10 Reasons to Visit Nepal

With such beauty all over the world, it can be difficult to decide on the next destination for your holiday. One country you probably weren’t considering is Nepal. However, there are many reasons why you should visit this amazing place mainly situated in the Himalayas. Here are just some of them.

The natural beauty will leave you speechless

For starters, the natural beauty of this South Asian country will take your breath away. Nepal is home to eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, all of which are over 8,000 meters high. That, of course, includes Mount Everest – the highest in the world. Although the mountain region occupies only 9% of the country’s land, it is surely one of its main attractions. On the other hand, there are also many lakes in Nepal that are a sight to behold. For instance, Gokyo Lake, Shey-Pokshundo Lake, and Tilicho Lake are all serene locations that will leave you speechless.

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There is an abundance of flora and fauna

In addition to the marvelous sights you will see in Nepal, you might also get a chance to spot some animals. With ten national parks, six conservation areas, and three wildlife reserves as well as a hunting reserve, Nepal is home to some rare species of flora and fauna. If you decide to tour the Chitwan National Park, you will see the one-horn rhino, musk deer, and royal Bengal tiger among many other birds and animals. You might even catch a glimpse of the snow leopard which is at risk of extinction. There are also over 5,000 species of flora, 400 of which are endemic to Nepal.

You can try various interesting activities

This country is also a great destination for some interesting activities, which is why you want to make the most of your trip by avoiding jet lag. Besides opting for a few of the numerous trekking routes in the Himalayan region, there are so many other things you can do. For instance, peak climbing and rock climbing, paragliding, zip-flying, skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, and white water rafting are just some of the many diverse activities Nepal offers. Moreover, you can also go on a sightseeing tour of cultural and historic places.

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The culture is fantastically diverse

In Nepal, you will also find unique cultural diversity. There are more than 35 different ethnic groups living together, each with its own culture, languages, and traditions. Thanks to this multicultural community, you can see all sorts of festivals around the year. Some you should consider attending include Lhosar, Gai Jatra, Bisket Jatra, and Rato Machchhendranath Jatra.

The food will blow you away

Another reason why you’re sure to love Nepal is the food. The diversity of cultures and ethnic groups contributed to a wide variety of dishes as well. For example, while dal bhat can be found everywhere, you’ll be surprised at how different it tastes depending on where you’re eating it. Furthermore, you can also try some dhindo, kwati, sekuwa, and chavela.

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You’ll meet friendly people

When you get to Nepal, you’ll notice that most people are very warm and kind. As the Nepalese people think of guests as gods, they will do their best to help you feel at home. Although you could be faced with a language barrier, you will always be offered tea and food when you go to someone’s home. The Nepali people are very welcoming so you can ask them whatever you’d like to know about the country or the sights you plan on seeing and they are sure to give you some useful advice about where to go, eat, and stay during your trip. Lastly, if you’re someone who makes friends easily, you can make lifelong friends here.

You can even lend a helping hand

If you’re trying your best to be a mindful traveler, you’re probably looking for ways how you can help preserve the environment while traveling all over the world. Lending a helping hand to those in need is always a great thing and Nepal comes with the opportunity to volunteer abroad. For example, if you opt for this destination, you could help with community construction, volunteer in a kindergarten, be an intern at a hospital, rehabilitate stray dogs, or teach Buddhist monks English. The options abound if you are willing to give back to a country that has so much to offer and welcomes you with open arms.

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It is very peaceful

In case you’re looking to escape the everyday hustle and bustle and go to a secluded space, Nepal is the place for you. As it can be very peaceful, it can bring a sense of serenity and help you reach inner peace. Whether you take a stroll through any of the neighborhoods of Kathmandu or escape to a lake to get some fresh air, you will be mesmerized by the tranquility of this country.

It is an affordable holiday

It’s a sad fact that travel can oftentimes be expensive. However, if you decide to go to Nepal, you’ll be glad to hear that this country is very affordable. As it is still a developing country, accommodation, transportation, and food are all cheap when compared to some of the most popular tourist destinations. Plus, many of the activities like trekking and relaxing by a lake don’t require you to pay a guide or join a tour.

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Nepal is a safe destination

Finally, a very important aspect of choosing a travel destination should be its safety. Fortunately, Nepal is a very safe country. It’s almost as if crime doesn’t exist here. Big cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara are not dangerous at all and you can rest assured that you will also be safe in the rural villages that are surrounded by valleys and mountains. While you might encounter some sellers that’ll try to raise their prices when they notice you are a tourist, that kind of thing is not common as Nepali are always welcoming to guests.

When narrowing down the choices for your next holiday, make sure to consider Nepal. Hopefully, these ten reasons showed you why traveling to this amazing country is more than worth it.

*Top photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash