Despite being a tiny country perpetually overshadowed by its two big neighbouring brothers, Nepal remains one of the most preferred destinations for travellers across the world. It’s no surprise, either; from pristine natural beauty to millennia of cultural history waiting to be rediscovered, it’s the textbook traveller’s dream.
We count down four reasons you should put Nepal on your travel bucket list.
Even if you’re not religious, we’d definitely recommend visiting Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Situated in the southern Terai plains of Nepal, this complex has a lot of temples and monasteries to check out, many of which are among the oldest in the world.
Apart from the usual traveller’s fare, Nepal is also home to one of the oldest professions in the world. We’re talking about the Gurung honey hunters, who’ve been braving the treacherous cliffs of central Nepal to collect the sweet bee stuff for generations, and continue to do so even today. While dwindling bee populations stand to threaten their ages-old profession, there’s still a good chance you’ll run into one of them if you’re in the region.
There are no two ways about it; if you’re even a bit adventurous, you have to make a trip to Nepal. From river rafting to ice climbing to trekking, there’s no dearth of adventure sports to let yourself loose here. As a bonus, you can also skydive over Everest, though it sure doesn’t come for cheap {starting at $22,000}.
If you like looking at scenic things, and who doesn’t really, head to the Gokyo Lakes. Almost perpetually covered with snow, the peaks surrounding are some of the highest in the world. The lakes are also an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists in the region, so check for permissions in advance if you’re looking to mountaineer.
