Nepal Travel Information – All things you need to know before going
Considering the high mountain range of Nepal including the 8 highest peaks in the world, Nepal is a country of trekkers’ paradise. The country also combines the unique cultures and traditions, beautiful villages, and wildlife.
Facts of Nepal
Area: 147,516 Square Kilometre
Geographic classification: Himal, Pahad, and Terai (Mountain region, Hilly region, and Terai region)
Population: 28,737,742 (as of September 29, 2019 based on Worldometers elaboration)
Population density: 214 per square kilometer
Government: Republic
Why to visit Nepal?
Mountains, greenery forests, medieval cities, holy and spiritual sites are the reasons why you would love to visit Nepal.
Country of Himalayas
A beautiful Himalayan country Nepal attracts thousands of travelers to visit each year. Its mountain range situated at the northern part is popular for trekking and mountain climbing.
– World’s renowned trekking routes
Most of the trekking trails of Nepal begins from the tropical hilly region, passes charming villages reaching snow-capped mountains, and finally ends at the same point from where it starts.
Some of the most iconic and popular hiking trails are offered in Nepal. Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit are the two major favorite trails of adventure lovers. One can not stop loving with incredible mountain scenery and the rugged trails passing through beautiful villages. Some of the major trekking routes in Nepal are:
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Annapurna Circuit Trek
- Annapurna Base Camp Trek
- Manaslu Circuit Trek
- Langtang Valley Trek
- Ghorepani Poonhill Trek
- Everest Three High Passes Trek
- Kanchenjunga Trek
- Upper Mustang Trek (Note: Now it is considered to be better for jeep tour)
- Upper Dolpo Trek
- Mardi Himal Trek
For detail information, check out our article 10 best trekking in Nepal.
– 8 Eight Thousanders and Hundreds of Peaks
The mountains which are above 8000 m known as eight thousanders.
The majority of the section of the Himalayas lies in Nepal. Including Mt Everest and Kanchenjunga, eight highest peaks which are above 8000 m situated in Nepal Himalayas. In addition, there are hundreds of small peaks that are above 5000 to 7000 meters. So, Nepal is also very popular for mountaineering activities. Although the cost of mountain climbing is high, every year hundreds of visitors reach the summit of Himalayan peaks.
Basically, NMA (Nepal Mountaineering Association) has classified the peaks in two categories:
- Trekking Peak
- Expedition Peak
Trekking peaks are quite easier to climb and it can be completed in 1 day from their base camps while it is a challenging job to summit the expedition peaks. It takes more than 15 days to reach the top of the expedition peaks. As such, Island Peak is considered as a trekking peak while Mount Everest is the expedition peak.
Cultural diversity, Medieval cities, and Surprising sacred places
You will be surprised seeing vast cultural diversity and different religious sites in such a small area. Mixed cultural values and harmony have made the country unique from the rest of the world!
When you go to Mountain region, you will see the tribal group of different castes, such as Sherpa, Gurung, Magar, Tamang, etc. In the mid-region i.e hilly area (region of tropical climate), the majority of Rai, Limbu, Bahun, Kshetri, Danuwar is found. Likewise, the plain region which lies south of mountain area, also called Terai region, mostly tribal group of Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Musahar, Chamar, Dhimal, etc live.
What makes the country astonishing is that seven different heritage sites exist in the Kathmandu valley. Visiting and Exploring Boudhnath stupa, Swayambhunath temple, Pashupatinath temple let you understand how different communities are living in a harmony. These places have not been damaged even after the earthquake in 2015. In addition, 3 durbar squares – Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktpur depict the incredible architecture of the medieval era as these palaces were built in the Malla and Lichhavi era of the history of Nepal.
Kathmandu is known as the city of temples. However, an unrivalled collection of world classes stupas and monasteries are offered here with backstreet shrines and sublime temples.
Wildlife Adventure
The southern part of Nepal is completely different from the northern region. As such, most of the visitors travel the region for wildlife activities. The place is indeed the home of several endangered species as there are few wildlife reserves and national parks. Chitwan, Bardia, Koshi Tappu National parks are those where the worlds’ most endangered species like Bengal Tiger, One horn rhinoceros, Gharial crocodile, Wild Buffalo, and many birds have been living. Chitwan national park is popular for jungle activities like Jeep safari and elephant safari while travelers go to Koshi Tappu for bird watching tours.
Best Hospitality
“Atithi Devo Bhava” is a Sanskrit sentence which means a guest is God. It resembles how Nepalese treats the guests. They always care about you and do their best to feel you happy while traveling with them. Nepalese are loyal and determined with their liability. This is why the foreigners visit Nepal time and again.
Where to visit?
As already mentioned above, for trekking activities, you can choose among the 10 best trekking in Nepal if it is your first visit to Nepal. Besides that, you can go climbing, sightseeing in some places like Kathmandu valley, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, Bandipur, Janakpur, Ilam, etc. These places are naturally beautiful while the cultural and tradition are extra factors.
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
It is important to know the best time to visit Nepal as you will be going to spend your valuable time and moments. Without having proper planning and knowledge, you may only lose your time and money.
Basically, Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) seasons are the best time to travel in Nepal. Because of the crystal clear sky and sunny days, spring and autumn are better to go for trekking and climbing activities. The temperature in the mountain will not be that much low that will be tolerable. So, most of the adventurers choose to plan the trip in these seasons.
How to get to Nepal?
Nepal provides an arrival visa for the citizen of most of the countries. So, just check out the immigration site in order to know whether you are eligible to get on arrival Nepal visa or not. But Indian citizens do not need to obtain a visa to come to Nepal. They can show their citizenship or Aadhar card and visit Nepal. For detail information, log on to the official website of the Department of Immigration, Nepal.
Either you can enter from Tribhuvan International Airport which is one and the only international airport of Nepal or crosses the border from India fulfilling all legal documents and tasks.
Official website of Department of Immigration, Government of Nepal.
Safety in Nepal
In one word ‘yes’ Nepal is safe to travel although you should be careful while trekking in the mountain and off the beaten area. As you travel alone in the mountain areas, the risk of altitude sickness is common. Moreover, there may be no human who can come to help you. Travelers must follow safety guidelines and measurements.
Considering the criminal acts over the tourists, Nepal is a better place to visit. It rarely happens here. But you have to aware of the tourism scam.
If you are talking about the female travelers’ safety, I think you need to see this picture portrays respect to women in Nepali society.
Well, if you are afraid of natural disasters like earthquakes, then it is unstoppable and unexpected. Even scientists could not have given a solution. It can happen anywhere and any place in the world. But the considerable thing is that we can’t deny we have been hunt by the disastrous earthquake in 1934 and 2015. You can even check out the history of the earthquake in Nepal from the official website of Nepal government: www.seismonepal.gov.np/historical-events
Landslides are common in the hilly region while accidents may happen traveling at night due to the zigzag roads of the hills’ area.
Mountain climbers must know that the avalanches frequently occurs in mountains. So, they must be aware of the best time when to go climbing and crossing the high passes of the Himalayas.
Talking about nuclear plants and missiles, let us know you that Nepal is a member of UNO, and playing the role of peacemaker since the beginning. So, there is no terrorism threats and activities.
For any further information, you can contact us. Happy Journey!