Visit Nepal: Tours, Guides, Drivers

The beauty that Nepal is not restricted to the mountain cliffs or the religious festivals. There are many other attractions in Nepal apart from the conventional expectations and so here are some enlisted must-see places in Nepal which will be a window to the extraordinary gems.

Must-see places in Nepal

• The capital city Kathmandu, other than Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa, presents bustling streets, hiking in Thamel, and local cuisine at Yangling.
• Nagarkot near Bhaktapur gives a panoramic outlet to 8 peaks of the Himalayas with breathtaking views of sunsets and sunrises recommending it. You can try out paragliding and mountain biking too.
• Pokhara near the Annapurna range and along the shore of Lake Phewa is a promising place with forests, underground caves, orchid valley, waterfalls and glaciers. It is the true gateway to the other side of Himalayas and is one of the promising places to visit in Western Nepal.
• Sagarmatha National Park is the perfect place to cherish all the mountain peaks seated in the lap of Nepal from the shadows of wilderness. The occasional sightings of snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan tahr, black bears and choral are escaping to the persevered nature.
• Lumbini or the birthplace of Buddha is a tranquil location with Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini Monastic Site, Royal Thai Monastery, World Peace Pagoda or the gardens - everything is relaxing.
• Chitwan National Park is one of the must-see places in Nepal because it is the house of one-horned Rhinos and the Royal Bengal tiger. Moreover, there are grasslands, marshes, forests and wildlife of over 500 species of birds, wild elephants, leopards, sloth bears to observe at safari. You can stay in the tourist villages nearby to cherish the very different Nepali culture.
• Ilam is the perfect place for any tea lovers out there with its tea-gardens settled in the backdrop of Kanchenjunga. There are additional prospects of birdwatching, mild hiking and a satisfying cup of tea.
• Durbar Square is the place to visit the royal times of Nepal and going to Bhaktapur is the raison d'être with its spectacular architecture and shops selling exquisite pottery, handicrafts and handmade puppets.
• Khumbu Valley is the place for Namche Bazaar where the daily lives of the Sherpa community can be experienced and observed. Additionally, there is the “Monkey temple”, the Tengboche Monastery, and impressive views of mountains to indulge. These are the promising places to visit in Eastern Nepal
• Nuwakot, Patan, Dharan, Bandipur, Panauti, Tansen are among the other visionary must-see places in Nepal.

With its own share of cultural attractions, forests and ethnic communities for tourists to enjoy, East Nepal is an exciting place with Gokyo Lakes and birdwatching in Arun Valley. The flight from Lukla Airport to Kathmandu presents an enthralling view of the Himalayan peaks. Other places to visit in Eastern Nepal are the eastern town of Ilam, Kala Patthar, Sherpa Museum, Kakarvitta and Khumjung.

Western Nepal is a beauty with the Annapurna range enveloping it. Some of the exciting places to visit in Western Nepal are the Saipal Himal Trek, Rara taal in the Rara National Park with many vulnerable aquatic species. Western Nepal is rich in wilderness, birdwatching and a thrilling visit to Khaptad National Park is a highlight. The Upper Mustang Trek is a perfect example of ruins remaining from the Buddhist and Tibetan empire in Nepal. Under the Dhaulagiri range, the village life and rock formations are gorgeous to behold.

The Simikot to Kailash trek is a very different trekking experience combing the adventurous streak and religious beliefs together in the journey. The trek passes for the mythical Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar through the hidden Humla valley, giving a glimpse of the Lhasa village of Tibet.

The religious culture in Nepal is quite similar to what thrived in India maybe thousands of years ago when Buddhism and Hinduism were not  so different. Hinduism in Nepal is quite celebrated with Dussehra as the popular holiday and Pashupatinath is considered to be the guardian God. Nepal is filled with Buddhist shrines, monasteries, stupas, Hindu temples and traditions. The culture of Nepal is very vibrant because of the heritage of its people. Its a mix of indigenous people and different ethnic-lingual groups of Tibet and India. Nepal has overall distinct traditions and unique customs followed by very sincere people.

Now with modern times, various other prominent religions than Hinduism and Buddhism have printed up in Nepal. The religious culture of Nepal has turned in to a beautiful mosaic of people hailing from diverse communities and faiths coexisting together. The majority of the population (81%) follows Hinduism followed by Buddhism. About 4% of the population are Muslims who arrived historically as courtesans, workers, counsellors or musicians or as merchants in the 1970s and Tibetan Muslims post 1959 during Communist takeover. Kiratism is the ancient religion of the Himalayan tribes of Limbu, Rai, Sunuwar and Yakkha. Kirat Mundhum worships nature and its elements. There is a small population (1.4%) of Christians where the majority are evangelical Protestants and a few Catholics. The rest of the remaining population has Sikhs, Jains, Bahai's, Jews and atheists. All of the assorted population are called Nepali - an umbrella term.

Various tourist attractions exhibition the culture of Nepal

• Some of the most popular symbols of Hinduism in Nepal include Muktinath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Dantakali Temple in Dharan, Changunarayan Temple in Kathmandu. 
• The only Buddhist stupa worshipped by Buddhists of three major schools the Tibetan, Newar and Theravada Buddhism is Swayambhunath stupa in Boudhanath. 
• Some famous mosques are the Takia Mosque in Durbar Marg which is the oldest one in the country, other than that there is Madatiya Mosque and Kashmiri Masjid in Kathmandu.

Some of the popular festivals to spectate in Nepal are Dashain which is synonymous to Durga Puja, Tihar, or Diwali also called Swanti/ Yamapanchak by communities. Some other festivals marking the sentiment of Hinduism in Nepal include Phagu Purnima (Holi), Janai Purnima (Raksha Bandhan), Mahashivratri, and Krishna Janmashtami.

The culture of Nepal is also exhibited by the various folk dance and music forms popular like the Dandi Naach, Dhan Naach, Chandi Naach, Bhairab Nritya, Hanuman Nritya, Devi Nritya, etc. There is also Panchabuddha Nritya performed by Buddhists. Nepalese music depicting the rich culture of Nepal is divided according to the communities such as the Tamangs, Gurungs, Sherpas, Maithilis, Newas, Kirats, Magars and Tharus. Musical instruments like Madal, Dhimey, Panchai Baja, and Sarangi are used as accompaniments. Handicrafts and vibrant paintings are inherently crucial Nepali culture and one such is Thangka or Paubha paintings found in monasteries depicting Hindu and Buddhist deities.

Points which should not be missed when visiting Nepal and expecting to observe the culture of Nepal first hand is participating in the festivals like Dashain or Tihar. Going to Shleshmantak hill on the eastern bank of the Bagmati River to observe the inner courtyard of Pashupatinath Temple or Kopan monastery or the Darbar square is highlights of a tour. Everything is satisfying after having a delicious and sumptuous traditional food which is heavily influenced by Chinese, Indian and Tibetan culinary practices.

The rich and diversified culture of Nepal can be seen in their linguistic different, artistic and handicraft work, philosophical thoughts, the architecture with shikhara, tantric traditions and animal sacrifice or through the spectacular syncretism of Hinduism and Buddhism. The possibilities to realize the true essence of Nepal is endless and will enrich your mind, body and spirit with its almost magical originality and simplicity. So pack your bags for a soul-satisfying trip to Nepal - Mother of the Universe.

Nepal is often called the 'roof of the world' for its expanse of elevated and majestic mountain ranges throughout the country. Harboring 8 out of 10 highest peaks of the Great Himalayas - Nepal is associated with mountains and cliffs with a panoramic view and breathtaking scenery. The Himalaya in Nepal is the east-central section of the mountain range which is also the highest part of the entire range in South Central Asia. The mountain region of Nepal features Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and Annapurna peaks, other than Mt. Everest. So apart from the aesthetic beauty of these enormous mountain ranges towering over the world, Nepal has a lot to offer. From trekking, hiking trails, paragliding, mountain flights and opportunity for water sports like rafting, kayaking is possible.

The Himalayas in Nepal

• Mt. Everest also called the Sagarmatha meaning the 'head of the sky' keeps after its name with the splendid height of 8848metres above sea level. The tallest mountain peak in the world is part of the Khumbu Mahalangur Himalaya Range. Everest is a popular sport for trekking lovers, endorsed with the blessings of nature's flora and fauna. The best months to have a visit Mt. Everest covered in snow and crossing the stratosphere are from mid-September to May.
• The third highest peak in the world - Mount Kanchenjunga again belongs to the mountain region of Nepal - Taplejung district. With five prominent mountains, it is aptly called “the five treasures of the snow”. Trekking to reach the summit at 8,586 m gives an otherworldly serenity to the mind and soul when standing in the backdrop of this magnificent natural masterpiece.
• Lhotse or 'the wall of glacial blue ice’ is probably the most romanticized peak in popular literature and media for its blooming spring.
• Mount Makalu at the height of 8481m is said to be named after Lord Shiva. This treacherous range with steep cliffs and dangerous turns is the most challenging thus the most interesting peak to trek. The giant-sized mountain is a beauty to behold in springs.
• Mount Cho Oyu is the turquoise goddess in the range of Himalaya in Nepal. This mountain has the perfect slope and paced beauty for beginner trekkers. At 8000 meters above sea level, the cerulean-tinted rocks and snow are spotted with the caravans of mules climbing the slope which enhances the charm all the more.
• Dhaulagiri or the dazzling mountain is believed to be heaven in the mortal world. The picturesque scenery and sights are marvelous to relish in the months of June to mid-July.
• The mountain of spirits and intelligence or of the saints and ascended can be found in Mt. Manaslu. Though the view is ethereal it is not quite popular among the tourists die the many restrictions considering the religious sentiments.
• Annapurna I and II and Gyachung Kang are other remarkable highlights in the mountain region of Nepal which have glacial peaks and unprecedented beauty. These peaks through lesser-known are tough trekking trails and a gem for photographers.

Paradise of Mountaineers - Himalaya in Nepal

Other than the prominent peaks, Nepal has more than 326 peaks awaiting your challenge to trek them and reach the summit, and the spectacular standing is mind-blowing. Nepal has 103 virgin peaks that have never been claimed before. Though Everest and Annapurna are the highlights of any trekker scaling mountains of Nepal, there are other peaks such as Mera, Island and Yala peaks too which are regularly climbed by mountaineers. The mountain of Nepal is grouped according to their challenge of reaching the summit. Expedition peaks of above 6500 meters are under the authority of the Tourism Ministry. While the trekking peaks ranging from 5800-6584 meters are undertaken by Nepal Mountaineering Association. One does not need any climbing license for peaks below 5800 meters

Visiting the Himalayas in Nepal for trekking is best in the pre-monsoon period with pleasant weather, though; autumn is perfect for lower peaks expedition. So to enjoy the exotic beauty of mountain ranges if Himalayas - Nepal is the best shot any enthusiasts.