THE COUNTRY
Let me start off by saying this has got to be one of my favourite countries I've ever travelled to! Next to Peru, this is a country I intend to go back to over and over and over again!
If you're a mountain enthusiast like myself, this is the place to be. Nepal is a trekkers paradise. Situated in the Himalayas, the main attraction here is to trek and enjoy the beautiful outdoors the country has to offer. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or an advanced trekker, Nepal has plenty of trails for everyone.
Aside from trekking, Nepal is also known for its friendly locals and delicious food!
If Nepal is not on your list, you have got to visit this country or at least try looking into it. If you're not convinced, read up and I'll try to sway your mind. If you're already planning on visiting the country, here are several things you should know before you travel in the country.
VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Ensure that your passport is valid for the next 6 months from the date you enter Nepal. Depending on the country you're from, most nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival.
Visa on arrival can be paid in cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, USD, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen. Most credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are also accepted if you don't have any disposable cash on you.
For a 15 day visa, it'll cost you $25 USD. A 30 day, it's $40 USD. And lastly, a 90 day visa will set you back $100. These are all for a single entry, if you would like a multiple entry visa, it's $20 USD on top of the base fee.
CURRENCY
Nepalese Rupee is the currency in Nepal. ATM's are available everywhere (except on the mountains of course). If you do a multiple day trek, make sure you have enough money for food and accommodation or anything else while you're up on the mountains. You need to plan and budget your days wisely.
Debit and credit cards are accepted in most of the established businesses like hotels, hostels, restaurants etc.
The majority of the hot tourist spots will accept USD. While this option is fine, I suggest you use the Nepalese Rupee as much as possible as your money goes farther when you're using the local currency.
TRANSPORTATION
Shuttle Bus - My preferred method to get from one city to another. Nepal is not that big and the distance from one city to another is short in distance but due to the unpaved roads, what would take 30 minutes in normal road conditions can take multiple hours. The winding, hilly, bumpy and unpaved roads in Nepal is the reason why it takes a long time to get from one city to another.
Public Bus - A cheaper option to get from one city to another but not necessarily all the time. Do compare prices before deciding on which transportation to take as sometimes it may be just a couple of dollars difference and well worth taking a shuttle bus instead.
Taxi - Make this your last resort as an option as taxis can get pricey. Do bargain and agree on a price before getting in the car. I would recommend taking the public bus or the public mini vans within a city as they are much cheaper and it adds to the local experience.
THINGS TO DO
Trek - Nepal is the place to be if you love trekking. There are multiple treks you can choose from. From 5-30 day treks or even more! Even one day hikes are incredible in Nepal! Some of the most popular treks are The Annapurna Circuit, The Everest Base Camp, The Annapurna Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit, and Lang Tang just to name a few!
Lumbini - This is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha.
Swoyambhunath Stupa (Kathmandu) - Located on a hill top with views of Kathmandu.
Chitwan National Park - Established in 1973, this is the first national park in Nepal. For those wanting to see wildlife such as rhinos and Bengal tigers, this is the spot to see them.
One Day Hike - If you're looking to warm up before a big trek, make sure you check out Shivapuri, Chandragiri, and Godwari to Phulchowk.
Poon Hill (Ghorepani) - This trek could be included as a part of the Annapurna Trek offering panoramic vies of the Himalayan range. Try getting here for sunrise.
Patan Durbar Square (Patan) - A good place to take a stroll and people watch.
Boudhanath (Kathmandu) - One of the most largest Buddhist stupas in the world standing at 36m (118 ft.).
Bhaktapur - A city near Kathmandu worth visiting for the day.
Pohkara (Phewa Lake) - A picturesque city commonly used as a good base for the many doing the Annapurna Trek.
Dal Bhat - A popular Nepalese cuisine comprised of lentils (Dal) and rice (Bhat). It's also served with a variety of seasonal vegetables and curries. Once you've finished a round, they usually keep putting more food on your plate until you are full.
I see myself going back to Nepal numerous times because of the endless amount of beautiful treks available in this country. As an outdoors enthusiast, this is one massive playground for the many alike. Words and pictures aren't enough to describe how amazing it is to actually be surrounded by the Himalayas or to see the surreal landscape this country posses. For more on Nepal, check out the video down below!
That wraps up my tips for the country but if you have any questions or feedback, I would love to hear from you so feel free to say hi in the comment section. Safe travels and here's to your epic adventures ahead!