Info about Nepal, a beautiful country. Tourism in Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Bandipur, Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Range, etc.). Trekking, Adventure, Rafting, Hiking, Jungle Sarafi, Bird Watching, Mountain Climbing etc. are the features of Nepal.
Nepal is a landlocked country between China and India. The
natural landscape consists of valleys and plains in the south, and the
awe-inspiring Himalayan Mountains in the north.
History
In 1950, Nepal's first road system was built to connect the
city of Kathmandu to the Indian border. As a result, Nepal welcomed
international tourists to explore the region's rich culture and
picturesque Himalayan landscape.
Economic Significance
According to the Encyclopedia of Tourism, in 1983 Nepal's
tourism peaked as the country's leading economic sector by marketing the
Himalayan landscape and the Hindu/Buddhist cultures.
Cultural Tourism Destinations
According to the Nepal Tourism site, Nepal's developed
regions for recreational tourism are the most popular. These
destinations include Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Patan,
Bhaktapur and Janakpur.
Mount Everest
Tourism to the base of Mount Everest is a huge contribution
to the development of Nepal's tourism sector. Tourists wishing to climb
the world's highest mountain must purchase an additional permit for an
additional $25,000 per person, thereby injecting a large amount of
tourism dollars into Nepal's economy.
Trekking
Nepal's diverse geography makes it the perfect place for
trekking of all sorts, from mountain to forest to desert. The most
popular treks in Nepal are the one to the Mount Everest base camp and
those around the Annapurna mountain.
Trekking takes a lot of stamina and requires very good health, since
you must carry a heavy pack, sometimes for days at a time, across very
rough terrain.
Mountaineering
Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, is part of the
famed Himalayan mountain range that frames Nepal. The range is the most
popular tourist destination in the country.
While the Nepalese government encourages mountaineering, it is still
quite expensive. Climbing Mount Everest can cost around $25,000. It
also is much more difficult than trekking, since you must climb steep
slopes covered in snow in high elevations, all while lugging a heavy
pack.
Rafting
Nepal is crisscrossed by many rivers, making rafting another
popular part of tourism. River rafting is done in a rubber raft or a
kayak. The difficulty of the rivers ranges from a rating of 1 for very
easy to 5 for extremely difficult.
Rafting in Nepal is a true natural experience. Rivers run through
canyons and unpopulated forests. Camping is a necessity on any rafting
trip that is more than a day long.
National Parks
For such a small country, Nepal has an abundance of national
parks. There are eight in total, ranging in type from wildlife
preserves featuring tigers, rhinos and many other species of animals, to
mountainous regions, forests, lakes and even traditional villages.
All of these parks welcome tourism, although some are much easier to get to than others.
All parks charge entrance fees.
Permits
Permits are needed for nearly any form of tourism in Nepal.
The permit for trekking must be obtained in the area one wishes to trek.
Mountaineering permits must be obtained a couple of months in advance
and are based on the elevation, the mountain climbed and the number of
people in the climbing party. Permission to climb must be obtained from
the Nepalese government's tourism branch before the permits will be
issued.
Rafting permits must be purchased in Kathmandu. The cost for each river is different, but they all charge per person per day.
Weather
Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring is warm, although
rain is common. Summer is monsoon season with high temperatures and
daily rain, making any outdoor activity difficult. Fall is cool and dry
and very popular among trekkers. Winter is cold with snow in high
elevations; the lower elevations are milder.
