Destination: Nepal

You know Nepal, with just a small area of 147,181 sq. km (56,827 sq miles), is bordered by two of the international giants, India and China.

Even after being surrounded by powerful territories, this Himalayan nation managed to create its own unique identity on the world map.

In fact, the truth is that each of the 7 provinces in Nepal offers its own variant of unique culture, hospitality, and its own unique taste. If you combine every language spoken in our naturally gifted country, the number comes to a whopping 120.

Among them, the majority follow Hinduism and Buddhism. However, you can find people following Islam, Kiral, and Christianity as well. The fascinating part about them is that for centuries, they have been living with each other harmoniously.

But that’s not it, within its territory, you can find the elevation difference of over 8,700 m with the lowest point being Kechana Kalan in Jhapa, and the highest point being Mount Everest at 8848.86 meters (the world’s highest mountain). Sounds amazing, right?

If yes, then be prepared to be amazed as we are about to tell you the amazing things that you can do in Nepal:

Trekking and Hiking In Nepal

Trekking in Nepal simply means a multi-day tour to the remote Himalayan regions in Nepal. During this type of visit, you will be conquering an altitude that is above 3000m, and yes, you need to be physically fit to start on this type of journey.

But don’t get confused, by fit we mean you have to be able to walk for 5 to 6 hours a day continuously.

However, if this isn’t your cup of tea, then you can also go hiking in Nepal. This is a single-day tour to the small hills of Nepal, exploring the diverse landscapes that these small regions have to offer.

In both trekking and hiking, one thing is certain: you will explore diverse terrain that ranges from lush valleys to alpine passes.

Talking about how it’s done, these are usually organized by registered trekking agencies like us. We normally arrange all the required permits, your stay at the local teahouse, and also the guide and porters you might require.

Here are the popular destinations where trekking can be done in Nepal:

• Annapurna Region
• Everest Region
• Langtang Region
• Manaslu Region

Similarly, the popular destinations for hiking in Nepal include:

• Phulchowki Danda
• Shivapuri
• Changunarayan
• Nagarkot

These are just a few examples of the places where trekking and hiking can be done, as there are more than 60 trekking routes across the country.

Peak Climbing and Expedition In Nepal

Ok, this can be termed as the extended version of trekking. But wait, there is a little difference, in both peak climbing and expedition, you go up and beyond the altitude of 5,000 m. 

During the peak climbing in Nepal, we conquer the Himalayas that are above 5000m and below 7000 m. 

On the other hand, during the expedition campaign in Nepal, you will conquer the mountains that are above 7000m. And trust us, there are a lot!

However, there are also a few other things that one needs to remember before going for a peak climb. Those who opt for these kinds of activities need to have some experience in trekking.

Furthermore, the chances of getting altitude sickness in this kind of activity are close to 90%, so if you have any underlying medical condition,  we advise you to contact trekking agencies in advance.

Additionally, the equipment list and teams required for this kind of activity also increase exponentially.

Here are the popular peaks that you can climb in Nepal:

• Island Peak
• Mera Peak
• Lobuche East Peak
• Pisang Peak

Similarly, here are the mountains that the expedition is popular in:

• Himlung Himal
• Baruntse Peak
• Tilicho Peak
• Everest Mountain

National Park Tour in Nepal

Wait now, let’s shift our focus from the Himalayan region to the Hilly and Terai region of Nepal.

During trekking and peak climbing, the main goal was to conquer those humongous snow-capped mountains, but now you wander around the plain lands of Nepal and see rare birds and animals like rhododendron and one-horned rhinos.

In fact, you can get a brief idea about Nepal being a nature museum by the mere fact that it homes 12 National Parks, 1 Wildlife reserve, 1 hunting reserve, and 6 conservation areas.

Wanna know something more astonishing? These areas cover around 23.23% of the country’s total land area. 

Most popular among them is Chitwan National Park, which hosts more than 700 species of wildlife, including the likes of Bengal Tiger and Gharial crocodile.

Similarly, in remote parts of this naturally gifted country lies Bardia National Park, where, during the migratory season, you can find more than 500 species of migratory birds.

Now, you must be wondering what if you wanna see both nature and the mountain at the very same time. Nepal offers both experiences at the very same time in regions like Sagarmatha National Park of the Khumbu region and Langtang National Park.

Some popular activities inside these places include:

• Jeep Safari and guided jungle walk
• Canoe ride to spot the gharial crocodiles
• Birdwatching at riverbanks
• Exploration of rare Himalayan herbs at Sagarmatha and Langtang National Park.

Adventure Sports Tour In Nepal

Now, we can completely understand that many of us want to experience that thrill without the risk of altitude sickness or wildlife.

But wait, there are many options available for such individuals as well.

Due to the existence of altitude variation and truly breathtaking river valleys, Nepal is actually a hotspot for all the adventure lovers out there.

In fact, many rivers like Trishuli, Seti, Kali Gandaki, and Bhote Koshi have rapids ranging from grade II to grade V, which is perfect for white-water rafting.

Besides rafting, you can also try bungee jumping in Kushma(228 meters), which apparently is listed as the world’s third-highest bungee jumping spot.

Furthermore, for all the sky enthusiasts out there, paragliding & light flights in Pokhara, and hot air balloon rides in Sindhuli can quench your thirst.

Here are the popular adventure activities in Nepal:

• White-water rafting (grades II–V depending on river and season)
• Paragliding and ultra-light flights
• Bungee jumping and canyon swinging
• Zip-lining, canyoning, rock climbing, and mountain biking

Similarly, the popular locations for these adventures include:

• Pokhara (paragliding, ultra-light, zip-line over the valley)
• Kushma (one of the highest natural bungee jumps)
• Bhote Koshi (fast rafting and canyoning sections)
• Trishuli (accessible rafting for beginners and mixed groups)

Heritage And Cultural Tours In Nepal

But what if thrill and nature aren’t really your vibe? What if you are someone who is more into the culture and history?

Well, even in that case, Nepal turns out to be a perfect candidate.

Right till 2008, Nepal followed the system of monarchy for centuries. They left behind many palaces, which are now turned into museums.

Let us give you an example of Basantapur Durbar Square, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu. 

Historically, this whole area used to be the royal residence and an important coronation site.

Since the abolition of the monarchy, this whole area is open for tourists, and even the path leading to it carries the history of royal families.

In fact, the whole area is surrounded by different temples of Hindu gods and goddesses, which might be one of the reasons why Kathmandu is known as the “city of temples“.

The artistic and ancient pagoda-style designs of these temples that have stayed in the exact same place for centuries will surely excite any curious minds.

Furthermore, the local Newari cuisine of the area comes with a taste of history.

But hey, we just gave you the example of one such place, and the truth is, there are many places where history is embedded.

The proof of which is provided by UNESCO, as it has listed 10 places as world heritage sites.

Besides that, even for the cultural tour, Nepal is quite famous for centuries-long harmony between Hindus and Buddhists.

In fact, for both religions, Nepal holds tremendous religious values.

For Buddhism, our Lumbini is the birthplace of God Buddha; meanwhile, for Hinduism, the important sites like Pashupati Nath make the whole region spiritual.

Additionally, this culturally blessed country is also the only place where you will find the living goddess Kumari, and you might be amazed that the forbidden kingdom of Mustang still follows its own form of monarchy.

Here are the popular destinations for heritage and cultural tours in Nepal:

• Kathmandu Valley (7 UNESCO sites: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur,
• Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Changunarayan)
• Lumbini (Birthplace of Buddha and international monastic zone)
• Janakpur (Janaki Temple and Mithila art traditions)
• Upper Mustang – Lo Manthang (walled kingdom, gompas, and Tibetan-influenced culture)

Similarly, the popular cultural experiences many travelers add include:

• Festivals (Dashain, Tihar, Indra Jatra, Buddha Jayanti)
• Traditional crafts (pottery in Bhaktapur, metalwork in Patan)
• Monastery visits and evening butter-lamp rituals
• Local food walks (Newari cuisine, Thakali set, momo trails).

Lastly, all we want to say is that at Himalayan Trek Ventures, every one of these tours is possible. For anyone who visits our beautiful Nepal, we want them to carry the stories and memories lasting for a lifetime.