide popularity of tea, you can find them across the country from local markets, tea shops, grocery stores to supermarkets, convenience stores, modern shopping malls.
Nepalese handicrafts are quite unique and feature items like a prayer wheel, vibrant traditional masks, rare puppets, beautifully carved wooden sculptures, and pottery items
Pashmina, popularly known as Cashmere in Nepal is the premium quality wool fiber. It is called the Soft Gold king of fibers and has the coziness with warmth.
Nepal is also known for its abundance in the making of singing bowls. This is one of the beautiful things to take from the country
Traditional Jewelry
Rice paper is paper made out of rice husk. Earlier is was used for manuscripts and paintings but over the time it is used for making journals and diaries.
Getting around
Regular tourist buses connect Kathmandu with Pokhara, Sauraha (for Chitwan National Park) and Sonauli, as well as Pokhara with Sauraha and Sonauli. The vehicles are usually in good condition, making for a safer ride than in a regular bus.
 They aren’t supposed to take more passengers than there are seats, so the journey should also be more comfortable and quicker too. Some companies use minibuses, which are somewhat quicker – occasionally dangerously so. Book seats at least one or two days in advance. Note that ticket agents often add an undisclosed commission onto the price.
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, chartering a taxi by the day is the cheapest option for short or medium-distance journeys. The going rate for trips within the Kathmandu or Pokhara valleys is about Rs2200 a day, though you’ll have to bargain. More expensive cars, jeeps and 4WDs can be rented through hotels or travel agents.
It’s also possible to hire cars for multi-day trips around Nepal from USD $60/day including fuel and a driver. Top tip: If you are trying to get from a smaller village to a main city, you can always try and flag down a private car. Passengers usually have to pay the return fare even if they are only going one-way so the drivers are often more than willing to pick you up for a heavily-discounted rate!
Getting here
Currently, the only international airport in Nepal is the Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital city of Kathmandu, which is well connected with the UAE, India and South-East Asia.
however a second is set to open in Pokhara by 2021. The quickest journeys are from Varanasi, Kolkata and New Delhi, from where one can take a direct flight to Kathmandu of about 1-1.5 hours.
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