Nepal, the land of the Himalayas is a beautiful country with countless natural treasures, Himalayan beauty, and multicultural attributes. In fact, eight of the 14 tallest mountain peaks in the world are in Nepal, including Mount Everest- the world's highest mountain peak.
The country is perfect for Himalayan adventures and cultural tours. As a matter of fact, the journey to the Himalayas is considered one of the most beautiful adventures in the world, and Nepal is the perfect destination.
Moreover, holidays in Nepal are comparatively cheaper as well. Visit Nepal Himalayas can be done all the year-round and there are options for people of all preferences. There are many adventurous trek and tour options available in Nepal. Here are the top 10 reasons to visit Nepal. Dream it, get ready, plan and explore the natural wonders.
Table of Contents
Scenic View of Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, and the Landscape
Phoksundo Lake, Dolpo
The landscape of Nepal is amazingly diverse, extending from the high mountain to the low-lying Terai region. Nepal's natural scenery is as diverse as its cultures. The country is home to a variety of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna.
Nepal is home to some of the highest and most impressive snow-covered mountain ranges in the world. The gigantic peaks including Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on earth, are a major attraction for visits to Nepal.
In addition, to the stunning Himalayan landscapes, Nepal is also home to several beautiful lakes and rivers. The Phewa and Begnas Lake in Pokhara is a popular destination for travelers, offering boating opportunities as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The Kali Gandaki, Seti, and Trishuli River, which runs through the heart of the country, is another popular spot for rafting and kayaking.
Impressive Himalayan Glaciers
Khumbu Glacier, Everest
Natural renewable solid reserves of freshwater, Glaciers are a major part of Nepal's biodiversity. Glaciers are also a major part of the terrain while trekking as they are the hallmarks of the trekking destination, like Langtang and the Imja valley for example.
The heavily glaciated Langtang Valley lies within the Trishuli sub-basin of the Gandaki basin in the central region of Nepal, and the Imja valley lies within the Dudh Koshi sub-basin of the Koshi basin in the eastern region. In Nepal, generally, six types of glaciers can be observed- the valley trough type and the five types of mountain glaciers (ice apron, cirque, niche, basin, and miscellaneous).
The Lirung Glacier in the Langtang valley is a part of the Langtang valley trek hallmark, where its debris cover in the lower reaches makes the terrain quite beautiful. Similarly, the Yala Glacier in the Annapurna is a mountain apron-type glacier with clean ice, and the Khumjung Glacier in the Everest region is a mountain basin-type glacier with clean ice.
It suffices to visit Nepal to take in the peaceful and serene beauty of the glaciers underneath the mountain alone.
Rich and Ancient Culture
Nepal's ethnic diversity is rich; multiple languages and a wealth of cultures are scattered throughout the nation. There are at least 40 sizeable language and cultural groups found in Nepal. It can be said that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural, and diverse regional country, homeland to 125 castes/ethnic groups, 124 languages, and 10 religious groups.
some pockets of ethnic groups in Nepal may have homogenous populations belonging to one or another group, making a local majority but a national minority, like the Sherpa people of Everest, the Tibetan Buddhist people of Mustang and Dolpo, and the Tamang and Magar populations of the rural Annapurna, while in other areas, the population may be totally heterogeneous, as is the case with the Kathmandu city.
Trekking to the World's Highest Mountain Base Camp
World Highest Mountain - Everest Base Camp
The trek to the base of mount Everest is one of the most popular hiking trips on the planet. It begins from Lukla and goes through many ethnic Sherpa villages like Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, and Phakding among many others.
The Everest Base Camp Trek mainly consists of elements like the Himalayan scenery, ethnic culture, and the natural beauty of the terrain. The Khumbu, which is where Mount Everest is located, presents all the best features pertaining to the important trekking elements.
The region is drained by the Dudh Koshi River and the most famous vantage point would be the vantage point of Kalapatthar. The alternate routes can also be taken, like trekking to EBC with Gokyo Lake and crossing High Mountain Passes like the Cho La Mountain Pass is the best adventure trip.
Mountaineering in Nepal
The adventure sport, Peak Climbing is a popular activity and Nepal is a home for every mountaineer. The country is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains including mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and the Annapurna, each over 8,000m.
Besides these eight highest peaks, there are also 326 other mountains in Nepal open for mountaineering expeditions. 103 of them have never been climbed before. Nepal offers mountaineering opportunities comparatively more than any other country in the world. Mountaineering in Nepal offers an exclusive opportunity to test one's skills and endurance while experiencing the splendor of the natural surroundings.
There are many climbing peaks in Nepal, ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. Besides climbing Everest, peaks like the Island & Mera Peak in Everest and the Yala peak in Langtang valley are the most popular destinations for mountaineers to climb mountains.
Adventure Sports
Nepal, besides trekking and hiking, Nepal is also famous for adventure sports. One of the best features of the adventure sports like paragliding, canoeing, and bungee jumping in Nepal is that they are often done against the backdrop of the Himalayan scenery.
Paragliding in Pokhara is a growing trend where the Annapurna Mountains are seen from a gorgeous bird-eye view. Likewise, Sarangkot is another famous place for paragliding. New technologies are being developed every time, and Nepal's aerial adventures also include helicopter rides over the mountains.
White Water Rafting
Kaligandaki River Rafting
White water rafting in the gushing Himalayan Rivers of Nepal, like the Sun Koshi and the Bhote Koshi, is one of the most thrilling adventures in the country. The white waters of the Himalayan rivers present a fast pace with many twists and turn to offer a rafting adventure that is like adrenalin shots. Rafting in Nepal has been steadily growing in popularity in recent years and it can be done combined with any trekking adventure in Nepal.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are 10 UNESCO world heritage sites in Nepal. In Kathmandu alone, there are four major sites that are located close to one another. Two of the ten sites are also Natural Sites- the Sagarmatha National Park and the Chitwan National Park. While doing the famous Everest Base Camp Trek, the path goes through the Sagarmatha National Park.
The Heritage Sites provide a deep insight into the historical and religious dexterity of Nepal. The temples and the Durbar Squares are built in unique architectural styles and carved with amazing wood, metal, and stone carvings. For most trekking adventures, a short tour of the sites is always included before the beginning of the trekking journey.
Religious Pilgrimage
Nepal has many pilgrimage sites that pertain to both the Hindu and Buddhist people of the country. Many trekking adventures are also incorporated with pilgrimage sites like the Muktinath in Mustang, the Gosaikunda in the Langtang region, and the Milarepa Cave at Dolpo among many others.
Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. He was born in Lumbini, and hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims visit Lumbini every year. In Kathmandu, the holy temple of Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath is the popular destination, especially for Hindu and Buddhist devotees. The combined pilgrimage site tour is a must-do activity in Nepal.
Jungle safari
The Chitwan National Park is a famous destination for an amazing jungle safari tour. After trekking in Nepal or even an alternative to trek, a jungle safari is a refreshing event that is done on the elephant's back. Chitwan National Park is also a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, home to several endangered species of animals like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephants and Leopards, One-horned Rhinoceros, and many more.
Conclusion
Nepal is a beautiful destination for adventure trek, jungle safari, cultural and religious tours, and many other activities. People can travel to this beautiful country solo or with family and friends. It has a lot of attractions that simply must be experienced, at least once in life. Join us, for an amazing and unforgettable Nepal adventure!
Raj Kumar was born and raised in the mountain town of Gorkha. He is an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys discovering new places. His passion for exploration knows no bounds, driving him to seek out new trails and experiences. He has successfully traveled and explored most of the trekking routes in Nepal, mastering their intricacies.
Raj Kumar started his career as a guide at the end of the year 2006. His dedication to this field has been unwavering, surpassing 17 years and counting. He established his own company, Green Society Adventure, in 2013, fueled by his expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. He has a vision to share the beauty of Nepal’s landscapes and cultures to the world. As both a guide and a leader, he inspires people to explore the world with curiosity and respect.
