Ask anyone with a love of travel what their resolutions are for 2017 and we reckon seeing more of the world will be one of their top three. Nepal is one of those bucket list destinations, once closed to the outside world and now a Republic after the abolition of the Monarchy, it is infused with natural wonders and cultural experiences that will be unlike anything you’ve encountered before. The country also offers unprecedented opportunities for once in a lifetime adventures, from boat trips in Pokhara to trekking in the Himalayas.
Flying over Mount Everest
The Himalayas or ‘abode of snow’ is the highest mountain range in the world, and home to eight of the fourteen biggest mountains in the world including the most famous of all, Mount Everest. Scaling the 29,000 ft. of Everest might not be in your game plan, but you can still get up close with this momentous world icon with a flight over the stunning mountain ranges from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. Flying over many of Nepal’s most famous mountains, you will reach magnificent Everest, known as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans before circling back to Kathmandu.
Trek to the Changu Narayan temple in Nepal
In stark contrast to the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan ranges, at a lower altitude you will find verdant forests, rivers and a variety of flora and fauna, the ideal terrain for hikers. Set off once more from Kathmandu for a road journey through the mountains to Nagarkot, a traditional village on the Kathmandu Valley Rim with lush valleys and breathtaking Himalayan views. The next leg of the journey is a five mile trek to Changunarayan, through Nepali settlements and including the ancient Changu Narayan Temple, one of UNESCO’s seven World Heritage ‘zones’ in the Kathmandu Valley.
Boat trip in Pokhara
The second largest city in Nepal and framed by the stunning Annapurna mountain range, Pokhara was relatively unaffected by the 2015 earthquake, head south to Phewa Lake for its peaceful location and wealth of adventure activities including boating, paragliding and white water rafting. At Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal and surrounded by the Sarangkot and Kaskikot hills, you can boat on the crystal clear waters to the island in the middle of the lake with its own temple. And if you prefer your adventures at a higher altitude, head to the Sarangkot hill station to take off for paragliding over the lake.
Rafting at Trishuli River
Thamel, an area of Kathmandu, is a bustling district full of shops, bakeries and restaurants and from here you can take a road trip through the winding mountains to the Trishuli River.
Named after the Hindu God Shiva’s trishula or trident which is said to have created it, Trishuli is Nepal’s most popular river for rafting, characterised by its moderate rapids and narrow gorges. Stay for the day or opt for the immersive Trishuli experience with an overnight stay at River Beach in a safari tent on the banks of the river.
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