NEPAL

TRAVEL IN NEPAL

Himalayan views, spiritual sites, charming villages and medieval cities - Nepal is an adventurer’s playground. Trekkers, pilgrims, mountain bikers and history buffs will all find their personal paradise here. The only problem is trying to fit everything in.

FAST FACTS
Language: Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Newar
Currency: Nepalese rupee
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to travel to Nepal.
Dialling Code: +977
Time Zone: (GMT+05:45)

ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.
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Fly past Mount Everest
if you don’t fancy trekking

Want to experience the majestic might of Mt. Everest but don’t fancy one of the most challenging treks in the world? Here’s the answer. Yes, you can fly over the Himalayas, soaking up views of 29,000 feet Everest, as your pilot tells you all about the spiritual significance of each Himalayan peak. You'll never forget panoramas like these.
Admire temples of Kathmandu

Kathmandu and its surrounding valley are home to a gobsmacking amount of sacred temples. From the magnificent architecture of Pashupatinath to the world-famous Tibetan Buddhist site of Bodhnath Stupa, temple-hoppers and culture-vultures will be in heaven in this valley.
Go paragliding in Pokhara

The best views of Nepal are, of course, from way up high in the sky, which is why paragliding is such a popular pastime here. Pokhara is one of the best paragliding locations in the world, where you can soar over the valley, its lake and forestlands in tandem with a skilled pilot. It’s affordable, too.
Enjoy a jungle safari in Chitwan National Park

In the lowlands of central Nepal you’ll find Chitwan National Park, a biodiverse haven for rare animals such as the Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhino. Take a jungle safari and you can spot these majestic beasts alongside elephants, thousands of brilliantly bright birds, crocs and deer.
Immerse into the local culture with a Panauti Homestay

A Panauti Homestay is the perfect way to experience the warm hospitality of the Nepalese people, where you can meet local families, uncover their traditions and enjoy some of the delicious local food.
Visit the birthplace of Buddha

Buddha was famously born in the beautiful gardens of Lumbini, which is now a site of a grand pilgrimage site. A pillar on the site bears an inscription dating from 249 BC, testifying it as a holy place of Buddha’s birth. The archeological remains on the cliff remain a vital part of the pilgrimage centre.

Things to do in Nepal

Nepal is packed with adventures over every horizon. Here are some of our favourites:

Dashain and Tihar
The festival of lights falls during autumn and is the second biggest festival in Nepal. During this period the locals worship the goddess of wealth, Laxi, and Nepal lights up as they adorn their houses with candles and oil lamps.
Buddha Jayanti
This joyous festival is to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. Stupas and shrines begin at dawn and continue into the late evening. Devotees and pilgrims dress all in white and offer shrines of food, flowers, fruit and candles.
Holi
Holi, also known as Festival of Colors, is one of the most popular festivals in Nepal. It takes place on the full moon day in Nepali Fagu month, when revellers throw dry powder and colored water pretty much everywhere, to express blessings and good wishes.
Gai Jatra
This Hindu festival involves a procession that journeys across urban areas to present devotion to loved ones. The people involved in this procession give out small packets with fruits, sweets, oats and other food items.
Janai Purnima
Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival that takes place all over Nepal, often celebrated with large feasts and pilgrimages to numerous Shiva temples across the country.

Top 5 Festivals in Nepal

Nepal is a richly spiritual nation, which is reflected in its vibrant hindu and buddhist festivals.

Momo
A traditional steamed dumpling with an array of fillings, Momo is a Nepalese delicacy that’s enjoyed across the country.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Yangling Tibetan restaurant, Kaldhara Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal}
Dal Bhat
Daal Baati is a specialty of Rajasthani cuisine and is formed from flour, salt and ghee before being dipped in tandoor and dipped in delicious lentil dal, another Nepalese speciality.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Thakali Kitchen, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal}
Thukpa
This Tibetan noodle soup is cooked with chilli powder and masala and is a rich, sizzling broth that has a strong curry flavour.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Yangling Tibetan restaurant, Kaldhara Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal}
Pilaf
Pilaf is a pilau rice dish cooked with a flavourful broth and vegetables and meat for a quick but filling and moreish one-pot meal.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Thakali Kitchen, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal}
Curry
Nepal is home to delicious curries, like Kathmandu Kukhura, a Boneless tandoori chicken curry cooked in mild masala sauce that is readily found in the capital.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Rosemary Kitchen, Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44601, Nepal}

Food in Nepal

Nepalese food is as flavourful and intoxicating as you’d expect for a country that borders India. Here are some of the country’s best dishes

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