Nepal is a country that is famous over the world for its stunning cuisine, rich cultural heritage, and natural beauty that goes beyond comparison. Whether you are visiting Nepal for the first time or returning to absorb more of the multitude of pleasures that this area has to offer, your experience can be deeply enriched by taking advantage of the generous knowledge and unique insights that are available to travelers through local tours that are led by actual citizens. In contrast to simply exploring without any real destination or using faceless travel agencies, local guided tours can bring history to life in ways that no one else can due to the fact that it is part of their heritage.

In addition to the advantage of exploring new areas with the help of a local guide, touring packages that are reserved in advance allow travelers to take care of the majority of their expenses upfront. This benefit allows them to concentrate on what really matter as they travel. Withlocals.com is a wonderful example of the types of experiences that deeply engage visitors in the history and culture of this region. When engaged in one of these tours, travelers will have the chance to take the mountainbike up to Kathmandu Valley, take a pilgrimage tour or experience the local Balkamari Jatra festival. There are outings that include spending time with local artists and artisans as well.

People whose taste buds are at the forefront of their minds will delight in taking a culinary tour of Nepal. Tours that focus on the exquisite and varied flavors of these eastern dishes are designed for the independent travelers who wishes to gain real insight into how life plays out on a daily basis in the area in addition to what role amazing food takes on in this context. Many of the tours that are facilitated by local citizens can also include cooking classes, allowing people to have a hands-on experience with the richness of the cuisine. There is also the opportunity to take treks through the beautiful countryside where the dishes are prominent. These experiences easily add adventure to holiday that seasoned with opportunity. Many of the culinary tours are run by local chefs, couples, or individuals who make the food that sustains them one of their main passions in life. Allowing them to share these things creates an unforgettable experience.

Take a mountainbike tour in Kathmandu Valley

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In addition to early sophisticated urban planning, the Newar people of Nepal are known for their excellent, distinct cuisine which is very much linked to their culture. In fact, sampling different Nepalese dishes is a great way to discover the lifestyle of many Nepali people. Dishes vary by region, the religious practices of the people, […]]]>

In addition to early sophisticated urban planning, the Newar people of Nepal are known for their excellent, distinct cuisine which is very much linked to their culture. In fact, sampling different Nepalese dishes is a great way to discover the lifestyle of many Nepali people. Dishes vary by region, the religious practices of the people, and geography. Some entrées are extremely spicy while others are less so but still flavourful. Culinary tours are not uncommon among tourists with adventurous palates and cultural curiosity.

Regional Influences On Nepal’s Cuisine
Over 80 percent of Nepali land is dedicated to agricultural pursuits so fruits, vegetables, and some dairy products are plentifully used in dishes throughout the country. However, points of distinction begin with geographical and regional differences. Nepali people who live by rivers and other bodies of water usually incorporate fresh fish into their meals. Also, heavy immigration by northern Indians add complex spices to Nepali cuisine that are similar to Indian dishes of that region. Since the Nepali land is fertile, their Indian neighbours find it easy enough to cultivate the herbs, spices, and vegetables needed to create culinary marvels similar to India’s “palak paneer”, “chana masala”, and other curry dishes. The spice factor is dialed down a bit when visiting Himalayan regions occupied by Tibetan and Sherpa people; their hearty food is best suited for the mountainous region in which they dwell and is quite a bit tamer on the tongue than the spicier Northern Indian fare.

Diet and Religion
Some ancient Nepali people practised Buddhism, and although the common people did not apply a distinguishing diet to their lifestyles, Buddhist monks famously restricted theirs sometimes to eating wild herbs grown in the mountainous regions where they stationed themselves to meditate. Indians introduced Hinduism to the Nepali culture years after Buddhism was established, and Hindu diets varied based upon one’s caste system level. For example, people of lower Hindu caste considered pork a staple of their diet while higher caste members will not eat pork and sometimes are vegetarians. In truth, the people of higher caste typically owned the prime farm land that was suitable for fruit and vegetable cultivation. A common thread among Hindus is their abstinence from eating beef; they like some of the ancient Biblical cultures honoured cows and calves as part of their religious practices so eating these creatures are prohibited.

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Besides breathtaking scenery and flavourful cuisine, Nepal is home to some of the most popular mountain climbing and trekking sites in the world. The legendary Mt Everest is near, and the site draws tourists, amateur climbers, and professional mountaineers from all over the world. Tourists desiring to go trekking in the Himalayas often employ Sherpa guides to conduct them on their journey. These guides also know all of the rules, regulations, and permit fees associated with trekking trips in that region.

Respecting The World’s Rooftop
The Himalayan mountain range is often known as the rooftop of the world, and the range contains some of the most spectacular peaks known to the mountaineering community. Because Nepal, Tibet, and India have freely embraced tourism in their respective countries, traffic to the Himalayan mountains has increased drastically over the years. The influx of heavier tourist traffic makes it hard for Nepal’s and its neighbours’ governments to protect this world-famous site for future adventurers.

Practice Not Leaving A Trace
Although many amateur and professional mountaineers are environmentally responsible and aware, some tourists do not know or value the “leave no trace” rule of the wilderness. Just as if someone were hiding from an enemy and wanted to leave no identifying items lying around, so should tourists enjoying the Himalayan region be vigilant about leaving no rubbish in the parks or wilderness areas. Recently, the area caretakers noted a significant increase in rubbish left in the beautiful mountain range by unmindful tourists. Also, the remote location makes it difficult for culprits to be identified, reprimanded, or fined for violating rules regarding rubbish dumping. The best way to combat this issue is through education and environmental awareness.

Obtaining Proper Permits And Insurance
Mountain climbing is an adventure sport not without an element of danger. Although knowledgeable Sherpa guides and modern equipment take some of the risks from mountain trekking, dangers still exist for inexperienced climbers. For this reason, most governments require climbers to obtain a permit before entering their borders for climbing purposes. The permit serves several purposes. It allows officials to recognise that a group is conducting a climb within their borders. It also lets officials charge an entrance fee that is sometimes used to offset fees for emergency rescue of climbers who become injured or stuck somehow attempting to ascend peaks. Some officials also require climbing parties to obtain insurance depending on the climbing destination; this insurance is used for emergency rescue services.

Whether one is taking a culinary tour or simply shopping at one of the bazaars, there are a myriad of ways to get around the country. Ordinary modes of travel like taxis are everywhere and culturally unique ones like rickshaws are also on hand. Because the cost of living in the country remains low, getting around Nepal is relatively inexpensive compared to Western countries and other developed nations. Nepal is considered a very poor country so tourists who utilize local Nepali transportation help promote the living standards of the Nepali people. However, travellers who do not want to go to the poor house upon leaving Nepal are sure to pack their negotiation skills with them.

Obtaining A Nepali Taxi
One of the most popular types of transportation for travellers to Nepal is a small taxi that awaits tourist as soon as they leave the airport. The actual taxi rates are reasonable when travelling to and from the airport, but drivers inflate the prices so tourists must be ready to haggle. The Nepalese motto is to charge as much as the tourist market will bear, but prices come back down to earth once the merchants realize that many tourists will not bear ridiculously high fees. The average cost of a taxi from the airport to most of the surrounding cities is 300 rupees. The small taxis fit two to three people comfortably with luggage, and larger vans are available at a higher price point for parties with more than three people.

Utilizing Culturally Unique Rickshaws
Rickshaws are definitely unique to the region of Nepal and India and a great way to get around Nepalese cities. The local rickshaw operators are of course very familiar with all the tourist attractions, best restaurants, and shopping destinations in Nepal. Since rickshaws are manually controlled, rickshaw operators are naturally incentivized to bring travellers to their journey in an expeditious manner. At an average fare of 70 rupees, rickshaws are less expensive than a taxi while providing more privacy than a bus ride. Additionally, travelling by rickshaw affords tourists the ability to see many of the Nepali sights up close and personal.

Caravan Buses Perfect For Tight Budgets
The most widely used form of transportation for tourists and locals alike has to be the crowded Nepali buses. This form of transportation lacks privacy and is inconvenient to some who are pressed for time, but it is the least expensive of all transportation in Nepal at an average price of 20 rupees.

Preparing for one’s first or 50th trip to Nepal is very exciting as one anticipates all there is to do and see in the country. There are some logistical hurdles that one must accomplish prior to visiting the country, but they are easily passed with the right planning, organization, and foresight. Some items of interest to Nepal travellers include obtaining proper travel papers, packing the right gear, and understanding safety precautions specific to Nepal.

Obtaining A Travel Visa
Depending on one’s home country, a visit to Nepal only involves obtaining a tourist visa upon arrival; there are nearly a dozen countries that do not fit this category according to Nepali standards. Travellers desiring a tourist visa upon arrival obtain them at one of Nepal’s eight convenient locations surrounding its border. Tourist also need a recent picture in addition to the one on their passport. The price of the tourist visa depends on the expected length of stay, and a visa may extend to 150 days. Unlike many countries, tourist visas issued by the Nepalese government support multiple entries so visitors may tour neighbouring countries and come back to finish touring Nepal whenever they desire up to the length of days allotted by their visa.

What To Pack When Visiting Nepal
Packing in Nepal depends largely on the activities planned for one’s group. Popular outdoor attractions include trekking, participating in jungle safaris, and river rafting. Those who enjoy these particular activities should pack light but bring the following.

• A set of quick dry clothing articles
• Sturdy trekking shoes
• Talk with a naturopathic doctor about disease prevention when touring Nepal
• Clothing that may be layered for alternately hot and colder climate changes
• A good camera

Nepal is developed enough and inexpensive enough for travellers to pack light, purchase many necessities upon arrival, and not break one’s budget needed for an enjoyable stay there.