A journey among the highest peaks in the world, incredible biodiversity, and mind-blowing ancient traditions
A country with an average altitude of 3,000 meters, located in what is perhaps the most extreme region on Earth outside the poles: Nepal, baby! And if you’ve really decided to travel to this country, well, huge respect. It’s one of our favorites, a spectacular place that can clear your mind like very few others!
Of course, deciding to visit is one thing; knowing exactly where to go to see the very best it has to offer is another. There’s truly so much to see, but unless you’re planning to move there permanently (and if you do, let us know so we can follow right behind you!), one trip alone won’t be enough to see it all.
So, enough talk: if you want a selection of things to see in Nepal, you’ve got it. We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this big article of ours.
Giant mountains, fairytale monasteries, and superhero villages: all in one place!
Nepal is famous for its natural wonders, like the Himalayas and Mount Everest, truly epic sights!
The Himalayas stretch across Nepal like a gigantic barrier, offering breathtaking views and unique opportunities for mountain lovers. And towering above it all is the king of altitude, Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepali, which attracts climbers and trekkers from every corner of the planet, all ready to prove that knees are, in fact, a bit overrated.
The Everest region, or Sagarmatha National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with astonishing biodiversity and some of the most fascinating species around, such as the snow leopard and the red panda. In short, it’s a magical place, with just a touch of hypothermia thrown in.
Then there are the Tibetan monasteries scattered along the Himalayas, such as Tengboche, located at the incredible altitude of 3,867 meters.
That’s almost 4 kilometers high!
These places are centers of meditation and prayer, and offer spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. They are famous not only for their religious importance, but also for their unique architecture and colorful ceremonies. A true explosion of spirituality and color that makes you feel small, but in a nice way.
And let’s not forget the Sherpa villages, such as Namche Bazaar.
The Sherpas are basically superheroes (we talked about their superpowers in this article), known for their guiding and climbing skills, and for living in harmony with the harsh Himalayan environment. Visiting their villages feels like traveling back in time: the stone houses, colorful prayer flags, and warm smiles make these places fascinating and unforgettable. It’s a bit like visiting your grandmother’s house, if your grandmother lived on top of an insanely high mountain full of snow leopards.
The Himalayas are amazing, but Kathmandu is just as impressive
Come down a little from the highest Himalayan peaks and you’ll find yourself even more immersed in Nepal’s cultural and folk traditions, which make up its most authentic soul.
Kathmandu, the capital, is the beating heart of all this. Take Pashupatinath Temple, for example, one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Shiva. It is a site of immense spiritual importance and a pilgrimage destination for devotees from all over the world. Its elaborate architecture and the religious ceremonies held there offer a deep insight into local devotion and religious practices.
And then there’s Swayambhunath Temple, known as the Monkey Temple.
That’s right, monkeys everywhere!
This Buddhist stupa, set on a hill overlooking the city, is one of the oldest and most revered places in Nepal. The colorful prayer flags, prayer wheels, and panoramic view over the Kathmandu Valley make it an unmissable destination.
Traditional festivals?
Nepal doesn’t mess around.
Take Dashain, a festival that lasts a whole week, bursting with remarkable rituals and ceremonies. Or Tihar, the Festival of Lights, which is kind of like Christmas, Epiphany, and your dog’s birthday all rolled into one. Lights, decorations, and yes, tributes to crows, dogs, and cows.
Who wouldn’t want to celebrate a cow?
The icing on the cake is the great stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, the ultimate symbols of Nepali Buddhism. Boudhanath in particular is one of the largest stupas in the world, decorated with huge painted eyes that seem to follow you everywhere, like the Mona Lisa in XXL form. Surrounded by monasteries, it’s the perfect place to breathe in the country’s spirituality.
Things to do in Nepal: there’s trekking, then trekking, and even more trekking. Oh, and don’t forget trekking!
So what can you do in Nepal besides visiting the capital?
Well, there’s plenty of amazing stuff, like rafting on Nepalese rivers, or visiting local national parks such as Chitwan, which is also a UNESCO site.
But the ultimate experience has to be trekking.
Come on, you’re here on the roof of the world — are you really not going to go on an epic high-altitude hike?
We do it every time we head to Nepal and, if you want to join us on the next departure, here’s a little taste of what awaits you.
We start in Kathmandu, to get used to the altitude a bit (since we’re already at nearly 1,500 meters above sea level) and to enjoy this incredible city. Then it’s a flight to Lukla, where the wildest experience you could imagine begins.
The trek through the Khumbu Valley starts here: imagine crossing spectacular Sherpa villages like Phakding, Namche Bazaar, and Dingboche, where we’ll stop from time to time to acclimatize (a classy way of saying “let’s pretend we’re not absolutely exhausted”? Maybe).
Along our route we also pass through two of the most beautiful monasteries in the entire area, including Tengboche (which we already mentioned earlier), from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Everest.
And then higher and higher, until reaching Everest Base Camp, a place so breathtaking that it makes you forget all the insane effort it took to get there. But it’s worth it, so much so that once we’ve made it that high, we also head up to Kala Patthar to admire one of the most spectacular views on Earth: a panorama over the entire Himalayan range, on the roof of the world!
Seriously, absolutely incredible!
Then, finally, it’s time to trek back down, retracing our steps until we return to Kathmandu and, from there, sadly, to our very ordinary everyday lives.
Read also: Why are there so many castles in Scotland?
In conclusion
So, what do you think of Nepal? Pretty amazing, right?
Now that you know how many incredible things there are to see here at the top of the world, and now that you also know the main stages of our mega trek among the highest mountains on the planet, there’s only one thing left to do: book your spot on the next 16-day trip to Nepal organized by Sto Gran Tour and get ready to see mighty Everest up close — something you probably never imagined you’d get to do in your lifetime!
Come on, let’s go for an unforgettable experience!
