Sher of Sher She Goes recently returned from an enlightening trip to Nepal. We’ve always been curious if Nepal is primarily a destination for adventure travelers and trekkers, or if there’s more to see and do than climb Mount Everest. So we’ve asked her to share some travel insights for first time visitors keen to discover a more cultural side of Nepal.
Visiting Nepal
It’s true that Nepal has staked its reputation on Mount Everest. Thousands of active backpackers make the trek each year from Kathmandu to Lukla, aiming to test their endurance by climbing Everest Base Camp.
But if you have no desire to trek, a trip to Nepal is still worthwhile! I spent about 10 days in Nepal last month, exploring the country’s colorful temples, Newari cuisine and scenic landscapes—without a day in hiking boots.
Here are six things you should know about visiting Nepal.
PC: Sher She Goes
1. Kathmandu Isn’t Quite Shangri-La
Most visitors fly into Tribhuvan International Airport, in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The extended city is chaotic, crowded and dusty at first glance.
Picture spicy peppers sold on the footsteps of UNESCO World Heritage temples, cows resting peacefully in the middle of roads and floral artists weaving marigolds into flower garlands for prayer. The smells, sights and people quickly intoxicate you.
It can be overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve never been to Asia or India, but there’s lots to see, do and eat in Kathmandu if you’re up for an adventure!
2. Ancient Kathmandu Was Once 3 Royal Kingdoms
In ancient times, the Kathmandu Valley was home to three separate kingdoms, each with their own royal palace and Durbar Square. One of the best things to do is to spend a couple days exploring each of them:
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Patan Durbar Square
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square
3. The Nepalese Practice a Hindu-Buddhist Religion
A local guide jokingly told us, “the people of Kathmandu are 60% Buddhist, 60% Hindu” as the Newari people of Kathmandu Valley practice a hybrid Buddhist-Hindu religion. You’ll find many beautiful temples throughout Nepal.
In Kathmandu alone, some of the famous religious sites include:
- Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple): A Buddhist temple on a hill overlooking the city and famously the home of many local monkeys.
- Pashupatinath Temple: One of the most renowned Hindu temples in the world. The temple was built in the 15th century on the riverbank and each evening, ritual cremations are performed here as the Bagmati River eventually meets the Ganges River.
- Boudhanath Stupa: This is one of the largest stupas in the world and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet.
4. Nepal Is Still Recovering from the Earthquake
In 2015, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake which the country is still recovering from. Twin earthquakes caused nearly 10,000 deaths and dozens of Kathmandu’s most iconic heritage sights were flattened.
The city is rebuilding, and everywhere you look you’ll find construction, but one of the most unique things about Kathmandu remain its courtyards. As you walk along the streets, duck into a side alley and you’ll likely find a trio of Buddhist temples for the local neighborhood.
Where to stay in Kathmandu
Thamel is one of the best neighborhoods in the city for travelers. Not only is it centrally located to the famous sights, it offers lots of guesthouses and hotel options as well as great shopping, restaurants and people watching.
5. Nepal is Much More than Mountains
Nepal has strong glacial rivers, which are a hot spot for white water rafting. Meanwhile, central Nepal is home to steep valleys, rustic villages and beautiful rice terraced fields. In the south, you’ll find incredible national parks with wildlife that can rival any African safari. Nepal may be most known for its mountains, but its landscape is much more diverse than that!
When visiting Nepal, be sure not to miss:
- Pokhara: A scenic city in the valley known for Phewa Lake, the Annapurna Trekking Circuit and adventure activities like bungee jumping, microflights and paragliding.
- Chitwan: Nepal’s first national park contains over 932 sq km of forests, marshland and grassland. Go on safari here to discover horned rhinos, elephants, leopards and Bengal tigers.
- Lumbini: The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, is a famous place of pilgrimage. Make sure to visit the gleaming white Peace Pagoda.
PC: Ben Lowe via Unsplash
6. Trekking Isn’t the Only Way to See Mount Everest!
Travelers to Nepal can take a short Mountain Flight from Kathmandu to see Mount Everest from the sky. The one hour round-trip journey is tailor made for photographers, as the airlines sells only window seats for passengers to ensure everyone gets a great view.
If the skies are clear, it’s a fantastic way to see the Himalayas! Passengers are even allowed a short moment into the cockpit to see Mt. Everest with the pilots.
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a cultural enthusiast, Nepal is sure to offer an unexpected, yet engaging experience.
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