Nepal
Destination Guide

The Ultimate Guide Before You Plan for your Next Trip

Surrender yourself to the call of the mountains and pack your bags to visit the enchanting country of Nepal. The land where the casinos can be visited for real as the beautiful lake-side forests will set the perfect trekking trail for you. From sacred temples to magnificent lakes, from sky-touching mountains to endless adventure, Nepal is an ideal destination for Indians to explore. Closer to home, Nepal will allow the tourists to indulge in some exotic fun and frolic and explore some ancient cultures which will remain a secret to the rest of the world. Have one of the rarest and mystical experiences in the small country of Nepal.

Attractions in Nepal

The attractions in Nepal is not just like any other foreign destination. It is not only about beautiful landscapes and ancient monuments. Nepal will offer you a soul-stirring experience which you will treasure and talk about even after years from the visit.

Phewa Tal

The second largest lake of Nepal leads its way to a charming bird forest and the entire walk is truly marvelous. Known as the Rani Ban the forest castes a green shadow on the lake, adding to its scenic appeal. The lake located in the town of Pokhara offers an enchanting escapade for tourists of Nepal, who are looking forward to dodge the crowd of Kathmandu.. The lake side is piited with quaint little motels and home-stays for backpackers around the globe and there are also some fabulous Nepali and Indian restaurants. The place also has a very good cosmopolitan appeal and it is ideal for excursion and shopping around the place.

Lumbini

Now considered to be an UNESCO World Heritage site this place is actually the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This region with a royal heritage now offer pilgrimage to many Buddhists from around the globe. Travelers to Nepal use this destination as a very tempting detour on their way to the Chitwan National Park from the Phewa Lake. The entire area has a sense of tranquility and one must definitely visit the famous Maya Devi temple, which is exclusively dedicated to Lord Buddha's mother. There are certain stone relics, from the 2nd Century, in there which depicts the life of Buddha as a young man.

Annapurna Region

Trekkers from India and other parts of the world flock here to cherish the challenging trekking trail of the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It is considered to be a trekker's paradise and certainly one of the major tourist attractions of Nepal. The Annapurna Circuit takes around 21 days to complete and for hobbyist and season trekkers it is an ideal destination to enjoy. The tea houses at the corner of the trekking routes offer the tourists with hot tea and coffee along with the famous apple pie. The unspoiled beauty of this place will surely fascinate you as you can be in peace in the lap of the Himalayas.

Langtang National Park

The Langtang National Park is yet another fascinating spot for trekking in Nepal. There are many peaks and spots in this beautiful forest-covered hilly region and the trekkers can enjoy the sight of the majestic rhododendron forest during the spring. The trek here is much less challenging and to the trekker's comfort there are guest houses in the nearby villages where they can rest and enjoy the warm food and company. The area is not very far from Kathmandu and if you manage to reach the Langtang peak, on a sunny clear day, you can also see the main city from there.

Casino Royale of Kathmandu

Pamper your desires to gamble some money and grab a martini whilst playing poker at the Casino Royale of Kathmandu. Gambling is legal in Nepal and you can enjoy a Vegas-like night, closer to home. The elegance and the grandeur of the place will certainly spellbound you as you will find all the amenities to enjoy a nice evening at the casino. From fine cocktails to pleasant music you can never be a loser in this casino. There are around 20 different games and 30 different slot machines in which you can try your luck. The place will certainly lure you to stay there forever, but luckily there is more to Nepal for you to explore.

Chitwan National Park

When people normally think about Nepal they think of mountains and temples but there is certainly other hidden parts which makes such trips even more interesting. The Chitwan National Park is located at much lower altitude when compared to the like of Kathmandu and it is nestled nicely in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is one of the finest National Parks in the Indian peninsula and it will allow you to explore the wildlife in a charming safari on elephant back and you can catch the sights of various wild animals like in the form of the Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bear, deer, wild buffalo, and of course rhinoceroses.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur, one of the royal cities of Nepal is located on the trade-route that Nepal shared with Tibet. This isolated city has developed in its own unique way and it is evident from the lifestyles and the cultural rituals of the people. The place also has the famous Darbur Square, a royal ruin which was once destroyed by a devastating earthquake back in 2015. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is still living with the wounds of the massive earthquake in 2105. Some of the medieval architectures, which survived the earthquake, can still be witnessed here.

Old Pokhara

The old town of Pokhara will offer you a charming appeal as you can walk pass the hamlet and stop at the wee eateries selling hot Thukpas and dumplings and get amazed by the old architecture of the Newari houses. Located 200 kilometers from Kathmandu this place is surrounded by some beautiful mountains in the form of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu. This is the place from where people start their trek for the Annapurna region and Jomsom. The town is not as densely populated like Kathmandu and you can enjoy some nice time sharing stories with the locals.

Phewa Tal

Lumbini

Annapurna Region

Langtang National Park

Casino Royale of Kathmandu

Chitwan National Park

Bhaktapur

Old Pokhara

Phewa Tal

Lumbini

Annapurna Region

Langtang National Park

Chhauni Museum

Located just beside the Swayambhunath Temple the National Museum of Nepal is definitely a must-visit for the travellers going to Kathmandu. The huge exhibition hall stages a display of the Judda Art along with terracota works of medieval Nepal. You can also see the leather cannons which was once being used during the Nepal-Tibet war back in the late 1800's. Read more The museum itself is now a century old and it has a life-size statue of Jayawarma. This statue which was being discovered back in 1992 is claimed to be more than 1800 years old. Read less

Bodhanath Stupa

Another UNESCO World Heritage site of Nepal is by far the largest stupas of its kind. Built back in the 6th Century, this stupa has a very unique shape and architecture. There are five different frontal architecture of this stupa, representing five basic elements of nature including the earth, sphere, water, fire, and wind. The bizarre structure of the stupa actually reflects on the abstract structure of the universe. Tragically some parts of the stupa has been affected by the massive earthquake back in 2015, but most of it is still intact.

Pilgrims’ Book House

The book-house which was once being torched back in 2013 has risen from the ashes like a Phoenix and now again is a major attraction for the tourists. All sorts of Indian and foreign books are available in this book-house as you can find exciting texts pertaining to different subjects like Yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, and there is also a separate kid's section. Read more The book-house is very popular amongst the foreign tourists as they do not normally get hold of books on Hinduism or Buddhism. The kids section is also quite charming as you can find various forms of books for your children which will offer them knowledge and insights regarding the Indian and Nepalese traditions. Read less

Royal Botanical Garden

This tranquil botanical garden is pretty well maintained and it has separate orchid houses, cactus houses and tropical houses for the tourists to savor. The place has a pretty nice Royal celebration pond and it is the perfect place to have a cook-out or a picnic. Located in the Lalitpur District of Kathmandu this botanical garden has a huge collection of exotic plants. Read more The book-house is very popular amongst the foreign tourists as they do not normally get hold of books on Hinduism or Buddhism. The kids section is also quite charming as you can find various forms of books for your children which will offer them knowledge and insights regarding the Indian and Nepalese traditions. Read less

Devi's Falls

Locally known as the Patale Chhango this waterfall marks the end of the Pardi Khola stream in Pokhara. The fall reaches its peak during the monsoons and the sight and the sound is truly heavenly for the tourists. Tashi Ling Tibetan camp is just 2 Km away and that is also a site to visit. This 500 feet long waterfall reaches to almost 100 feet below the ground level, making it a spectacular beauty to behold. This magnificent waterfall in the Kaski District of Pokhara has created an underground tunnel due to its sheer force.

International Mountain Museum

Dedicated to the vast mountains of Nepal this museum is a must-visit for the tourists. All the original gears used by the first mountaineers to tame the Himalayas and the Mount Everest. Apart from that you can also find some exotic samples of the Himalayan flora and fauna in that grand museum. The museum takes proper initiative to narrate the tales of the mountains and the mountaineers to the visitors and it emphasizes on the importance of the Himalayan range as the only source of water to the Indian subcontinent.

In the Spotlight

Nepalese cuisine is very popular in India and the restaurants of Nepal has a wide variety of restaurants where you can have Indian, Nepalese, and even scrumptious Tibetan cuisine. Nepal shares its border with many countries including India and that is the reason why the restaurants have a large array of cuisines to offer to the guests.

Fire and Ice : Located on a very posh shopping district this restaurant brings the flavors of Italy in Nepal. Serving authentic Italian food this place is very popular amongst the locals and the tourists alike. Read More

Operating since 1995 this place boasts its collection of home-made mozzarella cheese along with the typical Italian cuisines like risotto and pasta. Never thought of a entering a traditional Italian restaurant in Nepal? Well Fire and Ice will make your dream come true. Due to the high footfall of European backpackers this restaurant has gained much prominence, since its onset. Read less

Bhojan Griha : This 150 years old establishment still can accommodate 250 people at once and located in the charming neighbourhood of the Dilli Bazzar this place will give you a taste of the traditional Nepalese foods. Read More

The most exciting part of this eatery is that the foods are served in brass wares thereby giving you a royal feeling. The most enticing part is the Kamasutra Bar with erotic wood carving. More than a eatery, this place echos the core cultural values of Nepal and how the community came together everyday to have food together. Read less

Yangling Tibetian Restaurant: Just like the Indian foods, the Tibetian cuisines are also quite famous in Nepal. This particular restaurant serves the best momos in entire Kathmandu. Read More

The variety of momos found in this place is exceptional as starting from cheese, to vegetables, seafood to meat, you can find all sorts of them in here. This family-run restaurant is also famous for its healthy and hearty Thukpas. Nepalese cuisine is strongly influenced by Tibetan delicacies. So, this particular eatery has everything which is purely Tibetan and it offers the hottest Thukpa's in the town. Read less

Caffe Concerto : Once you are up there in Pokhara the rustic appeal of this cafe will certainly tempt you to have a peek inside. To add to the charm, there is an open fireplace (which is a pleasant surprise in the cold weather) Read More

and you can hear jazz being played in the old stereo. Order some continental dishes and sip a cup of coffee whilst enjoying the scenic beauty the place has to offer. This retro cafe of Nepal is yet another place where foreign backpackers had been gathering for over two decades now. Read less

Moondance Restaurant: Loved by the locals, this lake-side restaurant is certainly a must-visit when you are in Pokhara. The open-fire cooking adds to the charm as you can order some Indian and Thai cuisines to spice up your evening. Read More

Once you are there, do not forget to order the lemon meringue pie because the place is quite famous for that. The view is simply amazing and desserts will remind you of the sweetest time of your life. There will be music in the air as you can savour continental delights sitting in the hearts of Himalaya and enjoying the mild breeze from the lake and the nearby forest. Read less

Nepalese Rupee is the currency of Nepal. One Indian Rupee is equivalent to 0.62 INR according to current market rate. Some of the shops still accept Indian currency in Nepal. However, to be on the safe side you need to carry some Nepalese currency before you plan to visit. Getting Nepalese currency in the country itself is not a big deal. As a country, Nepal is a still very cash dependent and it is vital that you carry cash in order to experience everything you have planned for. Starting from the traditional restaurants to the trekking tolls, everyone accepts cash. However, as an Indian you are always in an advantage because if you run out of Nepalese Rupee, you can always pay them with Indian currency.

Special Tips

Keep cash handy as cash is the main mode of transactions in Nepal. Many places, especially the traditional eateries and the markets do not accept cards or digital money.
Along with Indian currency keep some Nepalese currencies with you since even though people will accept Indian rupee some people might refuse.
Do not pay the jeep drivers or the bus organizers in advance and they are ones who might accept only Nepalese cash.
Keep track of the transactions and make a calculation in your head as how much you are paying in the Nepalese currency and how much you are doing it with the Indian rupee.

Entertainment & Event

From snow leopards to rhinoceroses Nepal has an exotic fauna base whilst the people are friendly and humble and will allow you to enjoy a marvelous stay.

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Due to the climatic diversity Nepal enjoys a wide range of plants and animals. In fact wildlife tourism is a part of Nepal's tourism board. The Government has taken many preservation strategies to protect the flora of this land. The typical comprises of both Artic and Tropical plants in the form of Sal, Asana, Rhododendron, maples, bamboos, juniper, sage grasses and many others. Oaks and Pines are also available in the norther zone. Animals like tigers, rhinos, bears, and snow leopards are available in Nepal.

The ideal climatic conditions makes Nepal a country rich in different sorts of floras and faunas. Sal, simul and many other varieties of plants are available in the foothills of the Himalayas. Nepal also has a lower-altitude forestland where Oak, Rhododendron, and Pines are found. As far as the fauna is concerned Nepal has plenty of large grass-eating mammals along with the typical carnivores like leopard, tigers, and mountain bears.
Festivals

Festivals

Festivals

Nepal is a multicultural country which celebrates both Hindu and Buddhist rituals. Like for instance the festival of Lhosar is the Buddhist New Year where many music and dances are being performed. Similarly, Nepal also celebrates Chhath Parva like in India during the month of October or November. Holi is known as Fagu Purnima in Nepal and it is celebrated in the same spirit like here in India.

Buddha Jayanti is obviously a big festival when it comes to Nepal and people gather at Lumbini to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha. Gai Jatra is mostly celebration of the Newari community of Nepal and it is also an occassion which is rejoiced throughout the nation. Teej is also another well-known festival.
culture

culture

Culture

Nepal has a very rich mixed culture with strong influences of Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman cultures. The population is very conservative by nature and they are very particular about their dressing. Nepalese people lead a very simple and domesticated life. They are friendly by nature and will offer you help and assistance during your travels.

A majority of the people of Nepal understand Hindi and so you would not have any trouble communicating with them. The people are very hospitable and they like to abide by the rules and regulations. The Hindus and the Buddhists stay there in quite a harmony and they are very generous towards the foreigners. The people are mostly religious and they try to follow every single thing as foretold by their religious leaders.