15 Interesting things to do in Nepal for the best experience
Nepal is the beauty queen of Asia. Nepal is full of travelers in every season of the year. What is not in Nepal? As much as the country has fascinating natural beauty to see, there are many thrilling activities to do. If you are craving relaxation, you can visit the national parks or the serene lakes. And if you want an adventurous experience, there are trekking opportunities in Kanchenjunga and Annapurna. If you want to get lost in the pages of history, Kathmandu Durbar Square or Patan Durbar Square will give you that experience. If you come only for pilgrimage, Lumbini and Pashupatinath are the two places for you. You will get so many experiences at such a low cost only in the kingdom of the Himalayas. Also, reaching Nepal is easy. The weather is usually favorable, with no difficulty in landing. So, without further delay, let us find out what attractive activities you can do while visiting Nepal.
Trek to Everest Base Camp
One of the most adventurous and scenic treks is trekking to Everest, the highest mountain peak in the Himalayas. Thousands of mountaineers visit Nepal for this attraction alone. Everest Base Camp has high-class trekking amenities that are rare in a few countries. Trekking Mount Everest will take two weeks if you want to do it on foot. And if you want to enjoy the beauty of Everest without the trouble of walking, there is a way to get there by helicopter. The snow-white beauty and the hospitality of the Nepalese Sherpas will make you remember this wonderful trip for the rest of your life.
Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is the oldest in the city center of Kathmandu. It is also known as Basantpur Darbar and Hanuman Dhoka. This place is quite fascinating for first-time visitors. The wood carving of Durbar Square is a testament to Nepal’s rich history. You can see several palaces, courtyards, and temples in the twelfth and eighteenth centuries by the Malla kings here. Among these, Kumari Temple and Jagannath Temple are well known. You will get lost in the ancient history of Nepal as you wander around the lanes of Durbar Square. You can get famous Nepali handicrafts in the courtyard of Gaddi Baithak.
Visit Pashupatinath Temple
The holy river Bagmati flows along the banks where this temple stands. It is one of the most revered temples of Hindus. Hindus, as well as non-Hindus, can enjoy the exquisite craftsmanship of this temple. Shivratri, or ‘the night of Lord Shiva’ celebration in Pashupatinath temple, is world-famous. The temple authorities prohibit shoes, belts, and cameras and strictly forbid taking pictures using mobile phones. People around the world come here to enjoy the famous Pashupati Bagmati Aarati.
Fly over the Himalayas
For those who cannot climb the Himalayas, there is an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Himalayas by helicopter. Helicopter tours offer a view of the snow-white mountains from a vantage point. Several companies provide helicopter services. You can ride to see the aerial view of Everest as well as enjoy a while by landing on Kala Paththar. If you are not interested in the physical task of trekking, you must take a helicopter tour. But beforehand, plan a trip to Nepal.
Go White-water Rafting
Rafting or kayaking is a must-do activity in Nepal. Nepal has many wild rivers, and rafting is quite thrilling here. For example, rafting in the Trishuli River will take three days, and Marsyandi River will take one to two days. If you want more trills, go white-water rafting on the Karnali and Arun rivers. You can raft for 9 days here. Apart from rafting in Karnali and Tamur rivers, you can also do trekking. There are good facilities for kayaking in Nepal, so there is no need to worry about safety.
Wander around Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur has a beautiful main Durbar Square, ancient temples, and more squares. Nayatapola, the tallest pagoda in Nepal, is located in Taumadhi Square. You can also pay your respects at the famous Bhairavnath temple here. If you visit Nagarkot, the highest point of Bhaktapur, you will witness the most beautiful sunrise of your life.
Hike the Annapurna Circuit
To experience Everest at its most appreciable, you must hike the Annapurna Circuit. Here you can see the view of high mountains and charming mountain valleys. While trekking, you can visit the Muktinath Temple, also popularly known as the Hundred Water Temple. There are a lot of tea houses where you can take short rests. You can customize your trekking days as per your requirements.
Wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park
If you want to enjoy the beauty of unspoiled nature, Chitwan National Park is the best place for you. Safari in Chitwan National Park excites every adventure lover. You can book jungle safari packages and enjoy bird watching, elephant back riding, canoeing, and more activities. Here, you can see the royal tiger, gharial, blue bull, and about 650 species of birds. People of all ages can enjoy this safari.
Paraglide over Pokhara
Paragliding is one of the activities that tourists do when visiting Pokhara. Paragliding is one of the most interesting in the world. It has stable themes, an easy take-off, and a hassle-free landing site. While paragliding, you can have great views of Nepal’s great lakes and Mount Everest. This way, you can gift yourself the most thrilling travel experience.
Admire Phewa Lake's Beauty
Phewa Lake in Pokhara Valley is the second-largest lake in Nepal. Tourists must visit this lake when they come to Nepal. People have built many hotels, boathouses, restaurants, and shops around this lake. Tourists flock to Phewa throughout the year. A two-story pagoda called the Bahari temple is on an island in the middle of this lake. Besides, there are Hindu temples and shrines on the shores of this lake.
Visit Lumbini
Lumbini is one of the most pivotal pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. It is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha when he was known as Prince Siddhartha. Lumbini is a spiritual place for tourists. It includes the Mayadevi Temple, World Peace Pagoda, Lumbini Monastic Site, and Dae Sung Shakya Sa, also known as the Korean Temple.
Explore Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
After coming here, you will understand the significance of its name. At the Monkey Temple, you will see thousands of monkeys roaming around the entire temple. There are also many stupas around the temple. You have to climb 365 stairs to reach the main stupa. It is a significant holy place for Hindu and Buddhist religions.
Attend a Local Festival
Nepal is world famous for its local festivals for some strange reason. Festivals and culture of this country are closely related to religious sentiments. Dashasin is an important festival in Nepal, as people observe it to celebrate Mahishasuramardini. It symbolizes the defeat of evil over good. People observed the Tihar festival to celebrate the beauty of lights and colors. At this festival, people lit up the whole of Nepal with Diyas. People also celebrate Buddha Jayanti, Maha Shivratri, and more splendid festivals in Nepal.
Zipline in Pokhara
Zipflyer Zipline is one of the longest (1.8 KM) and fastest (100 MPH) ziplines. It is one of the thrilling attractions of Pokhara. Many people gather in Pokhara to ride the zipline. This zipline serves thousands of thrill-seeking tourists throughout the year. The thrill you get after riding the zipline will make you wish the ride could have been longer. Enjoying the natural beauty of Nepal and having such a thrilling adventure— you can’t find such a combination anywhere else.
Camp under the Stars in Rara Lake
Camping at Rara Lake will take you to a heavenly realm. It is the most boro lake in Nepal. It is the most remote lake in Asia and is rich in ecological diversity. Rara Lake is in Rara National Park in Karnal Province, Nepal. By trekking to this lake, you will see the beauty of nature. When you camp by this lake at night, you will see countless stars in the pollution-free sky. On Plenilune, you can enjoy the lake’s water shining like silver in the starlight.