Wanderlist: Nepal
The next stop of the tour is taking us to the backpacker haven nestled high in the mountains, the mystical country of Nepal.
Nepal has called to my heart for as long as I remember. As a little girl, I would gather every available pillow in the house, pile them into a mountainous shape, blast the air conditioner, and imagine myself scaling Everest like a weathered sherpa. Over the years, I have become less ambitious but visiting the home of the fabled ‘Yeti’, where prayer flags zigzag the a skyline dominated by majestic mountain ranges has grown no less appealing. And now, with the devastation incurred by the earthquake this past April, the urgency for tourists to revive a suffering economy is absolutely imperative.
“If Nepal doesn’t bring a smile to your face everyday, you’re a lost cause. ” — Jack Witts
Mapping Out The Country
In the aftermath of any natural disaster, planning a trip requires careful planning because of the state-of-affairs on the ground. Some landmarks and whole towns have been reduced to rubble. For the three weeks that we’re there, we’ve engineered a route designed to enjoy the best of Nepal’s culture. Sadly, a trek to Mt. Everest’s base camp was out of the budget this time around but until the next time!
- Kathmandu (3-days with a day trip to Pashupatinath and Boudha)
- Bhaktapur (10-day homestay)
- Bandipur (1-day rest stop)
- Pohkara (4-days sightseeing/relaxing)
- Chitwan National Park (2-day safari)
on the itinerary
Get an intimate look at the lives of rural Nepalese
Volunteering/Homestay
We’ve decided to go the voluntourism route in Nepal. After sifting through a number of expensive volunteering options, we thankfully found the HelpStay option that only will cost $6 a night for full three-meals and a bed in exchange for help reconstructing a fallen temple and some menial garden work. Its advertised as a cultural exchange opportunity which I’m so excited about. HelpStay is driven by the idea of trading help for a place to stay (hence the name). Don’t be detered by the small register of offerings or the annual membership-fee given its a fairly new website with a great mission.
Spend a day or two with monks
Temple Retreat at a Monastery
For the most part, Nepal is a spiritual retreat for the wandering soul. I hope to address my issues with being ‘at peace with oneself’ and recenter my chakra.
See the majestic one-horned rhino
Go on a Safari in Chitwan National Park
Located in the southern most part of Nepal, this ecologically-diverse biosystem is home to the likes of Bengal Tigers, One-Horned Rhinos, and Asian Elephants.
Be festive with a local family
Celebrate Doshain with a Local Family
The longest and largest celebration on the Nepalese calendar, this fifteen-day festival (being held from Oct.15-27) celebrates family and the triumph of good over evil.
Momos are usually filled with buffalo meat
Find the Best ‘Momo’
Locate the best food stand that serves up cheapest and freshest Nepalese equivalent of the dumpling. Try it with yak cheese filling.
See Nepal from a different vantage point
Go UltraGliding in Pokhara
See the World Peace Stupa and Fewa Lake from a new vantage point in a small, lightweight aircraft meant to carry two.
Giving meaningful employment opportunities to the visually impaired
Get a massage at Seeing Hands
A clinic that doubles as a charitable organization trains and employs blind massage therapists in support of equal opportunity for the disabled community in Pokhara.
Press play for a highlight reel of my time in Nepal
