Mountain Climbing
Nepal is home to eight of the highest peaks above 8,000m worldwide including Mt. Everest. Since opening to climbers in 1994, Nepal has been a hub for climbers around the globe. Climbers all over the world visit Nepal in thousands of numbers yearly to climb mountains and for different tourism activities.
Nepal has some of the most renowned peaks in the world, ranging from easy to hard mountains to tackle. The other eight highest peaks in Nepal are Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Cho Oyu and Annapurna.
Nepal has climbing peaks as well. The climbing peaks are generally between 5,000m to 7,000m with a total of 15 peaks below 7000m (22,970 ft.).
Indeed, most of Nepal’s highest trekking peaks are non-technical from a mountaineering point of view. However, sound health conditions and physical fitness play an important role. And of course, you will need a keen sense of adventure for high altitude.
Mount Everest, Lobuche, Pisang Peak, Mera Peak, Manaslu, Makalu, Imja Tse, Yala Peak, Island Peak, Dhampus Peak, and Pokalde Peak are some of the peaks to climb in Nepal.
Trekking
Want to explore Nepal’s diverse natural beauty and cultural riches? You should trek. You will have a lifetime experience of natural beauty of the country. You will go through forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, and small mountain villages, birds, animals, temple, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes. You will also have an opportunity to have a taste of different cultures and traditional lifestyle of diverse people.
Nepal offers lifetime opportunities to explore from a trek to the Everest Base Camp to the Annapurna Circuit, showcasing diverse terrain and stunning vistas.
Bird Watching
Nepal is home to over 887 species of birds. Kathmandu, the federal capital city of Nepal houses around 500 species of birds alone. The most popular bird watching spots in Kathmandu are Shivapuri, Godawari, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, Bagmatiriver, Taudaha etc.
Nepal is becoming one of the best destinations for people to enjoy bird watching. It is not only a country of majestic mountains but also a bird watcher’s paradise. Furthermore, outside the Kathmandu valley, Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, and Koshi Tapu Wildlife Reserve are other destinations for bird watching.
Rare species like Impeyan Pheasant, Crimson Horned Pheasant, Spiny Babbler etc are found in Nepal.
Rafting
Rafting is one of the adventure sports offering people an opportunity to explore natural beauty and cultural richness of Nepal. There are many rivers in Nepal designed for rafting. So far, the government has opened sections of 10 rivers for commercial rafting. Some of the rivers designated for rafting include Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali, Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Likhu, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, and Indravati rivers.
Nepal offers some of the best rafting experiences in the world. Its mountainous terrain and fast-flowing rivers provide a thrilling water adventure. Rafting in Nepal has become increasingly popular in recent years. With the help of experienced staff and high-quality equipment, even those with little rafting experience can enjoy this adventure sport in Nepal.
Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the adventure sports that gives you an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Nepal. The sport takes you through narrow gorges and waterfalls using ropes and other specialized equipment. Canyoning is the act of navigating down a fast flowing mountain stream in a gorge using a variety of techniques including abseiling, climbing, sliding and jumping.
The adventure sport is an outdoor recreational activity that includes hiking, climbing, abseiling, swimming and even cliff jumping in a natural landscape
Canyoning activities are offered at Jalbire Canyon, Panglang, Bhotekoshi, Pokhara and Charaundi Canyon located along the white sandy banks of the Trishuli river.
Kayaking
Nepal serves as one of the world’s leading destinations for recreational kayaking. Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits facing forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle to pull front-to-back on one side and then the other in rotation.
The Sunkoshi and Kali Gandaki rivers are the best destinations for kayaking. Kayak schools are a recent development in Nepal, mostly operating out of Pokhara and offering a half-day introduction on Phewa Lake. Other kayak schools operate out of the riverside resorts on the Bhote Koshi and Upper Sun Koshi rivers.
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is a very popular recreational and adventure sport in Nepal. A hot-air balloon is a large balloon with a basket underneath in which people can travel. The balloon is filled with hot air in order to make it float in the air. A balloon is the only stable platform for any type of observation above the range of airplanes and below the range of orbital spacecraft.
Hot air ballooning is an exciting activity introduced in Pokhara in 2018. It is the latest adventure sport in Pokhara providing an opportunity to see the Himalayas from the sky. On the ride, you can explore the magnificent views of Mount Annapurna, Mount Fishtail, Mount Dhaulagiri, Mount Hiunchuli, Lamjung Himal, Mount Manaslu, and other peaks. You can view lakes, green mountains, rivers, villages, and local farmland.
Bungee Jumping
Nepal provides a perfect platform for a bungee jump where one can get a lifetime experience through a fall above 160m on average. There are many sites where one can enjoy a bungee jump. Notably, these sites are the Bhote Koshi river, Hemja, Pokhara and Kushma. Over the Bhote Koshi river, you can get a lifetime experience through a jump at a height of 160m. The jump, at 160m., is staffed and operated by some of the most experienced jumpmasters in the business.
Bungee jump is an adventure sport which provides an opportunity to experience excited and thrilling free fall from high.
Skydiving
Skydiving is one of the most extreme aerial adventure sports providing an opportunity to dive with parachutes from a plane or a chopper. Skydiving is jumping from an airplane for fun. Skydiving can be done individually and with groups of people. However, training is required.
In Nepal, one can enjoy skydiving from the highest peak of the world, Mt. Everest. Skydiving from Everest is also a considerable alternative for a more thrilling experience. While reaching great heights and jumping out of the plane, you will witness the beauty of Everest even without actually climbing it.
Skiing
Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. The activity is done for various proposes like basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport.
Home to eight of the highest mountains in the world, Nepal makes a perfect platform for skiing. The skiing sites are the Everest region, Dhaulagiri, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Annapurna, Dolpo regions, Kangchenjunga. The time between October and December is the perfect season for skiing in Nepal.
Paragliding
Paragliding is one of the adventure sports in Nepal. One can truly experience the wonder of Nepal through paragliding. A trip will take you above some of the best scenery on earth, as you fly high in the sky.
Paragliding in Pokhara is one of the most thrilling adventures. Pokhara boasts best destinations for paragliding in Nepal. This adventure sport is a dream come true to many people around the world as they fly over scenic landscapes.
Paragliding provides an opportunity for one to explore the Himalayas from the sky. As you soar through the sky, you’ll have the chance to view stunning villages, monasteries, temples, lakes, jungle, and of course, the majestic Himalayas.
Pokhara and Kathmandu are some of destinations for paragliding.
Ultralight Aircraft
Nepal offers a unique adventure sport of ultralight. Notably, Pokhara is a perfect destination for ultralight. You can fly in the sky of Pokhara and see spectacular views of the lakes, mountains and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective.
Introduced in around 1996, the adventure sport provides an opportunity to view immense Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, and additional snow-capped mountains, and amazing lakes like Phewa, Rara Begnas from the sky.
Suitable season for the sport is between September and June.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking offers a best way to explore beauty and cultural heritage of Nepal. Navigating Nepal’s diverse terrain is a dream for every mountain biker. Nepal has plenty of dirty roads and trails for mountain bikers to explore and realize their wildest fantasy. You can explore urban as well as countryside of Nepal on a mountain bike trip. You can also get an opportunity to have a taste of lifestyle of diverse communities of Nepal. You can get mountain bikes for rent for a day long journey or longer in Nepal.
Be it riding in the city areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara or navigating off-roads, renting a bike is worth considering. Some of the mountain biking destinations in Nepal are Kathmandu Valley mountain biking, Shivapuri National Park, Mountain Biking Muktinath, Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara, Upper Mustang Biking, Kapan Tower Trail.
Jungle Safari
Jungle safari is one of the recreational activity in Nepal. There are many national parks in the country that offer jungle safari. Nepal’s national parks are home to hundreds of wild animals, birds and plants. On jungle safari, one can view panoramic sighting of the wildlife like Royal Bengal tigers, rhinos, wild boars, spotted deer, sloth bear, four-horned antelope etc. Nepal has nine national parks, four wildlife reserves, and three conservation areas, covering an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometers.
Mountain Flight
Nepal offers an adventure sport of mountain flight. one can experience majestic mountainous on a mountain flight. Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of mountains, including Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna etc. Nepal is becoming a popular destination for mountain flight, and it can serve to the requirement of all kinds of travelers.
Seeing the Himalayas close from the sky is an amazing experience for most who love nature and mountain.
Not flying on an aircraft may be incomplete your trip to Nepal. The best seasons to fly are from September to April.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing is another adventure sport for thrill seekers. There are many destinations in Nepal that offer the sport. Of late, rock climbing has become a popular sport in Kathmandu, some of them are Nagarjun, Balaju, Shivapuri and Budhanilkantha.
Rock climbing is a challenging sport in Nepal in which climbers either climb up natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. Rock climbing is a very tough sport, and it requires physical and mental strengths. Therefore, proper climbing knowledge and skills are required.
Nepal rock climbing is getting more and more popular among both local enthusiasts and international tourists alike.
Other rock climbing destinations in Nepal are Natural Rock climbing,
Balaju Rock Climbing, Hattiban Rock Climbing, Thame Rock Climbing, Bimal Nagar Rock Climbing, Indoor wall climbing, and Astrek climbing wall.
Top 10 tour destinations in Kathmandu
Kathmandu: Kathmandu is the federal capital city of Nepal. Nepal Nepal boasts cultural, religion, tradition, language and biodiversity with more than 125 ethnic communities and over 100 languages spoken. It houses beautiful landscapes, geographical and topological diversity making it a perfect fit for tourism.
The ancient city boasts many cultural heritage sites including Durbar Square, Patan Square, Bhaktapur Square, Dharahara, Ghanta Ghar (clock tower), sacred Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhu Temple, Boudhanath, Taleju Durbar etc. The ancient vibrant places like Asan, Thamel, Basantapur, Hippi alley, Mangal bazaar, Patan etc. surely melt your heart and make you feel joyed.
One of the best places of Kathmandu is Thamel where you can get a real taste of Kathmandu and experience the lifestyle of cosmopolitan lifestyle. Thamel is also known as a place of tourists where tourists from all over the world gather, have fun, sing, dance, savour local dishes and other continental dishes, and have accommodations.
Besides, it provides visitors an opportunity of exploring the nature. There are many places in and around the city to explore. These places including Shivapuri National Park where you can hike, the Garden of Dreams, Nagarkot, Godavari, Kakani etc.
Similarly, if you are more religious, there are many religious sites the city offers. You can visit these religious sites, and get your wishes come true and feel blessed. These religious places include Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhu Temple, Boudhanath.
People in the ancient city are generous, helpful and kind. So you cannot feel alone and away from your home visiting Kathmandu. The traditions and famous hospitality offered here are indeed a major part of what makes the city so special.
You may want to explore the city for a few days before venturing into your mountain adventure.
Here are top 10 tour destinations in Kathmandu:
Garden of Dreams
Located within the Kathmandu valley, Garden of dreams is a neo classical historical garden of Nepal. The garden of dreams is known for offering a variety of facilities including a tour spot, coffee hub and recreational activities. It offers a very beautiful ambiance, and a natural beauty which attract tourists.
There are verandas, pavilions, amphitheater, gardens, ponds, urns, and pergolas in the garden of dreams. The fountains and ponds, inscriptions, and pavilions are worth touring. It boasts an architectural landscape that encourages the visitor to stroll and explore the garden’s treasures.
Garden of dreams, as the name suggests, is truly a divine garden with its beauty and wonderful surroundings. The garden is regarded as the European Gardens. The splendid beauty and the surrounding of the Garden of Dreams offer pleasure and a quality time spending for visitors.
The Garden of Dreams was originally constructed as a private garden in the 20th century by Kaiser Shumsher Junga Bahadur Rana (1892-1964). Initially, it was popularly known as the garden of six seasons of Nepal. The six pavilions inside of Garden of Dreams are dedicated to the six Nepali seasons, Basanta (spring), Grishma (summer), Barkha (monsoon), Sharad (autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir (winter). The area of this garden spans 6,895 square meters. Inspired by some Edwardian states’ gardens in England, this garden was constructed at the cost of Rs 100,000.
The garden houses libraries, café, and other properties. One can organize corporate and private functions, receptions, cultural programmes and exhibitions here. The soothing ambiance of the Garden of dreams attracts a lot of people. Be them locals or tourists, the garden of dreams is a perfect hangout place for people including tourists in Kathmandu, away from the hustle and bustle of the Kathmandu city.
Thamel
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel is the center of tourist industry in Nepal. Thamel is the first choice when tourists arrive in Kathmandu for any purposes. The tourist hub has remained popular for ages. The place offers everything tourists want ranging from craft shops, boutique cafes, trekking gear, rainbow prayer flags, books, foods (local or continental), clothing, accommodation, entertainment etc.
About 30-minute walk from New Road, the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel has many historic places within close distances–Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Asan bazaar etc.
Thamel has developed itself as the center of entertainment and glamour. Since its establishment, it was developed with the theme to satisfy the needs of tourists in every way. Thamel has positioned itself as the hub of glitter and glamour offering nightlife.
Thamel also serves as a pre-base camp for mountaineers. It boasts a wide range of mountaineering gear shops, trekking agencies, foreign money exchange booths, pubs, clubs and nightlife along with the numerous travel lodges and guest houses.
It houses hundreds of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops serving Nepali-Western dishes in a single location. There are dozens of tourist restaurants in Thamel serving many dishes ranging from Italian, French, Israeli, and Tibetan. Indian and Nepali dishes are always the main attractions for many visitors. The visitors can find a food set of Nepali Dhal Bhat, Tarkari and achar (rice, lentils, vegetables and pickle).
There is availability of amenities such as Banks/ATM, Money Exchange, Internet, Clinics, Guides, Cargo, Laundry, Photo studio, Tattoo, Travels and Tours agency, Tailoring, and Rental.
Asan Bazaar
Asan is popular for its bazaar, festivals, ceremonial and residential areas in Kathmandu. Asan has been regarded as a traditional Asian bazaar housing predominantly Newari communities.
The Asan bazaar draws shoppers from all over Kathmandu and outside as well as it offers a variety of goods, ranging from foodstuffs and textiles to electronics. It is also one the popular tourist destinations in Kathmandu with its beauty and architectural things.
Asan stands out to be one of the two legendary India-Tibet trade routes that go through Kathmandu. Because of this history, Asan has been one of the city’s main marketplaces since ancient times.
Asan is majorly religiously important. Main attractions of the Asan bazaar are Annapurna Ajima (goddess of food grains), Ganesh temple, Nyalon (fish stone), Tita Chapa (southern pavilion) (the long building on the southern side), Asan Dabu, a stone platform where sacred dances and musical performances are organised. Festivals like Chalan, Tika ceremony, Kuma Nakigu, Dyah Lwakegu, Pahan Charhe, Jana Baha Dyah Jatra, Kumari Jatra, and Indra Jatra have added to the beauty of the bazaar.
Old Freak Street
Jhochhen Tole is popularly known as Old Freak Street, or Freak Street located in the south of Kathmandu Durbar Square.
The ancient street was named Freak Street, which refers to the hippie trail of the 1960s and 1970s. Now the street known as as Old Freak Street. Then the government-run hashish shops in the street attracted hippies from all over the world. Hippies from all over the world would gather in and around the Freak Street, smoke marijuana and hashish sold by the government-licenced shops and get joy. Hippies are described as a young restless population in the west who want to distance themselves from political and social frustration. They would find the street as the best place for them to live a carefree life with joy.
In the early 1970s, the government of Nepal at the directive of the United States started coming down heavily on hippies and deporting them to India. This resulted in the hippie movement of Nepal died out. Then the government of Nepal also banned the production and sale of marijuana and hashish further discouraging them.
The Old Freak Street still makes it a popular destination for tourists even now. It houses trekking agencies, guest houses, souvenir shops, shopping centers.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Located in the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is a 30-minute drive from Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal.
The place with natural beauty boasts lush forest of rhododendrons, pine and oak trees, and has many varieties of vegetation and wildlife including Himalayan black bears, rhesus monkeys, leopards, 102 types of butterflies, 177 species of birds, and 129 kinds of mushrooms.
The national park spanning 159 square kilometers was managed under the Shivapuri Watershed Development Board before it was declared the ninth national park of Nepal in 2002.
The park has now developed as a popular place for hiking, and recreational activities.
The park is easily accessible from Kathmandu. Visitors are attracted to the park for trekking. Trekking routes to Nagarkot, Gosaikunda, Helambu and Langtang National Park also go through the park. Several religious sites for the Hindus and the Buddhists lie inside the park.
Swayambhunath Temple
Situated at a height of the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambhunath, also known as ‘Monkey Temple’ is a holy stupa to both followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. Swayambhunath is surrounded by a forest, many monasteries, prayer wheels, shrines and structures relating to Buddhism. Visitors here can relish panoramic views of the Kathmandu city from the top of the temple. They have to deal with 365 steps uphill to reach atop, which is one of the major attractions of the temple increasing the significance of the site.
The temple is considered a symbol of peace, love, and unity among many people including the Nepali people. This place is also popularly known as monkey temple as there are hundreds of monkeys hiding in the forest.
Boudhanath Stupa
Located in the Kathmandu Valley, Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest sacred stupas in Nepal and a holy place for Buddhists. It is surrounded by numerous monasteries, shops, and restaurants. Boudhnath Stupa makes up a religious and spiritual place. Religious people, monks and nuns here perform daily rituals. Visitors here can see Buddhist monks and nuns with prayer wheels and flags in their hands offering prayers and counting beads strung on a garland by their fingers.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath Temple lies on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river in the heart of Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal. The holy Pashupatinath Temple holds religious significance for Hindu people dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is one of the main Hindu deities. The temple attracts both Hindu and non-Hindu people from all over the globe in the belief that their wishes come fulfilled by worshipping at the temple, according to their religious beliefs.
It also attracts millions of tourists every year. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The temple was built in a mix of pagoda and shikhara styles is surrounded by small shrines and structures. There are four doors on the four sides of the temple. The four doors are painted silver with a gold-coated roof, adding to its beauty.
Maha Shivaratri festival is of the most attractions of the temple. The festival is celebrated annually generally in the Nepali month of Falgun. Devoted to the honour of Lord Shiva, the festival attracts millions of Hindu and non-Hindu people from Nepal, neighbouring India, and other countries.
On the day, people fast after taking a bath and perform ritual puja in honour of Lord Shiva. They stay awake through the night.
People visiting the temple will have a glimpse of the vibrant atmosphere of Hindu rituals, prayers and ceremonies, making it a perfect place for cultural significance and spiritual aspects.
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is referred to as the city of devotees. It is also the city of pilgrimage and religion. Around eight miles away from Kathmandu, the federal capital of Nepal, the small city predominated by Newari people is adorned with historical and archaeological sites. Besides, it boasts many heritage sites.
The city gives you a taste of Newa culture. There are many cultural sightseeing areas in Bhaktapur. These places include the Gate to the durbar square, Golden Gate, Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, 55 windows palace, Vatsala Durga Temple, Bhairavnath temple, Nyatapola temple, Dattatreya temple, Shiddhapokhari, Pottery square, etc.
The city is also famous for local food and wine, Newari food, Juju Dhau yogurt, festivals and Jatras, pottery work.
Besides, cultural and archeological importance, the city offers hiking places including Pilot Baba, Ranikot, Ashapuri, Doleshwor temple, Kalamasi lake.
Wood carving museum, brass and bronze museum and the national art museum have added to its beauty.
Basantapur Durbar Square
Basantapur Durbar Square is Kathmandu’s ancient heritage site. The UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts many historical and heritage sites, including the Royal Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, and Hindu and Buddhist temples dating back to the 12th century.
The Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar squares in the Kathmandu Valley. The other two are Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
Basantapur Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka, is an old durbar square in Kathmandu’s city centre. Hanuman Dhoka was constructed during the Licchavi period (4th to 8th centuries AD). It is also known as “the Museum of Temples” because there are over 50 temples in the square. Handicraft shops in the courtyards around Gaddi Baithak are major places where you can see a variety of attractive purchasable handicrafts.
The Durbar Square is divided into two parts, the outer Kasthamandap, Kumari Ghar, and Shiva-Parvati Temple, and the inner section comprising Hanuman Dhoka and the main palace. Most parts of the palace premises are open to tourists throughout the week.
Major attractions of the Durbar Square are Nasal Chowk, Taleju Temple, Kumari Temple, Jagannath Temple, Narsingha Statue, Shisha Baithak, Swet Bhairav, Tribhuvan Museum and Kal Bhairab Temple.
