10/29/10

What Are the Activities to Do During Travel in Nepal?

Here are some general ideas on what to do in Nepal, if you are clueless (I doubt you will be if you are in Nepal)
    * Trekking hills
    * Mountaineering
    * Sightseeing
    * Adventure travel
    * Cultural
    * Recreational Activities
    * Religious tourism
    * Gambling
    * Others

Trekking and mountaineering:
    * Trekking is one of the most popular means of spending your time in Nepal. Various trekking routes are widely popular such as the Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base camp trek, Mustang trek, Langtang trek, Annapurna base camp trek. More information on all these treks are available here.
    * You could attempt to summit the Mount Everest, other mountains that are above 8000 meters or try smaller mountains and other trekking peaks.



Sightseeing:
    * The Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square represent the arts and architecture of the the Kathmandu valley during the reign of the Malla kings. They were the capitals of the fragmented Kathmandu valley at that time. The temples, stupas like the Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bodhnath have gone through the changes of several centuries. They are landmarks and cultural heritages. There are some other cultural and historical heritages like Janaki Temple in Janakpur and Gorkha Durbar in Gorkha outside the Kathmandu valley.

Kathmadu Dubar Square

    * Taking an hour long mountain flight in the morning (October to June) to view up close the Mount Everest and other mountains on the Khumbu region.
    * Organizing a jungle safari (jeep and elephant rides) and spotting the One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, countless birds. You can also take a cultural tour of the of Tharu community in Chitwan National Park and take a look at the Elephant Breeding Centre, Gharial Breeding Center and enjoying the elephant bathing in the Rapti River.



    * Bird watching in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Rara Lake in Rara National Park, Mugu. Both of these places are the resting places for the migratory birds during the winter in the northern hemisphere.



    * Viewing the spectacular sunrise and sunset from Nagarkot, Dhulikhel, Sarangkot (Pokhara), Daman, Sauraha (Chitwan National Park) and any other vantage points.

Adventurous Activities:
    * Rafting and kayaking in Bhote Koshi, Sunkoshi, Trisuli, Karnali, Marshyangdi, Seti and many more rivers which offer different kind of challenges which are suitable for people with a wide range of interests and capabilities.
    * Hire a boat or kayak from the shores of Fewa and Begnas lake in Pokhara and enjoying the sailing.
    * If you want to experience the Bungee jumping on a 160 meters deep gorge made by Bhote Koshi near border with China then contact The Last Resort. They also offer canyoning at the Last Resort.
    * You could also enjoy the stunning views of Fewa Tal and the himalayan peaks while paragliding and parahawking from Sarangkot in Pokhara
    * Take a ultralight (microlight) flight from Pokhara Airport to take a view of the mountains of the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna ranges and the surroundings of Pokhara
    * Mountain biking is also a means of enjoying your stay here. There are many routes in and around Kathmandu, Pokhara and other destinations as well.

Cultural Activities:
    * Participate in at least one of the many festivals that take place around the year.

Recreational Activities:
    * Bars, discos are available in Kathmandu and other major cities like Pokhara. Nepali Folk Song (Dohori) restaurants provide uniquely look into Nepali folk music.
    * Just roam around the cities and enjoy it. It is a way too different from what you used to experience back home.

Religious Tourism:
    * Nepal is a destination for religious tourism all round the year for both the Hindus and the Buddhists. Hindus visit temples like Pashupatinath, Budhanilkantha and also stupas like Swayambhunath and Bodhnath. They also visit Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Buddhists mainly visit the stupas and Lumbini. The sites are major hub for people during festivals like Shivaratri and Buddha Purnima.

Gambling:
    * Recreational services like casinos are popular among the tourists, mainly from India.

Others:
    * You could taste the Nepali (rice, lentils and curry), Newari (chatamari) and the Tibetan (mo mo, thukpa) dishes that are popular in Nepal

Thukpa
Chatamari

    * You could try volunteering in the monasteries, orphanages, schools, health posts and hospitals, and communities. Combine volunteering with activities mentioned above.
    * Buy curios, pashminas, thangkas, handicrafts and other souvenirs in shops and stalls in Thamel in Kathmandu and around the places tourists visit for your loved ones back home.

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