Can we call Nepal the highest country in the world on the basis of average height? One might not, but on the basis of the highest point, definitely yes. Nepal is home to the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest which rises to a height of 29,028 feet above the sea level. Covering an area of 147,181 sq. Km, Nepal is bordered by Republic of India to south, west and east and China to the north. Nepal constitutes a rich variety of landscapes ranging from lowland plains in south to the mighty Himalayas to the north, this level of variety is seen in the culture and religions as well, as some parts of Nepal are populated by Hindus whereas some portions are dominated by Buddhists.
With 8 out of 10 highest peaks of the world present in Nepal, it is a paradise for mountaineers. Referred to as the Himalayan Kingdom, Nepal is a must visit for all adventurers. Tourists who just want to enjoy the scenic beauty and relax in the nature's lap too have their choices. Watching the high mountains from valley below too is as mesmerizing as watching the valley deep down from the mountains. There is a recent problem of tourists littering on the slopes and making it unhygienic for other tourists as well as for locals. It is requested to all tourists to keep the area you are visiting clean.
Culture is another eye catching attractions of Nepal. It can be seen in the many temples that dot the entire country. It is said that there are more temples in Nepal than houses. The famous Pashupatinath Temple attracts the most number of visitors to Nepal. There are many more temples and heritage buildings in Nepal.
Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city of Nepal. It is situated in the Kathmandu Valley along with two other cities namely Patan and Bhaktapur. The city is most known for its cheerful atmosphere, tourist friendliness and of course the mighty Pashupatinath Temple. Pokhara, Lalitpur and Biratnagar are the other important cities of Nepal.
Location – South Asia
Capital - Kathmandu
Population – 29,519,114
Language – Nepali, English,Hindi
Religion - Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim
Calling Code - +977
Time Zone – UTC +5:45
Climate - hot and humid in lower regions, cold in higher regions
Currency - Rupee (NPR)
Best time time visit – August To November
Pashupatinath Temple - Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most revered pilgrimage destination in Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Hindu temple is situated in the heart of Kathmandu. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Pashupatinath Temple employs a pagoda architecture. The roofs of the temple are made with copper and painted with gold. The main festival of the temple is Shivaratri which is celebrated every year with huge enthusiasm and gala. Only Hindu pilgrims can enter the premises of the temple. Non-Hindus can admire the beauty of the temple from the other side of the Bagmati River, on the banks of which Pashupatinath Temple stands.
Boudhanath Stupa - Kathmandu
Situated just 11 km from the outskirts of Kathmandu, Boudhanath Stupa is the most important Buddhist Stupa in Nepal. One of the largest stupas in the world, Boudhanath Stupa was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1979. It rises to a height of around 131m. The first thing that you will notice about the stupa are the red, white and blue colored eyes on all four sides, which are believed to see everything. Many Buddhist Monasteries have come up around the Boudhanath Stupa in the 500 years that it has been here. During the many Buddhist festivals like Tibetan New Year, it sees a huge influx of Buddhist pilgrims from Nepal as well as neighboring countries.
Mount Everest
There is no more humbling sight than that of snow covered peak of Mount Everest, towering over other magnificent peaks. It is the most coveted aim of any mountaineer to set foot on the highest point in the world. Rising to a height of 8,848 meters, it is situated in the northern side of Nepal. Mount Everest was first conquered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norway in the year 1953. Since then, climbing to the peak of Everest has been the dream for all serious mountaineers. The Everest area dotted with many Sherpa villages and high altitude Buddhist Monastery, views of which are as pacifying as the Everest itself. Also notice the high altitude wildlife which is absolutely different and unique.
Durbar Square - Kathmandu
Undoubtedly the most active and bubbling part of the country, Durbar Square truly reflects the history and culture of Nepal and its people. The square is always full of tourists who come here to take in the feeling of being surrounded by more than 50 temples, a grand old palace and lots and lots of people. You will see most of the tourists just sitting on the steps of triple-roofed Maju Deval Temple and look at the world go by at a leisurely pace. One of the most important attractions of the square is the Kumari Ghar on the southern side of the square. It is the residence of Kumari Devi, the Living Goddess.
Royal Chitwan National Park
You just cannot miss out on this beauty if you are even slightly interested in the wildlife of a nation. Royal Chitwan National park is considered to be the most enchanting wildlife parks any where in Asia, and by a fair distance. Covering an area of nearly 360 square miles, it was once the private hunting grounds of the king of Nepal and his guests. However after strict regulations were applied, the wildlife has been conserved splendidly. One can spot here endangered species like One Horned Rhino and the Royal Bengal tiger. It is also the best place to go for bird watching as there are more than 500 species of birds here. There are different ways to explore this breathtaking park. You can either choose to take an elephant safari, a jeep safari or a trekking stint. There are numerous lodges inside the park that give you great accommodation in nature's lap at reasonable price. The park is situated around 171 km away from the capital city Kathmandu.
Climb The Mount Everest
The climb is attempted by climbers of all levels of skills. Most of them are professionals who have successfully climbed other 6000 and above peaks, but there are novice people as well. You might have to pay a sizable amount, but the experience of being on top of the world is worth every penny.
The climb to the top is one of the most hazardous adventures, but the descent down is more treacherous. Make sure that you have taken all the necessary precautions before attempting the climb. Get acclimatised to the altitudes, as altitude sickness is the most common problem that adventurers feel. Carry all the prescribed equipments with you and ask a guide about the weather and conditions that will be prevailing over next few days.
Trekking The Toughest Tracks
Find the most exquisite trekking routes through villages and the 14 national parks that are present in Nepal. No matter wherever you are in Nepal, you are always close to trek route that shows you the unparalleled vistas of nature. So just pack your bags and traverse through the interiors of Nepal. The best places to trek are around Namche Bazaar, Gokya, Everest Base Camp and Solu Khemu. Though trekking can be done by yourself, it is better to get a complete information about the area before commencing.
River Rafting Adventures
Where there are so many high peaks and deep valleys, it is sure that there will be some really fast flowing rivers. And Nepal is no exception. One will find many rivers that offer breathtaking experiences of white water rafting in Nepal. Running through the wilderness of the country, they are suitable for all kinds of adventurers with different skill sets. There are many tour operators who conduct regular white water rafting trips in Nepal.
Bungee Jumping Thrills
There might not be many spots where you can enjoy bungee jumping, but the few that are there, are absolutely exquisite. The most popular jumping spot in Nepal is the longest bridge in Nepal. This bridge offers a jumping height of little more than 160 m. This surely is not for the weak hearted and if you are able to, then open your eyes between the jump to see the scenic beauty of nearby areas.
Play Elephant Polo
No where else could you indulge in this sport. So don't miss out on this chance of playing Elephant Polo. Nepal is the headquarters of elephant polo and the host for the World Elephant Polo Championship. Tiger Tops is the most popular destination in the country for this sport. It is believed that the modern version of the game originated here in Nepal, although the it was first played in india. There are four players in each team. A player and mahout sits atop the elephant; mahout steers the elephant whereas the players tell the mahout where to go and hits the ball.
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