Things to do in Nepal
- thetooshaz
- Feb 9, 2019
- 4 min read
If you are looking for an adventure or a relaxing short trip, then Nepal is the place. You have the opportunity to do a little bit of everything. It is renowned for its mesmerising scenic backdrops, heritage buildings, temples, monuments, and monasteries. From rafting & trekking to sightseeing & shopping in Nepal, this country is awesome for people of all age groups.
1. Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Wandering around Kathmandu is one of the most essential things to do in Nepal. I would recommend organising a half-day excursion, but you can always do a full-day excursion depending on how much time you have in Nepal. I personally did two half days on my way in and out of Nepal, so I didn’t actually stay in Kathamndu. Mainly because it was a very short trip and I wanted to make sure I fit in as much as possible within the time I had. The city is known for medieval temples, public squares, monuments and monasteries - you can also do a bit of shopping if you like vintage/ traditional jewelry and ornaments. It is quite a busy city and a lot going on, but I would recommend getting souvenirs and gifts from Kathamndu if you plan to - it is way cheaper than other more touristic spots. Unfortunately due to the recent earthquake in 2015, the city took quite a big hit and the roads still have not been maintained, so expect a bumpy and muddy journey.
Don’t miss: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Kopan Monastery, Dakshin Kali Temple, Durbar Square, and Thamel Area, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple).
I unfortunately didn’t get to see all of these places, but here is what I managed to fit in during my visit:
2. Adventure around Pokhara
We took a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara - this place is perfect for nature and adventure enthusiasts. Camping, paragliding, and mountain biking are some of the activities you can take part in. We rented a boat and went around the lake - it was such a nice feeling listening to nothing but silence. What I really loved about Pokhara was that it carried such a nice and relaxing vibe. You would come across crowds just chilling by the lake catching up with friends and there is a long strip of restaurants/bars as you walk down the lakeside. This place is perfect if you want to try some local food while listening to some local live performances.
Don’t miss: Biking trails by the Phewa Lake, Rupa Lake, Begnas Lake, and Devis Fall.
We hiked to the Australian camp from Kande, which took us about 4 hours to reach, with a few stops in between. It is a tiring walk, but super worth it. I would recommend you wear your hiking gear if you have any - hiking boots or shoes because at some point it is a little tricky and quite slippery too. I would also say wear long socks and maybe tuck your pants into them because there were a few leeches too - we learnt the hard way!
When we finally made it to the camp, the views were miraculous and the air so fresh. You feel like you are alone in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and greenery. The rooms at the camp are super basic, so don’t expect a luxury suite, but what more do you need? Australian Camp is a beautiful village best known for its unobstructed view of the Himalayan Mountains if you are lucky. Unfortunately I wasn’t that lucky given there was quite thick fog. I went during rainy season, which to be honest I don’t regret because it wasn’t too hot nor too cold, the weather was just perfect. It got a little cooler at night, but then we all gather in the main lodge area where we huddled around the heater, played cards and had a warm cup of tea followed by dinner. There were a lot of young tourists and I have to say that it was nice to see pretty much everyone without their phones and just socializing.
4. Sarangkot
After staying one night at the Australian camp we then trekked to Sarangkot. Sarangkot, which is best known for its panoramic view along with brilliant mountain scenery and a delightful view of Pokhara valley, Fewa Lake. The views of the rice fields and the people we met along the way is what made it a great experience. A very kind family invited us into their home as we were walking through the village and they started to teach us a little bit about their tradition and culture. Everyone we encountered were all so friendly and welcoming.
By the time you get to the top of Sarangkot, you are absolutely exhausted, but then you forget about all the struggle getting there when you see the lovely views from above. Here are some photos:
We then headed back to Pokhara to have a nice dinner followed by a much needed massage to end the night.
Tip: If you manage to get to Sarangkot in the morning/ early afternoon, then you can be adventurous and take the zipline back to Pokhara.
5. People of Nepal
What I loved most about this trip was the people I met. You get to meet so many interesting people with different stories and backgrounds. Their daily lifestyle involves super hard labour work and it makes you think to yourself how sometimes you complain about the smallest things, yet you see how these people don’t have it easy, but they are super happy. Seeing this really changes your perspective and you learn to appreciate the smallest things and be grateful for what we have.
Tips: This trip can be personalised depending on how long you are spending in Nepal and the type of things you want to do. If you are going to be trekking I would suggest you pack a light backpack for this trip, long pants and trekking shoes. I would also carry an umbrella if you are going during rainy season. What my friends and I did was we left our bigger backpack in the hotel that we stayed at in Pokhara and carried the lighter one to the camp.
Hope this gave you a little bit of an idea about Nepal and the things to do. Feel free to email me if you would like some more tips before heading on your trip!
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