Nepal is a landlocked country, surrounded by India from 3 sides and by China from one Side. Nepal is also a land of Mount Everest and also a birth Place of Gautam Buddha.
Nepal is one of those countries that was never colonized. During war between Gorkha(Nepal) and the East India Company (British) Back in 1814 – 1816 AD, Nepal didn’t gave up and was never colonized, but as the result of the war, Nepal had to sign a Treaty of Sugauli and lost some of Nepal’s territory to British.
It is always a good idea to know few things about the place you are travelling. People often recalls or wishes, if only I had known these and that during the visit and/or wished If only I had known these details when I was in Nepal.
Things You Should Know About Nepal.
Below are top 10 things you should know before visiting Nepal. Please let us know your thoughts.
1. Greeting and Socialization In Nepal – Namaste
Namaste or Namaskar is common and respected way to greet Nepalese people. It gives a warm feel to hear Namaste from foreigner or Tourist. In fact Pure Nepali word to greet is, Namaste instead of Namaskar. Namaste means ‘I Bow To You‘ and it’s common way to greet Nepalese. You might be wondering what to reply back if someone says Namaste to you, it’s simple, reply back with Namaste.
2. Common Food In Nepal, Dal Bhaat
You can find all kinds of dishes ranging from traditional Dal Bhaat to international dishes, But Dal Bhaat is very common among Nepalese and can be found just everywhere in Nepalese restaurants (small to big restaurant). Most Nepalese people don’t use spoon or fork to eat them rather they prefer to eat with their washed hand. Dal Bhaat is basically Rice and Lentils but comes with sides like some vegetables such as potatoes and/or any green vegetables, spicy pickles and papads. You can ask for how spicy or mild you want your food to be served during your order.
3. Birth Place of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini , Nepal
Queen Mahamayadevi was the mother of Siddhartha Gautam, he was born in 563 BC in Lumbini, Nepal. Before Siddhartha Gautam achieved his enlightenment and became Lord Buddha, he was once a prince who left his wife and family in search of enlightenment and became Buddha and that’s how Buddhism came into existence. Buddhism is also Second biggest religion in Nepal. Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha is listed in World Heritage List UNESCO. Among the oldest temples, Mayadevi temple is also one of them and these beautiful monasteries and temples are built and funded by different Buddhist countries like China, Germany, Japan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and has slightly different architecture for prayer areas. Since Lumbini is located in the Terai part of southern Nepal, climate here is mostly warm. For those of you, who want to experience peace and spiritual place, Lumbini, Nepal is your destination.
4. Highest Peak of the World, Mount Everest, Nepal
Out of 10 Highest peak in the world, 2 of them are in Nepal and they are Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. Mount Everest is the Highest Peak in the world and is located in Nepal. The other name of Mount Everest is called Sagarmatha. Height of Mount Everest is 8,848 meter or 29,029 feet from sea level. Mount Everest can be climbed from Tibet as well as from Nepal. Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma. Climbing Mount Everest from Nepal is easier and safer to climb. The first person to climb Mount Everest and reach summit of Mount Everest are Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa from Nepal.
5. Water Safety – Always Stick with Bottle Water
Tap water in Nepal is contaminated and you can easily catch diseases if you drink them, most common disease is Jaundice or Yellow Skin. You should never drink water even if it is severed by your hotel, Always drink bottle water and they can be found in any store.
6. Can’t Climb Mount Everest? Take a Everest Mountain Flight Tour
You want to see Mount Everest but you don’t have courage or you have altitude sickness or you don’t have much time or money or whatever be the reason, but at least you want to see the beauty of Mount Everest. You can easily take Everest Mountain Flight Tour or Everest Helicopter Tour.
Mount Everest Flight Tour is done by Airlines like Buddha Air, Yeti Air, and others but Buddha Air is reliable, good and safe too. Buddha Air takes you from the southwest side of Mount Everest , and turns round in Namche Bazzar. It won’t take you so close to Mount Everest but you will definitely get a chance to take great pictures through the cockpit window, basically over pilot’s shoulder.
You can check Buddha Air Website for the details. Buddha Air: http://www.buddhaair.com/
There are also Helicopter tour to Mount Everest Available like 4 hours Helicopter Tour from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and lands in Lukla, Everest Base Camp.
7. Trekking/Hiking In Nepal- You Need a Buddy
Nepal offers a lots of places for trekking and is actually, the land for Trekking, People from around the world are attracted to Nepal for Trekking and Adventure. But at the same time Trekking in Nepal is very Dangerous, It is advised that you never go Trekking or Hiking by yourself. Always have a Buddy with you in case of Emergency.
8. Bungee Jump, Second Highest High cliff top Jump in the world just above Bhote Kosi River
Bungee Jump from the world’s second Highest Cliff and enjoy the breadth taking beauty. The Last Resort is located less then 3 hours from capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, within 12km of the Nepal-Tibet Border, is famous for High cliff jump just above Bhote Kosi River.
9. Driving on Left Side, And Zebra cross is not safe
Driving in Nepal is on Left Side of the road and traffic is always busy in the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu. You will never reach the destination in time because of huge traffic specially between office hours 8am to 6pm Sunday to Friday. And Safety is something you should take care of yourself. Even Zebra crossing is not safe when it comes to crossing roads. You should watch for traffic from both side and only cross when traffic is clear. One cheat you can do is follow the local people who are crossing and cross with them in the same angle.
10. Thamel, Kathmandu – Popular Place For Tourist And Full Of Night Life
Capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, offers very difference experience during night time. The happening place in Kathmandu is called Thamel, You get to visit exotic places, live music pubs, dance bars and so forth but make sure you are safe. There are lots of places in Thamel where people get robbed or mugged.
