Traveling to Nepal Off the Beaten Path
Heading to Nepal for 1 month. This country had fascinated me for a while due to its reputation for temples and spirituality. The country is almost entirely undergoing construction. The major 2015 earthquake had virtually destroyed the entire city of Kathmandu and the surrounding areas; the remnants are still physically present but also in the minds of the people. Spirituality and the numerous beliefs of the Nepalese rule their way of life. This trip deeply moved me.
Cultural Discoveries in Kathmandu
My stay in Kathmandu was a superb experience, I simply loved immersing myself in Nepalese culture. The city is full of temples, stupas, and palaces that bear witness to its rich cultural heritage. Kathmandu is still in reconstruction since the earthquake but it feels good to be there. A mix of new buildings and others still destroyed follow one after another in the narrow streets.
I was lucky enough to visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple, a sacred site for Hindus where religious ceremonies take place daily. The Nepalese have a different relationship with death than in the West: processions take place every evening on the banks of the Bagmati River (which is sacred because it ends in the Ganges in India) and relatives all gather around the deceased to honor them and accompany them to the afterlife. They then burn the body and slide it into the river. A deeply moving experience.
The Natural Splendor of Pokhara
Next, heading to Pokhara, a town located at the foot of the Himalayas. A beautiful region, much greener than Kathmandu. Lake Phewa, surrounded by majestic mountains, offers a landscape akin to a painting. You must enjoy a boat ride on the lake, then a hike to go up to Sarangkot, a panoramic viewpoint that offers a breathtaking view of the Himalayan range. The Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains are visible on a clear day, a breathtaking sight.
For 4 days, I participated in a meditation and yoga retreat in a specialized center located in the heart of the jungle: Atmashree Yoga Retreat. On the agenda: learning meditation and yoga 5 times a day, guided by the center's teachers. A moment of returning to basics that allows one to refocus on oneself, body and mind. I recommend it because this center is very good, and the food is excellent. Watch out for insects because you are in the middle of the jungle and the spiders are quite sturdy. They won't hurt you but they have a rather unpleasant appearance.
Finally, I ended my trip by visiting the Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This reserve is home to a wide variety of wild animals, including one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, elephants, and many bird species. The walking safari with the rangers is a must-do to immerse yourself in the heart of the jungle. The guide is able to smell the passage of the tiger and thus track it. Be careful, however, if you find yourself facing it. The rangers are certified and you run no danger.
In a second phase, the Jeep safari is also very enjoyable as a complement to the first.
A Memorable Trip and the Start of a New Adventure
This trip to Nepal was an extraordinary adventure that allowed me to discover this country in a different way. Indeed, Nepal primarily attracts visitors for the Himalayan range and for the many climbs offered, but not necessarily for the rest. Since I did not climb to the summit of Everest, I visited everything else for a month.
If I can give one piece of advice: arm yourself with patience if you want to undertake a similar journey; the bus trips between the different cities are terribly long because the roads are under construction and we had to deal with major mudslides due to storms. But the experience is unique (I laughed a lot) and is clearly worth it!
This trip will be forever engraved in my memory since it was in Kathmandu that I decided to launch my Travel Planning business. And to mark the occasion, I got the name of my business tattooed on my wrist: Once Upon a Travel! Hoping that it brings me luck :)
