Is Nepal Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons to Visit

Are you wondering “Is Nepal worth visiting”?

Absolutely, Nepal is definitely worth visiting! I live in Nepal and while it might be the most famous for Everest, there is so much more to the country!

The most popular reason to visit Nepal is to go on a trek, but there are so many other activities you can do, even if you don’t want to go on a trek.

Some of the best things to do in Nepal include going on a trek, hike, jungle safari, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, go on a yoga or meditation retreat, stay in a Nepali village and experience local culture.

So, here is why you should visit Nepal!

Is Nepal Worth Visiting?

If you are wondering “Is Nepal Worth Visiting”? the short answer is that yes, Nepal is definitely worth visiting!

The most popular reason to visit Nepal is to go on a trek but there are many things you can do even if you don’t want to go on a trek.

Nepal has so many activities that you can try and immerse yourself in Nepali culture: be it from learning about the culture and history of Nepal, exploring the world heritage sites, visiting cities and remote villages, going on a jungle safari, learning to cook Nepali dishes, and taking a yoga or meditation course.

What are the Main Reasons to Visit Nepal?

The main reasons to visit Nepal is to go on a trek, hike, see the Himalayas, go on a jungle safari and see the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

Is Kathmandu Worth Visiting?

Most travellers to Nepal only spend 2-3 days in Kathmandu before and after going on a trek. While Kathmandu can seem busy and crowded at times, it is the capital of Nepal and there are many activities you can do all year around.

Some of best things to do and reasons to visit Kathmandu is to see the 7 World Heritage Sites, immerse yourself in Nepal’s culture, art and architecture, learn about Nepal’s history or to just relax and chill in a spa or swimming pool. With so many activities to do in Kathmandu, it is definitely worth visiting.

Is Nepal Worth Visiting if you are not into Trekking or Hiking?

Yes, Nepal is definitely worth visiting even if you are not into trekking or hiking!

There are many activities you can do apart from going on a trek, such as jungle safari to spot tigers and elephants, stay in a local village and experience life in a small Nepali village, try Nepali cuisine and take a cooking class, go bird watching, go paragliding or a cable car ride, visit caves and waterfalls.

15 Reasons to Visit Nepal

1. Go Trekking

For many travellers, the main reason to visit Nepal is to go on a trek. The most popular trekking routes are in the Everest and Annapurna Region that provide beautiful views of the Himalayas when the weather is clear.

The most popular times to go on a trek in Nepal is in the Autumn and Spring seasons when the weather is generally the best for trekking and views of the Himalayas.

Some of the most popular trekking routes include:

• Everest Base Camp
• Annapurna Base Camp
• Annapurna Circuit
• Mardi Himal
• Poon Hill
• Langtang Valley

If you are looking for some less touristic treks, check out the Pikey Peak, Panchase, or Khopra Danda Trek.

2. Visit the World Heritage Sites

There are 7 World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley that include Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and old palace buildings. The heritage sites are a great place to visit to learn about the history and culture of Nepal, as well as to see unique architecture of Nepal.

The 7 World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu:

• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square
• Patan Durbar Square
• Boudha Stupa
• Swoyambhu Stupa
• Pashupati Temple
• Changu Narayan Temple

Exploring all the heritage sites in one day is not possible, as some of the sites are located far from each other. If you have time and don’t want to rush it, it would take about 3-4 days to visit all the sites.

If you book a private tour, then it is possible to see all the sites in one day. However, it might feel very rushed and you’d only have just a short time at each place. Booking the one day tour is great if you have very limited time but you don’t want to miss out on seeing the heritage sites.

3. Go on a Jungle Safari

Although Nepal is most known for the Himalayas and going on treks, there are also some jungles where you can go on a safari and spot tigers, rhinos, elephants and more!

Chitwan National Park is the most popular place to go on a jungle safari in Nepal as it is located the closest to Kathmandu.

As Chitwan is very popular, it means that it has become very commercialized over the last few years and there can be so many people going on a jungle safari in a day that the noise if the jeeps scare the animals away – thus limiting the chances of spotting wildlife.

Bardia National Park is on of the best places in Nepal to spot tigers. Bardia is located further away from Kathmandu, thus it makes it less visited by travellers.

If you are looking for a more authentic jungle experience, Bardia is the best place to visit. If you go by bus, it can take up to 17 hours to reach Bardia from Kathmandu but the long bus ride definitely worths the trip.

4. See the Sunrise over the Himalayas

Going on a trek and seeing the Himalayas almost go hand in hand. But don’t worry, actually you do not need to go on a trek to see the Himalayas.

If you don’t want to go on a trek or simply, you don’t have time, there are places near Kathmandu and Pokhara from where you can still see the Himalayas when the weather is clear.

Places to see the Himalayas near Kathmandu:

• Nagarkot
• Dhulikhel
• Chandragiri
• Kakani

Places to see the Himalayas near Pokhara:

• Sarangkot

Plus, you can also get really nice sunrise views of the Himalayas from Bandipur and even Gorkha.

5. Stay in a Nepali Village

The best way to truly immerse yourself in Nepali culture and learn more about Nepal, is to spend time in a rural village in Nepal.

You may not have time to go to a village in a very remote village, but you can also look for homestays near Kathmandu or Pokhara which you can access more easily.

Life in rural Nepal does not have the same comforts as Kathmandu or Pokhara and you should possibly prepare to pack toilet paper, tissues, and be ready for bucket showers. Nevertheless, it is a great way to make new Nepali friends, be welcomed into Nepali families’s lives and understand Nepali culture much more.

6. Try Nepali and Newari Cuisine

The most popular Nepali dishes are the dal bhat, momos and thupka. Nepal also has many ethnic groups that have their own traditional dishes such as Tharu food (specific to the southern Tarai Region of Nepal) and Newari food (specific to the Newari group in Nepal).

The most popular dish in Nepal is the dal bhat. Dal bhat is made with rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry/side dish and meat (optional). In most Nepali households, it is eaten at least two times per day and if you are visiting Nepal it is one of the most popular dish you must try.

Newari food is also very popular in Nepal and it tends to be very spicy – even spicier than Nepali dishes. Some of the most popular Newari dishes include the samay baji (Newari lunch set), choila (marinated meat), yomari (sweet dessert), bara (lentil pancake) and chatamari (Newari pizza).

7. Go Bird Watching

If you are interested in bird watching, Nepal is also a great place to do so! The best place to go bird watching in Nepal is in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve that is located in the eastern part of Nepal.

The best time to visit Koshi Tappu is in the winter (December to January) when migratory birds come to the reserve. This, you have the best chances of spotting various birds during that time.

Apart form bird watching, you can also spot wild elephants or summer migratory birds at specific times:

• October – November: Best time to see summer migratory birds and wild elephants
• December – January: Best time to see winter migratory birds
• February – March: Best time to see wild elephants (they say during this time, wild elephants even wander into the nearby villages)

8. Go on a Cable Car Ride

There are also a couple of cable cars in Nepal that are a fun experience and once you get to the top, you also get a nice view of the Himalayas if the weather is clear.

Some of the cable cars in Nepal have been built to transport people to religious sites, such as famous temples or for people to have a great view of Himalayas from the top of the cable car.

The cable car rides in Nepal usually take around 10 minutes and take you through hills, rivers and views of mountains.

The top 4 cables cars in Nepal are:

• Chandragiri Cable Car: Best for views of Himalayas and Kathmandu Valley
• Annapurna Cable Car: Best for sunrise views of Himalayas (near Pokhara)
• Manakamana Cable Car: Best for visiting the Manakamana Temple
• Kalinchowk Cable Car: Best for visiting the Bhagawati Temple

9. Recharge at a Yoga or Meditation Retreat

Nepal is also a popular place for yoga and meditation retreats. Most of the yoga and meditation retreats takes place in and around Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Some yoga retreats are combined with trekking, for example, yoga retreats while you go for a short 4-5 days trek to Poon Hill.

Meditation Courses in Kathmandu

Dhamma Shringa Vipassana Meditation Centre

The Dhamma Shringa Centres are all around the world and provide a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course for beginners. The 10-day courses are a lot of hard work but if you are interested in Vipassana, Nepal is a great place to try.

🧘 Want to know more about Vipassana in Nepal? Read my experience of taking a 10-day Vipassana course in Nepal!

Kopan Monastery

The Kopan Monastery is located in Kopan, the outskirts of Kathmandu and is a popular place to learn about Buddhism.

Courses at the Kopan Monastery include ‘Introduction to Buddhism’, ‘Compassion in Everyday Life’, ‘Emotional Balance’, and ‘Meditation and Mind Training’.

Singing Bowl Sessions in Kathmandu

• Nepal Singing Bowls and Healing Centre: FREE. Everyday: 9:45 am, 4:30 pm
• Nirvana Singing Bowl: DONATION-BASED. Everyday: 10 am, 5 pm

10. Go Hiking

If you don’t want to go for a proper trek or don’t have time for one, going on a day hike is also a great option to spend time in the nature and see the Himalayas.

Some popular hiking routes around Kathmandu include: Phulchowki Hill, Sundarijal to Chisapani, Chandragiri to Chitlang and hiking in Nagarkot.

For hiking around Pokhara, check out Sarangkot, Dhampus and Begnas Lake.

11. Go Paragliding

If you like adventure sports, Nepal is a great place for that. You can try so many activities, including ziplining, white water rafting, bungee jumping or paragliding.

ParaglPokhara is one of the best places to go paragliding in Nepal. The best time to go paragliding is between October-April, which is when the weather tends to be the best to see the Himalayas during the flight.

A regular 20-30 minute flight can cost as low as Rs. 4,000 (USD 30). The price includes hotel pick up and drop off, insurance, equipment, pilot, photos and videos.

12. See the Birthplace of Buddha

Lumbini is said to be the birthplace of Buddha and if you follow Buddhism or would like to learn more about it, Lumbini can be explored on a short trip. Lumbini is a small town and you can visit all the attractions in one day.

The best time to visit Lumbini is from Mid-September to November and Mid-February to April. The weather is the most pleasant during this time as it is not too hot and not too cold either.

Some of the best places to visit in Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini Monastic Zone, Eternal Peace Flame, World Peace Pagoda and the Lumbini Museum.

13. Take a Nepali Cooking Class

Taking a Nepali cooking class is a great way to learn a new skill as well as impress your friends and family with a new dish once you get home.

Taking a Nepali cooking class also helps you learn more about Nepali culture and you can learn about Nepali traditions from your cooking teacher.

The cooking classes usually last between 2-3 hours and costs USD 10-50. Some of the most popular dishes you can learn to make is the dal bhat, momo or thupka. When you sign up to the class, you can agree with your cooking teacher/school on which dish you’d like to learn as well as if you want to make it veg or non-veg.

14. Explore Siddha Gufa, South Asia’s Second Biggest Cave

Siddha Gufa is located a short hike from Bandipur and is a popular place to visit while you are in Bandipur.

‘Gufa’ means ‘cave’ in Nepali language and it is the biggest cave in Nepal. In addition, it is the second largest cave in South Asia. It is a limestone cave, about 50 metres high and 430 metres deep.

Exploring the cave takes around 45 minutes and I was really impressed by the size of the cave. Some sections of the cave, you have to use ropes and ladders to get through and if you have not visited such a big cave before, you will enjoy it a lot.

15. Shop at a Local Market

There are some truly local markets in Kathmandu where you can browse and shop for spices, tea, souvenirs, household items or veggies.

The Asan Bazaar is one of the oldest and biggest markets Kathmandu where they sell a wide range of items. Asan is very close to Thamel and you can reach it in 10 minutes by walk.

If you walk further south from Asan, you will reach New Road, which is full of shops selling electronic gadgets. In this area, you will also find lots of clothes shops selling clothes and shoes at a cheap price.

Apart from the local markets, there are also some farmers’ markets in Kathmandu.

Check out these two farmers’ markets for the best cheese, bread, salami and handicrafts:

• Le Sherpa Farmers Market: Lazimpat, Saturdays: 7:30 am-12:30 pm
• Yellow House Farmers’ Market: Sanepa, Sundays: 8-11 am

Nepal Monthly Guides

Not sure when to visit Nepal? Check out my Nepal monthly guides to help you decide!

• The Best Time to Visit Nepal (+ The Worst!)
• Nepal in January
• Nepal in February
• Nepal in March
• Nepal in April
• Nepal in May
• Nepal in June
• Nepal in July
• Nepal in August
• Nepal in September
• Nepal in October
• Nepal in November
• Nepal in December

FAQs: Is Nepal Worth Visiting?

Is Nepal worth seeing?

Yes, Nepal is definitely worth seeing! Some of the best reasons to visit Nepal is to go trekking, see the Himalayas, go on a jungle safari or recharge on a yoga or meditations retreat.

Is Nepal worth visiting if you are not into trekking or hiking?

Yes, Nepal is worth visiting even if you are not into trekking or hiking! There are so many other activities you can do, even if you don’t want to go on a trek.

Some other activities that you can do include going on a jungle safari, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, go on a yoga or meditation retreat, stay in a Nepali village and experience local culture.

Is Kathmandu worth visiting?

Yes, Kathmandu is worth visiting! While Kathmandu can seem busy and crowded at times, it is the capital of Nepal and there are many activities you can do all year around.

Some of best things to do and reasons to visit Kathmandu is to see the 7 World Heritage Sites, immerse yourself in Nepal’s culture, art and architecture, learn about Nepal’s history or to just relax and chill in a spa or swimming pool.

Why visit Nepal?

Are you wondering why you should visit Nepal? If you like to spend time in nature, trekking or going on hikes, Nepal is definitely the place for you.

Apart from trekking, you can also go on jungle safaris, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, go on a yoga or meditation retreat, stay in a Nepali village and experience local culture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nepal is definitely worth visiting! It may be the most famous for Everest, there is so much more to the country!

The most popular reason to visit Nepal is to go on a trek, but there are so many other activities you can do, even if you don’t want to go on a trek.

Some of the best things to do in Nepal include going on a trek, hike, jungle safari, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, go on a yoga or meditation retreat, stay in a Nepali village and experience local culture.