Travel to Nepal: a Natural Paradise in the Light of the Himalayas

Nepal is best known for the imposing Himalaya Mountains and Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. For many years, Nepal has been one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. The increasing enthusiasm for the rock giants leads to steadily growing numbers of visitors. There are very few nature trips to Nepal, however, because the country between India and China is viewed more as a destination for trekking trips. We would like to visit as many of the impressive national parks in Nepal as possible with you and in this way show you a different face of the enchanting country in the Himalayas.

Travel information in brief

Travel time

The period from October to April is best for a trip to Nepal as the summer monsoon rains determine the climate. While it is still warm in October and November and blooms everywhere, it can be partly cooler from December to February. In the higher elevations of Nepal there is sometimes snowfall during this time. Temperatures rise again at the end of February and are pleasantly mild until April.

Currency / money

The currency unit is the Nepalese rupee, which can be divided into 100 paisas. Credit cards are accepted as a method of payment by banks, airlines and in larger shops. In the Kathmandu Valley, you can get cash at ATMs. Otherwise, it is advisable to bring US dollars with you. You should always have some cash with you, which you will need especially when entering and leaving the country or when traveling in rural areas.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are currently required when entering from Germany. If you are traveling to Nepal from a yellow fever area, you must have valid vaccination protection. The Federal Foreign Office recommends getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid in addition to the standard vaccinations. For long-term stays, vaccinations against hepatitis B, rabies and Japanese encephalitis are recommended. There is also a medium risk of malaria at altitudes below two thousand meters. Please talk to your doctor about any vaccinations you need before going abroad.

Visa / entry

A passport that is valid for at least six months and a passport photo are required to enter Nepal. To stay in Nepal you need a visa, which can be applied for at the arrival at Kathmandu airport, at the border crossing to Nepal or at the relevant visa authority before traveling. Tourist visas are issued for up to 15, 30 or 90 days and can be extended on site for up to 150 days. The specified length of stay should never be exceeded, as this can lead to penalties.

Nepal – the undiscovered Eldorado for nature travel

In 1998 our managing director Rainer Stoll traveled to the legendary Nepal for the first time as part of our project. Together with the then tour guide and today’s friend Krishna, Rainer was on the road and laid the foundation for today’s Nepal trips. Then as now, the two travelers meandered through the narrow streets of Kathmandu, hiked in the Annapurna region, which is blessed with incredible panoramas, and visited Narayansthan, Krishna’s home village. It was the warmth of the Nepali that inspired Rainer so much that the two men decided on the spot to do something good for the region around Narayansthan. The small village is still the focus of our Nepal trips. Over the years we have had a kindergarten in rural Nepal,

We would like to bring you closer not only to the warmth of the Nepali, but also to the diverse nature of Nepal. The Chitwan National Park is one of the biodiversity hotspots in Asia – nowhere is it as safe to find Indian rhinos as here. On our trips to Nepal, we keep an eye out for leopards, panthers and different species of bears and look forward to seeing wild sheep, monkeys and different species of birds. In addition to the well-known national parks, there are many other natural wonders in Nepal that we will show you on your individual trip or on one of our group trips. We deliberately keep our groups very small in order to ensure an intensive travel experience. On our trips to Nepal, we also attach great importance to excellent, knowledgeable tour guides, so that you can learn as much as possible about the country and the incredible nature of Nepal. You will of course also find the usual standard with our on-site service in Nepal, which is available to you seven days a week for 24 hours.

In order to show our guests the authentic Nepal, our Nepal trips naturally include the top tourist destinations such as Kathmandu, Bodnath, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, the Annapurna region or the Chitwan National Park. We would be happy to work out individual, unusual travel routes for you, which will lead you to our project village in Narayansthan, for example. There you will be warmly welcomed and you will be shown everything in peace. If you wish, we would be happy to combine your Nepal vacation with a nature trip through lively India.

Our trips to Nepal always aim to support various species protection projects with part of the travel price. We know the country personally and are in close contact with our local partners. It is our aim to offer high quality nature trips through Nepal for you! We follow our slogan: “Experience the beauties of nature and protect them”.

How are our friends in… Nepal?

Today we tell you about Dipesh, a student from Nepal whom Paul Stoll met in Nepal last year. Unfortunately, in Germany you hardly hear anything about the corona situation in the highest country on earth, reason enough to follow up on how Dipesh and the people in Nepal are mastering the corona crisis.

What is your everyday life like?

Since the university has had open and virtual classes, I’ve been spending my time attending lectures. Which is of course completely different from attending physical lectures. We have never had that before. Sitting in front of the computer at home has become something of a new normal. The first three months it was something like a total “shutdown”, I only went out when it was absolutely necessary, for example to go shopping. Now the rules have loosened up a bit and you can go out on the streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – wearing a mask, of course.

How do the Nepalese deal with the situation?

Most people stay at home and spend quality time with loved ones.

What impact does it have on the people in Nepal, are many unemployed and does this increase the risk that the virus will spread faster?

Yes, most of the people whose income depends on tourism, or who earn their living on the streets, are about to become homeless. But many are also forced to continue their everyday life normally, which of course increases the risk of getting Corona and passing it on to others.

Can people in Nepal be tested and are there regular tests being done?

People in the country are getting tested, but health experts say that’s not enough. Recently people have been able to be tested in private hospitals, but I don’t think the government is handling it properly.

How is the tourism industry in Nepal, which is very important for the small country?

Most of the people and businesses involved in the tourism industry are really in big trouble. Every day more travel companies, restaurants or cafes go bankrupt.

What are your hopes, goals for 2021?

That the pandemic will end and that we can return to normal life.

Are there special projects that our guests can support with donations?

SWAN Nepal supported health and education projects in various remote parts of Nepal during the pandemic. If you too would like to donate, you can find out more here.