Buzz
Alongside Tibet, Nepal is home to the world's tallest mountain Everest, where most mountaineers conquer Everest from this Nepalese route. Eight out of the world's top 10 highest peaks are within this nation's borders. Personally, after reading the novel Into Thin Air and watching movies like 'Everest Disaster', 'The Himalaya', I felt compelled to set foot in this country.
Until I found feasible information for joining a helicopter tour to see Everest, I decided to make this trip to fulfill the dream of seeing Everest at least once in a lifetime.
1. Basic information about the country - people of Pakistan.
Travelers often assume this is a Buddhist country, completely devastated after the 2015 earthquake. In reality, Nepal is a nation where 81.3% of the population follows Hinduism, 9% Buddhism, and 4.4% Islam. The historic earthquake of 2015 ravaged many famous historical sites in Nepal, but they are now being preserved and restored. Additionally, important Buddhist stupas like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath luckily remain intact.
The territory of Nepal has a recorded history dating back to the Neolithic age. Discoveries of Neolithic tools in the Kathmandu Valley indicate human habitation in the Himalayas at least 11,000 years ago. The name 'Nepal' first appeared in texts during the Vedic period, the era of India's formation.
Bagmati is Nepal's holiest river, akin to the Ganges of India. Along the banks of Bagmati, Pashupatinath is Nepal's largest Hindu temple, also the most important Shiva temple in the country.
Nepal has a trapezoidal-shaped territory, 800 km long and 200 km wide, covering an area of 147,181 km². Nepal is typically divided into three geographical regions: mountain, hill, and Terai. These ecological belts run east-west and intersect with major river systems flowing from north to south.
Nepal encompasses five climatic zones, each corresponding to altitude. The tropical and subtropical zone lies below 1,200 m, the temperate zone from 1,200m to 2,400m, the cold zone from 2,400m to 3,600m, the subarctic zone from 3,600m to 4,400m, and the icy zone above 4,400m. Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter, and spring.
Nepal's flag is the only one that's not rectangular. Nepal observes 36 public holidays each year, topping the world. A year in the Nepali calendar starts on the first day of the month Baisakh in the official Nepali Hindu calendar Bikram Sambat, falling in mid-April, and is divided into 12 months. Saturday is the official weekly holiday.
The best time to visit Nepal is between mid-October and December, ideal for trekking and capturing stunning photos due to clear skies and beautiful sunshine.
The prime time to visit Nepal is between mid-October and December, perfect for experiencing trekking and capturing mesmerizing photographs with clear azure skies and beautiful sunshine.
Moreover, from around March to late May, spring is the perfect time to travel, with warm natural surroundings and rhododendrons blooming along trekking routes. This is also the bustling time on the Everest trail as it's the most favorable season for mountaineers to pursue their dreams.
It's advisable to avoid trips during June-July-August as it's the monsoon season in Nepal. The hot weather and slippery roads pose obstacles to trekking and exploring this incredibly majestic landscape and nature.
Visa and Airfare
Nepal Visa
As Nepal does not have an Embassy in Vietnam, you can apply for a visa online through the link http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa. However, the most convenient option is to obtain a visa on arrival directly at the airport. The visa fee varies depending on how many days you intend to stay in Nepal. Current update:
Flight Tickets to Nepal
Vietnam still does not have direct flights to Nepal, but before the Covid outbreak, Vietnamese travelers had plenty of options for connecting flights. If you have the opportunity to hunt for good tickets, sometimes the prices are surprisingly cheap for trips to Southeast Asian countries.
After international flights resumed, there are now quite a few options for Vietnamese travelers, such as Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, etc. For this trip, I chose Singapore Airlines because they offer the best flight schedule and the ticket prices are not too high compared to other airlines.
4. Immigration Procedures
As of May 2022, the tourist entry process for Nepal remains relatively unchanged for Vietnamese travelers compared to before. Specifically, you only need the following documents:
not vaccinated or incomplete vaccination doses
In addition to these two mandatory documents, it is also essential to prepare the following documents before your trip:
Currency and SIM Card
Currency
The currency of Nepal is known as the Nepalese rupee (NPR). The exchange rate between USD and NPR in May 2022 is 1 USD = 124.01 NPR.
You can carry USD and exchange it for NPR at Tribhuvan Airport, next to the visa processing counter. However, upon entering Thamel Market in Kathmandu, I noticed that the USD exchange rate here is better and without additional taxes or fees.
Mobile SIM Card
6. Transportation
To travel between major tourist cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lumbini, you can opt for domestic flights to save time and energy, as road transportation in Nepal is quite poor, and the quality of public transportation vehicles is not high. However, the weather in Nepal is quite unpredictable, and regular flights are often small and easily affected by schedules, so you also need to consider and allocate appropriate time when choosing domestic air travel.
7. Travel Expenses
8. Accommodation in Nepal
Accommodation in Kathmandu
The capital Kathmandu has been welcoming international tourists for a long time, offering various options based on different needs. From 5-star hotels managed by major chains to accommodations for backpackers in the Thamel area and various types of homestays and guesthouses...
Accommodation in Pokhara
Pokhara is also a popular destination for international tourists, second only to the capital Kathmandu. For convenience in strolling through the night streets or enjoying culinary delights in restaurants, you can choose accommodation in the old town area or near Phewa Lake. If you want to have a panoramic view of Pokhara and admire the Annapurna range during sunrise or sunset, you can opt for accommodation in hotels with beautiful views on Sarangkot hill.
9. Local Cuisine
Nepalese cuisine is influenced by its two major neighboring countries, India and Tibet, but it has many unique characteristics of a landlocked nation.
Dal bhat
Dal bhat is often considered the national dish of Nepal. Dal bhat is lentil curry and rice ('dal' means lentils, and 'bhat' means rice). Nepalese people eat Dal Bhat for most meals of the day and many days of the week, often opting for vegetarian dal bhat. It may be a bit challenging for tourists to eat it for extended periods like the locals. However, in most restaurants, you'll have the option to customize your dal bhat with chicken, lamb, buffalo, or vegetable curry.
Momos
At first glance, Momos resemble Chinese dumplings, but the ingredients and flavors are entirely different. Momos are dumplings made from rice flour filled with minced meat or finely chopped vegetables, then steamed, fried, or used in spicy soup or a distinctive curry soup. They are a popular snack for Nepalese people of all ethnicities. Momos are usually small and served in plates of 8, 10, or 12.
Lassi
Lassi isn't exclusive to Nepal but can be found abundantly in India or Pakistan. However, in my opinion, the best Lassi is in Kathmandu, Nepal. It's made from boiled buffalo milk sweetened and then placed in a clay pot to keep warm. The clay pot absorbs excess water, leaving the yogurt thick and creamy. A glass of lassi is generously topped with various locally sourced nuts, making it even more enticing and delicious.
Yomari
Yomari is a dish of the Newari people with their own special festival, Yomari Punhi, in December. These sharp-shaped dumplings are made from rice flour and filled with black molasses or white coconut, condensed milk, and sesame seeds.
10. Must-visit Places in Nepal
Boudhanath Stupa
Located to the east of Kathmandu's city center, just 11 km away, Boudhanath Stupa – meaning 'Land of the Buddha' – is one of the most prominent spiritual sites in the capital that you can easily spot from Tribhuvan International Airport.
Historically, Boudhanath was established by King Śivadeva of the ancient Nepalese Licchavi kingdom (590–604) around the 14th century. Legend has it that the place holds the relics of the Buddha. It also lies on the ancient trade route between Nepal and Tibet, which is why many merchants stopped here to pray.
This Boudhanath Stupa is also known as the largest surviving stupa in the world to this day. Many Tibetan Buddhist structures are modeled after the remarkable architecture of this stupa. It is one of the most sacred and renowned Buddhist monuments.
When you have the opportunity to visit Boudhanath Stupa, you should circumambulate (kora) clockwise around the stupa to pray and spin prayer wheels along the path surrounding the dome. Tibetan Buddhism believes that spinning the prayer wheels helps alleviate the suffering of sentient beings and brings peace to mankind.
Surrounding Boudhanath Stupa, there are many cafes and restaurants offering menus from various countries. If you find it hard to eat after several days in Nepal and crave Vietnamese cuisine, you can find a taste of Vietnam at Pho 99 Restaurant, a renowned Vietnamese brand in Nepal located right by the stupa.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Perched atop a hill just 3 km northwest of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath, also known as the 'Monkey Temple,' attracts international tourists and travelers because of the abundance of monkeys. Visitors need to be cautious due to the boldness of the monkeys.
Swayambhunath is an ancient Buddhist stupa witnessing the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Its architecture and structure are remarkable, featuring a white dome, intricately decorated copper spire, and intricately painted Buddha eyes. Surrounded by numerous statues, shrines, and stone Chortens.
Before you can ascend to the top, you must climb 365 steps, and interestingly, the kora circle at the foot of the hill beneath the temple is much larger than the kora circle at Bouddhanath.
Thamel Market
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, Thamel is a bustling market area with many shops selling various goods that you can purchase. If you have a fondness for handmade items, it is an ideal place to admire beautiful handicrafts.
This is also the market where mountaineers often buy supplies for their trekking and Everest expeditions. Additionally, you can purchase CDs, clothing, woolen items including Pashmina, khukuris, thangka paintings, prayer wheels, souvenirs.
It's a very convenient place for accommodation, entertainment, and strolling to explore other famous spots in Kathmandu like Ason Bazaar, Patan Durbar Square.
Explore the Royal Square of Patan
Exploring the Royal City of Patan Durbar is another great thing to do in Kathmandu. The city boasts several squares filled with historical landmarks: royal palaces, religious shrines, ancient temples.
For a millennium, kings ruled the city from their palace in Dubar Square. As a result, there are many historical architectural marvels, temples, and traditional houses in the area. Kathmandu Dubar Square suffered heavy damage in the 2015 earthquake. Restoration work is currently underway on several structures.
Some things to do at Dubar Square:
Phewa and the Cluster of 9 Lakes
Pokhara is renowned for its enchanting Cluster of 9 freshwater lakes, including: Phewa, Begnas, Rupa, Khaste, Dipang, Maidi, Gunde, Neurani, Kamalpokhari, Pokhara Seti Catchment, the lakes. The Pokhara Valley lakes also play a crucial role in maintaining local biodiversity, ecosystems, and livelihoods. The Pokhara Valley Lakes Cluster was listed as a Ramsar Site on February 2, 2021. On the eastern shore of Phewa Lake is Lakeside or Baidam, a thriving resort town with hotels, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops favored by many tourists. Phewa Lake is a wonderful place to relax with numerous recreational activities on and off the water. Boaters often also visit the Taal Barahi Temple dedicated to Ajima or Shakti, situated on a small island in Phewa Lake.
Sarangkot Hill
You can rent a motorbike and ride up to experience stunning vistas and beautiful nature. If you plan to stay overnight, bring a warm sleeping bag. The magnificent Annapurna range can be seen on the northern skyline of Pokhara, with the main peaks being Annapurna I to IV and Machhapuchhre (Fish Tail Mountain) which are truly breathtaking. Alternatively, book a luxurious hotel atop the hill, and the Annapurna view will be in front of your eyes all day for you to enjoy.
Lumbini - Birthplace of Lord Buddha
Along with Bodh Gaya (where Lord Buddha meditated for 49 days), Sarnath (where Lord Buddha first taught), and Kushinagar (where Lord Buddha attained Nirvana), Lumbini is one of the four sacred sites known as the Four Holy Sites of Buddhism.
Lumbini Garden is divided into two areas, the eastern monastery (of Theravada Buddhism) and the western monastery (of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism). Surrounding them are monasteries from many countries such as France, Germany, China, Singapore, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and even a Vietnamese temple led by Master Huyen Dieu. At the center lies the Mayadevi Temple, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
11. Itinerary Suggestions for 10 days exploring Nepal
12. Travel Tips for Nepal
