Prepare for your trip
Nepal is the ideal destination for adventures and cultural explorers.
Sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is one of the most fascinating places to visit on earth. Home to majestic Mt. Everest, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and one of few countries in the world never to have been colonized, this breathtaking country covers diverse landscapes from the Himalayan Mountains in the north to the flat expansive plains in the south. Deep gorges, towering mountains, vibrant culture and charismatic people – Nepal is vast.
The 2015 earthquake destroyed several temples in Kathmandu's Unesco-listed Durbar Square, but most areas emerged unscathed. Stroll through the backstreets and Kathmandu’s timeless cultural and artistic heritage still reveals itself in hidden temples overflowing with marigolds, courtyards full of drying chillies and rice, rickshaws and tiny workshops.
The traditional manner to greet the locals involves placing your palms together in a prayer style and saying "namaste" or "namaskar". Address anyone older than you with respect using the terms "dai" for men and "didi" for women. If you are lucky enough to be invited into a Nepali home, remember to remove your shoes before entering.
Typical Nepali food is called “Dal Bhat”, and is made up of rice and lentils. Side dishes usually include a variety of fresh vegetables such as potatoes and cauliflower. Traditional Nepali food is often spicy, but you can usually specify how mild or hot you want it when ordering.
Nepalese Rupee is the official currency & is subdivided into 100 paisa. There are about 77 rupees to each Aussie dollar.
WHERE TO SHOP
Kathmandu has large cottage industries surrounding clothing materials, wood crafts, metal works and jewelry. Lesser known items include tea, sculptures, rice paper, incense, spices, dolls, puppets and trekking clothing.
Woollen goods are produced from both yak wool and sheep wool while finer items are made from pashmina, cashmere and silk. Nepalese traditional clothing is distinguishable by its high durability, warmth and often from bright colors used in the materials.
Pashmina fabrics spell classy in big letters! Many will explain that ‘pashmina’ refers to the soft under fur of mountain goats found in Nepal. Whereas ‘cashmere’ refers to the rest of the wool. There are also several different types of quality pashmina available in Nepal and the price varies accordingly. This fabric is soft and lightweight with beautiful embroidery. So, it's worthwhile to carry some home –think of shawls, stoles, scarves, ideal to be gifted to anyone or for yourself.
Pashmina products are available in the Thamel area of Kathmandu and also in some shops on New Road. Instead of going for 100% pure Pashmina products, opt for a 70/30 mix with silk as these will be more durable.
