Nepal is a tiny, landlocked nation surrounded by two big neighbors, China and India. Relating to journey journey, Nepal is among the greatest locations on the earth, with difficult trekking routes, breathtaking glaciers, and picturesque valleys. However even when you have no want to spend a single day in mountaineering boots, there’s a lot to see and do on this distinctive nation. However there are undoubtedly some issues price understanding earlier than you go to.

1. The place Is Nepal? 

Nepal, formally the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked nation in South Asia, mendacity alongside the southern slopes of the Himalayas, with the Tibet Autonomous Area of China to the north, and India to the south, east, and west.

2. How Do I Get There And What About A Visa?

Most guests fly into Tribhuvan Worldwide Airport, in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Solely a small variety of worldwide airways fly to Nepal, and so they refill quick, so if touring over peak durations, ebook flights properly upfront.

If getting into by land, there are quite a few border crossings between India, within the south of Nepal, and these might be navigated pretty simply, particularly when organized by way of tour businesses.

Getting a visa for Nepal is simple. You may get your visa on arrival if flying or if getting into by highway (for many nationalities). A 15-day visa prices $25, a 30-day visa prices $40, and a 90-day visa prices $100.

3. Getting Round

Buses are the primary type of public transport. Native buses run just about all over the place and can cease for anybody, however I’m going to say that whereas extremely low-cost, I don’t advocate them. Vacationer buses are the most typical option to get between cities and are extra snug and fewer crowded than the native busses, however journeys might be lengthy and arduous. Roads are surprising, visitors is appalling, buses cease regularly for meals/tea breaks, and a breakdown or flat tire is nearly assured. It as soon as took me 7 hours to journey the 124 miles from Kathmandu to Pokhara!

Flying is the transport of selection for a lot of guests, and it’s undoubtedly the quickest option to journey. When confronted with the selection between a cramped 24-hour bus journey, or $100 for an inner flight, I do know which one I’d select! Keep in mind flights are climate dependent and are sometimes canceled on the final minute.

4. The place To Keep

Lodging is different and plentiful. Nepal isn’t any stranger to vacationers, and irrespective of the place you go, you’ll discover a place to relaxation your head. The best number of choices might be present in the most well-liked vacationer spots of Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, with all the things from luxurious 5-star lodging to primary guesthouses. Costs differ considerably from area to area, however for probably the most half, lodging are remarkably inexpensive. A teahouse on a trek can price as little as a couple of {dollars} an evening, whereas a safari lodge in Chitwan may set you again $250 an evening.

5. Trekking

Eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks are in Nepal, in addition to numerous trekking routes. If you wish to trek you’ll want to arrange a “Trekkers Info Administration System” card, and for extra distant treks you’ll want a particular allow. In the event you’re booked on a gaggle trek, which I like to recommend, the tour operator ought to set up this in your behalf. Some fascinating, unfrequented treks embody the Manaslu Circuit, the Gokyo-Cho-La Go, the Tsum Valley, the Kanchenjunga Path, the Rolwaling Path, and the Nar Phu Valley.

Once you consider Nepal and trekking, Mt. Everest most likely springs to thoughts, and if that’s the case, you possibly can learn extra about that right here. However trekking isn’t the one option to see Mt. Everest. Vacationers can take a one-hour spherical journey flight from Kathmandu to see Mt. Everest from the air; a incredible journey for photographers, because the airways solely promote window seats, guaranteeing everybody will get a fantastic view.

6. Nepal Is A lot Extra Than Mountains

Nepal could be well-known for its mountains, however there are many different wonderful issues to try this don’t embody trekking. Nepal’s bustling capital, Kathmandu, is a historic metropolis the place three historic kingdoms meet. Highlights by way of the Kathmandu Valley embody the Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan Durbar squares (previously royal kingdoms), the traditional Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath Buddhist stupas, in addition to Pashupatinath Hindu temple. Exterior of the Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha, Pokhara is a vibrant and picturesque metropolis recognized for Phewa Lake, and there are a number of safari parks just like the nationwide parks of Chitwan and Bardia, the place you possibly can see wildlife or go paragliding and bungee leaping

7. Language, Faith, And Customs

Language

Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language, much like Hindi spoken in India (Indian vacationers ought to perceive sufficient to get round). English is a secondary language spoken largely in giant cities like Kathmandu. Exterior Kathmandu, English is spoken much less, however getting round remains to be manageable. Merely smile and say Namaste, which is a conventional Hindu greeting that means, basically, “the divine spirit with me, bows to the divine spirit inside you” or “my soul acknowledges your soul.” You’ll say Namaste to everybody, and everybody will say it to you, however not like on the finish of your yoga class again house, right here it’s used for just about all the things — a greeting, goodbye, and even “pardon me, you’re in my manner.” When saying Namaste, you maintain your fingers as if in prayer. One other good phrase to know is “thanks,” dhanyavad, pronounced: dahn-ya-vahd.

Faith

About 80 % of Nepal’s residents are Hindu, 10 % are Buddhist, and the remaining are a blended bag. The foremost non secular festivals are a cross-pollination of each Hinduism and Buddhism. You’ll see as many Hindu symbols and temples round Nepal as you’ll statues and devotions to the Buddha.

Some Dos & Don’ts

If you wish to be respectful in Nepal, there are a couple of golden guidelines: Don’t contact individuals on the pinnacle (probably the most sacred a part of the physique), don’t level together with your finger (use a flat hand or your chin), don’t eat or move meals together with your left hand (thought of soiled and unhygienic), present respect through the use of each fingers to offer or receiving one thing (together with cash), take away your footwear earlier than getting into a temple or monastery, and at all times stroll round a stupa clockwise.

8. Meals And Drink

Nepalese delicacies is totally scrumptious, and it’s doable to have a filling and scrumptious meal for a couple of {dollars}. My favorites are momos, Nepal’s model of dumplings, made with curry spices, floor meats, veggies, or cheese, and served steamed or fried.

In the event you’re craving a style of house, the eating places in Thamel cater to vacationers, and also you’ll discover loads of acquainted meals catering to western style buds.

I like road meals, however Nepalese road meals has been recognized to trigger abdomen points in some vacationers! I’d advise you to stay to well-maintained and busy eating places or, higher nonetheless, take a good road meals tour! Strive Backstreet Academy’s Secret Road Meals Tour to go to a few of Kathmandu’s native haunts. 

Faucet water will not be filtered or purified in Nepal. It’s greatest to purchase bottled water.  Keep away from contemporary fruit juices on the streets, and any fruits and veggies washed in faucet water. Maybe have bottled water to brush your enamel.

9. Bathrooms!

Whereas westernized resorts and eating places, and most vacationer points of interest have western bathrooms, you’ll discover most native institutions and public restrooms have squat bathrooms. If you’re used to sitting on a “porcelain throne” at house, squatting over a gap within the floor generally is a little off-putting at first. However squat bathrooms are frequent all through this a part of the world, so the earlier you get used to it, the higher.  Carry a packet of tissue and hand sanitizer.

Some Bonus Ideas:

Keep away from Faux Vacationer Guides

Maintain a watch out for overly-friendly locals at common vacationer spots, who might strategy you and start “sharing’ the historical past of the location.” Typically these are unofficial touts, and as soon as completed together with your “tour,” they’ll demand cash for his or her time. If somebody approaches you and begins a lecture, politely minimize them off and ask how a lot their tour will price, in the event that they’re reluctant to offer a particular worth or say “pay me what you assume it’s price,” stroll away.

Don’t Purchase Knives

The well-known “kukri” curved knife remains to be a part of the Nepalese military’s weapons, and it’s nearly 15 inches lengthy. When you could also be eager to purchase one to indicate off to pals at house, it’s dangerous. Exporting a knife from Nepal normally isn’t an issue, however that could be a distinct story when your flight lands at house.

Consuming “Buff”

You’ll see “buff” as an merchandise in lots of Nepali eating places, it means buffalo. Cows are sacred for Hindus and most chorus from consuming them, consuming buffalo as a substitute.

Prayer Wheels And Prayer Flags

Prayer Wheels: These giant, cylindrical objects are present in entrance of Buddhist temples and are inscribed with mantras, that are supposed to assist steadiness your karma whenever you spin them.

Prayer Flags: When strolling round temples or within the mountains, you will note strings of multicolored flags waving within the breeze. They’re known as lung ta (wind horse) and are conventional Tibetan prayer flags. The flags at all times have 5 colours: blue, white, purple, inexperienced, and yellow, which characterize the 5 parts, and are inscribed with Buddhist prayers.

You’ll discover prayer flags on the market in lots of outlets, so take house some on your family members. Simply don’t allow them to contact the bottom, it’s disrespectful.

Don’t Discuss Politics

Nepal had a decades-long, brutal civil battle within the mid-’90s, was a monarchy till 2008, and remains to be a comparatively new republic. Maintain this in thoughts and keep away from mentioning uncomfortable political subjects when conversing with locals.

The 2015 Earthquake’s Results On Nepal’s UNESCO Websites

In 2015, Nepal suffered a devastating earthquake which the nation remains to be recovering from. The nation is rebuilding, and all over the place you look you’ll discover development.