I have done a fair amount of trekking in Nepal, from the blue waters of Lake Rara to the beauty of the Annapurnas and the heights of the Kumbu region. Once I had been to the obligatory “tourist areas”, I was searching for more remote places. In my research I

When we arrived at our homestay in Patan, our host-mom greeted us with a smile and a gentle handshake as we said “Namaste.” We protested against her helping us with our bags, but she just smiled and said, “Nepali women are strong!” I laughed as she led us through her

Though I have visited Muktinath twice–once crossing from the Thorong La and another walking from Beni–I did not fully grasp the significance of this place until a friend proudly posted photos of himself there: “A life dream,” he had written. I knew I needed to learn more. Muktinath (3,710 meters)

At 2,800 metres above sea level, Kagbeni is a treasure of a village, and the essential gateway to Upper Mustang. Without a special permit, foreign visitors aren’t allowed to venture much beyond this once-fortressed post. Ruins still surround the settlement, and the homes that are packed from mud and stacked

The Langtang region is easily accessible from Kathmandu, and offers an amazing combination of beautiful mountain landscapes and Tamang and Tibetan culture. One great route combines the trek up the Langtang Valley with a trip to the famous pilgrimage site of Gosaikunda Lake. There are teahouses the full length of

Nepal is famous for its many treks that can last for weeks or even months. Naturally, this means that trekkers will spend many nights on the trail and need to prepare ahead for accommodation. On popular trekking routes, teahouses are common and make food and accommodation logistics easy. In the

The Himalayas conjure images of myth and mysticism. If one place were to embody all of this, that place would be Manang. Perched into cliffs rising 3518 metres above sea level, Manang is set north of the Annapurna Range. A winding, treacherous road leads into the settlement, a path once

Bungamati is an historical village in the south of the Kathmandu Valley. It is easily accessible from Patan by bus (from Lagankel bus station), taxi, or even by walking or bicycle. You cross the Ring Road and follow the main road through Nakkhu and Baisepati. For those with more time

“Mum, look, there is a yak!” My daughter comes running back towards me after she had already turned the next corner of the trek that is winding its way through the mountains. She had wanted to see a yak since we started this trek, so this moment is super exciting.

We travel to be surprised and delighted, yet also to find pieces of ourselves we may have lost somewhere along the way. Marpha is one of those places where we can do this, an oasis of magic and history that will allure visitors time and again with tokens of an

Alcoholic drinks have long been incorporated into ceremonies and celebrations throughout Nepal. The best and strongest alcohols are often homemade, and Nepal has plenty to offer. In mountain regions, raksi warms cold nights while chhyang marks harvest seasons within Newari communities. With festival season approaching, alcohol will be poured freely.

There are many reasons people choose to visit the Everest region of Nepal. The Everest Three High Passes Trek is one of the classic treks there. Many trekkers make it their mission to cross the infamous ‘high passes’ in addition to reaching Everest Base Camp. Stunning and unparalleled mountain views, including the

The next time you walk around the alleys of the Kathmandu Valley in the early morning, keep an eye out for a ubiquitous item of clothing for Nepali womenfolk. Both the Nepali topi (cap) worn by men and the shawls typically worn by many Nepali women are made of a

General Gillespie was as seasoned an officer as could be found anywhere in the great British Army. Thus, when in 1814 General Gillespie set out to conquer Nepal, that small mountainous country neighboring Hindustan, it wasn’t such a big deal. Or at least that’s what must have gone through the

Despite being a naturally and culturally very beautiful country, Bhutan does not yet have any UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, eight sites appear on the ‘Tentative List’, which means that a number of criteria need to be met before they can become fully fledged World Heritage Sites. Here’s a look

Along with trekking, rafting and the high-altitude lakes, visiting the monasteries of Ladakh is a highlight of any visit. There are monasteries perched upon every second craggy hill, it seems, but some of them are more visit-worthy than others. There are two main monastery circuits that visitors to Ladakh take—to