Nepal

About Nepal

Often overlooked as a trekker’s paradise, Nepal’s culture is a beautiful blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Tibetan influence, with several adventure sports to experience in places like Pokhara and the famous Annapurna Circuit. The temples and monasteries of the Kathmandu Darbar Square and the Bhaktapur Darbar Square are spiritual epicentres.

The Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park are home to some of the most beautiful endangered species living in nature’s paradise amongst the mountains. Planning a tranquil getaway? Nepal is the perfect hideout to make it happen.

The capital city has plenty to explore, including the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath stupa, Kopan Monastery, Dakshin Kali Temple, and Durbar Square. Thamel is a perfect place to end the night with buzzing restaurants serving authentic Nepalese cuisine.

Gateway to the Annapurna base camp, Pokhara is a nature enthusiast’s paradise housing Phewa Tal, Sarangkot, Poon Hill, and Begnas Lake. The Gupteshwar Gupha and Devi falls are the top attractions that shouldn’t be missed.

Bhaktapur is a quaint city with many ancient ruins and religious sites that boast Nepal’s ancient architecture. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan Temple, 55 window palace, Nyatapola Temple, and Taleju Temple are the top highlights of the place.

The picturesque village is a must-visit for nature lovers and those seeking peace with scintillating views of the Himalayas. With several nature trails, the Nagarkot Buddha Peace Park, and various spots to experience paragliding and mountain biking, Nagarkot is known for its panoramic background.

Nepal Factsheet

Culture

The 125 ethnic groups of Nepal practise Hinduism or Buddhism, or a blend of the two. Despite subtle differences, they converge on hospitality, vibrant arts, craft, and expressive music and dance. Men are seen wearing the traditional “Dhaka topi” or the Nepali cap as a reflection of Nepal’s unique customs.

Festivals

Over 50 festivals are celebrated in Nepal. The primary includes Dashain, Tihar, Buddha Jayanti, Gai Jatra, Teej, Janmashtami, Fagun Purnima, and Indrajatra. The country glitters with the sublime joy of festivity, with the locals preparing traditional dishes and performing native dances.

Architecture

Nepal’s architecture differs based on the ruling dynasties. Its attractions can be classified into Pagoda-style, Stupa-style, and dome-style structures. Attractions like the Kopan Monastery, Pashupatinath Temple, Changu Narayan Temple, and more are among the classic collection of Nepal’s architecture.

Cuisine

Traditional Nepalese cuisine consists of flavourful meat, potatoes, thukpa, the popular momos, and strong alcohol. Make sure you try Dal Bhat, Dhido, Sel Roti, and Sekuwa, which are the top choices of Nepali people and are readily available in the local markets.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Nepal is from October to December. The clear skies and pleasant climate make exploring the country’s splendid tourist attractions easy. For trekking, consider planning your trip between September to November or February to April.

Shopping

Thamel, Durbar Marg, and the public markets of Kathmandu and Pokhara offer local products like singing bowls, pashmina shawls, spices, and tea. Nepali handicrafts and Thangka paintings are popular local crafts one should surely take back home.