Nepal: Inside Travel Guide and Tips
Nepal is a great tourist destination that is ideal for adventure-loving people, rock climbers, and mountaineers. There is a great difference in religions and culture in Nepal and the weather is very cool. All of these things make Nepal attractive and colorful. The nation is rich in bird and animal species along with picturesque lakes.
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Nepal Visa (Who Need & What Price)
If you are looking for a Nepal visa, you can check out the official website of the department. If you are the one who lives outside Nepal, you can have a visa at the nearest Diplomatic Mission or Nepal Embassy. Otherwise, a visa for Nepal can be achieved as you reach the Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu The fee for the visa might vary as per the requirement. There are some requirements to apply for a visa for Nepal. The visa requirements are as follows:
- A valid passport-size photo with a light background and passport.
- Visa for Nepal can be achieved through cash payment in different currencies like Japanese Yen, Euro, Singapore Dollar, and Kong Dollar.
- Nepal currency, credit card, and Nepal currency are not allowed as payment of visa fees.
Is Nepal Safe to Visit?
Frankly speaking, Nepal is very safe to visit. The people traveling from India to Nepal find that it is the safer of the two countries due to the general openness of the Nepali society to other religions and cultures and also their conservation culture is one of the reasons. But, travelers must take certain care while traveling to Nepal especially if you plan to do trekking or hiking in the Himalayas alone.
Local Currency & Money in Nepal
It is true that Nepal is popular for trekking or spending vacations. But the question is what currency should be used in Nepal. The official currency of Nepal is NPR or says the Nepalese Rupee. This currency is different from other rupees discovered in Asia such as the Pakistan Rupee, Indian Rupees, and more. It is better to trek in Nepal on local currency. To get the local currency, you can discover a number of money exchanges or banks in major cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu.
5 Best Places to Visit in Nepal
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the biggest city in Nepal and it is the capital of Nepal also. All the visitors go behind the carved statues and historic temples in Kathmandu. Kathmandu was one of three opponent royal cities for several hundred years along with Patan and Bhaktapur.
Pokhara
Pokhara is located 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and the highest mountains are surrounded by all sides like Annapurna I, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri. This place is the beginning point to the Annapurna and Jomsom region for treks.
Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is the destination to get the experience of an exceptional side of Nepal. The travelers can enjoy wildlife at this national park. Visitors are taken out into the park for animal viewing on elephants to get the close-up views.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
After Boudhanath, Swayambhunath is the second most crucial holy place in the Kathmandu Valley as it is built on a hilltop to the west of Kathmandu. It is affectionately recognized as the Monkey Temple. It becomes the centerpiece of the temple complex that is painted with the eyes of the omnipresent god.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. It is very popular and located almost 250 kilometers away from Kathmandu. Usually, Buddhist pilgrims like to visit here and this place has an old stone relief from the 2nd century AD representing the birth of Buddha.
Things to do in Nepal
The attractions of Nepal are given right above this point. When it comes to the things to do, you can do the following things:
- Trekking
- Panoramic flight over the Himalayas
- Explore Chitwan National Park
- Explore Pokhara
- Mountain biking in Nepal and Kathmandu Valley
- Kathmandu sightseeing tour
- Mount Everest helicopter tour
- Two-day river rafting on the Bhote Koshi river
- Four-day kayaking Clinique down the Seti river
Best Time to Visit in Nepal
One can visit Nepal between October and December as it is the best time to explore the spectacular views and clear skies. You can also travel to Nepal during January and February when the climate is very cold at night time but can enjoy quieter trekking trails and incredible panoramas.
How to Reach Nepal
In Nepal, the Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in the area. Air India, Indigo, and Jet Airways are some of the airlines that work daily from major Indian cities. However, other airlines that link Nepal to different places are Air Arabia, Air Asia, Silk Air, Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Air China, Oman Airlines, and Etihad Airlines. Also, you can go by road or rail as there are regular cargo trains that connect Raxaul (India) and Sirsiya (Southern Nepal). If you are choosing a roadway, the bus is the most comfortable way to reach Nepal from India.
Getting Inside the Country
One of the huge challenges of traveling in Nepal is getting around. Distances are not more but the public buses are uncomfortable and crowded, and the roads are extremely slow and poor. The vehicles that are available in Nepal to get around includes buses, helicopters, planes, truck and 4WD, motorcycles, bicycles, jeeps, cars, and taxis.
What to Shop in Nepal
In Kathmandu and Pokhara, the markets are full of a variety of exciting and colorful items at cheap prices which will make your shopping very interesting. You can shop for different attractive products like pashmina shawls, rice paper products, singing bowls, khukuri, jewelry, thangka paintings, and handicrafts.
What to Eat in Nepal
There are famous dishes in Nepal that you can try. They are nothing but dal bhat, Newari cuisine, momos, samosas, sel roti, pani puri, and so on. You will really enjoy having these popular and delicious foods of Nepal.
Where to Stay Nepal
There is nothing to worry about your tour stay in Nepal. This tourist destination provides various lodges and hotels to the visitors for a stay at an affordable rate. You can relax or spend your night at the lodges and get outside with a fresh mood.
