You’ve dreamed of climbing Mount Everest. Many of us have, and when you think about Nepal, you usually lump the world’s tallest peak in with your thoughts. The thing is, unless you have a nice chunk of change (I’m talking about a hundred grand here) and a ton of patience (the lines to the summit are a travesty these days), you probably aren’t going to climb Sagarmatha, as the Nepalese call her, but that’s okay. There are plenty of things to do that are amazing (and safer) in this tiny Southeast Asia country just north of India, and we’re going to experience nine of them right now!
- Check Out Everest Anyway: One of the most amazing experiences you can have while visiting Nepal is, of course, to see the mountain in all of its splendor and glory. A less stressful, albeit still high-endurance, workout is an Everest first-base-camp trek, which, naturally, takes you to the mountain’s first base camp. Sound too strenuous? Go up to the peak via plane and be blown away by the fact that she is still taller than you are, even in the air!
- Tigers, and Tigers, and Tigers, Oh My!: If you’ve ever wanted to see Bengal tigers roaming naturally in their habitat, then you must visit Chitwan National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage National Park is truly one of the most amazing places in Southeast Asia. Resting at the base of the Himalayan Mountains, you’ll have breathtaking views of nature and the world’s grandest big cats as they romp and roam.
- Absorb Local Culture in Kathmandu: The Nepalese capital and largest city is Kathmandu (that’s “cat-man-doo”), and it’s really something to see. I love the energy of this city, not to mention the color and culture! There are tons of markets and bazaars in the center of the city, as well as the Royal Palace, which was built in the 14th century for, of course, the king of the country. Of particular note, however, is…
- Kathmandu’s Durbar Square: This ancient square is at the heart of Kathmandu and is where you’ll find the Royal Palace alongside many other notable structures. This area is so notable, in fact, that UNESCO has given it World Heritage status. There are several temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses and the Durbar Square Museum that explains it all in fascinating fashion. Trust me; you’ve never seen a square like this one!
- Take a Load Off in the Garden of Dreams: After you’ve hoofed it to Everest’s base camp and wandered through the glorious craziness that is Kathmandu, head over the city’s Garden of Dreams for a relaxing oasis. Inspired by the Europeans, this garden is filled with cafes and restaurants for a quick bite among the many fountains and ponds designed to calm and relax you.
- Party Like it’s the Festival of Holi: You’ve refreshed yourself in the Garden of Dreams, so now it’s time to do one of my favorite things in this country, and that is celebrate the Holi Festival. This Hindu celebration takes place toward the end of February or beginning of March, and the entire country goes crazy for a week dousing each other in one gigantic paint and water balloon fight… I’m not kidding! It’s AWESOME!
- Visit an Important Birthplace: It’s time to show reverence to another faith, and that is Buddhism. You’re in Nepal, near India, and in the Southeast Asia region where Buddhism is an extremely important part of the culture. Why not visit the birthplace of Buddha to see how it all got started? Head over to Lumbini Gardens, where Buddha was born in 623 B.C., and take in the amazing pillars and temples.
- Don’t Stop There: But wait! There’s more! Bhaktapur is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the country and has the architecture to prove it. Whether in person or via pictures, you’ve seen plenty of European medieval castles and churches, and now, it’s time to see how the Asians did medieval in the many amazing temples you’ll find in the city’s three squares. The shrines alone will blow you away; I know they impressed me!
- Get Back to Nature: You’ll discover that nature is a primary theme in this Southeast Asia country, and one of the best places to get back to it after visiting all of the temples in Bhaktapur is going to Pokhara. This little village is only 15 minutes from Kathmandu and is the home of Phewa Lake, some snow-capped peaks, and… well… monkey forests. Yep! These little critters run wild in Pokhara and are quite entertaining in and of them.
Aside from seeing the tallest peak in the world (planes fly LOWER than she is), there are some incredible sights, sounds, and experiences in this little gem north of India. What you’re going to find in Nepal is a part of the world unlike any other, filled with wonderfully friendly people living within a unique culture. Keep in mind that this is a less-developed nation, so you’ll want to take some health and safety precautions. This should not stop you, however, from visiting this amazing, amazing country! Trust me, once you’ve crossed these nine amazing things off of your list, you won’t regret not attempting an Everest summit!
Source: Venera Travel Blog
The best way to experience unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural riches of Nepal is to walk through terrain. One can walk along the beaten trails or virgin tracks. Either way you are in for an experience of a lifetime. Along with rhododendron forests, isolated hamlets, small mountain villages, birds, animals, temples, monasteries (Gomba) breathtaking landscape of unsurpassable mountain ranges, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures and traditional rural life.
Nepal, a sovereign independent kingdom, (between 80° 4′ and 88° 12′ East longitude and 26° 22′ and 30° 27′ North latitude) is bounded on the North by the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, the East-South and West by India. The length of the Kingdom is 885 kilometers east-west, and it’s breadth varies from 145-241 kilometers north-south. The country can be divided into three main geographical regions. From the world’s deepest gorge Kali-Gandaki to Highest point on earth The Mt. Everest.
Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis who ruled from 9th century B.C. to 1st century A.D. Legends and chronicles mention that the Indian Emperor Ashoka had come to Nepal and visited Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born, and where he erected a huge stone pillar to commemorate his visit to that spot. The Kirants were replaced by Licchavis who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. This period is noted for the many temples and fine sculptures built around the Kathmandu valley.
Then came the Shah dynasty. King Prithvi Narayan Shah who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandy Valley and unified Nepal in a single kingdom. Recognizing the threat of the British Raj in India , he dismissed European missionaries from the country and for more than a century, Nepal remained in isolation. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal ‘s first prime minister to wield absolute power. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s. In 1768 A.D. the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is eleventh King & Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in the Shah dynasty.
Nepal has a population of more than 22 million people made of different races living in different regions, 40% with diverse culture, and 70%. Languages and dialects .The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the west. The Rais, Limbus and Sunuwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid hills. The Sherpas live in the Himalayan region. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu . There are Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals in the Terai region. The Brahmans, Chhetris and Thakuris are spread generally over most parts of the kingdom.
Hinduism and Buddhism constitute two major religions of Nepal . A remarkable feature of Nepal is the religious homogeneity that exists, particularly between the Hindu and Buddhist communities. Apart from the Hindus and Buddhists, Muslim from the third largest religious group. The exquisite medieval Art & Architecture of the Kathmandu Valley vividly reflect the artistic ingenuity and the religious tradition of the people.
Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical Rain forests to Alpine deserts. There are more than 6000 flowering plant species in Nepal . There are several native plants which are originated in Nepal . Himalayan Rhododendron is the most famous one.