Experiencing Nepal: A Land Hidden in the Himalayas

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To learn more about tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn
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Nestled amidst the Himalayas and steeped in both Hindu and Tibetan cultures, Nepal has always lured all adventure seekers. The capital of Kathmandu offers stunning ancient architecture, colorful vibrant bazaars and the lovely valley of Pokhara surrounded by the majestic Annapurnas.

Between Tibet and India, and steeped in both Hindu and Tibetan cultures, Nepal is also where the icy mountains meet tropical jungles – a land of culture and adventure, stupas and sherpas, and for hikers, some of the best trekking in the world. 

Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley offers stunning ancient architecture, religious heritage sites, and colorful vibrant bazaars. Highlights include Durbar Square, with its architectural monuments, Swayambhunath, a cultural icon of Nepal, Pashupatinath, a Hindu temple and Bodnath, one of the world’s largest Tibetan stupas.

The highlight for me, however, was Bhaktapur, a medieval city in Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur is a UNESCO site due to its rich culture, temples, wood, metal and stone artwork. Wandering through small alleyways that connect to temples, courtyards, big squares and shrines was like walking through a living museum of Nepal’s best craftsmanship. I went to wood workshops to see carvers at work making traditional intricate carvings. I went to a Thanka school to learn the many steps to crafting an intricate traditional Tibetan painting. On the streets, I saw potters throw their wares into traditional mud stoves. Sights were aplenty, from locals lining up to collect water at communal water taps to pottery being laid out to dry and old women weaving under shades gazebos. Of course, there were a lot of temples in sight, but it was the local everyday life that interested me.

Pokhara
For mountain lovers and adventure seekers, Nepal is the ultimate destination, home to the Himalayas and Everest.

I stayed at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, a hill-top retreat with cabins, guides, and an organic farm. I trekked around the surrounding area with my private guide. While the snow-capped mountains are magnificent, trekking in Nepal is not just about this. On my treks, my local guide knew everyone. We were often joined by children curious to know where I was from and keen to practice their English. They loved playing with our binoculars. We talked to elderly women hacking tree branches in patches of forest. We chatted up newly-wedded teenagers, married young so that the son could provide for his elderly parents and younger siblings. Eventually, our trail led us to a village populated by Gurung people, one of the ethnic groups in Nepal. The Gurungs provide most of the Gurkas for the British, Nepalese and Indian armies. They are fearless warriors, with only a khukuri (a Nepalese curved knife) to defend themselves. Once they take out the knife, it must draw blood. I learnt from my hikes that the majority of Nepalese live in mountain villages without access to paved roads and running water. They walk to markets, to the communal water taps, to schools, to their farms. Hiking in Nepal means walking amongst the locals and experiencing their ancient way of life.

Would I visit Nepal again? Absolutely, if nothing more than to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and get back to basics and enjoy the simple things in life.

For more information on this tour, please see: Six Days Kathmandu and Pokhara

To learn more about Country Holidays' tours and packages, please email beijing@countryholidays.com.cn, call 8587 9263, or log onto www.countryholidays.com.cn.

Written by: Bonnie Chao
Photos: Courtesy of Country Holidays