While most visitors to Nepal head straight into the mountains to trek in the Himalayas, our country has so much more to offer. It’s possible to spend weeks in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara alone, enjoying a nigh-inexhaustible range of activities that will bring you closer to the cultural heart of Nepal. You’ll want to explore the bustling Hindu temples and hilltop Buddhist monasteries ofKathmandu; climb aboard a small canoe to glide across the tranquil waters of Pokhara’s Phewa Lake; and pursue your own spiritual enlightenment with any number of meditation and yoga seminars offered by qualified instructors. Here in Nepal, you’ll find a world of authentic cultural encounters around every corner.
Of course, the first place you’ll visit in Nepal is the capital city of Kathmandu. Most visitors will find themselves overnighting in the tourist district of Thamel, where hundreds of shops and restaurants can be found. There’s no better place to stock up on souvenirs or last-minute trekking supplies while sampling a bit of local cuisine. But Kathmandu is also home to more than 800,000 residents who live and work within the confines of the city—and you’ll want to join their daily pilgrimages to cultural touchstones like the Boudhanath and Swayambhunath stupas; the Pashupatinath temples; and the world-famous Kathmandu Durbar Square. You’ll quickly become enchanted with the way both Buddhist and Hindu cultures comingle here in Nepal’s capital city.
If you’re planning to trek in the Annapurna region—or if you simply want to see Nepal’s second-largest city—you’ll also want to visit Pokhara. Built along the shores of Phewa Lake, this metropolitan hub is home to temples, monasteries, scenic hilltop viewpoints, and many busy markets and shops. One of our favorite things to do in Pokhara is to pile into a little canoe and paddle across the surface of Phewa Lake to reach the Hindu Tal Barahi Temple, which sits on an island in the middle of the lake. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous, you’ll also find opportunities to bungee jump, microlight, and skydive here in Nepal’s adrenaline capital.
While Nepal is primarily a Hindu country, religious freedom is an important part of the country’s cultural fabric. There’s a large Buddhist population here, as well as smaller groups of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, and other faiths. With such a variety of influences, is it any wonder that so many visitors to our country come to acquaint themselves with Nepal’s religious heritage? You might choose to stay overnight in a Buddhist monastery to receive instruction during a short-term retreat. You might visit the banks of the Bagmati river to learn about Hindu cremation traditions. You might even visit a Sikh temple to participate in a large-scale communal meal. Iconic Himalaya Adventure will help you connect with these important cultural experiences.
Of course, yoga and meditation are also important traditions here on the Indian subcontinent. As these practices have gained traction across the world, many visitors have come to Nepal to see how it all began. You can join other like-minded travelers on a multi-day yoga retreat, studying under the tutelage of qualified consultants as you learn to align your body and center your mind. If you don’t have the time or inclination for a formal retreat, you can also practice meditation at any of Nepal’s temples and monasteries, which offer a warm welcome to day visitors.
Even if you do plan to trek in the Himalayas, many of these cultural and adventure activities can be added to either end of your hiking itinerary, making for a well-rounded and comprehensive tour of Nepal.
