1. Trekking the Himalayas

Nepal is perhaps the country with the most breathtaking treks in the world. Wherever you decide to hike in the Himalayas, the gigantic pyramid-shaped peaks stand imposingly as a backdrop. Nepal’s most popular regions for trekking are the Langtang Valley, the Annapurna Conservation Area, and the Sagarmatha National Park (where Everest is located). Many other less popular, remoter areas such as Nepal’s Far West, Mustang, or Dolpo, are a good choice if you want to trek away from the tourist crowds.

The duration of the treks varies widely as they may last from a few days to one week, two weeks, or even a whole month. Whatever you choose, keep in mind you also need to have a moderate physical condition and acclimatize gradually during the ascent. If you don’t have time for a multi-day trek, the Kathmandu Valley features day-hikes in the surroundings of Kathmandu. When the monsoon is over, you’ll be lucky and see the serrated ridge of the Himalayas even from Kathmandu.

2. Sightseeing

If you are a passionate trekker and are traveling to Nepal only for that, then maybe you could consider at least visiting some of the UNESCO listed sights in Nepal. Kathmandu has seven world heritage sites within the city and surrounding area—Durbar Square, Swayambunath Stupa, Bodnath Tibetan community, Pashupatinath Hindu Temple, Patan and Bhaktapur medieval towns, and the temple of Changu Narayan. In addition, despite being a bit far from Kathmandu, Lumbini is, according to Buddhist tradition, the Birthplace of Gautama Buddha and the most sacred place of Nepal. Also, Pokhara is the second biggest tourist town in the country and sits at the foot of the Himalayas.

While wandering around Nepal for two months, I couldn’t help but explore all of the above-mentioned sites of great cultural value. However, the smaller, remoter, and hidden gems impressed me more. Most of the times, I was the only traveler there. The small medieval town of Bandipur has wooden houses, Hindu temples, and red flowers in front of the windows. Gorkha is a pilgrimage place where locals hike to sacrifice a goat or chicken to one of their goddesses called Khali. Kirtipur and Chobar are two villages tucked in the Kathmandu Valley and venturing there will mean you’ll witness the Nepalese countryside lifestyle.

3. Biking

Biking may not be as popular as trekking in Nepal but there are plenty of steep, challenging descends that might be a thrilling experience for a passionate rider. Sometimes it makes more sense to rent a bike and explore the villages near Kathmandu instead of taking a crowded bus. The Kathmandu Valley has a few routes, among which the loop via Nagarkot and Namobuddha passes cultural sights while offering views of the Himalayas too. Near Pokhara, a bike trail leaves from the Lakeside neighborhood and goes up to Sarangkot, one of the best Himalayan viewpoints. Bike rentals are available in many places but you will have to pay attention to the chaotic traffic if you leave or enter bigger towns.

4. Jungle Walking

The most popular places where you can experience jungle walking in Nepal is Chitwan National Park or Bardia National Park. Closer to Kathmandu, Chitwan has a rich wildlife. If you are heading there, you will have the opportunity to see elephants, crocodiles, rhinos, and tigers. The small village of Sauraha is the base camp for many day-trips into the nearby jungle. Consider yourself lucky if you see a tiger during your jungle walk because most of the time they hunt at night. Even when we saw fresh tiger footprints in the jungle, we waited in total silence for one hour, but the tiger never showed up.

5. Meditation Retreats

Nepal features a syncretistic blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. You will see people worshiping at a Hindu temple and the next day, the same people walking around the Buddhist stupas and spinning prayer wheels. Usually, visitors are forbidden to enter the Hindu temples but the Buddhist monasteries are more open to travelers. They welcome whoever wants to learn more about Buddhism.

The birthplace of the Buddha, Lumbini has a huge religious significance and pilgrims come to worship at the temple built to commemorate this. A whole range of monasteries have been constructed in town and that offer a broad selection of monastery retreats to choose from.

During my stay in Nepal, I went to some of the monasteries in Lumbini but eventually, I chose to stay at the Kopan Monastery, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. There, I took part in an Introductory Buddhism Course and learned the basics of Buddhism. While I haven’t chosen to continue this spiritual path, I am grateful for the experience.

6. Rafting & Kayaking

If you travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, it’s impossible not to notice the many rafting camps set up along the Trisuli River. These are the best choice if you are looking for an introduction to rafting on a budget. The river has world-class rapids made for white-water rafting and if you venture during the monsoon, you might experience wild waters too. Several other rivers such as Bhote Kosi, Upper Sun Kosi, and Seti Khola offer good alternatives for raft trips and camping overnight in a unique setting.

7. Shopping

Maybe you don’t equate traveling to Nepal with shopping. I assure you though, once you will get to Thamel (the touristy neighborhood of Kathmandu), it will be impossible to not buy mountain gear and all sorts of Asian products at a fairly good price. The other two big touristy towns of Nepal, Pokhara and Patan also are home to a wide range of shops. I enjoyed most of Patan’s fair-trade local shops, where I bought a top—a dress that Nepalese women wear over their trousers.

8. Cooking Classes

Dal bhat (steamed rice dressed with cooked spicy lentil soup), momos (steamed dumplings), and chowimen (noodles with meat, onion, and celery) are only a few—but the most popular—dishes in Nepal. However, taking part in a cooking class might help you better understand what ingredients are used to cook those spicy sauces and why. For example, Panauti small village has developed a community homestay project. This way, it is possible to stay in traditional houses overnight while also learning how to cook local dishes directly from Nepalese women.

Ready to start traveling to Nepal? It’s well worth it!

Suggested next reading: Hiking Into The Clouds With The Hill Tribes Of Northern Vietnam

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Villarrica Volcano

Villarrica is breathtaking and looms large over Pucón, but is considered to be one of Chile’s most active volcanoes. The volcano’s activity is monitored and there are daily reports made by the national park. If they deem it too dangerous to climb due to activity or poor weather such as a rain or snowstorm, no tours are allowed to operate. It last erupted in March of 2015 so the risk of it happening again is very possible, but makes climbing the volcano that much more thrilling. It is not possible to climb it on your own so you must go with a licensed guide. In town, it is easy to find tour operators and they all offer the same thing. It all comes down to price and who you feel the most comfortable with. In peak season, groups fill up fast so if you know you are going to be in the area during a certain month, book ahead of time to save yourself any frustration that may arise from waiting last minute. The hike is no joke (you’ll be feeling sore the next day) and you’ll be equipped with all of the necessary equipment to get to the top. The hike up takes about four hours while the way down, which you sled for a good section of it, takes only 45 minutes. Getting to the top and seeing the lava bubbling up was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in my life, and so if you ever find yourself in Chile, hiking Villarrica Volcano is a can’t miss adventure.

Winter Activities

While hiking Villarrica is thrilling, can you imagine skiing down the volcano? Pucón is Chile’s cold weather adventure destination. It’s well known to all Chileans. That can be done during the winter months, May to August. The skiing and snowboarding are considered to be some of the best in Chile and South Americans come from all over the continent to ski and snowboard in Pucón. It’s the go-to place for winter activities in South America. If you really want to have a unique experience, you can try your hand at dog-sledding. While dog-sledding may be associated with Alaska and other freezing Arctic regions, you’ll find the practice alive and well in Pucón. Of course, if you need a spa day from all of those cold weather activities, that can easily be accomplished in any local spa, which Pucón has many to choose from within the city center and its outskirts. It’s hard to beat a nice, warm sauna session while overlooking Villarrica Volcano.

Summer Activities

It is only within the last few years that Pucón has been known as a warm-weather destination, thanks to the marketing done by Chile’s tourism department. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can hike a snow-rich volcano in the morning and be lounging on the black sand beach and taking a jet-ski out for a spin in the afternoon. That’s a hard combination to beat when you have the best of both worlds. One of the most well-known summer activities in Pucón is river rafting, some of the best in the country. The guides that navigate these dangerous waters are some of the most experienced and well respected in the world. They even work the offseason in the US, Canada, and other countries around the world. The Trancura River rafting is the most intense and is the most popular among visitors. The lower Trancura River has Grade III rapids which are perfect for beginners. The higher part of the river, however, is another story. It contains Grade V and even Grade VI rapids. These are expert level rapids and should only be attempted under the direct supervision of professional guides. If you are looking for a more relaxed experience, head to the Termas Geometricas. The natural hot springs situated about an hour from Pucón is well worth the trip if you are looking for complete relaxation. The Japanese inspired hot springs are tucked away in the forest and there are 17 pools in total at the spa. The hot springs are a maze to navigate, but that’s part of the appeal of getting lost in the experience. Finally, a fun experience in Pucón is to horseback ride to a hidden waterfall in the forest with a local guide. The waterfall is a 20-minute ride into the forest but is breathtaking once you arrive and see how massive it is. It’s hard to fit in all of the activities in Pucón with this much to do.

Delicious Food

Pucón is a resort town which attracts people from all over the world that want to try local Chilean food. Surprisingly, for such a small town, Pucón’s food scene is well worth taking a bite out of. A local treat that must be had is the trout. The rivers all around the town are filled with trout and it is a favorite food of locals, found in pretty much every restaurant. You may never have fresher fish in your life! Another must-try food is the Chilean empanadas. They are portable so often times they are a great food for hikes. Try the ones stuffed with cheese and shrimp. They are to die for! Finally, you can’t miss trying Choripan. It is a simple sandwich that consists only of sausage and bread, but its flavor packs quite the punch. Other countries in South America may be more well known for their food, but Chilean dishes are nothing to sleep on and are well worth trying as you visit Pucón.

Suggested next reading: 7 Unique South American Dishes You Definitely Have To Try

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