The Best Ways to Enjoy Adventures in Nepal

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Nepal offers some of the world’s most epic outdoor adventures. Read on for the best ways to enjoy adventures in Nepal.

Nestled in Asia between the two massive countries of China and India and home to some of the world’s tallest mountains, Nepal offers some of the world’s most epic outdoor adventures. Astounding mountain views are not the only ones this South Asian country provides. It also boasts a fascinating tapestry of Hindu and Buddhist temples, incredible wildlife, and rich history and culture. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy adventures in Nepal.

Soak up the Culture of the Ancient Cities

While Nepal is most famous for being the gateway to some of the world’s tallest mountains, it’s also rich in culture and history, which you can discover on your visit. The best way to soak up the local culture is to explore Nepal’s ancient cities. While many visitors stick to Kathmandu or Pokhara, consider venturing into smaller villages in the mountain for a more authentic experience.

Swayambhunath (monkey temple) stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo courtesy DepositPhotos

Explore the charming Newari towns of Bungamati and Khokana, which are six hours away from Kathmandu. These villages offer a unique opportunity to learn about the traditions of the local Newari tribes, whose families have thrived here for centuries. These people are indigenous to the Kathmandu Valley and live simple lives even today.

Bungamati has a religious significance, as it’s believed to be the birthplace of the patron god of the valley, Rato Machhendranath. You will find the Shikhara temple housing the deity still standing there today. The town celebrates the yearly Rato Machhendranath festival with a chariot procession from Patan to Bungamati.

Explore the Gokyo Lakes

If you want to discover gorgeous lakes, consider a hiking adventure holiday in Nepal to the beautiful Gokyo Lakes. The trek is scenic but challenging, taking approximately two weeks. You will sleep overnight in teahouses or campsites. The trail boasts many highlights and has much less traffic than popular hiking routes like the Everest Base Camp.

The Gokyo Lake, fed by six glacial lakes, is the highlight of this trek. It requires walking through the largest glacier in the Himalayas, the Ngozumpa Glacier. The climb is almost at the same altitude as the Everest Base Camp and boasts similar spectacular views, including the majestic Mount Everest.

Gokyo Lake with Ngozumba glacier. Photo courtesy DepositPhotos

The first part of the Gokyo Lakes hike is similar to the Everest Base Camp, where you fly to Lukla Airport, considered the world’s most dangerous airport. Nevertheless, the views are incredibly spectacular.

You’ll sleep in guesthouses along the trail, which offer hot showers, decent accommodation, and hot meals. While exploring the Gokyo Lakes without a guide is possible, it’s a good idea to hire a local guide and porter, especially for first-time hikers. The guide can also help arrange the permits and all other things required for the trek, which makes things easier.

Attempt to Photograph a Snow Leopard

Your adventures in Nepal can include fascinating wildlife encounters since the country is home to some of the world’s most amazing wildlife, such as the snow leopards. If you are an avid wildlife photographer, you should take the opportunity to photograph these fascinating animals on your visit to Nepal.

The best way to see snow leopards in their natural habitat is to hire a knowledgeable local guide who has experience tracking these elusive cats. Most snow leopard sightings occur in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal’s Manang Region.

Snow leopards live in the wild in Nepal. Photo by Mikeland45 via DepositPhotos

You will have a higher chance of seeing these animals during the cold months, from December to March. During the mating period, the male snow leopards tend to yowl to get the attention of females. The paw marks of these creatures will be visible in the snow during winter, making it easier to track and photograph them. Your experienced guide knows the best places to spot the leopards, giving you better chances of seeing them in the wild.

Walk the Annapurna Sanctuary

Aside from the Everest Base Camp Trek, another popular hike in Nepal is the Annapurna Circuit, which includes the Annapurna Sanctuary. The trek weaves up and down steep green valleys, with opportunities to stop at local villages and spend the night at teahouses.

Tents in Annapurna Base camp with a view of Mount Machapuchare. Photo by strobl.r via DepositPhotos

Compared to the Everest Base Camp Trek, the Annapurna is quieter, which makes it a great alternative if you prefer to walk on paths less traveled. The trek to the Annapurna Circuit begins in the charming lakeside city of Pokhara. From here, it takes around 11 days to complete the trek.

While you don’t need to be an experienced trekker to walk the Annapurna Sanctuary, you should be in good physical condition. Remember, the trek requires you to spend over a week in the tall mountains of the Himalayas, so you need to be physically prepared.

Trek the Everest Basecamp

Trekking the Everest Base Camp is a dream for many avid hikers. Thousands aspire to walk this famous Himalayan route, and others see it as a rite of passage for true mountain climbers. As the ticket to the mighty roof of the world, close-up encounters with the highest summit await you on this incredible adventure. The Everest Base Camp sits at an impressive 17,598 feet, and conquering it is never easy. But given the breathtaking views, your efforts will be worth it.

Colorful tents and Tibetan prayer flags at Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Region, Nepal. Photo by rmnunes via DepositPhotos

As the name suggests, the incredible journey will lead you through the mighty Base Camp of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. As you walk through its lush forests, keep your eyes peeled on the mesmerizing view of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountain range. But beyond the beautiful scenery, the trek is also an exciting way to immerse in the local culture, as it takes you through local villages and lets you experience warm hospitality.

The Everest Base Camp Trek is the most famous guided trek in Nepal. Because of this, the trail can get crowded during the peak climbing season. However, nothing can spoil the thrill of seeing some of the world’s tallest mountains up close. But then again, you must prepare for the rigorous journey, which takes approximately two weeks. It’s a high-altitude trek requiring considerable acclimatization.

Join the Mad Honey Hunting Expedition

Besides bungee jumping and canoeing, you can experience a wild thrill on the high cliffs of Nepal. You can see a daring honey hunter climb down a rope ladder made of traditional tools and equipment dangling from a high cliff to harvest honey. The hunter is not risking his life for an ordinary honey, but a mad honey. The knowledge and skills have been transferred from generation to generation in the Gurung community. You can witness these hunters carefully harvesting honey from these cliffs and taste the gooey goodness straight from the hive.

Mad Honey harvesting is a cultural tradition in Nepal. Photo courtesy Medicinal Mad Honey

Medicinal Mad Honey, a company actively exporting Himalayan wild bee honey, is known as Mad Honey. It organizes a mad honey tour and honey hunting expedition twice a year, which provides tourists with a blend of cultural experience, adventure, and ecological education.