Nepal Activities

Nepal is a great destination for kids, especially if they are in their teens. The outdoor recreation options and exotic wildlife that teem in the lowlands are always highlights for children. Safaris will bring them close to tigers, elephants and rhinos, while the mountains offer biking, hiking and rafting trips. They may even find the cultural attractions such as Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath stupa engaging, if nothing else for the monkeys that swarm the temple.

Elephant Rides
Nepal is an excellent place to ride an elephant, a lowland tradition that goes back centuries. The best site for this unique and exciting activity is in the Gokarna Safari Park, located in the Royal Game Sanctuary near Kathmandu. A popular excursion is to ride on the back of an elephant with a guide through the wildlife park in search of native animals like the rare white rhino. Gokarna Safari Park is located five miles northeast of Kathmandu.

Safaris
The Royal Chitwan National Park in the southern Terai plains near the Indian border is one of the world’s greatest wildlife preserves. The animal safari opportunities here are amazing, as rhinos, tigers, bears and deer heavily populate the park. The grasslands and forests of Chitwan offer a nice change of scenery from the stark mountains of northern Nepal, and booking a safari on the back of an elephant will be a lifetime memory for kids. The best time for this excursion is from February to April.

Swayambhunath stupa
One of the world’s most famous and mysterious sites is Swayambhunath stupa, a Buddhist temple with eerie staring eyes painted atop its golden spire. While you are in Kathmandu, be sure to take your kids to this amazing spot where priests, pilgrims, vendors and tourists come together in a kaleidoscope of colour and movement. The temple is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the hoards of mischievous monkeys that scamper around the steps and the platform at the top.

There is no shortage of cultural attractions in Nepal. There are Hindu and Buddhist temples, shrines and villages all over the countryside and in the cities. Visiting these sites is the ideal complement to witnessing the stunning natural scenery at every turn. Kathmandu’s Durbar square is one of the world’s most fascinating scenes, where dreadlocked sadhus (holy men) sit on the steps of buildings dating back centuries. Other famous towns such as Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddhism, and Bhaktapur, a temple city, are well worth exploration.

Bhaktapur
Also known as ‘Temple City’, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the former capital of the Kathmandu Valley and the best-preserved medieval town in the country. The traditional architecture and ancient temples are truly impressive, allowing visitors to easily slip back in time. A number of decent museums are also located here, such as the National Woodworking Museum, National Art Gallery and the Brass and Bronze Museum.

Boudhanath
Boudhanath is home to the country’s largest community of Tibetan refugees who fled their kingdom in 1959. Rinpoches priests reside here in the dozens of monasteries, helping to establish the town as one of the world’s foremost centres for Tibetan Buddhism. Besides the distinctly Tibetan ambiance of the place, the main attraction is its spectacular stupa that rises in a series of stepped terraces to a whitewashed platform topped by the eerie all-seeing eyes of the Buddha.

Dhulikhel
If you are short on time but still want to experience the killer views of the Himalayas, a quick trip to Dhulikhel will do the trick. Perched on a hill along the eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley, this quaint little village has plenty of guesthouses scattered across the hillside, ideal spots to hang out for a day or two and soak in the majestic views. Newar-style woodwork graces nearly every building, creating a wonderfully timeless atmosphere.

Durbar square
Right in the heart of Kathmandu is this iconic, timeless square lined with ancient palaces, shrines and temples. Some of Nepal’s greatest architectural masterpieces are here such as Lion Gate, Palace of 55 Windows, Bell of Barking Dogs, Picture Gallery and dozens of the other edifices. The buildings are renowned for their amazing carvings and cultural importance, and no trip to Kathmandu is complete without a thorough exploration of Durbar square. Equally engaging are the people who continually flow through the square. From ash-streaked sadhus to local women in brilliantly coloured saris, some of the planet’s best people-watching is here.

Kirtipur
This hilltop town just to the south of Kathmandu offers the perfect glimpse of a historically intact Nepali world in full swing. The majority of Kirtipur locals still wear traditional clothing and work in time-honed trades like weaving. There are old houses and even older shrines and temples at every turn, creating a truly authentic atmosphere. Kirtipur is located five miles southwest of Kathmandu.

Lumbini
Anyone with an interest in Buddhism will find Lumbini an interesting destination. This is the birthplace of the Lord Buddha and his legacy is evident all over town. Among the many historic and spiritual attractions in Lumbini are the crumbling remains of an ancient monastery, the famous broken Ashokan pillar and various images of Maya Devi, the Buddha’s mother. Lumbini is located 120 miles southwest of Kathmandu.

Namche Bazaar
Integrally linked to Mount Everest, this fascinating little town is the gateway to the lofty world of the Everest region and its towering peaks. Namche Bazaar is the home of the legendary sherpas who guide climbers to the top of Everest with relative ease. Besides the staggering views from town, there is a great scene bustling with climbers from around the globe stocking up on supplies and getting ready for the big show. If you want a taste of the serious side of trekking, a visit to this town will surely whet your appetite.

Nepal doesn’t have a specific national cuisine. The food varies from region to region depending on the climate, religion and culture of each area. There is, however, a national dish: dal bhat. This simple concoction of lentils and rice has a stew-like consistency and often includes potatoes. Every visitor to Nepal will get plenty of chances to feast on this carbohydrate-loaded staple.

Rice is another major player in the diets of most Nepalese. Basic vegetables cooked with spices known as tarkan and chapatis (a type of bread) usually accompany rice. Meat is more of a luxury than a given for the average Nepali. Goat, chicken and buffalo is common, but beef is widely considered taboo due to the Hindu population.

Besides dal bhat, visitors can expect to find roti (flat bread), gurr (raw potatoes pounded with spices and grilled like a pancake), and choyla (roasted minced buffalo meat which is heavily spiced) at countryside eateries. Tibetan dishes such as thukba, a thick stew, and momos, tasty stuffed dumplings either fried or steamed, are also good choices.

Chai, a zesty tea brewed with milk, sugar and spices, is a great for washing down the food. Stronger drinks in Nepal are the potato alcohol known as arak, and chang, home-brewed beer made from whatever grain is available.

Tourist towns like Kathmandu and Pokhara offer the best variety of restaurants catering to visitors. Prices are low by Western standards, but the farther you go from these urban centres, the less choice you’ll have on the menu. The climate and topography plays a big role in what’s available to eat. Up in the mountains, everything must be hauled in on the backs of porters, so don’t expect to find much meat, beer or desserts in the hinterlands. The government tacks on a mandatory 12 per cent tax on all restaurant bills.

There are some really interesting and exotic things to buy in Nepal. Kathmandu and Pokhara are shopping meccas full of tiny shops and market stalls selling beautiful handicrafts at very reasonable prices. Among the many items worth checking out, woolen carpets, pashmina shawls and woolen knitwear are real steals. The quality of stitching and tailoring in Nepal is excellent, and the clothing is often handmade. Buddhist thangka and mithilia paintings also make beautiful keepsakes.

Woodwork by the Newar artisans of Kathmandu Valley is one of the finest crafts in Nepal. Traditional figurines and other intricate designs are popular items in the capital. Nepali metalwork is also exceptional, as is the gold and silver jewellery. Silverwork by Newar craftsmen has been a favourite among locals for centuries, and the prices in Nepal are a fraction of what you’ll pay back home. For gemstones, the tourmalines from eastern Nepal are among the finest in the world.

If you want to splash out on purchases, Tibetan carpets make a unique and valuable buy. The best place to look for Tibetan handicrafts and antiques is at the impressive Bodnath stupa on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Otherwise, the tourist enclave of Thamel in the centre of Kathmandu offers a little bit of everything, including plenty of souvenirs. If you can make it to the hill town of Gorkha, you will find one of the country’s most lively and authentic bazaars. Pokhara also makes a good shopping destination, but in the smaller villages it may be hard to find shops or even craftsmen selling their wares.

Nepal is one of the planet’s most extreme sporting destinations, offering visitors every activity imaginable. With the Himalayas taking up nearly half of the country, trekking and mountain climbing are naturally major attractions. White water rafting and paragliding are also very popular extreme sports in Nepal, while hot air balloon rides and bungee jumping offer slightly tamer adventures.

Extreme Sports
Nepal has become something of an extreme sports destination over the past few years, offering thrill-seekers as much action as they can handle. Paragliding, parasailing, hang-gliding and even flying a micro-light plane are all available around Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Langtang region. Bungee jumping and mountain biking are also popular sports in Nepal, if you want to partake in something a bit milder.

Hot Air Ballooning
Floating over the Kathmandu Valley is one of the most memorable activities you can do while visiting Nepal. This safe and exhilarating excursion is very popular around the capital with several companies offering sunrise and day rides. The views over the Himalayas are about as amazing as you’ll get, especially in October, November and March when the climate is at its finest.

River Rafting
All that rushing water which pours out of the Himalayas creates some of the most exciting white water rafting in the world. You’ll need a permit to tackle one of Nepal’s rivers, but with such highlights as the Sapt Kosi River’s gangetic dolphins waiting, it’s well worth the cost. Boaters are guaranteed superb scenery and an unforgettable time.

Trekking
The amazing diversity of natural terrain makes Nepal arguably the world’s greatest trekking destination. Soaring mountains to the north, terraced hills in the middle and low tropical flatlands in the south mean visitors can choose to trek in any type of environment. Jungle safaris are available in Royal Chitwan National Park, while magnificent alpine walking can be found in the Annapurna Sanctuary. The Nepalese have been using their trails for centuries, so the infrastructure is incredibly extensive and well-developed. Villages with guesthouses pop up every few miles, making it possible to travel light and walk for weeks on end.