Hiking
With the impressive Himalayas covering 64% of the country, there are fantastic trekking opportunities in Nepal. In fact, it is arguably the best country in the world for walking and hiking. Temples, monasteries, and lakes dot the side of the mountain, no matter which hike you choose, there are going to be great views and experiences. Seeing the sunrise and setting behind the Himalayas is wonderful.
There are so many treks in Nepal that it would be very difficult to write about all of them, however the two most famous are the World’s Highest Mountain Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit.
It is always best to book any trek through a reputable agent where your safety is paramount. Hiking boots are recommended due to the uneven terrain. Check the weather conditions carefully, so that you are not hiking in the monsoon season or waiting for hot weather when the weather is really cold.
National Parks
There are nine national parks, three wildlife reserves and three conservation areas in Nepal, this equates to 18% of Nepal having protected land. Most people head to the Royal Chitwan National Park. This is by far the most famous park in Nepal and covers 932 km2 of salt forest, water swamps and grasslands. The biggest draw and the reason most people visit is that it is home to the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros and there is a good chance of spotting tigers and leopards.
The other parks are pretty and worth seeing, but they’re not really on the main tourist trail.
food
Unlike many of its neighbours, Nepali food isn’t all that great, it’s basically rice with vegetables. However, a wide variety of Tibetan, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Western food is available. A large proportion of Nepal is vegetarian, however those who eat meat pretty much eat the whole animal. Try bul-la, which is rice wine dregs with diced spleen or ti-syah, amigo spinal cord, or swan-puka, which are lungs filled through the windpipe with spicy dough and then boiled, sliced and fried and finished. with steamed blood sausage.
Even if the main meals aren’t fantastic, the Nepalese make some deliciously sticky sweets.
to drink
It is best to avoid water. Although most restaurants boil and filter their water. The tea here is not very good, it tends to be very weak. Lassi is a delicious non-alcoholic drink made from yogurt mixed with sugar.
Nepal produces decent beer, generally perceived as the best being Everest beer, but you can also get imported beer like Kingfisher or Guinness.
Independent Travel to Nepal: Top Ten Experiences
1). Trek to Everest Base Camp
two). The Annapurna Circuit Trek
3). Spend a few days exploring Kathmandu
4). chitwan national park
5). Flight to see Everest
6). Visit Bhaktapur
7). Relax with a cold beer by Pokhara Lake
8). poon hill hike
9). whitewater rafting
10). 160m bungee jump (one of the largest in the world) at Bhote Kosi, (12km from the Tibetan border)
