Nature of Nepal - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Nepal is not the right destination for fans of five-star hotels and white beaches. There is even no sea here, but the country can offer something different – exotic culture and ancient history. Bright colors, chaotic buzzing, majestic palaces, and poor mountain villages create a unique atmosphere of this country. Interesting excursions to such popular protected areas as Chitwan, Annapurna, Sagarmatha, and Banke simply cannot leave anyone indifferent. There are nine national parks in total in the country. Many tourists want to visit the mountains. Eight of the fourteen Himalayan mountains higher than 8,000 meters are located in Nepal. One of them – Mount Everest – is the tallest mountain in the world. Starting from the arrival in Nepal and until the last moments in this country, you will be charmed by the exotic atmosphere of this place.

Trekking in the mountains is not always about the exploration of wild areas. There are many hiking and trekking routes even for beginners in Nepal. The routes are made on rural roads that local people use to move between the villages. Guesthouses and cafes along the way are very handy – travelers do not need to pack many items and a tent to sleep in the wild. They can take only the items they need and sleep with comfort in the villages. In the Annapurna National Park, there are hiking routes of different lengths. Pokhara, a popular tourist city, is located at the park’s border. This city has an airport, multiple hotels, cafes and restaurants, a nightclub, and an amusement park. Furthermore, it can offer fantastic views of Phewa Lake.

Pokhara is a typical starting point for travelers who plan to conquer the Himalayan heights. Moderately complex climbing routes are the most popular. These are such routes as a tour to the top of Poon Hill (3,193m) or a tour around Mount Annapurna. The latter is intended for 10-15 days, so it is suitable for many leisure tourists. Climbing to the top of Annapurna is, however, not an easy task. This mountain has a height of 8,091 meters, so only experienced alpinists can reach its top. If you feel height sickness, pay your attention to Ghorepani and Poon Hill. Expeditions to these mountains last only 3-5 days, and the final height is only slightly more than 3,200 meters. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Many people feel height sickness in the mountains because of the lesser oxygen content. In health-threatening cases, sick people are evacuated by helicopters. The emergency evacuation is included in insurance for active recreation. This type of insurance is a must if you plan to go to the mountains, but not all tourists purchase it. That being said, there is one nuance – local guides get a commission for the emergency evacuation from the insurance company. Even if the transportation of a tourist to the hospital by helicopter wasn’t really necessary, it is still considered an insurance event.

It may sound odd, but it is beneficial for guides if some tourist feels sick even though dizziness, fast heartbeat, and sickness usually do not require emergency evacuation. It is often enough to reduce the altitude by 300-500 meters to feel healthy again. As a rule, steady climbing (slow altitude increase) is enough for the body to adapt to the mountains and escape height sickness. In order not to get fooled, read about height sickness, its symptoms, and preventive measures in advance.

The National Royal Park Chitwan is one of the must-visit places in Nepal. For tourists, this is a great opportunity to watch the indigenous fauna in its natural habitat. This park offers hiking in the jungles, canoeing in the river, and safari on elephants and off-roaders. It is incredibly exciting to see the tropics from the elephant’s back. Just like a car, an elephant usually has enough space for four people, but the seats are located several meters above the ground. In Sauraha village (close to the park’s border), there is comfortable tourist infrastructure such as small cottages and hotels. Many excursions start from this settlement.

Chitwan Park is located 200km to the southwest of the capital. It takes 6-8 hours to reach it by bus. The journey time depends on the state of local roads that are narrow and winding. It is better to travel using the so-called tourist buses. Tickets to such buses are somewhat more expensive, but they make fewer stops – for technical purposes only. The Sagarmatha National Park is a mountain area in the north. The highest mountain in the world – Everest – is located in the park’s territory. There are several small villages here, and Sherpa people are their main inhabitants. This is an indigenous ethnic group that is famous for its endurance and excellent knowledge of the mountains. Many Sherpa are professional guides who support alpinists and help them to conquer Everest and other famous mountains. Besides beautiful nature, this part of the country is famous for its Buddhist monasteries, and Tengboche is one of the most famous.

Even though many tourists immediately think of the mountains when they hear about Nepal, this country can offer more than mountain expeditions. If you plan to explore the cultural treasures of this country on your own for the first time, take into consideration the quality of local roads. The average speed is only 25-30km/h in rural areas. This can ruin your schedule because it is hard to make a decent timetable if you know nothing about the state of local roads. Having arrived in Kathmandu, visit a local tour agency, and choose a suitable tour. It is easy to find an exciting hiking journey for two for approximately 300 U.S. dollars, for example, Kathmandu-Nagarkot-Pokhara. Specialists can also help you to make a suitable route for solo traveling.