Best known for Mount Everest and its long cultural tradition, Nepal is definitely one of the most exciting countries in the world. Nestled between India and China, it takes the best of both world, offering ancient historical monuments, breathtaking landscapes and amazing wildlife. Here is what you need to see if want to explore the best of Nepal.
Culture of old times
Thanks to its sheltered position, Nepal and its citizens have managed to preserve their culture for thousands of years. First-time visitors should definitely start from the Kathmandu Valley. This area is best-known for three medieval towns – Patan, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. They represent the heart of tradition that makes the Nepalese culture so unique on the global level. Each of them has their own town centre and typical royal squares. Also, each town in the Kathmandu Valley has a large number of wooden temples and religious shrines. They have great cultural importance, which is why UNESCO has also included them in their World Heritage List.
Trekking under the clouds
In addition to its cultural offer, Nepal is probably the most attractive country in the world for long mountain walks at pretty high altitude. If you want to try trekking in Nepal, the best place to start with is Lukla. Its airport is known as one of the most incredible and dangerous airports in the world. From there you can set off for your walking adventure, with the first stop in Namche Bazaar. This town is considered the capital of the Sherpa region. Also, do not miss Kunde, a picturesque Sherpa village situated about 3900m above the sea level. It is only 25km away from Mount Everest and this village can be used as a starting point before the trekking attack on the top of the Himalayas.
Highly preserved wildlife
People often complain that the largest part of the Nepalese mountains is inaccessible for visits or walks. From an ecological point of view, this is a great advantage. Thanks to such terrain, many animal and plant species are still well-preserved in this area. Of course, some commercial features have been introduced, but most animals and plants are still on the wild side. For instance, here you can go for an elephant ride, on which you can see Bengal tigers or rhinos that are kept in Royal Chitwan National Park. Those more enthusiastic tourists can opt for exciting trekking tours around the park, to see the animals from a close-up. If you bring a quality wildlife camera, you can take some incredible photos. However, bear in mind that the best months to see the most of the Nepalese wildlife are February and March and plan your visit accordingly.
The hidden beauties of Nepal
Since Nepal can be approached from dozens of angles, tourists eager to go for something completely different should try the off-beat Nepal. You can combine trekking and visits to the hidden gems of Nepal, known only to experienced guides. For instance, you can visit the Kangchenjunga region, which hosts the third largest mountain peak in the world. This part of Nepal offers cozy mountain villages and genuine teahouses, revealing the honest and authentic soul of the Nepalese people. The main advantage of this region is that it has not succumbed to commercialization, unlike the area around Mount Everest.
These are only a few tips of countless icebergs that make Nepal such an extraordinary country. Leave all the technology and modern progress behind, pack up and come to Nepal. You will see a beautiful world of calm and friendly people, living their lives in harmony with gorgeous nature.