Issue 53 / Rediscover And Be Enthralled With Nepal

by Geeta Wahab

Rediscover And Be Enthralled With Nepal

Jun 08, 2016

It's been a year since an earthquake ravaged this tiny nation. Now, as the country rebuilds, this is the perfect time to discover and rediscover Nepal.

Nepal is a tiny gem of a country tucked between China and India and it boasts plenty of attractions to draw adventure seekers from around the world. With the Himalaya mountains running alongside it, Nepal is a tiny world of its own.

Famous for Mt. Everest, Nepal offers many adventures for those who aren't faint of heart. Mount Everest is quite the feat to be conquered, however, be ready for intense training, a two-month trek up to the top and a hefty price tag.

If you're not fascinated with the idea of reaching the highest peak, there are treks for two to three weeks that will guide you to the Everest base camp. On these treks, days are spent acclimatizing to the surroundings and air and are highlighted with breathtaking views of the sunset, hiking through rhododendron forests and hiking by glaciers.

^{Mt. Everest

Photo Credit: www.travellingmoods.com}

You will also find the Namche Bazaar full of treats, fashion, souvenirs and trinkets. The Annapurna circuit trek offers something challenging but is not as demanding as the Everest treks. Make sure to stop in various small towns, making a very important stop at the Jhinudanda hot springs and finally heading into the city of Pokhara. While you're in Pokhara, be sure to visit the World Peace Pagoda. If trekking isnt your cup of tea, jump on a plane and take a flight around the world-famous mountain range and prepare to be in awe.

^{Namche Bazaar

www.outdoorexposurephoto.com}

If you prefer to stick to ground level activities, Nepal has plenty of cities to wander through, each with its own attractions. Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and largest city. It is full with tourist spots and historic sites. Kathmandu is the window to Nepal. It is still recovering from the 2015 earthquake that shook the country and claimed thousands of lives yet it's still welcoming tourists. Kathmandu is home to Boudhanath Stupa, a world heritage site; the now Narayanhiti Palace Museum which was converted from the Royal Palace after the massacre of the royal family; Nepal's most infamous and important Hindu temple, the Pashupatinath; and Durbar Square with temples historically dating back to the 12th century and many other sites radiating throughout the city.

^{Boudhanath Stupa

Photo Credit: www.zmetravel.com}

As if visiting a mountain range, dozens of century old temples and a bazaar wasn't enough, take a trip to the Royal Chitwan National Park which is found on acres of protected rainforest and is home to some of the world's most endangered species. But it doesn't stop there, even though Nepal has been hit with some of the world's most tragic natural disasters, with that means an ever changing and forever forming landscape. With its unique landscape, it wouldn't be a far cry that Nepal would have some of the world's most unique experiences. Just on the outskirts of Kathmandu is a small town, Lumbini, which is the birthplace of Buddha.

^{Birthplace of Buddha

Photo Credit: www.psychedelictraveler.com}

Or take a short venture out to Bandipur and take a gander at the sights of the Newari culture but not before heading off to the Siddha Gufa caves. Or visit an iconic Hindu/Nepali site at Swayambhunath. A declared UNESCO world heritage site, the Buddhist temple seems to be floating on a hilltop and if you are unfamiliar with this site, it is also known as the monkey temple, be causes mobs on monkeys cover the hillsides.

^{Swayambhunath

http://yallabook.com/guide/en/show.php?nid=146}

For a small country, Nepal is full of UNESCO and world heritage sites and Bhaktapur is yet another. With more temples per square foot then Patan, Bhaktapur hosts some of the most intricately wooden carvings and stunning temples in their square. And after days of trekking and absorbing the stunning architecture and landscapes, end your trip with a once in a lifetime nightlife experience. Try some of Nepal's famed brew, Khukuri or the Tongba, a millet based beer and after a couple end off with a festive Sherpa Dance.

^{World Peace Pagoda

Photo Credit: www.lifetoreset.com

https://lifetoreset.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/world-peace-pagoda-of-pokhara-nepal/}

^{Main Image Photo Credit: www.articlesjunction.com (Pokhara)}

Geeta Wahab

Author

Cultivating a life she loves, Geeta (@geets.suites) is chasing all her passions, including her love for home décor. As a brand new home owner, her current journey has launched her further into that world - check out her Instagram @geets.suites for tidbits of her story and other decorating pieces. A...