If you’re planning a trip to Nepal, this blog will provide detailed insights about the 10 best things to do in Nepal. The small mountainous country of Nepal offers a lot to its visitors. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Nepal for several purposes, whether it be trekking, hiking, or exploring the beautiful Himalayan nation. Nepal is renowned for several reasons. The three Durbar squares of Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park, Boudhanath and Swayambhunath Stupa, Changunarayan and Pashupatinath temple, etc., are famous tourist attraction places that are listed as World Heritage sites.
Adventure activities like trekking, hiking, rafting, jungle safari, paragliding, Kayaking, etc., are extremely popular in Nepal. Moreover, the unique thing you will see in Nepal is the perfect blend of different cultures. The people are incredibly friendly and hospitable. If you plan to visit beautiful Nepal soon, these are the top things you should do.
Nepal offers you multiple trekking trails with different levels of difficulty. You can opt for any trail according to your fitness level and preferences. From an Everest Base Camp Trek, which takes you to the base of the tallest peak in the world, to trekking in the beautiful Annapurna region, you will find multiple places to trek. Treks such as EBC Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang Valley Trek, Manaslu Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, ABC Trek, etc. attract thousands of trekkers every year.
Trekking is definitely one of the top things that you should do during your visit to Nepal. These best trekking routes take you to witness the natural majestic beauty of the Himalayas. Completing a trek is surely an accomplishment that you will cherish for the rest of your life. However, it is not a walk in the park. You must prepare for the trek. Alongside your physical and mental preparation, you should be able to figure out the best trekking trail you wanna trek in, customize the itinerary, and manage the time and budget to ensure a safe and enriching experience.
Fun Family Trip Across Nepal
Manfred
Germany
Kathmandu is the Capital city of Nepal. It is also known as the City of Temples. There are many tourist attractions in the Valley. Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa, etc., are famous religious sites to explore in Kathmandu Valley. Likewise, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Narayanhiti Palace Museum, National Museum of Nepal, etc., are the famous museums to visit in Kathmandu Valley. The city of Kathmandu offers vibrant nightlife. If you love clubbing and partying, do not miss out on visiting the pubs and clubs at Thamel and Durbar Marg.
The bustling capital city of Nepal boasts a rich cultural significance. The Indigenous Newari people, their local culture, and the authentic Newari cuisine reflect the rich culture of Nepal’s capital. Trying out Newari cuisine must be on your list of things to do in Kathmandu. Moreover, interact with the locals and learn about the different cultures and traditions during your visit to Kathmandu. The people are extremely welcoming and hospitable.
Chitwan National Park is the first national park in Nepal. Previously, it was the famous hunting ground for the Nepali kings. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park covers an area of 952.63 square kilometers. It is home to more than 700 species of wildlife. The Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros are the two major endangered species that are protected in the national park.
Jungle safari and elephant safari are two popular adventures in Chitwan National Park. You can encounter numerous wild animals, like Tigers, deer, rhinos, bears, elephants, leopards, foxes, birds, crocodiles, snakes, etc. Moreover, one of the best things is not to miss out on boating in the Rapti River, which allows you to witness the varieties of crocodiles, gharials, fish, etc.
Pokhara is the tourism capital of Nepal. The beautiful city of Pokhara offers numerous tourist attractions and places to visit. Nepal’s tourism capital offers multiple adventure activities like boating, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, bungee jumping, paragliding, skydiving, etc. Paragliding in Pokhara is not one to be missed. The paragliding in Pokhara takes off at Sarangkot and lands at Pame. It costs around $50-100, depending on the company and the pilot you prefer. This paragliding offers you a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Pokhara city, where you can witness the majestic Annapurna range peaks in the north. It is surely a lifetime adventure that you will cherish for the rest of your life.
Trishuli River is one of the biggest free-flowing rivers, popular for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, etc. The road to Pokhara from Kathmandu passes alongside the Trishuli River, making it a convenient tourist spot. Water sports are one of the major attractions of this river because of its impressive gorges and exciting sections. Multiple riverside resorts offer you the rafting opportunity at Trishuli. If you’re traveling in a group, rafting in Trishuli is a must-do adventurous activity.
Bungee Jumping is another major adventure sport to do in Nepal. The Last Resort offers a surreal experience where you will jump from a 160-meter-high tropical gorge. The Last resort is at the Bhote Koshi River bank, near Kathmandu. It is just a 3-4 hour ride from Kathmandu or from the city of Bhaktapur. The most exciting part about the jump is that you will jump into the wildest Bhotekoshi River below. The cost of a bungee at Bhotekoshi will cost you $100. It is one of the best places to do bungee jumping in Nepal.
$1799 $1,520
per person
Reach 5,545m/ 18,192ft (Kala Patthar) in 14 Days
$1628 $1,448
per person
Reach 5,416m/ 17,764ft in 16 Days
Annapurna Circuit Trek allows you to trek in one of the most beautiful regions of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit trek begins at the low foothills, around 800 meters from sea level, and reaches an altitude of 5,400 meters at Thorong La Pass. This trek circles the Annapurna Massif and gives you amazing views of the Himalayas in the Annapurna region. Trekking in the Annapurna region will allow you to walk alongside the various paddy fields, lush forests, charming Gurung and Magar Villages, Naked hills, etc.
It is one of the most popular long-distance treks in the world. During this trek, you will be hiking around 180-230 km. The Annapurna Mountains, colorful forests, clear blue skies, waterfalls, and friendly people make this trek truly special. Annapurna Circuit Trek is a journey that should be done during your Nepal trip.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is another UNESCO World Heritage site located in Kathmandu Valley. Basically, Bhaktapur Durbar Square used to be a royal palace for the Malla Kings. It is believed to have been built around the 14th to 15th centuries. Out of the three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur Durbar Square was considered the biggest and the grandest among the three during its independence. Still, the Bhaktapur Durbar looks the biggest among the three. There are multiple temples and palaces inside the Durbar square. The Palace of Fifty-five Windows and the Nyatpola temple are the major attractions inside Durbar Square.
“Juju Dhau” and “Khuwa Kulfi” are the must-try foods during your visit to Bhaktapur. Moreover, you can also visit the famous pond “Siddhapokhari,” which sits just outside of Durbar Square. Like Kathmandu, Newar is the Indigenous people of this place, and this place is equally famous for Newari cuisine.
While in Nepal, you need to visit the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that lies in the southwestern part of the country. Lumbini holds various historical, cultural, and spiritual importance for all Nepalese. Thousands of Buddhist as well as non-Buddhist people visit the place every year. For Buddhists, Lumbini is a sacred place where they can see the spot where the Buddha was born and took his first steps. The entire area covers 4.8 square kilometers. Within the premises, there are monastic zones featuring various monasteries built by different countries, temples, and gardens.
Some of the most notable sites in Lumbini include the Maya Devi Temple, monastic zones, the Ashoka Pillar, the Lumbini Museum, the sacred Bodhi Tree, and the Eternal Peace Flame. The monastic site is divided into two zones: the east monastic zone and the west monastic zone. The eastern monastic zone has around 14 monasteries, and the western monastic zone has around 18 monasteries. Each monastery reflects the different architectural and art styles of the country that built it. While visiting Lumbini, you can take meditation classes in the meditation centers within the premises and gain spiritual enlightenment. You can also learn about Buddha’s teachings for inner peace.
Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are two scenic hill stations near the capital city of Kathmandu. Nagarkot is situated at an altitude of 2175 meters and lies 32 kilometers east of Kathmandu. Similarly, Dhulikhel is situated at an altitude of 1550 meters and lies 30 kilometers southeast of the capital city. These two locations are popular as quiet escapes from the city noises. Similarly, you can enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas and the surrounding lush green hills. Nagarkot is also well known for its beautiful sunrise and sunset views. There are also short hiking trails where you can enjoy peaceful nature walks. Meanwhile, Dhulikhel is ideal for exploring Newari culture, ancient temples, and vibrant markets.
As Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are a little far from the city, there is little pollution, and the skies are clear. Hence, if you love stargazing, these places are perfect. There is a National Observatory at Nagarkot from where you can enjoy guided stargazing experiences. There are various luxurious resorts and retreat centers in these locations. Many resorts offer spa treatments, yoga, and meditation, and are located in beautiful places with mountain views and infinity pools. You can relax on your resort balcony, enjoy your favorite drink, and admire the stunning mountain scenery around you. It is one of the things that you must do and experience in Nepal.
The best time to visit Nepal is during the Spring and Autumn seasons. These seasons offer the ideal conditions for exploring Nepal. The temperature is moderate, and the weather is stable during these seasons. For mountaineering activities like mountain climbing, trekking, and hiking, the conditions are ideal during these seasons. Moreover, Autumn is the festive season in Nepal. You can experience festivals like Dashain, Tihar, Chhat, etc., during Autumn. Different flowers, including Nepal’s national flower, “Rhododendron,” bloom during Spring, making the natural surroundings look colorful.
Winter and summer aren’t bad for exploring Nepal, either. Nepal receives heavy rainfall during the summer season. This might lead to natural calamities like floods and landslides. However, the other conditions for exploring Nepal are ideal during the summer or monsoon season. Likewise, Winter in the Himalayas is cold. The temperature goes below the freezing point. The other hilly and Terai regions can easily be explored during this season. Despite not being the peak season, these two seasons welcome visitors to Nepal.
Nepal is a small piece of Heaven on Earth. The small country offers numerous attractions to its visitors. The country is rich in biodiversity. There are many places to visit in Nepal, from Mount Everest to the birthplace of Buddha. The mountainous treks, short hikes in the hills, exploration of the rich cultural heritages, and authentic local cuisine are something you should do while visiting Nepal. The journey to the beautiful nation is something you will cherish for the rest of your life.
