Possibilities of Tourism in Nepal
Starting from as low as 59 meters and elevating up to 8848 meters, Nepal has a vast topographic diversion within this limit. Nepal is a country naturally serene and culturally enriched.
From people who like to plunge into the wilderness to people who seek adventure, Nepal acts as the best tourism destination. That is why Nepal was voted as one of the favorite destinations to travel in 2014 and Manang and Mustang were listed as a favorite travel destination to visit during 2015.
The history of Nepal dates back when the Kirant kingdom was recognized as the first kingdom in 800 BS. However, the history of Nepal started way before 800 BS. and the discovery of serene landscapes started from there.
A multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and multi-religious country with geographic variations, it is sure that Nepal has a lot to offer when it is about tourism.
Here in Nepal, you can explore and find your soul as they say but unraveling the limits within is a sure-shot while traveling in Nepal.
Nepal has many places little known to the world. But when foreigners arrive here in Nepal, they are bound to heap the praise about the natural beauty and cultural diversity of Nepal.
Every one of the foreigners who visit wishes to visit Nepal again albeit some woes while in the country.
It is the sheer diversity Nepal boasts sitting in the lap of the world’s highest peak and rearing some of the world’s most endangered flora and fauna. From the steamy jungle to the fast-flowing rivers and some of the highest icy peaks, these are the places on would vie for after traveling many countries.
Rafting in the fast-flowing rivers and mountaineering to the peaks are adrenaline junkies cup of tea while trekking for almost a month exploring the different picturesque places are trekkers' dream. Nepal comprises all these in a small country 885 meters long and 193 meters wide.
Other things one could do are Elephant Polo at Meghauli, Chitwan, mountain flight through the mountains at Kaski and many more. There are 15 National Parks and Wildlife Reserves in Nepal offer numerous rare flora and fauna and these National Parks and Wildlife Reserves boast one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal Tiger. There are several UNESCO Heritage sites here in Nepal that surely won’t disappoint.
With all the natural scenarios, Nepal’s major attraction is its people. People’s hospitality is adored by all the tourists and their traditions are enjoyed.
Different groups of people offer different traditions starting from terai to high up in the mountains.
There are villages from medieval time and the ancient cities of Kathmandu valley are beautiful as well.
So when you come here in Nepal, you will experience unique cuisines and the love and depth of flavor whilst celebrating many festivals all year round. Nepal is probably the only country with so many festivals in a calendar year.
Tourism is one of the backbones to the Nepalese economy as people have identified tourism as a bread-winner.
In the mountains, people have started a hotel business which has only bloomed since tourism has been identified as the mainstay of the economy. High in the mountains, there are eight out of the ten highest mountains in the world. All religions share a common nationality with peace.
Nepal boasts the highest Mount Everest and the birth-place of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini. These are a few reasons why Nepal has the possibilities for tourism development.
Cultural/ Festival tourism: Nepal is home to 125 ethnic groups speaking 123 different languages and following more than 10 different religions. In a country with an area of only 147,181 square kilometers, this is a lot of diversity.
But again, these people live with the peace which shows unity in diversity.
These many ethnic groups offer diversified cultural beliefs and customs. There are many heritages enlisted in the world heritage sites which are known to the world.
Nepal sees a lot of festivals celebrated all year round and being a part of the celebration is a bliss.
Amid the acts of preserving these many cultures, efforts have been made to promote cultural tourism in order to preserve and promote the culture of Nepal.
Village tourism: Village tourism is another strong prospect to promote tourism here in Nepal.
Nepal is a country of villages and that’s where hospitality lies amid the simple living people of the villages.
Village tourism mostly dwells on promoting homestays and there have been approaches as well. Ghandruk and Ghale Gaun are two villages popular for homestays and the prior one has been listed as one of the 15 villages to visit in the world recently. Adding to the culture and hospitality, a lot of villages offer magnificent views as well which should be the bonus to promoting village tourism.
Adventure and sports tourism: Imagine doing a bungee jump from a suspension bridge 160 meters above the fast-flowing river.
This imagination comes into life here at the bridge over the Bhotekoshi River. Along with bungee, there are other adventures like paragliding, canyoning, boating, kayaking and many more.
There are places where one can do rock climbing. Cities like Pokhara and Kathmandu offer many sports tourism like rock-climbing and Kayaking. Meghauli, Chitwan is the only place where Elephant Polo is played.
Many tourists visit Nepal every year to attend this event. Adding to the sports, mountain biking is another thrilling outdoor adventure. Whitewater rafting should be equally thrilling and Nepal also offers some of the finest golf courses in South Asia in the lap of the Himalayas.
Mountain tourism: High mountains are the cornerstone of tourism in Nepal. Nepal has eight of the fourteen mountains above 8000 meters and these mountains boast the north.
Not every mountain is achievable but the base camp of all these mountains is attainable.
Apart from these high mountains, there are several icy peaks which are open for climbing. Every year, thousands of tourists arrive at summit Everest. Even though all of them do not succeed, the view en route is equally lush. So if you are an adventure-loving person, the north of Nepal will crown you hundreds of opportunities to relish your forte. Mountain tourism has not been explored to the fullest whatsoever. So if explored, mountain tourism can invite a lot more than it is doing for now in the forthcoming days.
The popular trekking routes lead to the magnificent view of lush mountains.
There are many virgin territories left to be explored and some are recently explored.
Some of the mountains are not attainable due to religious beliefs while some others are not attempted due to high death tolls while trying to climb them.
Apart from these few mountains, others need to be explored and they sure will boost mountain tourism in Nepal.
Nature tourism and enriched biodiversity: Nepal has fast-flowing rivers, dense forests, rare flora and fauna adding to the beauty of the Himalayas. This diversity makes Nepal one of the richest countries in the world in the eyes of global travelers.
Terai is enriched with tropical jungles that preserve some rarest habitats in the world.
The all heard one-horned rhinoceros is found in the tropical forest of the terai. Along with the rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, snow leopard, red panda and musk deer tag along on the forests of Nepal. The wildlife reserves and national parks host more than 850 species of birds in Nepal. Spiny Babler is the bird found in the world’s highest altitude and is only found in Nepal.
There are various medicinal herbs found in the woods of Nepal. Yasha Gumba is a medicinal herb with various health advantages found in the north of Nepal. There are various reptiles found in nature and gharials one of the rarest reptiles found here in Nepal. This diverse nature and biodiversity will surely help Nepal rise in the field of tourism.
Religious/ Pilgrimage tourism: Nepal is a land with religious diversity and religious destinations support religious tourism here in Nepal. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most religious destinations for Hindus. Lord Shiva is worshipped at Pashupatinath temple and every year hundreds of tourists visit this holy place.
This place gets crowded during the time of Shivaratri.
There are several religious sites scattered all over the country. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha and carries immense importance in Buddhism. Similarly, Swyambhunath and Bouddhanath boast religious importance among Buddhists.
Other pilgrimage sites are Gosainkunda, Janakpur, Tengboche, Manakamana, Muktinath, etc. All of these pilgrimage sites have their own myths and religious importance.
Gosainkunda is associated with Lord Shiva while Muktinath is important for both Hindus and Buddhists. Beneath the mountains would be a perfect place for meditation so Nepal holds a brilliant opportunity to ponder spirituality. So spirituality tourism can develop as well in the lap of the Himalayas.
Khaptad Ashram is where Khaptad swami meditated. Halesi Mahadev situated in Khotang has religious importance from the Hindu perspective.
Considering all the religious and pilgrimage sites, Nepal has a lot of possibilities in developing religious/pilgrimage tourism.