Things to do in Nepal

High in the Himalayas

“Nepal.” What springs to mind when you hear the word? Maybe you’re thinking of Mount Everest; blisters; and mountaineers frozen in time. Maybe also: yak butter tea; tea lights; prayer flags; stupas; monks in red; gompas.  This is the land of rugged landscapes that gives us vertigo in IMAX theatres. Nepal has the highest point in the world. It is closest to the moon. Want to feel the vertigo for real? Then book a flight to this wild little country wedged between China and India.

Nepal’s beauty is accessible to any traveler who ventures forth. The breadth of experiences is as varied and textured as the topography itself.  It has been widely published and featured as trekker's paradise, but there's so much more to explore.

Biking

Monsoons occasionally erase biking trails. Keep that trail map, but get a local guide to make sure you get there and back safely when you head off-road into foothills of the Himalayas through rural farming communities. A scenic route to consider is the one from Kathmandu to Pokhara with local providers, which includes bikes, accommodation, meals, and an experience you'll never forget. You'll see terrain only accessible by foot and bike, cut through gorgeous countryside, and enjoy the warmth of local villagers at the close of day, with a full spread of food, by evening candle flame.

Wildlife and Wild Water

Biking can work up a sweat. Head to Chitwan and go swimming with elephants, who would just love it if you scratched and scrubbed their bellies with a river rock. And they'll help you cool off by lending a trunk as your showerhead. Not soaked enough? Try white water rafting and kayaking.

Nepal has got some of the best rapids in the world, with terrain varied enough to please experts and beginners. For the experienced kayaker, there is a lot on offer in Nepal, from the wild rampaging Bhote Koshi in a day to 10-15 day expeditions in rivers like the Tamur, Sunkoshi and Karnali. Most companies will arrange fully catered expeditions. One remarkable program has trained disadvantaged or abused women to kayak, speak English and work as river runners and now some of the best river runners in Nepal are women.

Fly Like A Bird

Enough standing there with your mouth open, gazing at those high, craggy cliffs; why not jump off one? Maybe with a giant rubber band tied to your body. Let's agree on this — bungy jumping is ludicrous and extremely fun. If the backdrop of the mountainscape makes you want to yodel or scream, then here is a good opportunity to make that happen in a big way.

Or you can opt for my favorite: paragliding. Walk down the side of a mountain and rise gracefully above the scenery. Humans have only been able to do this for 50 years or so. It's one of the most divine experiences you could possibly ask for that generations before you could only dream of. Connect with an experienced paraglider pilot – one with proper safety training and gear – and make it happen!

Canyoning

Rope up and get down when you decide to descend through Nepal’s canyons. The Kathmandu Valley is sprinkled with villages and forests and surprisingly, canyons. It’s a mixture of scrambling and sometimes swimming, with ropes and guides for protection.

An old Nepali man having a laugh

Hanging With The Locals

Want to get to know the people as well as their thrilling landscape? Just about any of the classic Nepal experiences: from Sagarmatha to Chitwan can be approached with an emphasis on community. Some trips will take you to visit schools and universities as well as the famed peaks.

Go West

Western Nepal is difficult to access from Kathmandu, and this is certainly part of the appeal for those of us who choose to head out this direction. Choose a guide who specializes in this region and time your visit for late summer when the flies are less and enjoy quiet trekking through fields of wildflowers in bloom. Move into the Dolpo region – one of the most isolated areas of the country where you’ll mingle with Tibetan people and few foreigners.

Volunteer

Different forms of voluntourism have existed for decades, but the recent surge in travel to developing countries, coupled with a generation’s awakening for the vagaries of conspicuous consumption has brought this sector to new heights. Ok, so the status-building motivations of Veblen’s sister concept conspicuous leisure might still exist, but don’t let them say you wasted your time! Now volunteers can work in orphanages and schools, with animals or on environmental clean up projects, many of which can be found in Nepal. In my experience, these trips, when organized responsibly and in collaboration with communities are both fun and rewarding. Highly recommended!

Chill Out

Finished? Need to rest? Nepal also happens to be one of the best places to chill out. Check the wide range of retreats, yoga and meditation clinics, monasteries, and spiritually enriching getaways.