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Nepal, Once Again: A Journey Close to the Heart

Nepal, Once Again: A Journey Close to the Heart

A Third Time in Nepal

Third time lucky is what many people believe, and that certainly proved true for me in Nepal. My first two visits felt too short for everything. I had planned to experience across the country. However, this time, I was lucky enough to stay in Kathmandu and take my time exploring each attraction. I also spent more time with the city’s inspiring and gentle residents.

Kathmandu or Pokhara?

While Kathmandu offers the perfect mix of shopping, dining, creative art and culture, my previous visits to other parts of Nepal, such as Pokhara, brought more intense and adventure-filled experiences. Therefore, if you love adventure, then head straight to Pokhara after resting a couple of days in Kathmandu.

Moreover, the beautiful mountains and early morning excursions for the best views as the sun rises are experiences that will stay etched in your memory long after the photos have faded. In addition, river rafting on the way to Pokhara is a must, and the cuisine, of course, is wholesome and generally organic from the fields.

Discovering Kathmandu

Meanwhile, exploring Kathmandu is an exciting and intoxicating experience for visitors, with bustling streets, medieval temples, and some of the best hiking and walking trails if you engage a guide and head to the outskirts.

Furthermore, the city has character, with old-charm architecture and intricately carved wooden doors and windows. Lively narrow streets brim with shops dedicated to small yet thriving specialist businesses, filled with different colors, smells, and the sounds of tourists mixed with locals.

The Himalayan Travel Mart

This year, my visit was for the Himalayan Travel Mart, organized with the aim of establishing Nepal as a Gateway to the Himalayas. The event also aimed to establish Nepal as a destination capable of hosting events at an international level. Moreover, the travel mart hosted around 74 buyers from 36 countries and over 50 sellers. The sellers represented the Himalayan Region, Bhutan, India, Tibet, Indonesia, and Nepal.

Kathmandu’s Cultural Treasures

Even if you head to Pokhara, stay at least a few days in Kathmandu and book a sightseeing tour of the city with a visit to Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu Durbar Square). It is an ancient durbar (palace) with its numerous old palaces, temples, and pagodas. In addition, visit the famous Temple of the Living Goddess “Kumari” and the Kasthamandap Temple.

Furthermore, my favorite part of the adventure was visiting a monastery in the mountains and meeting the resident monks. A definite must-visit is the Boudhanath Stupa, an ancient colossal stupa and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Also, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, the Temple of Lord Shiva situated on the bank of the Bagmati River.

Nepal: Views, Monasteries and Meaningful Encounters

Moreover, the excursions take time, but if you want good views, head to Swayambhunath Stupa. It is situated atop a hill from where you can get a bird’s-eye view of Kathmandu Valley. I also enjoyed the views from the Namo Buddha Stupa. It offers a serene ambience ideal for meditation.

In addition, our group visited an orphanage after a visit to a monastery. The orphanage is part of a CSR initiative called Mission Himalaya. It focuses on providing free education and free healthcare to needy children from the remote and under-developed regions of Nepal.

Shopping in Kathmandu

Meanwhile, the many shops and markets offer beautiful gemstones, colorful pashmina shawls, soothing musical instruments, and comfortable yet classic clothes designed to stay trendy for years, especially from the luxury boutiques.

Nepal: A Country Worth Returning To

Finally, it was certainly a delight meeting travel aficionados from all over the world at the Himalayan Travel Mart who are passionate about Nepal and all the country has to offer. Ultimately, Nepal deserves more than one visit to truly appreciate its natural beauty and experience the warmth, generosity, and hospitality of its smiling people.

By: Shereen Shabnam.