Here, we have 10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Nepal
“Atithi Devo Vavha – अतिथि देवो भव” – “Guest is God” – Hindu Sanskrit Book
Travel to Nepal officially became a trend after the famous Hippy Movement in the 60’s. Nepali culture, lifestyle, and geography along with unforgettable travel & leisure experiences have made Nepal even more trendy. In this regard, getting proper information about Nepal Visas and Travel information can be handy.
Encompassing the world’s greatest mountain ranges (Mount Everest, including 8 out of 14 world’s tallest mountains above 8000 mtrs) and hilly terrain, Nepal has become synonymous to trekking and mountaineering. So, in a nutshell, here are a few things that make Nepal a significant travel destination. If you are in a hurry, scroll down the page for quick visa information.
Travel to Nepal to understand the Hindu and Buddhist philosophy of life
Temples like Pashupatinath, Muktinath, and several other shrines make Nepal the origin of Hinduism. On the other hand, as the birthplace of Gautam Buddha, there are significant Stupa and Monasteries that point towards a rich Buddhist history and culture throughout centuries.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, resides in the western plains of the country. In a world divided by racism and hatred, Nepal will show you how religious tolerance and harmony can be established in the society. Don’t be amazed to find a Hindu traveling to a Buddhist monastery and a Buddhist monk in a Hindu temple.
Trekkers and mountaineers alike – Nepal is the highest you are going to get.
As you land at the Kathmandu Airport, you will find yourself at an altitude of 1400 meters above the sea-level. Trek to the base camp of Mount Everest (8848m) to reach a height of 5500 meters. The great Himalaya Range acts as the border between Nepal and China (Tibet).
Apart from the Everest Mountain Range, Langtang, Annapurna, and Kanchenjunga are as much popular. Various trekking routes are available throughout the hilly and mountain regions. And each one provides a unique perspective and experience. There is so much to climb.
Rich natural beauty and wildlife make Nepal a great travel destination
More than half of Nepal is covered in forest, and there are classified protected areas – further classified as National Parks, Wildlife Reserves, Conservation Areas and community forests.
Hence, there is a lot to see about the biodiversity. Among them, Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park are the most popular, with travelers flocking to experience exotic wildlife and natural beauty.
Nepal is home to endangered species like Bengal Tigers, One-horned Rhinos, Red Pandas and Snow Leopards.
Getting a Visa in Nepal, plus traveling with a proper insurance
Entering Nepal is pretty forward. Once you’ve made your travel plans and insurance covers, simply fly into the international airport. You will receive your visa-on-arrival after you produce your passport, two copies of passport-sized photos, and visa fees in US dollars.
Tourist Visa Fees are US $ 25, 40 and 100 for 15, 30 and 90 days respectively. You can enter the country multiple times as long as your visa is valid (Department of Immigration).
Get proper travel insurance that covers the loss and damage of goods, and personal accessories. Health coverage is really important with the risk of getting ill and having to pay lots of money for treatment. If you are trekking, your health insurance should cover Emergency evacuation in helicopters from the hills and mountains with medical expenses.
When you book a trip with us, we recommend to you about what kind of insurance you should get. As your health provider recommends, there are also various vaccines you might need to take before traveling.
A small country with an area of 147181 sq km (800 km long and 200 km wide), Nepal is landlocked by China in the north and India in the east, west and south.
The country has three distinct natural divisions: the mountainous area, the hilly area, and the plain area. More than 6000 rivers originate and flow from the cold Himalayas to the south and eventually into the Indian Ocean. The elevation ranges from just over 59 meters to 8848 meters above sea level.
You can reach from 3000-5000 meters while trekking and even more, if you are climbing the greatest mountains. You reach 8848 meters at the top of Mount Everest, which is the highest point on Earth.
Descend southwards and you will find evergreen forests in the hilly areas, eventually to the plains in the South. All these regions stretch from east to west of the country.
Nepal’s Climate and Weather – when is the best time to travel to Nepal?
Nepal has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, winter, and autumn (fall) – even though a typical Nepali can be found identifying six different seasons in the country. However, due to varying altitudes, the country is further divided into eight climate zones.
This ranges from the tropical climate in the south to the perpetual snowy climate in the north. Even though the country is visited all round year – rainy and hot summer seasons are best avoided so as not to ruin the fun.
Most travelers find themselves in the country through September-November and March-May. However, it is also common to see tourists right before and after the rainy and cold winter seasons.
Culture and Religion – from ethnic tribes to a modern lifestyle
Nepali people are deeply connected with their culture. In the remote and village areas, many people still follow the same traditional lifestyle, festivals and occupations that their ancestors taught them. Interestingly, there are ethnic tribes thriving in the southern jungles and nomadic ones in the far west of the country. The people love celebrating their festivals. At this point, you might want to check out some of the popular festivals in Nepal.
The majority of the people follow Hinduism. The country is also the center of Buddhism as the birthplace of Lord Buddha himself (see Lumbini). Hence a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism is present in various parts of the country.
Nepal's government has declared the country secular so there are a significant amount of Christians, Jains, Muslims (Islam) and followers of other religions in the country, making it even more diverse. The government recognizes 123 languages and more than 100 ethnic groups living in the country.
This comes along with a diverse range of festivals and events that different groups of people follow. This cultural life of people is rich as it is diverse.
UNESCO Lists Kathmandu and Lumbini as the cultural world heritage sites, with both places reflecting the rich and diverse culture of the Nepali people. Three famous Durbar Squares in the Valley are flocked by locals and foreigners during various jatras and festivals.
Information for Safety Measures for Nepal Travel
Traveling comes with various forms of risk. Never trek alone unless you are an experienced backpacker with adequate knowledge and skills for survival in the hills. Altitude Sickness is a common enemy of trekkers, and it is helpless to find ourselves in such a situation without any help.
It’s better to trek in groups and with the guidance of a trekking leader. Such leaders and groups are seamlessly organized when you book with us. Please check your embassy’s official page to know more details about travel safety. When booked with us, we ensure that our client’s travel experience is organized, planned and safe.
Nepal Travel Information: Booking a trip to Nepal
Booking a trip to Nepal is super easy. On this website, you will find all the necessary information you need to travel to Nepal.
We hope that our article on Nepal Travel Information- 10 things to know before traveling to Nepal succeeded in providing you with the information that you were looking for.
We have information and trips for trekking in Nepal, whether it be Everest, Annapurna, or Remote Regions. Browse the tours section if you like a leisurely activity around the country.
