Five major reasons to Visit Nepal

Ever thought of visiting Nepal? In this article, I will give you at least five reasons to visit Nepal.

There are almost 200 countries on earth, and among these countries, Nepal stands tall and proud. No, I am not just talking about Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world that lies in Nepal. Nepal is also a country that was never colonized as it sits on the lap of the Himalayas, between two of the world's most populous countries, India and China. 

Nepal, with an area of 147,516 square kilometers of land, is a mid-sized country (95th largest based on area) but do not be fooled by this fact. Just consider these two facts - the world's tallest mountain and the deepest gorge both lie in Nepal. Imagine the terrain and climatic diversity Nepal offers due to its topographical gradient. 

It is not just about the terrain diversity. Nepal's population is a complex mosaic comprising 125 castes and ethnic groups that speak about the same number of languages. The northern part of Nepal is very remote due to the presence of sky-kissing mountains. If you want to see parts of the world untouched by modern influence, you must visit Nepal. 

So, there are dozens of reasons to visit Nepal. Well, if you have not seen Nepal, you have not seen the length and breadth of the earth and the cultural diversity that exists. In this article, I will be focusing on five compelling reasons to visit Nepal.

1. Trekking and adventures 

The first cities appeared around 7,500 B.C., and since then, people have been living in the cities. When people aggregate, they knowingly or unknowingly distance themselves from nature. Modern infrastructures such as roads, bridges, dams, and shelters break nature's continuity, serenity, and peace.

Trekking provides you with an opportunity to appreciate nature. As humans, we should not forget our roots and our origin takes us back to nature. Nepal is probably the most remote country with vast swaths of the Himalayan regions that have not been affected by modern advances. So, Nepal is a paradise for trek lovers.

The mountains are not just nature's tall structures. They signify the difficulties every person has to face in their lives. While trekking to the Himalayas, you are pushing yourself, testing your patience, and strengthening your determination. The Himalayan treks have the potential to trigger your inner spirit to struggle, thrive, and achieve success. 

Of course, you can trek anywhere, but the thrill factor, the adventure, and the rush of adrenaline that Himalayan treks provide are in a league of their own. As you travel through the hanging precipice, the glacial moraines, and precarious paths whose sides dive hundreds of meters down in the deep gorges, you will know what you have been missing in your life. You will also know what life is like on the very edge.  

Trekking provides physical benefits as well. As you trek for weeks across the tough terrain, your body tones up. So if you are looking to reduce your weight in a fun, adventurous way, trekking is the perfect activity for you. When you are on the path, far from modern luxuries, your body will perspire, struggle and come into shape. 

If you love water, Nepal provides a fabulous opportunity for white water rafting. As the rivers that originate from the snow peaks rush towards the sea, they present you with a perfect opportunity for rafting.

2. Spiritual and religious essence

Kathmandu is known as the city of god. Throughout Nepal, you will find thousands of places of worship. Nepal is a very tolerant and welcoming society. Statistically, around 81 % of Nepalis are Hindu, 11% are Buddhists, 4% are Muslims, and 1% are Christians. 

Hindus believe that Lord Shiva's abode lies in the Himalayas. He is said to have quenched his thirst for Gosainkunda Lake after consuming poison. Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in Kapilvastu, Nepal. Several holy sites overlap between Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath Temple is a prime example. 

In Nepal, you can view different spiritual practices that you will never find in other nations. There are pockets of settlements with their unique traditions, cultures, and even language. If you ever are mystified by the prayer wheels, chortens, and stone worships, you must visit Nepal at least once in a lifetime.

3. Architectural factors and diverse culture 

Nepal has a rich and old history. Since Nepal was never colonized, Nepali culture and traditions are comparatively untouched by foreign influence. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is one of the oldest capitals in the world. Wherever you look in Kathmandu, you will find yourself not far from stone and wood carvings that speak volumes about the richness of craft and culture in Nepal. 

UNESCO has validated Nepal's diversity, richness, and antiquity in culture. Ten UNESCO heritage sites are present in Nepal. Among these ten UNESCO sites, 8 sites are cultural sites, and 2 of them are natural sites. Seven of these sites are located in Kathmandu Valley alone. So, if you visit Nepal just for a day, you can see a lot of the richness of tradition, culture, and arts in Nepal. 

4. Natural beauty 

Humans most probably started appreciating and differentiating nature and thus, in a way, defining beauty itself. Artificial/manmade structures can look extremely beautiful, but these structures can be copied and imitated. Natural beauty is hard to imitate, and therefore to enjoy authentic natural beauty, you need to visit the landscapes themselves. 

Nepal is full of natural beauty that you can find in each of its mountains, gorges, lush valleys, and deep forests. Though these beauties themselves are immovable, you can record them on your camera. Nepal provides opportunities for great photography that no other nation can provide. Bear in mind that Nepal is only 80 miles wide, but the altitude within that width ranges from 59 meters in Mukhiyapatti Musharniya to 8,848m on Mount Everest. Within this range, you can find sub-tropical to polar-like climatic variations. 

5. Volunteering and Community services

If you have seen the terrain, you must have noticed the welcoming nature of Nepalis. Most Nepalis accept guests as gods. There is a Sanskrit saying "Athithi Devo Bhaba" meaning "a guest is a god." As a landlocked nation with harsh terrain, building infrastructure is quite costly in Nepal, and perhaps because of this, Nepal is still a developing nation. 

Nepal is an open democratic country that embraces foreigners with open arms. Tourism contributes around 3% of the GDP of Nepal. If you want to volunteer in Nepal, there are several volunteering opportunities in Nepal, such as working in an orphanage, teaching English, helping in nature conservation, or working on healthcare projects.

If you want to experience heartwarming hospitality while enjoying the highest snow peaks, deepest gorges, Hindu and Buddhist holy shrines, glaciers, and deep forests, you must visit Nepal. What is even better? You can do it all in a fraction of the budget you need to survive in your country. As a local trek and tour operator, Discovery World Trekking would love to show you the people and the places that will blow your mind while letting you comprehend the diversity in nature and culture Nepal offers.