Nepalis living abroad are often asked the same question: “Have you been to Everest?” Some answer proudly. Others pause to think. Despite being home to the world’s highest mountain, Nepal remains a place many Nepalis have yet to explore fully.
For Archana KC Rana, senior manager at the Nepal Tourism Board’s Asia-Pacific desk, the question is a reminder that Nepalis should make time to see more of their own country. She believes everyone should visit the Everest region at least once in their lifetime.
“Wherever we go, people associate Nepal with Everest and assume we must have been there,” she says. “So we should see it for ourselves, find out what Everest looks like and where it stands.”
The long Dashain-Tihar holiday offers an opportunity to make that trip. Mid-September to mid-October mark Nepal’s autumn trekking season, when clear skies, mountain views and generally favourable weather draw walkers to the trails. Rather than spending the entire break visiting relatives, Rana suggests using a few days to explore the hills and mountains.
A trek in the Everest region can be more than a holiday for young Nepalis, she says. The journey through Lukla and Namche Bazar offers views of the world’s highest peak as well as an opportunity to learn about Sherpa culture and life in the Himalayas. But it is no easy walk, and travellers need to prepare properly.
Everest is not the only option. The Kanchenjunga region in eastern Nepal can also make for a rewarding autumn trek. For students in particular, Rana says, the journey offers a chance to learn about eastern Nepal’s landscape, tea gardens, local cultures and border regions.
The trip could also take in Sandakpur and Shree Antu. Mustang, with its starkly different geography, desert-like Himalayan landscapes, Thakali culture and distinctive architecture, is another of her recommendations. Such a journey can turn travel into a learning experience for children and young people, she says.
But enthusiasm alone is not enough when heading into the mountains. Rana urges people to check the weather before departure, stay in touch with local guides and tour operators, and keep family and friends informed throughout the journey.
Travellers need not head to high altitudes to experience Nepal’s culture. The Nepal Tourism Board also recommends lesser-known villages in the mid-hills, where visitors can experience local ways of life and the festive atmosphere without undertaking strenuous high-altitude treks.
For those drawn to wildlife and nature, Chitwan, Bardiya, Parsa, Shuklaphanta and Koshi Tappu offer alternatives. Temperatures in Chitwan and Bardiya become more comfortable in autumn, while Koshi Tappu is a popular destination for birdwatching.
Even those staying in the Kathmandu Valley do not have to travel far. The historic palace squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are established attractions, but Rana suggests making time for older settlements and neighbourhoods such as Kirtipur, Bungamati, Khokana, Asan and Mangal Bazaar.
Her advice is to look beyond sightseeing and try to understand the places visited.
“The Kathmandu Valley itself is a living museum,” she says. “Spending an hour or two in a place, learning about its history and culture and talking to local people can make a trip much more rewarding.”
Dashain also marks the start of Nepal’s main trekking season. Mardi Himal, Annapurna Base Camp, Poon Hill, Ghorepani, Mustang, Tilicho Lake, the Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu and Everest Base Camp are among the most popular routes for Nepali travellers, according to Sagar Pandey, president of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN).
But this year, he advises travellers to check the condition of roads and trails before setting off, as floods and landslides have affected some routes.
Altitude requires particular care. With roads now reaching Manang, travellers can gain elevation much faster than before, increasing the risk of altitude sickness if they do not allow their bodies enough time to adjust.
“You should not go straight to a high altitude,” Pandey says. “Start from the lower elevations and trek upwards gradually, allowing your body to acclimatise.”
Driving to the mountains may save time, but beginning a trek at an elevation of 3,000 to 3,500 metres on the same day can be risky, he says.
Weather forecasts and official advisories should also be part of the preparation. “If I am going on a 10-day trip, I need to keep track of the weather and relevant government advisories throughout those 10 days,” Pandey says.
For trips that require a guide or trekking company, he recommends choosing an established operator. Travellers can check a company’s track record, services, reviews and TAAN membership before booking.
Beyond Nepal
For those planning to travel abroad, Southeast Asia remains a popular choice. Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia, along with Dubai, are among the preferred destinations for Nepali travellers, says Rajkumar Devkota, general secretary of the Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents (NATTA).
A four-night, five-day package to Vietnam costs around Rs165,000 to Rs170,000, he says. But travellers should consider visa requirements and costs before settling on a destination. “First, you need to check the visa fee and conditions. Then comes the cost of air tickets,” Devkota says. “You should also learn about the local culture.”
Rules and protocols vary by destination, making it important to research local requirements before travelling. Travel industry representatives say international airfares are at least 30 percent more expensive than last year. They advise travellers to compare ticket and package prices and book early.
International airlines have also introduced Dashain promotions to attract Nepali travellers. Qatar Airways has launched a Dashain-themed promotional offer in Nepal for the first time. Tickets can be purchased from October 7 to 22 for travel between October 10 and March 31 next year, the airline says. The offer applies to both economy and premium cabins, with discounts of up to 25 percent depending on the destination.
Sharik Bogati, Qatar Airways’ country manager for Nepal, says the promotion is intended to reflect Nepali culture while helping promote the country.
“We wanted to showcase Nepali culture and promote Nepal,” he says. “Dashain is a time when people start thinking about travel. Because the visa application process and other arrangements take time, we wanted people to use the festive period to plan their trips.”
The offer does not require passengers to travel during Dashain itself. Travellers can buy tickets during the promotional period and fly by March 31, the airline says. Nepalis living abroad, as well as foreign nationals and non-resident Nepalis planning to visit the country, can also purchase tickets.
Cathay Pacific offered discounts of 6 to 10 percent, depending on the destination, during the festival. The promotion covered Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Canada, the United States, South Korea, China and the United Kingdom, says Juneu Maleku, the airline’s country manager for Nepal.
The Dashain-Tihar period is an important sales season for international airlines. Nepalis living abroad return home to celebrate with their families, while others travel overseas to visit relatives. This year’s extended holiday offers travellers plenty of choices, both within Nepal and beyond its borders.
For some, that could mean taking the trail towards Everest to see the world’s highest peak. For others, it could be an exploration of Mustang’s unusual landscape and culture. But wherever they go, the same rule applies: a longer holiday is no reason to rush into a trip.
Travellers should check their destination, weather conditions, road and trail access, visas, tickets, accommodation and local rules before setting out.
And the next time someone abroad asks whether they have seen Everest, the holiday may give more Nepalis a chance to say yes.