8 Day(s) 7 Night(s)
Destination: Nepal
On Top of the World
Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, stunning temples, and numerous World Heritage Sites. It is a hub for the adventure-lovers and home to Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest peak, Nepal is a Himalayan country sandwiched between India and China. The mighty snow-capped mountains here such as Annapurna, Mount Everest, Manaslu, and Kanchenjunga are home to some of the best trekking trails in the world. Nepal is also a major religious hub with its many pilgrimage sites for the followers of Buddhism and Hinduism like the Pashupatinath Temple and the Boudhanath Stupa.
Nepal is the hidden treasure of South Asia. The country has many hidden treasures that are still unknown to the public. With the likes of Mount Everest, Durbar Square, and Nagarkot, Nepal is one of the dream countries to visit for any traveler. One of the most followed spiritual figures worldwide is the great Buddha. His teachings are widely followed by the Buddhist monks and his followers. However, Nepal is directly linked with Buddha and Buddhism via a place named Lumbini. This beautiful place is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tranquillity and greenish surroundings attract many tourists from all over the world. To make things better, the crime rates are very low, making it a very safe travel destination.
Culture
Nepalese are very religious by nature. They are bound by their beliefs and principles and follow them very diligently. 85% of the population follows Hinduism, 8% follow Buddhism and there is a small Muslim minority of 4%. Nepalese is the most common language spoken. Other languages that the locals speak include Bhojpuri and Maithili. English is only spoken in business groups and among trading personnel.
The culture in Nepal is a blend of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan-Mongolian traditions. Auspicious signs, such as the trident or the swastika are considered pious and often displayed in homes, cars, and workplaces to attract positive energy. The customary greeting is joining palms, bowing down, and saying ‘Namaste’. Hospitality is a key feature of their customs. Display of affection between people of different sexes publicly is not well received and may even be a taboo in certain parts of the country.
Nepal celebrates a lot of Hindu and Buddhist festivals. The major festivals celebrated here are Holi, Jatra, Dashain, Diwali, Mani Rimdu, and the Kathmandu Film Festival. The Jatras are basically for the deities that they worship.
Cuisine
Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas, the people of Nepal have many different backgrounds and ethnicities, and this multitude of influences is reflected within the country’s cuisine. The Nepali national meal is daal bhaat tarkaari. It is essentially spiced lentils poured over boiled rice, and served with tarkari. Some popular dishes include momos, a meat or vegetable-filled dumpling (similar to Chinese pot-stickers), and Tibetan Bread and Honey – a puffy fried bread with heavy raw honey that’s great for breakfast.
Things to do in Nepal
Safari in Chitwan National Park
Safari in Chitwan National Park which is the first national park in Nepal and boasts a beautiful setting and abundant wildlife will leave you awed by its beauty. Established in 1973, this park covers an area of 932 km² (360 m²) and is located in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. The altitude varies from 100 m (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 m (2 674 ft) higher up in the Churia Hills in the south. During Safari you may spot many endangered animals, such as the greater one-horned rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, gharial crocodile, freshwater Gangetic dolphin, and others. In addition, four types of deer, two types of monkeys, wild boar, sloth, elephant, and leopard can also be found here. Chitwan National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. It has recorded 634 species of birds, including the most endangered Bengal florican, great pied hornbill, and many reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
Boat ride at Phewa Lake
It is a 1.5-kilometer long, second largest lake in Nepal, offering an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on the lake. One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy a great meal while enjoying the scenery here. Phewa Lake beckons you to come and explore nature’s own country in its purest forms.
Nagarkot Sunrise Tour
Nagarkot is one of the best places that offer great mountain views nearby Kathmandu Valley. Nagarkot is a resort village, 32 km east of Kathmandu. The elevation of this beautiful place is 2,175m from sea level. The views go from Dhaulagiri in the west to Kanchenjunga in the east. On a clear day, one can see Mt. Everest (8848m), Manaslu (8,463m), Ganesh Himal (7,111m), and Langtang (7,246m).
Mountain Flight
Taking a mountain flight is one of the most exhilarating things you can do in Nepal. Easily arranged, you can go eye-to-eye with Mt. Everest and the world’s highest peaks within minutes!
Nepal is home to the greatest range of mountains in the world. Even just arriving in Nepal during the hours of daylight can provide the visitors with their first glimpse of the high Himalayas, whether it is arriving from the west past Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range or from the north past Everest, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga, the horizon will be a jagged line of high snowy peaks stretching far into the distance.
But there are other ways to get even closer to these summits, the major domestic carriers operate “Mountain Flights”. Leaving Kathmandu domestic airport early in the morning, passengers take an hour’s flight around the Everest region with stunning views of all the major peaks, glaciers, and lakes.
The skies are there for you to enjoy the views!
Nepal Visa Information
Nepal provides a minimum 15 days visa to its visitors that can be extended to 150 days in one visa year. Citizens of India do not require any visa, whereas nationals of other countries can be provided with a visa on arrival. However, for citizens of a few countries, a Nepal visa can only be obtained from the Nepal Embassies or Diplomatic Missions. Read to find out the details to obtain Nepal visa.
Best Time to Visit Nepal
The months ranging from October to December are considered to be the best time to visit Nepal. The sky during this time remains clear, thus having brighter chances of viewing lofty mountain peaks and enjoying a good trekking expedition. Late spring is also a great time to plan a visit to Nepal.
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Buddhist Circuit
Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar are the important places that are related directly to the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. In addition to these, there are various other important sites too where he had traveled during His lifetime. These are Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Keysariya, Kapilvastu, Sravasti, and many more.
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The Light of Buddha
The Light of Buddha tour takes you to the holy places eg, Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Sarnath, Rajgir, Vaishali, Shravasti, and Kushinagar.