Nepal
Capital City: Kathmandu
Nepal Key Facts
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Flag
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Size
147, 181, km²
95th largest -
Population
26, 494, 504
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Nepal Location
South Asia
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Travel Insurance
For Nepal travel insurance, select Asia Region
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International Calling Codes
977
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Cities
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Language
Nepali
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Religions
80.7% Hindu
10.3% Buddhist
4.3% Muslim
3.7% Folk religions
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Currency
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Driving
In Nepal they drive on the left side of the road
Tourism website:
welcomenepal.com
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Nepal is between September and November, when the weather is at its best and most pleasant. This is the time when most climbers and hikers will come to Nepal to conquer its many peaks, and there are also quite a few fun festivals around this time of year.
Transport Information
Airports(47 airports, 1 international), bus, roads.
World Heritage Sites
- Kathmandu Valley, a group of 7 monuments that illustrate the range of historic and artistic achievements this valley is famous for
- Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site
- Chitwan National Park, an important conservation area home to Bengal tigers and the single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros
- Sagarmatha National Park, home to dramatic mountains such as Mount Everest as well as several rare species such as snow leopards
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Average Annual Temperature
18 degrees
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Average Annual Rainfall
1343 mm
Climate Information
Due to its elevation and mountain ranges, Nepal is home to several climate zones ranging from tropical to arctic. The southern part of the country tends to enjoy a hot and humid climate, and temperatures can rise to 45 degrees in summer. Nepal's midland region tends to be pleasant throughout the year, and the northern mountains have a decidedly alpine climate with sub zero temperatures and snow. Nepal also has a monsoon season between the summer months of June until August.
Official Holidays
- January 24 - Basant Panchami
- January 30 - Martyrs' Day
- February 17 - Maha Shivaratri
- February 18 - National Democracy Day
- March 6 - Holi
- March 8 - International Women's Day
- March 22 -Chaite Dashain
- March 28 - Birthday of Lord Rama
- April 14 - New Year's Day
- June 1 - Buddha's Birthday
- September 5 - Krishna Janmashtami
- October 13 - Ghatasthapana
- October 27 - Fulpati Saptami
- October 28 - Maha Ashtami
- October 29 - Maha Navami
- October 30 - Vijaya Dashami
- November 9 - Constitution Day Nepal
Why Visit Nepal?
Nepal is home to the most famous mountains in the world, drawing adventurers and climbers from everywhere. Nepal has a rich spiritual history, and offers many holy places for Buddhist pilgrims. Nepal is also quite cheap to explore, making it ideal for travellers on a budget.
Things To Do In Nepal
- Explore Kathmandu and the famous Kathmandu Valley
- Trek in Annapurna
- See Mount Everest
- Spend a day in a meditation retreat
- Visit Bhaktapur
- Visit the birthplace of the Buddha
Travel Tips For Nepal
- If you are going on organized trekking or hiking tours, make sure it is a local company as international companies drain money out of the country.
Nepalese Food
With its range of climates and ethnicities, Nepal is home to a range of different regional cuisines. Having said that, most of the food is based on themes also found in Thailand, Tibet, and India, so if you have been in this region before the food won't be completely unfamiliar. The national dish of Nepal is dal-bhat-tarkari, which consists of a lentil soup that is served over rice with some vegetable curry. One of Nepal's most popular foods is momo, a spiced dumpling filled with goat or chicken meat. Himalayan cuisine tends to be focused on more energy rich dishes. A typical example of this is butter tea, which is a mixture of butter, water and salt, which is then drunk straight or used as a food on the go when mixed with flour. What Nepal truly is famous for is its unique range of condiments - from pickled vegetables to spicy chutneys, each place seems to come up with their own delicious mixes. Be aware though that spicy in Nepal means very very hot!
Nepal Travel Safety and Warnings
- If you do want to go hiking, make sure you go in a group of people.
It is worthwhile registering with your local embassy, especially if you plan on any kind of mountain climbing. Also ask them about any advice/warnings they may have. - Avoid all public protests and keep an eye on the general political situation
Make sure you have travel insurance for Nepal that includes medical cover - Nepal is not the place to go to a hospital in case of an emergency - Be sure to only drink bottled water! Under no circumstances should you drink tap water!
About Nepal
Home to the roof of the world, the birthplace of the Buddha, some of the most rugged terrain on the planet, and with a rich cultural and spiritual heritage, Nepal is one of those destinations everyone should have on their bucket list. While Nepal isn’t the right place if you are looking for a luxurious vacation, it does offer some of the best nature scenes on the planet and if you’re willing to hike a little bit, you will see places that are absolutely spectacular. Get your hiking boots ready, make sure you have adequate travel insurance for Nepal, and discover why ‘once is not enough’.
Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and the city has a history spanning some 2,000 years. Exploring this city is what Kathmandu is all about and there’s something to see everywhere. A nice place to go for a view over the city is Swayambhu, also known as Monkey Temple, which also happens to be one of the most scared Buddhist monuments in the country. Another important Buddhist monument is the famous Boudha Stupa, a most scared site for Tibetan Buddhism and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kathmandu Durbar Square is probably the most popular of all tourist monuments in Nepal. This square has a history going back 1000 years, and the buildings around the square are a testament to its rich history. There are more than 10 temples as well as statues and many artworks all over this square, so take your time here!
Dubar Square also tends to be where most festivals happen, most notably Deepwali, known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, which takes place at the end of November, as well as the Himalayan Blues Festival in October. If you want to experience the mountains without walking, there are several smaller operators offering scenic flights around the Himalayas. Being a spiritual hub, there are also lots of yoga courses as well as meditation courses and retreats that attract many travellers from overseas.
Extending to the northwest of Kathmandu and the Kathmandu Valley region are the Himalayas. Words cannot come close to describing this majestic scenery. While everyone has seen it on television at one point or another, it is a completely different thing actually staring at this amazing mountain range in person. Contrary to what you may be thinking though, this region is not just for crazy mountaineers and madmen, there are some stunning hiking and trekking paths that are very accessible.
Annapurna in the west of Nepal is where the best hiking and trekking paths are located. There are quite a few routes you can walk, the most famous are probably the Annapurna Circuit and the Annapurna Sanctuary. These treks are quite demanding, so it’s important bring the right equipment. The Annapurna Circuit can take anywhere from 17 to 21 days, covering some of the most stunning scenery in Nepal.
Khumbu is the region where Mount Everest is located and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. If you]re looking to challenge yourself, one of the most famous treks in this region is the Everest Base Camp Trek, which leads you all the way to the first base camp of Mount Everest. You can obviously leave out the base camp and just enjoy a nice trek for a day or two, as the whole trip takes 10 days and is not for the faint of heart. At the end, though, you’re in probably one of the most famous camps in the world, the Mount Everest Base Camp. Climbers from all over the world can be found here while they are acclimatizing to the altitude and it’s definitely a unique and interesting place to spend a day or two. Should you notice any health problems though, return immediately to lower altitudes, irrespective of your age, health and general fitness level. Altitude sickness is serious! Also make sure you have organized your travel insurance for Nepal before going on this trek, and check if medical coverage is included.
While the Nepalese are very friendly, the political situation can be problematic at times too, so it’s best to stay away from any demonstrations. Make sure to register with your local embassy on arrival too and tell them your plans. Nepal is quite a safe place for travelers, and you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself.
