What crosses your mind when you hear Nepal? For most people, it’s the Himalayas and trekking. Nepal is famous for its highest peak and a few other mountains. Every year, Nepal attracts huge number of visitors for an adventurous trekking experience. Trekking is not popular only among international travelers but also among domestic tourists.
But is Nepal only for trekkers? What if you are someone who is not into trekking? Is Nepal worth visiting without trekking? Yes, of course. Nepal is worth visiting without trekking. There are many things to do in Nepal beyond trekking.
In this blog, I will explain what I prefer to do in Nepal, aside from trekking.
Things to Do in Nepal Other Than Trekking
1. Explore the Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley is Nepal’s most developed urban area, with many places to explore. You can visit the popular cities of Kathmandu Valley, including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Kirtipur, and Patan. Each city has its beauty, culture, and tradition.
Bhaktapur has a rich culture and strong traditions, with Newari influence, temples, and museums. Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Dattatraya Square, Nyatapola Temple, Changunarayan Temple, and Sidhha Pokhari are the places you can see in Bhaktapur. You should also try some food there, including laphing, keema noodles, aloo cha, and kulfi.
In Patan, you can visit Patan Durbar Square, the Golden Temple, and the Patan Museum. There is also Pimbahal Pond, which lights up beautifully at night. You must try the local foods and bakery items there.
Kirtipur, an ancient city in Nepal, is famous for its temple and authentic Newari food. There are also popular places like Whoopee Land Amusement Water Park, Manjushree Park, and Taudaha that you should not miss.
2. Visit Religious Sites
Nepal is home to sacred sites. These places are popular not only among locals but also among tourists. Each district has famous temples of its own.
Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Bouddhanath Stupa, Budhanilkantha, Changunarayan, and Dakshinkali are some of the religious places to visit while in Kathmandu Valley.
Manakamana, located in the Gorkha district, is one of the famous temples in Nepal. Just like its name, Man meaning “heart” and Kamana meaning “wishes”, many believe that a visit here will fulfill their wishes.
Muktinath, Janakpur, and Lumbini are some of the sites that are rich in religious landmarks, and you should not miss them.
3. Attend a Local Festival
Nepal is a land of unique festivals, with celebrations happening almost every month. Dashain is the main festival of Nepal, which is celebrated for nearly 15 days in September or October. People celebrate it by putting a tika on their foreheads. This is a unique festival you will see nowhere else.
Tihar, the festival of lights, is the second main festival of Nepal. It is similar to Diwali. Teej is a festival celebrated by women in Nepal. They fast for their husband’s long life, wear red sarees and jewelry, and celebrate with songs and dance. Holi is also one of the festivals celebrated in Nepal, where people shower colors and water on each other.
In addition to this, there are several other festivals like Mahashivaratri, Indra Jatra, Maghe Shankranti, Janai Purnima, Loshar, Buddha Jayanti, and many more.
You should attend these festivals if you want to deeply understand Nepalese traditions.
4. Take a Mountain Flight to Everest
When you are not so fond of trekking, but still wish for a close look at snow-capped peaks, taking a mountain flight to Everest will be an absolutely great choice. Beyond the stunning views of the Himalayas, it’s also a great way to understand the country’s geography.
You can simply book an Everest scenic flight from Kathmandu through any travel agency.
5. Engage in Adventurous Activities
Nepal is known for its adventure and thrilling experiences. You can enjoy various adventurous activities from bungee jumping to ziplining, paragliding, rafting, and many more.
Bungee jumping is available in Kushma or Bote Koshi. While ziplining is available in places like Dhulikhel, Chandragiri, and Pokhara. For paragliding, Pokhara would be a great option.
If you are looking for thrilling white-water rafting, visit Trisuli or Bhote Koshi. Hot air ballooning, stand up paddleboarding, swing, sky cycling, and ATV adventure are getting popular these days in Nepal.
Besides these, you can also go for canyoning, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
6. Experience the Rural Life in a Homestay
If you want to have a closer look at the lifestyle of rural people in Nepal, staying in a homestay is the best thing to do. You will get to live with local people, experience their warm hospitality, eat home-cooked food, and learn about their culture and traditions.
You can find many homestays in beautiful villages like Ghandruk, Bandipur, or Ilam, where you can enjoy mountain views, fresh air, and peaceful surroundings.
7. Taste Nepali Food
Nepal’s cuisine is equally unique as its cultures and landscape. It is one of the best foods in the world.
Dal bhat is the must-try food in Nepal. It is the national dish that people eat regularly. Momo is a Nepali food well-loved by both locals and foreigners.
Thakali khana, a more elaborate version of dal bhat, has also become a popular choice for many Nepalese. You should definitely try this. Some of the unique foods you will only get to taste in Nepal are sekuwa, Newari food, gundruk, dhilo, sel roti, chatpate, chhurpi, gundpak, and titaura.
8. Visit Pokhara – The City of Lake
Pokhara is one of the famous tourist destinations in Nepal. It has everything from stunning lakes and caves to breathtaking mountain views, temples, and beautiful restaurants.
There are many things to do in Pokhara. You can walk on the lakeside in the evening and taste some amazing local food there. Boating in Fewa Lake is a great option too.
Sarangkot is one of the best destinations in Pokhara, which offers you mesmerising sunrise and sunset views. Some of the other places you should not miss in Pokhara are Davis Fall, Pumdikot (Shiva Statue), Peace Stupa, Guptsehwor Mahadev Cave, Bindabasini Temple, and Talbarahi Temple.
If you’re craving an adrenaline rush, Pokhara is perfect for thrilling activities like bungee jumping, paragliding, ziplining, hot air ballooning, and an ATV ride.
Besides this, you can go to Majhikuna to try delicious fish barbeque and also do cafe hopping on the Pame side.
9. Buy Souvenirs
Nepal is widely known for Pashmina shawls, Khukuri knives, Tibetan rugs, and Thangka paintings. Consider buying these things for yourself or to gift someone.
Apart from these, you can also go for Tibetan singing bowl, lokta paper, wood carvings, and brassware. The best place to buy these souvenirs is Thamel. Nepal produces tasty and high-quality tea. You can buy a variety of tea in places like Basantapur and Lazimpat.
10. Discover Lumbini – The Birthplace of Gautam Buddha
Lumbini brings visitors from all around the world. This holy place includes the Ashoka Pillar, which was built by the renowned Indian Emperor Ashoka, and the Mayadevi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Gautam Buddha was born.
You will get to see stunning Buddhist monasteries made by different nations, including Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea, Myanmar, Singapore, and many more.
11. Explore Chitwan
Chitwan offers the perfect vacation experience without the need to trek. It is home to Nepal’s first National Park, Chitwan National Park, where you can go on a jungle safari in a jeep. The guide will lead you throughout the journey, describing the place and every species you encounter.
The most common species you will see there are deer, one-horned rhinos, crocodiles, elephants, and various birds. If you’re lucky enough, you will witness a tiger too. After a tiring jungle safari, watch the Tharu dance and culture in the evening, and take a walk around Sauraha for a refreshing experience.
Another good option is to relax on the Narayani River beach and have some food and drinks. You can also go canoeing on the Rapti River. The thing you should not miss is tasting Chitwan’s famous taas, a spicy fried goat meat dish.
12. Explore Places Near Kathmandu Valley
Just like Kathmandu Valley, the nearby places are equally beautiful. Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are popular spots near Kathmandu. They are known for their amazing viewpoints and luxurious hotels for relaxation.
Besides this, Lakuri Bhanjyang, Chandragiri Hills, Gundu, Phulchowki, and Sundarijal are the destinations you should consider visiting. These are perfect for a one day trip near Kathmandu.
13. Visit Kurintar Beer Garden
To the people who are looking for a relaxed vacation with refreshing drinks, Kurintar Beer Garden, located near the Trishuli River might be a good choice. They serve delicious food and fresh tap beers. The place has a beautiful atmosphere with green surroundings and stunning architecture.
Just next to it is located Yak Brewing Company, where you can witness the beer brewing process. Additionally, there are beautiful resorts in Kurintar that are perfect for a peaceful and relaxing summer getaway.
Conclusion
Nepal is much more than just a place to trek. From uncovering the ancient towns in Kathmandu Valley to beautiful destinations like Pokhara and Chitwan, for an adventurous or luxurious vacation, Nepal has something for everyone.
So, next time when you think about Nepal, please consider that there is so much more to discover beyond just the Himalayas and trekking.
Asmita is a travel enthusiast who enjoys discovering new places, trying local dishes, and finding hidden gems across Nepal. As a writer for Travel Nepal Guides, she shares honest tips and personal experiences to help travelers explore Nepal with confidence.
