Melo Villareal
Did you know you could do all this in just 10 days in Nepal?
What should you do if you have 10 days in Nepal? Rugged mountain trails, leagues of fluttering prayer flags, and the bustling city of Kathmandu, with a sublime mountain backdrop, are the images that readily come to mind when one thinks of Nepal. And with the country slowly yet steadily reviving from the mayhem caused by the devastating 2015 earthquakes, Nepal tourism is in full gear and has thrown its arms wide open to intrepid travelers from around the world keen to experience the chills and thrills of Nepal’s Himalayas.
The town square before the earthquake (2013 visit)
But Nepal is much more than its amazing treks and its stellar summits. Speaking from a traveler’s perspective, it’d be unfair to think Nepal hasn’t got much in store for the nomadic bum in you who is more into exploring the hippie scenes of a place like Nepal rather than toiling on a trekking trail for days.
From isolated hill villages to amazing jungle safaris, from the mind-boggling food items to pristine valleys, add it all with some scream-your-lungs-out adventures like white water rafting and some fantastic shopping runs in the traditional flea markets in Pokhara, and you’ve got yourself 10 days of bombastic experiences in Nepal. Quash time-crunch worries and explore the essentials of Nepal in as little as 10 days.
Let’s get on with it!
Go for a wild ride in the Jungle
Just South of Nepal’s mountains lie its reserves of thick and lush jungles, and a jungle adventure would be perfect to kick-start your journey. A World Heritage-listed reserve, Chitwan National Park remains a popular destination for travelers, thanks to its large wildlife population and the unique mix of marshlands and grasslands. Keep your eyes wide and cameras at the ready as some jungle celebrities like the Royal Bengal Tiger or even a Leopard might make an appearance.
But don’t be heart-sunk if you don’t spot any of these A-listers, cause you’re sure to catch the amazing one-horned Rhinos, beautiful deer, and some cheeky monkeys. You can opt for a safari in the Chitwan or brace yourself for a wilder ride in the inner sanctums of Bardia or Koshi Tappu. Whatever you decide, make sure to get your safari bookings done well ahead if you are traveling in a high season, as your time crunch won’t help your case much if you face any problems with bookings there.
Feed your adventurous soul
Nepal is what you call a true adventurer’s paradise and a hub of all things thrilling. The list of extreme adventures in Nepal is extensive, including skydiving from the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. Yeah, that might be far-fetched for the 10-day ‘Itineraries’ and trekking novices like us.
Still, you have all the time in the world to get some much-awaited experiences ticked off your lists like Mountain Biking, Paragliding, Heli-Skiing, Canyoning, Whitewater Rafting, Bungee Jumping, and the list goes on…Your mini break in Nepal could be an action-packed adventure, and the best way to plan is to choose from these activities and review their booking processes (if any) before you go, for a hassle-free trip!
Pick a cause close to your heart and volunteer.
Every year, Nepal hosts an average of close to a million travelers, and owing to its reputation as ‘The most budget-friendly destination’, it has long been a backpacking hotspot. With this influx of backpackers, Nepal is also frequented by volunteers from around the world who work with the local community at various levels to drive positive social impact.
Responsible traveling is on the rise, and now, with more than half of the world’s population lusting like crazy for travel (thanks to social media and the internet), volunteering while traveling abroad has become almost like a cardinal part of international expeditions.
And thanks to such legions of do-gooders, Nepal even witnessed thousands rushing in from every corner of the earth at the time of distress when that terrible earthquake hit the country without any warning. From local agencies to international organizations like the Peace Corps and the Red Cross, we saw an overwhelming response.
Indeed, the worst part is over, and Nepal is well on its way to recovering from the devastation of the Earthquake, but there are still multiple opportunities for the do-gooder in you to volunteer and change someone’s life. As a result of this calamity, hundreds of children were left orphaned, and volunteers like us are what they keenly look up to for some fun times and amazing lessons.
A day or two spent at a local school in Kathmandu with underprivileged children, teaching them English and engaging in fun extracurricular activities, could be an amazing, heartwarming experience for you while in Nepal.
Eat your heart out
Nepalese cuisine has been heavily influenced by India and Tibet, and it is a truly eclectic medley of flavors. From humble servings of Dal Bhat, the national dish, which is nothing but rice with lentil soup, to the finger-licking Momos and Thukpas- Nepalese food even takes your taste buds on an exotic trip.
A trip to Nepal is a cultural extravaganza in itself, and tasting the authentic flavors of Nepal is almost a must. Kathmandu, being the most popular city, is also a foodie’s hub and therefore the best place for you to go on an all-out Nepalese food adventure. Start your gastro-journey with some helpings of the excellent Sel Roti, a rice-flour pancake from a subset of Nepali cuisine; the scrumptious Yomari; or gulp down a drink with some Sandheko, a popular bar snack.
That’s not all. Have you heard of Nepali Pizza? Locally, it is known as Chatamari and is immensely popular in Kathmandu. It is nothing but a round, rice flour crepe which is cooked with different kinds of savory toppings, and it is truly ‘Pizza with a twist’. A walk around the restaurants and street food stalls in Kathmandu, and you are sure to find some unique dishes of Nepali descent that are sure to titillate your foodie soul. Take some time out of your jam-packed 10 days and make sure to keep a day dedicated to the food of Nepal, if you don’t want to miss out on experiencing a burst of flavors in your mouth.
Achieve Travel Nirvana
Your short getaway in Nepal can be more than just a rush of adventure and run-of-the-mill sights. The nation is dotted with multiple Buddhist monasteries which are known to host travelers, spirituality seekers from all around the world.
The Medieval town squares of places like Kathmandu, Patan with centuries-old stupas is where you can take a stroll through the history of Buddhism culture and traditions and thus Nepal has remained etched in world history as the spiritual center of the Himalayas.
With the birthplace of the Buddha just a few hours from the capital, Lumbini has become a thought-provoking religious site for Buddhist pilgrims and Zen practitioners from around the world.
There’s an unspoken peace, a feeling of poignancy in these pilgrimage sites of Buddhism as well as in the air of Nepal that will surely give a new perspective to your travels and what you think of them, only good things!
Staying at a monastery in Nepal could be your chance to learn about the basic tenets of Buddhism and learn the art of meditation, and as many have felt with such elated interactions with disciples of Buddhism, your spiritual experience in Nepal can also give you a new lease on life. This newness, in turn, will also help you learn some important life lessons on the road and achieve Travel Nirvana!
Hang with the locals and experience their amazing culture.
Nepalis are really going to be one of the friendliest bunches of people you’ll come across on your travels around the world. Their ability to shower love on strangers and welcome them into their hearts and homes is one of the warmest qualities of these people. And if you’re fortunate and make some gem of local friends in Nepal, you’ll see them insisting you pack up and leave your hostel and hotel behind and live like a local with them, in their places, with their families, eating their food, sharing their space.
Getting to experience Nepali culture firsthand from the locals’ perspective could be rewarding in itself. Did you know Nepal has an annual tradition of worshipping dogs nationwide, known as Tihar? On the second day of this 5-day festival, every dog, be it a pet or a stray, is celebrated for being Man’s best friend and for its unconditional love. More unique experiences await you in Nepal.
Interacting with locals is believed to be an integral part of cultural immersion while traveling, and it is through these people that you learn a whole lotta more about the culture that you possibly couldn’t have found out about by yourself. Besides gaining some good friends in this small country on the opposite side of the earth from you, you’ll also be gaining some precious memories that are sure to stay with you forever!
And obviously, Go For A Trek!
Trekking in Nepal, no matter how small or big, is something almost as essential as drinking water. The complete 360-degree experience of Nepal comes with a kick of adrenaline, and strategically located amid world-famous trails like Everest and Annapurna, what better way to satisfy the adrenaline junkie in you than trekking?
Let the Himalayan madness descend on you while you’re in Nepal and plan to trek one of the best mountain summits in the world. Nepal is home to some of the world’s highest mountains, and there are multiple trekking trails suited for beginners and experienced trekkers alike. The mountain air whispering in your ears as you feel blood pumping faster than the usual rate as you ascend through steep passes and crevasses- a trek should definitely be right at the top of your Nepal itinerary!
Adventurists from across the world flood into the country around the year to get a taste of the colossal Himalayan peaks. Over time, many mountaineers who couldn’t simply leave all of this behind have come to call Nepal their home.
As a result, there’s an extensive international trekking and mountaineering community in Nepal. Though some trails, like Langtang and Manaslu, have still not entirely recovered from the aftermath of the Earthquakes, names like the Everest Base Camp, Three passes Trek, and Upper Mustang will surely give you a run for your money, people!
Planned travel is definitely better, as it allows you to prepare for the outdoor extravaganza well in advance. However, I would still say spontaneous plans have a charm of their own, and most of these plans transpire into epic successes.
You can work all of this into your short trip itinerary and allocate your available time wisely to each of these quintessential experiences in Nepal. Your whirlwind travel tale of Nepal could make for an exciting story and inspire others to take a chance on exploring Nepal in 10 days!
About Shriradha Mukherjee
Between dreaming of adventures and making them happen, Shriradha is a travel writer with a passion for exploring the unknown. Fantastic food, new places to explore, and turning thoughts into words keep her going. Her tongue-in-cheek wit keeps her stories lively while her deep research keeps them informative. With firsthand experience in volunteering & traveling makes her a go-to resource for tips on volunteering and travel planning. Visit her IG account.
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Read:
- Essential First-timer Tips When Trekking the Rugged Trails of Nepal
- Trek to Manaslu Circuit in Nepal – Tour Package and Itinerary
