Things to Do in Nepal: From Everest to Chitwan

Nepal packs an astonishing amount into a small country. In a single trip you can stand beneath the world's highest mountains, wander through medieval squares, float above a mountain lake and watch a rhino wade through the grass. Here are eight experiences that belong on every Nepal itinerary.

1. Trek in the Himalayas

Nepal is home to some of the world's most famous trekking routes, with stunning Himalayan views and a chance to experience mountain culture up close.

• Everest Base Camp Trek. The classic. A short, dramatic flight from Kathmandu to Lukla starts the journey, and the trail climbs through Sherpa villages such as Namche Bazaar and past Tengboche Monastery to the foot of the world's highest mountain.
• Annapurna Circuit. A long loop around the Annapurna massif, crossing the Thorong La pass at 5,416 metres. The scenery changes from green terraced fields to high, dry valleys.
• Langtang Valley Trek. Close to Kathmandu and quieter than the big two, with glaciers, yak pastures and Tamang villages.

The main trekking seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November), when skies are clearest. Whichever trek you choose, read up on altitude sickness before you go, and climb slowly.

2. Explore the Kathmandu Valley

Nepal's capital is the gateway for most visitors, and it deserves more than a night on the way to the mountains. The Kathmandu Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with seven monument zones packed with temples, palaces and stupas:

• The three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, each a former royal city with its own palace and carved temples.
• Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa nicknamed the "Monkey Temple", with views across the city.
• Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world.
• Pashupatinath Temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River, one of the most important Hindu temples in the world. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, but visitors can watch its rituals from across the river.
• Changu Narayan, the valley's oldest temple, on a quiet ridge to the east.

Give the valley at least two or three days. The old streets of Bhaktapur and Patan are especially rewarding early in the morning.

3. Paraglide over Pokhara

Pokhara sits beside Phewa Lake in the foothills of the Himalayas, with Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) and the Annapurna range rising behind it. It is Nepal's adventure capital and one of the best places in the world to paraglide. Tandem flights take off from the hill at Sarangkot and circle down towards the lake, so no experience is needed.

Back on the ground, row a boat across Phewa Lake, walk up to the World Peace Pagoda, or watch the sunrise over the mountains from Sarangkot. Pokhara is a short flight or a scenic day's drive from Kathmandu.

4. Go white-water rafting

Rivers fed by Himalayan snowmelt make Nepal one of the best white-water rafting destinations in the world. The Trisuli River is the most popular choice, with Class III and IV rapids, and it sits conveniently along the road between Kathmandu and Pokhara, so a day on the water fits easily into a trip.

For more of a challenge, the Bhote Koshi offers steep, fast rapids close to Kathmandu, while rivers such as the Kali Gandaki and the Sun Koshi make for multi-day expeditions, camping on sandy beaches along the way. The best rafting months are in spring and autumn, before and after the monsoon.

5. Discover Tibetan Buddhism

Nepal is home to a large Tibetan community and many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, which welcome respectful visitors.

• Boudhanath is the heart of Tibetan life in Kathmandu. Join the pilgrims walking clockwise around the great stupa at dusk, past spinning prayer wheels and monasteries.
• Kopan Monastery, on a hill north of Boudhanath, offers courses in Buddhist meditation for beginners.
• Tibetan settlements in Patan and near Pokhara are good places to see traditional carpet weaving and crafts.

When you visit a stupa or monastery, walk clockwise, ask before you photograph monks or ceremonies, and remove your shoes where asked.

6. Go on safari in Chitwan National Park

Down in the subtropical lowlands, Chitwan feels a world away from the mountains. Established in 1973 as Nepal's first national park and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the best places in Asia to see the one-horned rhinoceros. It is also home to Bengal tigers, elephants, sloth bears, gharial crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.

Explore the park on a jeep safari, by canoe along the Rapti River, or on foot with an experienced guide. Two or three nights gives you the best chance of memorable sightings.

7. Visit Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha

In southern Nepal, Lumbini is where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sacred garden holds the Maya Devi Temple, marking the spot of his birth, and an ancient pillar raised by the Emperor Ashoka. Around it, Buddhist countries from across the world have built monasteries in their own architectural styles, so a walk through the monastic zone is a journey across Asia in an afternoon.

8. Take a mountain flight to Everest

Not everyone has the time or legs for a trek. On a clear morning, mountain flights leave Kathmandu for a round trip of about an hour along the Himalayan range, bringing Everest and its neighbouring peaks into view from the window. It is one of the easiest ways to see the world's highest mountain.

Plan your Nepal adventure

Tulip Creation Travels & Tours can arrange the flights, hotels, vehicles and tour packages that tie these experiences together, from domestic flights to Lukla and Pokhara to transport for a Chitwan safari. Request a flight quote or get in touch to start planning your trip.