Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is a small Himalayan nation where things like yaks, yetis, mountains, and prayer wheels appear to be seemingly common. Although a relatively small country, Nepal offers countless wonders that pertain to both natural and cultural heritage. From an affluent history to being home to many of the world’s highest mountains, Nepal is a profusion of incredible riches and splendors.
Its rich natural glory, cultural heritage, and historical attractions have proven to be the perfect blend between the ancient and modern, fancy city life and slowly faced lifestyles. It is a nation eminent for its adventure trekking through the Himalayas to its historical shrines and architectural affluence that has made it into UNESCO – World Heritage Sites. No wonder then that Nepal is highlighted above on the list of travel recommendations for 2021 and beyond.
Nepal’s diverse topography separated by the terrains and landscapes presents its unique offers- whether it be in the form of landscapes, cultural saturation, or rich biodiversity. The Himalayan beauty of Nepal is certainly unique and tied with ethnic and cultural imbue. The country’s widespread population showcases that. Trekking in Nepal, for example, is the most sort-out adventure pursued by people from all around the world.
But besides trekking, Nepal has a lot more to offer to the guests. So, here are the top 5 best things to do in Nepal.
1. Trekking
Nepal’s unique geography makes it a world-class destination for trekkers making trekking in Nepal an outstanding destination for every backpacker. After all, Nepal is renowned as “The land of the Himalayas” and is the home of Mt. Everest– the world’s highest mountain peak. Each year, thousands of trekkers visit Nepal to have the Great Himalayas’ first-hand experience and revel in its unique and diverse ancient heritage, culture, and warm hospitality. Trekking is the best way to experience it all in a single go mutually!
Well-known adventures like the Annapurna Base Camp Trek and the Everest Base Camp Trek, among many others, present unique aspects and features unlike anything on Planet.
The country is enriched with regions and mountain valleys that offer peculiar trekking adventures blended with splendid natural beauty and religious themes set against the shades of the glorious Himalayas. Truly, Nepal is a great place for vacations with family and friends or even solo adventures. It is a country that has a lot to offer in terms of numerous diverse aspects. It is naturally enticing and historically rich.
2. Mountaineering
Nepal is famed for the Great Himalayas. Eight of the 10 highest mountains on the planet rest here, including Mt. Everest. It comes as no surprise that mountaineering has made a wholesome mark in the nation’s tourism sector. It is an extremely thrilling and enjoyable experience one can ever have in a lifetime.
Each year, thousands of mountaineering fanatics worldwide attempt to reach the summit of many mountain peaks. The unique feeling of reaching the mountain’s summit against daring ordeals to climb the snowy peaks is unlike anything else on the earth. For those whose dreams soar even higher than the clouds, Nepal’s Himalayas offers the astounding experience of going up through the many hurdles that climbing a mountain presents which is radiantly imminent and daunting.
3. Cultural Tours
Cultural tours in Nepal offer the experience of amazing architectural beauty and historical agility. Moreover, Nepal holds one of the densest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Likewise, there are four heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley alone that are situated close to each other.
Nepal is also the land where Lord Buddha – the founder of Buddhism, was born. The nation still has numerous temples and offcuts from its medieval and ancient eras that imitate its historical riches and significance. From religious sites like Syambhunath and Pashupatinath to old palaces of Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu city.
The nation is rich in terms of culture and preservation of traditional practices that date back centuries. Nepal is also home to the Newa Architecture, a sophisticated form of architecture that is only found here. The attractive carvings done on the doors, windows, pillars, and roofs of the buildings and old temples display an impressively unique and beautiful demonstration of structural framework. The stone masonry, metallurgy, and the woodwork on the buildings alone imitate much of the cultural aspect and expression that are rooted in the lives of its people, deriving directly from several ancient religious scriptures and mythologies of Deities.
4. Hiking
Hiking is a great way to enjoy nature’s serenity, getting away from the bustling city life. Likewise, it is an immense peaceful activity pursued by many people. Nepal offers numerous options for short hikes over its countryside. Here are many destinations that present incredible natural environments that are unspoiled for hikes. Places like Chisapani, Chandragiri, Daman, and Nagarkot, among many others, all offer serene and calm natural settings for hikers. Moreover, most of the hiking destinations are conveniently situated nearby cities, making them easily reachable. Hiking along the peaceful trails to reach the viewpoints and gaze at the distant views of the marvelous mountains is indeed a great way to revel in nature and get spiritually refreshed.
5. Wildlife Tours
Nepal holds numerous national parks, hunting reserves, and conserved areas to protect and preserve its wildlife and nature. Wildlife tours in Nepal are a profound way to experience the nation’s biodiversity in purely natural surroundings.
Moreover, two national parks are also enlisted under the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites List, namely: the Chitwan National Park and Sagarmatha National Park. Riding on elephants’ backs through the forests to observe animals like the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger in their natural habitat is surely bewildering. Taking Jungle Safari through the shade of tropical jungles and woodlands and canoeing through the crocodile-infested rivers to enjoy the daring adventure offered by the nation is an opportunity that is not to be missed!