The country of Nepal presents itself to foreign and mysterious visitors, especially from the western world. Because there are over 100 different ethnic groups living in Nepal, who speak the same number of languages, most of which are threatened with extinction. Centuries of immigration and foreign rule have created their own cultural and religious style in Nepal. That is why the country around the climatically favored Kathmandu Valley is considered a fascinating melting pot of Asian cultures.
A journey into the past
Although about 80 percent of the Nepalese are Hindu, Hinduism and Buddhism have entered into a unique synthesis in Nepal. Numerous temples of both faiths shape the cityscape, especially in the three royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. This special turn to religion was only possible in Nepal due to the remote location in the middle of the Himalayan massif. As a result, Nepal was largely spared from armed conflicts with its neighbors. The synthesis of Hinduism and Buddhism was founded by the Newar, the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley.
The country’s three largest cities are characterized by a balancing act between tradition and modernity and offer visitors fascinating insights into Nepal in the 17th century. Bhaktapur, in particular, has retained its medieval charm, where guests look in vain for modern concrete buildings.
The – actually simple – Nepalese cuisine is also a culinary melting pot of Asian cuisine. Influences from Tibet, China and India are noticeable. The main foodstuffs in Nepal are rice and lentils, but also corn, potatoes and wheat. Dhal Bhat is the national dish. It is a rice dish with lentils, to which curry and meat dishes as well as pickled vegetables are often served. For religious reasons, beef is very rare, because beef is considered a sacred animal in Hinduism.
Nepal: a paradise for trekking vacationers
According to Best-medical-schools, Nepal is considered a real Eldorado, especially for trekking vacationers. You can discover the scenic beauties of Nepal on numerous tours. The range of offers ranges from relatively easy tours that can be hiked within a few hours to multi-day and demanding tours for experienced trekking vacationers.
A popular starting point for numerous tours is Nagarkot, for example, located about 32 kilometers east of the state capital Kathmandu. The possible tours are described in detail in numerous guides, so that individual travelers get along well on site. However, due to the poor infrastructure and for security reasons, it is not advisable to leave alone. Anyone who does not want to travel in a group or book a package deal can easily find porters and guides in Nepal. Interested parties can request a list of recommended agencies from the German Embassy. Because especially in lonely and less frequented regions, quick help is not guaranteed in the event of an accident or injury.
Incidentally, the route offering for trekking vacationers is constantly being expanded. The “Guerilla Trek” is now a route on which trekking vacationers hike in the wake of the civil war that raged in Nepal between 1996 and 2006. The “Guerilla Trek” takes visitors on three routes through the rebel retreat in the west of the country. Depending on the route, hikers have to plan between 14 and 27 days of walking time.
Flight connections to Nepal
The destination airport for Nepal vacationers is the Tribhuvan International Airport between Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. However, only a few connections are offered from Europe. A connection via the Gulf States only exists from Frankfurt and Amsterdam. The best direct connections exist from the Persian Gulf, since many Nepalese work there. In the meantime, flight connections to Nepal are also offered via Dheli.
Entry requirements
Political unrest, famines and various other disasters have shaped Nepal’s domestic politics since the Second World War. These riots finally led to a ten-year civil war in 1996. Although the war has ended, the security situation has not yet calmed down. Armed groups appear again and again, especially in Terrai, the border area with India. Travelers should therefore always call up the current security information from the Federal Foreign Office.
The best time to visit Nepal is between October and November, with the highest number of travelers in October and at Christmas. Flights that fall within this time should be booked about six months in advance. Holiday guests from Germany need a passport that is valid for at least another six months. Every child needs their own children’s passport, since the entries in the parents’ documents have not been accepted since June 2012. Tourists also need a visa. This is issued either at the border crossings or at the Tribhuvan International Airport. A current passport photo is required for the visa. A 30-day tourist visa costs $ 40. Alternatively, you can go to the Nepalese embassy or honorary consuls in Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne,
The current and binding customs regulations can also be requested from the Nepal diplomatic missions. When entering the country, tourists have to declare how many foreign currency they bring into Nepal.
Vaccination protection for standard vaccinations is medically recommended. In addition, travelers to Nepal should be vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A, and for longer stays also against rabies, hepatitis and Japanese encelphalitis.
