With the year 2023 knocking on our doorsteps, Nepal is making way to kick-start the Visit Nepal 2023 campaign with a blast. After the success of the tourism campaigns in 1998 and 2011, this is the third national tourism year that is being celebrated in Nepal.
The main goal of Visit Nepal 2023 is to promote tourism in Nepal and inform adventure seekers that Nepal is full of thrilling travel opportunities. It is to show the world that Nepal is safe for travel and also one of the best travel destinations in the world. Starting from exhilarating high-altitude treks to small hikes in the lush forested hills of Nepal, there are many things you can try while in Nepal. Likewise, travelers can also enjoy several adventure sports like rafting, paragliding, bungee jumping, and zip lining to name a few. Apart from these, travelers can easily enjoy leisure vacations and holiday retreats as well.
With the rapid development of infrastructures and safe traveling conditions, Nepal is ready to welcome travelers with enthusiasm and to give them memories that will last them a lifetime. So the tourism year 2023, add Nepal to your itinerary and join us to have the best moments of your lives as the risk of COVID-19 is decreasing in Nepal and the world too. The vaccination process is being done in a rapid way so that all the citizens of the country will be vaccinated and resumes to plan the vacation. Also, Nepal Government started to open tourism to those who are fully vaccinated also they don't have to be in quarantine. For more details about the Nepal Tourism reopens visit Nepal Tourism reopen. Also, you can get on arrival visa services.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
While you are in Nepal, one thing you absolutely should not miss is the internationally recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Kathmandu Valley. The valley itself is home to seven of the ten world heritage sites in Nepal. Every site has a story of its own and carries an immense cultural richness with it. Most of these destinations have great cultural importance while some even represent the ancient Hindu and Buddhist beliefs.
As such, Pashupatinath has a special place among people who follow Hinduism. It is one of the biggest Hindu shrines in the world and collects thousands of pilgrims from different countries every year. Similarly, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath are religious shrines revered by Hindu and Buddhist adherents in equal measures. Changunarayan is yet another famous Hindu shrine and is one of the oldest temples in the country.
Likewise, the three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan tell the tales of the ancient city which stood in the place of now crowded pathways. The historical architecture which still holds the castles has mesmerized many who get to see it with their own eyes. Similarly, temples like Taleju and Budhanilkantha offer a different vibe altogether, which speaks of the ancient tale of Hindu as well as Buddhist gods and goddesses.
Variety of Accommodations
You will find accommodations ranging from luxurious five-star hotels to small homestays in major cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. Luxury hotels can be expensive but the service provided is impeccable, even by international standards. A two-bed bedroom or one if you prefer, with an attached bathroom, a cable TV, and free Wi-Fi is common for even normal hotels.
However, the real scarcity of good service can be felt when you travel to higher altitudes or rural areas. The accommodations in these places are normally lodges or teahouses which provide basic services like one room with one (or probably two) beds, a blanket, and two pillows. The food provided is also basic homemade food and there might be a lack of services like 24-hour electricity and internet connections. On most occasions, the toilet is squat type and travelers might not have access to shower facilities. So, in high-altitude trips, travelers have to be prepared to make necessary compromises in terms of the accommodations.
Festivals Nepal Celebrates
Nepal is a country of festivities and traditional celebrations. Every other day, there is something special happening somewhere in Nepal. Dashain and Tihar are two of the biggest festivals and are enjoyed by the whole nation. In the course of these festivals, people reunite with their family members and take well-needed rest from their hectic day-to-day life. While they do provide people with the opportunity to recuperate, the cultural norms and traditional practices are sure to amuse the travelers. Similarly, the festival of color- Holi is celebrated in March, welcoming the upcoming spring season with a blast. Buddha Purnima is welcomed by Buddhists, celebrating the day of the birth of Gautama Buddha. Likewise, Mahashivaratri, Chhath, Lhosar, Christmas, Id are some of the other festivals enjoyed by people of various ethnic backgrounds in Nepal.
Geographic Diversity
Nepal is gifted with diverse geography, ranging from low Gangetic plains to high mountains over the height of 8000m. In between then come the beautiful terraced paddy fields, majestic dense forested hills, and wide pasture lands.
The jaw-dropping range of the Great Himalayas that surround the country is the reason why travelers choose Nepal as their trekking destination. These Himalayas are also ideal options for adventurers who seek to scale them. As such, there are many other expedition and peak climbing destinations. The small hills and forested landscapes at lower altitudes have a charm of their own. Covered in sub-tropical forests that are green throughout the year and hide within them thousands of species of exotic flora and fauna, these lands are perfect for rejuvenating trekking, hiking and camping trips with your family and friends.
This geographical diversity of Nepal is the reason why you will get to come across glistening glaciers, splendid lakes, and also water streams dribbling down from the highest places in the world.
Wildlife and Jungle Safari
The National parks, conservation areas, and wildlife reserves scattered all across Nepal display the cultural and natural landmarks of the country. As such, they conserve thousands of species of flora and fauna. As such, jungle safaris in these natural reserves reveal their beauty and biodiversity.
Chitwan National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Nepal. With over 1000 species of animals and birds as well as a huge collection of diverse kinds of butterflies, it is one of the best places in Nepal for a jungle safari. If you are lucky, you might also get to see the beautiful one-horned rhino, Gharial, Royal Bengal Tiger as well as many other rare and endangered species.
Similarly, Bardia National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and Shuklaphanta National Park are other famous natural reserves in the country. Clouded leopard, leopard cat, Himalayan Ghoral, four-horned antelope, musk deer, red pandas, and many more exotic animals find a home in the tropical and sub-tropical forests of Nepal.
People, Culture and Lifestyle
Ethnic diversity is one of the mesmerizing factors of Nepal. People following different customs, cultures, and religions all live in peace with each other, which is a rare sight to see even in the most advanced nations. Above all, the calm and collected welcoming nature of the Nepali has had travelers awestruck at their hospitality.
Walking in the busy streets of Kathmandu, you will see that the traditional Nepali culture and a hint of western culture have blended to make a unique type of lifestyle. As you go higher in altitude, the blend then becomes that of Tibetan Buddhism. In rural areas, the lifestyle is different than that of city areas. People follow a simple lifestyle and most of them are farmers. The aesthetic of living you see in these regions is the reason why Nepal is so enthralling.
Delicious and Authentic Foods
With a great variation in ethnic backgrounds, the food items and cuisines are also similarly diverse in number. However, the staple food of Nepalese is rice (Bhat) and Daal (a special soup made from Mugi or Maas beans). Since having breakfast usually means having a cup of tea, the first and the last meals must be Daal, Bhat, and Curry for a Nepalese. These are served with Tarkari (curry) which is fried in a little oil with the flavoring of salt, Besar (turmeric), Jeera (crushed cumin seeds) and a little bit of red chili powder. Achar (a kind of special Nepali pickle) is also a must-have at the meals.
Apart from these, Nepalese are also known for their sweet tooth so you will find a lot of sweets that are included as special festival foods like Kheer, Puri, Sel and many more which you must try at least once in your life.
Each ethnic group residing in Nepal has its special food, and every region has its way of making food. This makes food hunting adventures in Nepal one of the most enjoyable in the world. You will always find Nepal full of surprises when it comes to food.
Adventure Sports
The diverse topography of Nepal is no stranger to breath-taking excitements of adventure sports. The high and low ranging hills of Nepal make for a perfect place for daring activities like bungee jumping, white water rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, zip-lining, and many more exhilarating activities.
Pokhara is one of the best places to enjoy the thrill of adventure sports in Nepal. You can enjoy activities like paragliding, bungee jumping and zip-lining in Pokhara. Along with the daredevil activities, you will also get to enjoy yourselves in the serene nature while looking at the picturesque view of striking mountain ranges and a long stretch of high and low forested hills.
In conclusion, the captivating mountain ranges, rushing streams and the soothing sounds of the lush green forests of Nepal are calling out to you. Choose your adventure and reach for your travel bags. With all the charm and allure of the nation, you will have the time of your life in Visit Nepal 2023.
