National Emblem of Nepal
Nepal
as a Nation
Nepal is one of the most fascinating places to visit - It is a nation sandwiched between Tibet, China and India.
It is a conventional country, rich in tradition, culture and religious festivals, and with friendly people too.
So before you walk the capital streets of Kathmandu or set foot on the hiking/trekking trails there, a few things about Nepal will help you understand and appreciate this Himalayan nation:
• Nepal is indeed a nation of temples & stupas, and if you ask any Nepalese whether he or she is a Hindu or a Buddhist, their most likely response will be a 'Yes' to both. This is because the major religious festivals of Nepal are a cross-pollination between Hinduism and Buddism.
Officially though, 80% of Nepalese are Hindus; 10% are Buddhists whilst the other remaining 10% are of other religious beliefs.
• The national language of the nation is Nepali, which is an Indo-Aryan language (similar to Hindi) and written in Devanagari script.
English is also widely spoken, although mostly in large cities like the capital - Kathmandu. Outside of Kathmandu, English is spoken a little lesser; but not to worry as getting around and interacting with the locals are still manageable and possible.
With a simple smile and a traditional greeting of 'Namaste' - the warm-hearted, friendly and generous Nepalese will offer you their help in any way they can.
After which then, don't forget to reciprocate in thanking them by saying: 'Danyavad'.
These then would set the tone for you to begin exploring Nepal in a good footing and in a manner that you do it with a conscious and general sense of knowing the nation a little closer, enough to build a bridge between yourselves and the locals there.
Adventure
Tourism
Nepal has high altitude and mountainous landscapes.
The Himalayan range stretches within Nepal and with such incredible and lustful mountain terrains, it is no wonder Nepal becomes one of the world‘s most popular destinations for hiking adventures and trekking expeditions.
There are many mountains to hike in Nepal, with Everest as the pinnacle amongst them.
Trekking circuits too are abundant though the most popular between them are the Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) circuits.
Although it is possible for you to hike or trek alone in Nepal, still, it is not advisable to do so without a qualified local person guiding you, for the terrains there - though fascinating they can be - are indeed full of inherent risks.
It is therefore wise that you grab a climbing or a trekking buddy along as you put on your hiking or trekking gears, and a local guide to assist you in the hike or trek there because the forest and mountain areas in Nepal can be very tricky and getting lost or injured can be a real possibility, and not to be ignored.
If hiking/trekking is on your plan, be aware of, and be prepared for, the inevitable climatic changes, seasonal weather, and the possibility of altitude sickness.
Therefore, dress accordingly to the season and climate, and of the altitude too.
Climatised yourselves well with spare days to do so, and don‘t attempt a hike or trek more than you can handle.
Thus ensure you are in good physical health and in great shape & fitness before attempting such demanding hiking or trekking expeditions there, in Nepal.
Other Outdoor
Activities
In addition to hiking and trekking, Nepal too offers a spectrum of other outdoor adventures.
A variety of exhilarating outdoor activities are available in Nepal - from rock climbing to whitewater rafting in the Bhote Koshi & Trishuli, to canyoning and mountain biking, to mountaineering and paragliding - all are available and are amongst the most popular outdoor options to many adventure seeking individuals going to Nepal.
A worthy reminder - whatever your pleasures are, still be aware of the inherent risks involved and do take precautious preparation before and during your adventures there to avoid any unfortunate incidences or situations befalling you in those rough, demanding Nepalese terrains.
Administrative
Papers
Nepal offers visa upon arrivals when you arrive into the main international airport at Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.
The cost for a single-entry Nepal visa costs US$25 for a 15 days stay; US$40 for a 30 days period; and US$100 for 90 days visit (these are before Covid, therefore check for latest cost after Covid to see any changes to the cost).
You must pay in cash for the visa at the airport upon arrival and the good news is that all forms of major paper currencies are accepted for the visa application.
There are ATM machines available at the airport - in case you need to withdraw money for such cash payment for the visa processing."
- musafir,
The Wandering Moose
🤗🤗🖤🖤❤️❤️😊😊
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