Altitude and wildlife
Sagarmatha National Park encompasses Mount Sagarmatha (Everest), which is 8,848 metres high; the park has an elevation range of 6,000 metres. Snow leopards and red pandas also live in this protected area. The summit height, wide elevation range and wildlife give the park several facets to discover together.
Trekking in Nepal usually takes you through landscapes at elevations of 1,000 to 4,000 metres; some sections reach over 5,000 metres. Trekking routes also offer opportunities to meet different ethnic communities. The elevation figures illustrate the range of the trails, while these encounters offer a cultural perspective on the journey.
Trails, water and air
The Great Himalayan Trail stretches for 1,700 kilometres from Kanchenjungha in the east to Humla in the west. Popular trekking routes run from the lakeside city of Pokhara to Jomsom in the Annapurna region. The two descriptions show different scales: the trail is defined by its length and east-to-west endpoints, while the routes from Pokhara have a specific starting point and destination.
Pokhara Valley also offers experiences beyond trekking: paragliding and ultralight flights are available there. Pokhara can be reached from Kathmandu by direct flight; check flight schedules separately for your trip. If you want to experience Nepal beyond walking, the Trishuli is another option: it is a Grade 3+ rafting river.
Contrasting national parks
Chitwan National Park encompasses riverine forests and grasslands along the riverbanks. Jungle safaris on elephant back or in jeeps are also possible in the same park. Here, you can experience both river landscapes and different ways of exploring the park on safari.
Bardiya National Park offers nature walks with experienced naturalists. It is also home to the Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros. A walk with naturalists and the animal species that live in the park highlight different aspects: exploring nature closely and discovering the diversity of its wildlife.
Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is home to 441 bird species; some migrate there from Siberia in winter. Their arrival from Siberia makes winter an interesting time for birdwatchers. The landscape is also varied: the reserve includes grassland dotted with patches of scrub and deciduous riverine forests.
Cultural heritage and pilgrimage sites
The Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site is divided into seven monument zones. Bauddhanath is home to Nepal’s largest stupa. The cultural spectrum therefore includes both a World Heritage Site divided into zones and a single monument with a distinctive feature.
Lumbini lies in Nepal’s Terai plains and is believed to be the place where Buddha was born in 623 BC. Lumbini is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. The site thus connects a specific historical tradition with its significance as a pilgrimage destination.
Muktinath lies at an altitude of 3,749 metres and is a popular destination for pilgrims and trekkers. Depending on your interests, you can therefore consider it both a spiritual destination and a trekking destination. Together with Lumbini, Muktinath shows that pilgrimage sites in Nepal are associated with different elevations and reasons for visiting.
Discover more destinations: Bagmati, Gandaki, Narayani, Bandipur, Siddharthanagar, Meghauli, Namche, Phulbari, Bhalam, Dhulikhel, Gorkha, Chaurikharka, Phakding, Sheshnarayan, Western Region, Eastern Region, Central Region, Far-Western Region, Mid-Western Region, Janakpur.
