6 Things You Should Know Before You Visit Nepal
Nepal is the perfect destination for people who seek adventure. This small yet unique country sandwiched between India and China is worth a visit. It won’t be surprising to mention that Nepal has a timeless beauty in its landscapes. Home to the gigantic Himalayan range that stretches in the north to the flat plain in the south, this place has something for everyone. Even if your sole purpose to visit Nepal isn’t trekking, you will have enough attractions to gather your treasure of memories. Here is what you must know before stepping into Nepal.Key Points to Remember
Now that you will be making your way to an unexplored country, gather as much information you can to stay updated.
• On arrival Visa is available
• The language spoken is Nepali, but English is popularly spoken too
• Be prepared for squat toilets
• Avoid drinking tap water
• Better to be choosy about the place for street food in Nepal
1. Unique Experiences in Nepal
It’s challenging to craft the beauty of Nepal in words. The list of unique experiences could go on. Nepal is most hyped about its mountains, landscapes, wildlife beauty, diverse terrain, culture, and spectacular beauty of nature. The variety of things you get to explore is worth every penny of your investment. Nepal has a chain of sturdy mountains, historical cities, heritage sites, and adventure sports which definitely deserve your visit Nepal.
|
|
|
Here are some of the highlights from the tempting location.
Try Trekking On - Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Annapurna Circuit trek. Explore Historical Cities - Bhaktapur Darbur Square, Kathmandu Darbur Square, and Patan Darbur Square. Visit Heritage Sites - Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Changu Narayan Temple. Wildlife - Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park, and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.2. Nature and Climate of Nepal
Nepal is a blend of three geographical locations. The variation is widely influenced by the Himalayan region, Mid-hills, and Terai region. Also, the climate fluctuates due to its location in the subtropical latitudes.
It ranges from the subtropical monsoon in the Terai region, a warm temperate climate, and a cool climate towards the higher elevation. However, the climate fluctuation barely affects the travelers. Autumn (September- November), and spring (March-May) are two of the most preferred seasons to visit Nepal. Winters are severely cold but fit to travel anyway.
|
|
|
Shey Phoksundo National Park Sagarmatha National Park Chitwan National Park Shivapuri National Park Bardia National Park Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve3. Culture and Traditions in Nepal
Nepal is a diverse country and it has a mix of culture and tradition. People are often surprised to know about Nepal being a multiracial, multilingual and multi-religious country. The caste system of Nepal is largely influenced by the prehistoric culture, and also the orthodox Brahmin caste system. Nepal follows four major castes namely Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. When it’s about religious diversity, 80% of the Nepal population follows Hinduism. The remaining 20% is comprised of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and a few others.
|
|
|
Due to the cultural diversity, there are many festivals celebrated in Nepal:
Maha Shivratri Holi Bisket Jatra Dashain and Tihar Chhat Teej Buddha Jayanti Indra Jatra Eid4. Nepali Food
To visit Nepal will give you a variety of food. However, people have a lot of misconceptions about Nepali food consisting only of Thukpa and momos. But that’s not true, you will be able to find a lot of flavors and varieties in food apart from their famous Dal Bhat (made of rice and lentils). The taste of your dishes can be altered while you make the order, though it’s not too spicy. The other vegetables include potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and cauliflower. Some of the famous dishes to try in Nepal are as follows: Sel Roti Gundruk Yomari Tongba Samya Bhaji Newari pancakes Choila Thukpa Dal Bhat Gorkhali Lamb5. Friendly People of Nepal
People of Nepal are hospitable people. They are well known around the world for their welcoming attitude towards tourists who visit Nepal. The very common practice of greeting people in Nepal is by saying ‘Namaste’. Although Nepal is a diverse country and people of all ethnicity reside, they live in peace and harmony due to their helpful and friendly nature. Modernization has largely influenced the young generation of Nepal, but they have still managed to hold on to their culture and tradition pretty well.
There are steady growth and development in Nepal. The growth took a slow pace recently due to the lack of adequate transportation, and a few other facilities. When you visit Nepal, you will notice globalization hitting the chords on every street of Nepal, especially in Kathmandu, and other urban areas. Only the rural areas are a little slow when it comes to development and internet access. Overall, the lack of basic infrastructure and education in rural areas doesn’t reflect on their hospitality at all.
6. Products in Nepal
The major source of income in Nepal is agriculture because half of the country’s population is engaged in farming and cultivation. Nepal highly depends on exportation for steel, fertilizer, fuel, and construction materials. Once you are out on the streets to shop, you will have a lot of options to buy souvenirs. You can visit the alleyways of Thamel and Durbur Square to shop for the Nepal’s special items.
|
Various Artifacts in Nepal
|
There are plenty of stalls as well as shops to get traditional Nepali products. You can buy things like:
Woolen Carpets Bead jewelry and pulses Handicrafts Nepalese paper products Thangka paintings Statues and carved masks Pashmina products Tea, spices, and honeyThese dry items are some of the best things to buy when you visit Nepal. No matter what your plans are after reaching Nepal, the journey to a different place will give the best memories of our life. Make sure you carry your camera to capture the lofty mountain ranges and mesmerizing scenic beauty.
Happy Journey!
Further reading:
11 Interesting Facts about Nepal
7 Steps to Plan a Perfect Nepal Trip