Adventure World

Nepal

Nepal is a country rich in culture, heritage and natural beauty. Though small in size, the diversity is astonishing with over 40 different ethnic groups, each with their own language and traditions creating a rich cultural mix.

While Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world, it is also the birth place of Buddha therefore, the two religions are intertwined in a unique way.

Top Highlights

Kathmandu: The capital of Nepal, lies at a height of 1300m and is the largest city in the country. Kathmandu's narrow streets and lanes with carved wooden balconies above tiny hole-in-the-wall shops, plus town squares packed with temples and monuments and markets bright with fruit and vegetables and the people - make for a sensory overload.

Kathmandu's historic centre is concentrated around Durbar Square (durbar is Nepali for palace). Here you will find the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka), around 50 temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (House of Wood). The ancient Buddhist stupa of Swayambhunath, (known as the 'monkey temple') a dramatic spot within walking distance of central Kathmandu, is one of the best known sites in Nepal.

Bhaktapur: Only a trolley bus ride away from Kathmandu, it is also known as Bhadgaon (pronounced 'bud-gown') or the City of Devotees. Located on the northern bank of the Hanumante River, Bhaktapur is easy to walk around and explore the squares and temples that are covered in a multitude of decorative and lurid carvings. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is where you will find the main points of interest - the Lion Gate, the Golden Gate and the statues of kings on stone monoliths. Famous for its pottery, wood carvings and puppets, 'Potters Square' is where you will find hundreds of pots lying in the sun.

Pokhara: One of Nepal's most popular destinations, after Kathmandu. Its fame rests on the natural beauty of its lakeside location and its proximity to the mountains. Pokhara is the starting point for some of the most famous treks in Nepal - the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Sanctuary Trek. Gorkha Durbar, a fort, palace and temple complex is the centre point and highlight of a visit to Gorkha (near Pokhara). The complex is a triumph of Nepali architecture - perched like an eagles nest high above the town in a perfect defensive position - with superb views of plunging valleys and the soaring Himalaya

Himalaya & Mountaineering: The word Himalaya is Sanskrit for 'abode of snows' and Nepal's stretch of the Himalaya include eight peaks over 8000m, including the highest of them all, Mt Everest (8848m). Known to the Tibetans as Qomolangma and to the Nepalis as Sagarmatha. Some of the peaks straddle borders - Everest is in Nepal and China; Kanchenjunga (8598m) is in Nepal and India. Everest was conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa climber Norgay Tenzing.

Best time to trek is October to May (the dry season); October and November are the ideal period.

Trekking Routes zig-zag up the mountains and take travellers through villages or by steep stairs that go straight up.

Everest Base Camp - takes 3 weeks to reach, max. height 5545m at Kala Pattar, with views of Mt Everest.

Helambu - one week trek, scenery not as spectacular but culturally interesting. Max. height 3490m.

Langtang - around 10 to 12 days, great views and interesting villages. Maximum height 4300m.

Jomson - a popular trek with superb scenery from Pokhara up the Kali Gandaki Valley. Max. height 3800m.

Annapurna Circuit - it takes nearly three weeks to walk the entire Annapurna Circuit, and is the best trek in Nepal due to the scenery and cultural diversity.

Annapurna Sanctuary - from Pokhara into the centre of the Annapurna Range, offers unparalleled mountain scenery. Takes 10 to 14 days and maximum height of 4095m at base camp.

Rafting & Kayaking: Best time to raft, is September to early December, and March to early June.

Karnali - combines a lowland trek with canyon and jungle scenery - one of Nepal's best all round river trips. The Karnali is Nepal's longest and largest river and flows through some steep and constricted canyons where rapids are close together.

Sun Kosi - traverses 270km through the Mahabharat Range from Dolalghat (3hrs from KTM) to Chatara. Rapids range from small 2 and 3 class to some of the biggest and best rapids. Considered to be one of the world's 10 classic river journeys.

Trisuli - easily accessed from Kathmandu, as it follows the Prithvi Hwy (which connects Kathmandu/India) and rapids are straight forward and spread well apart. Best white water sections are between Bairenia & Mugling.

Kali Gandaki - more technical rapids and continuous than Trisuli (class 3/4), one of the holiest rivers in Nepal.

Bhote Kosi - 3 hrs from Kathmandu, one of the steepest rivers rafted in Nepal, rapids are steep & continuous.

Marsyangdi - one of the best white water runs in the world, rapids are steep, technical and consecutive.

Royal Chitwan National Park: South-west of Kathmandu, near the Indian border, the park is home to the only significant number of one-horned rhinoceroses surviving in Nepal, and other endangered species like the royal Bengal tiger, Gangetic dolphin and gharial crocodile. Home to over 43 species of large mammals and over 450 species of birds. The park is easily accessible by road, and accommodation ranges from the expensive to budget.

Best time to visit is from October to February, average daytime is temperature 25°C but with cold misty mornings. Prime game viewing is February to May, due to the grass cover being removed, which makes it easier to spot game.

Fact Sheet

• Country Dialling Code: + 977
• When to Go: Dry season starts Oct-Nov and is a good time to visit as the monsoons have finished. Feb-Apr is pleasant, with warm weather and native flowers blooming. From Dec-Jan the weather can be chilly and trekkers need to be prepared for snow. The rest of the year is not recommended for travelling, May-Jun is usually too hot, and the monsoon season starts in mid-Jun, through to Sep.
• Capital: Kathmandu
• Official Language: Nepali is spoken by 50% of the population, but many other languages are also spoken. English is widely understood.
• Religion: Hindu is the official religion, however in practice it is a mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Currency: Nepali rupee, divided into 100 paisa./li>
• Electricity: 220V/50 cycles where available. Usually 3 round pin sockets but can be 2 pin sockets also.
• Tipping: 10% in more expensive establishments, otherwise small notes or change are appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
• Bargaining: Bargaining is acceptable, but aggressive behaviour is not appreciated.
• ATM: Can be found in Kathmandu.
• Credit cards: Accepted at mid-range+ hotels, shops & restaurants in major tourist areas. In smaller areas it is safe to assume they will not be accepted, so carry enough cash/travellers cheques. Keep the Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt when converting currency, as it may be needed when changing Nepalese Rupees back into hard currency.
• Internet Services: Can be found in most tourist areas throughout the country.
• Geography: While small in length and breadth, Nepal has the greatest range of altitude of any country in the world. Nepal is approx 800km in length from north-west to south-east, and in width, varies between 90km to 230km. Total area of only 147,181 sq km. However, it more than makes up for this in altitude, ranging from the Terai, 100m above sea level, to the top of Mt Everest, the highest point on earth at 8848m above sea level.
• Gateway Airport: Kathmandu (KTM)
• Air: A number of international airlines fly direct into Kathmandu from points in India and Asia. The domestic airline Nepal Airlines (RA) has an extensive internal network of air services. Besides RA, other domestic airlines such as Buddha Air, Cosmic Air, Gorkha Airlines, Sita Air, Skyline Airlines and Yeti Airways provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations.
• Bus: Local buses are the main form of transport and are cheap but uncomfortable and slow. Recommend travellers take the 'tourist buses' which are 25 seater minivans. No train service or rental cars available, but cars with drivers can be hired.