Everest is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What to visit in Nepal. Tours from Nepal to neighboring countries Bhutan and Tibet

World heritage sites included in the special list of UNESCO are of great interest to the entire population of the planet. Unique natural and cultural objects make it possible to preserve those unique corners of nature and man-made monuments that demonstrate the richness of nature and the possibilities of the human mind.
As of July 1, 2009, there are 890 objects in the World Heritage List (including 689 cultural, 176 natural and 25 mixed) in 148 countries: individual architectural structures and ensembles - the Acropolis, the cathedrals in Amiens and Chartres, the historical center of Warsaw (Poland) and St. Petersburg (Russia), the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square (Russia), etc.; cities - Brasilia, Venice along with the lagoon, etc.; archaeological reserves - Delphi, etc.; national parks - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Yellowstone (USA) and others. The states on whose territory the World Heritage sites are located undertake obligations to preserve them.

1) Tourists inspect the Buddhist sculptures of the Longmen Grottoes ("Dragon Gate") near the city of Luoyang in the Chinese province of Henan. There are more than 2,300 caves in this place; 110,000 Buddhist images, more than 80 dagobas (Buddhist mausoleums) containing relics of the Buddhas, as well as 2,800 inscriptions on the rocks near the Yishui River, a kilometer long. For the first time Buddhism in China was introduced in these places during the reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty. (China Photos/Getty Images)

2) Bayon Temple in Cambodia is famous for its many giant stone faces. There are over 1,000 temples in the Angkor region, ranging from nondescript piles of brick and rubble scattered among rice fields to the magnificent Angkor Wat, considered the world's largest single religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor have been restored. More than a million tourists visit them every year. (Voishmel/AFP - Getty Images)

3) One of the parts of the archaeological site of Al-Hijr - also known as Madain Salih. This complex, located in the northern regions of Saudi Arabia, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on July 6, 2008. The complex includes 111 rock burials (I century BC - I century AD), as well as a system of hydraulic structures dated to the ancient Nabataean city of Hegra, which was the center of caravan trade. There are also about 50 rock inscriptions dating back to the Donabatean period. (Hassan Ammar/AFP - Getty Images)

4) The waterfalls "Garganta del Diablo" ("Devil's Throat") are located on the territory of the Iguazu National Park in the Argentine province of Misiones. Depending on the water level in the Iguazu River, the park has from 160 to 260 waterfalls, as well as over 2000 varieties of plants and 400 Iguazu National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Christian Rizzi/AFP - Getty Images) #

5) The mysterious Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure, consisting of 150 huge stones, and located on the Salisbury Plain in the English county of Wiltshire. This ancient monument is believed to have been built in 3000 BC. Stonehenge was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

6) Tourists stroll by the Bafang Pavilion in the Summer Palace, Beijing's famous classical imperial garden. The Summer Palace, built in 1750, was destroyed in 1860 and rebuilt in 1886. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. (China Photos/Getty Images)

7) The Statue of Liberty at sunset in New York. "Lady Liberty", which was presented to the United States by France, stands at the entrance to New York Harbor. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Seth Wenig/AP)

8) "Solitario George" (Lonely George), the last living giant tortoise of this species, born on Pinta Island, lives in the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador. She is now approximately 60-90 years old. The Galapagos Islands were originally inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978, but in 2007 they were marked as endangered. (Rodrigo Buendia/AFP - Getty Images)

9) People skate on the ice of the canals in the Kinderdijk Mills area, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Rotterdam. Kinderdijk has the largest collection of historic windmills in the Netherlands and is one of the top attractions in South Holland. Decoration with balloons of the holidays passing here gives a certain flavor to this place. (Peter Dejong/AP)

10) View of the Perito Moreno Glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park, in the southeast of the Argentinean province of Santa Cruz. This place was listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1981. The glacier is one of the most interesting tourist sites in the Argentinean part of Patagonia and the 3rd largest glacier in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. (Daniel Garcia/AFP - Getty Images)

11) Terraced gardens in the northern Israeli city of Haifa surround the golden-domed Shrine of the Bab, the founder of the Baha'i faith. Here is the world administrative and spiritual center of the Baha'i religion, the number of professing which in the world is less than six million. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 8, 2008. (David Silverman/Getty Images)

12) Aerial photography of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. According to the World Heritage website, this small state contains a unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces. The Vatican was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1984. (Giulio Napolitano/AFP - Getty Images)

13) Colorful underwater scenes of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This thriving ecosystem hosts the world's largest collection of coral reefs, including 400 coral species and 1,500 fish species. The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. (AFP - Getty Images)

14) Camels rest in the ancient city of Petra in front of Jordan's main monument, Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, supposedly the tomb of a Nabataean king carved out of sandstone. This city, located between the Red and Dead Seas, is at the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Phoenicia. Petra was added to the World Heritage List in 1985. (Thomas Coex/AFP - Getty Images)

15) Sydney Opera House - one of the most famous and easily recognizable buildings in the world, which is a symbol of Sydney and one of the main attractions of Australia. The Sydney Opera House was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2007. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP - Getty Images)

16) Rock paintings made by the San people in the Dragon Mountains, located in the east of South Africa. The San people lived in the Drakensberg area for thousands of years until they were destroyed in clashes with the Zulus and white settlers. They left behind incredible rock paintings in the Dragon Mountains, which were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2000. (Alexander Joe/AFP - Getty Images)

17) General view of the city of Shibam, located in the east of Yemen in the province of Hadhramaut. Shibam is famous for its incomparable architecture, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program. All houses here are built of clay bricks, about 500 houses can be considered multi-storey, as they have 5-11 floors. Shibam is often referred to as "the oldest city of skyscrapers in the world" or "Desert Manhattan", it is also the oldest example of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. (Khaled Fazaa/AFP - Getty Images)

18) Gondolas near the Grand Canal in Venice. The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is visible in the background. Island Venice is a sea resort, a center of international tourism of world importance, a venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Venice was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987. (AP)

19) Some of the 390 abandoned huge statues of compressed volcanic ash (moai in the Rapa Nui language) at the foot of the Rano Raraku volcano on Easter Island, 3700 km from the coast of Chile. Rapa Nui National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 1995. (Martin Bernetti/AFP - Getty Images)

20) Visitors walk along the Great Wall of China in the Simatai area, northeast of Beijing. This largest architectural monument was built as one of the four main strategic strongholds in order to defend against the invading tribes from the north. The 8,851.8 km long Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever completed. It was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP - Getty Images)

21) Temple at Hampi, near the South Indian city of Hospet, north of Bangalore. Hampi is located in the middle of the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Hampi and its monuments were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. (Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP - Getty Images)

22) A Tibetan pilgrim rotates prayer mills on the grounds of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet's capital. The Potala Palace is a royal palace and Buddhist temple complex, which was the main residence of the Dalai Lama. Today, the Potala Palace is a museum actively visited by tourists, remaining a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists and continuing to be used in Buddhist rituals. Due to its enormous cultural, religious, artistic and historical significance, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. (Goh Chai Hin/AFP - Getty Images)

23) The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Machu Picchu, especially after receiving the UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, has become a center of mass tourism. The city is visited by 2,000 tourists per day; In order to preserve the monument, UNESCO demands to reduce the number of tourists per day to 800. (Eitan Abramovich/AFP - Getty Images)

24) Buddhist pagoda Kompon-daito on Mount Koya, in the province of Wakayama, Japan. Mount Koya, located east of Osaka, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. In 819, the Buddhist monk Kukai, the founder of the Shingon school, an offshoot of Japanese Buddhism, was the first to settle here. (Everett Kennedy Brown/EPA)

25) Tibetan women walk around the Bodhnath Stupa in Kathmandu - one of the most ancient and revered Buddhist shrines. On the sides of the tower crowning it, "Buddha's eyes" inlaid with ivory are depicted. Kathmandu valley with a height of about 1300 m is a mountain valley and a historical region of Nepal. There are many Buddhist and Hindu temples here, from the Boudhanath stupa to tiny street altars in the walls of houses. Locals say that 10 million Gods live in the Kathmandu Valley. The Kathmandu Valley was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

26) A bird flies over the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum-mosque located in the Indian city of Agra. It was built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. The Taj Mahal was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The architectural marvel was also named one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World" in 2007. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP - Getty Images)

27) Located in northeast Wales, the 18km Pontcysillte Aqueduct is an Industrial Revolution civil engineering feat completed in the early years of the 19th century. More than 200 years after its opening, it is still in use and is one of the busiest sections of the UK canal network, handling around 15,000 boats a year. In 2009, the Pontkysilte aqueduct was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "a milestone in the history of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution." This aqueduct is one of the unusual monuments to plumbers and plumbing. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

28) A herd of moose grazes in the meadows of Yellowstone National Park. Mount Holmes, on the left, and Mount Dome are visible in the background. In the Yellowstone National Park, which occupies almost 900 thousand hectares, there are more than 10 thousand geysers and thermal springs. The park was included in the World Heritage program in 1978. (Kevork Djansezian/AP)

29) Cubans drive an old car along the Malecon in Havana. UNESCO inscribed Old Havana and its fortifications on the World Heritage List in 1982. Although Havana has expanded and has a population of over 2 million, its old center retains an interesting mixture of baroque and neoclassical monuments and homogeneous ensembles of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought iron gates and patios. (Javier Galeano/AP)

The vast majority of tourists arrive in Nepal through the air harbor of this country - Kathmandu Airport. Therefore, we start with what you need to visit first of all in the vicinity of the capital of Nepal - Kathmandu. We are sure that visiting these places you will plunge into a completely different world, they are so peculiar. There is an explanation for this - Nepal has been a country lost in the mountains throughout its history (in many ways even now too). It was inaccessible to many conquerors and has never (!) been under the rule of another state. Here was born its own culture and art unlike others, and the monuments of the country were not destroyed by the conquerors. Unfortunately, on April 25, 2015, the strongest earthquake in 80 years caused significant damage to Nepal.

So, in the Kathmandu valley there are 7 sites declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Below are photographs taken by me in 2005 and 2008 and a description of these objects. A large number of unique monuments, alas, are lost to humanity forever. How they looked before the earthquake in April 2015, see the links.

Squares and streets in Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu Durbar Square in Patan

Also in Nepal, under the protection of UNESCO, there are the Chitwan reserve and the Everest region with the highest peak in the world.

Walking in Kathmandu- the capital of the country with a population of 850 thousand (2005). The city was founded in the 8th century and was called Kantipur. Then it became an independent principality. In 1769, the Shah of the principality of Gorkha seized the entire territory of modern Nepal and proclaimed Kathmandu the capital. The earthquakes of 1833 and 1934 severely destroyed the city. Centuries of isolation helped to preserve the city in its original form. Buddhist and Hindu temples, the architecture of houses located on narrow stone-paved streets fill the city with mystical energy. The simplicity of the way of life makes the city a bit like a large village with bad roads, low red brick houses and tiled roofs. Yards are filled with livestock and small animals. The wooden elements of the old houses are covered with fine carvings, and many of the houses are presented in the form of a pagoda. In fact, the capital merged with the neighboring town of Lalitpur - the formerPatanor "city of arts" - founded in 229.See photo of Durbar Square in Patan.

Thamel- areaKathmandu, where most foreign tourists live. Here they find everything they need: restaurants and bars, souvenir shops, bike rental with mopeds. Many stores sell good equipment for outdoor enthusiasts. There are different types of hotels in this area. You can find a room even for $ 7 per day. Most of the people in the rooms only sleep as there is so much to see in the area. It is from here that the road begins to the foot of the highest point in the world - Mount Chomolungma (Everest).

Durbar Square in Kathmandu IIt is both the center of the capital and the center of the ancient architecture of the city. It is located 15 min. walk from Thamel. Paid entrance. There are many temples in Durbar Square, Royal Palace Narayanhiti, palace and temple complex Hanuman Dhoka 15th-18th centuries. The largest temple on the square is called Taleju in the form of a pagoda of 9 floors and is dedicated to the patron deity of the Malla dynasty. The temple is only open to Nepalese once a year. Beautiful wooden pagoda Kath Mandirbuilt in 1596. From the tower of Bhimsen(1834) you can see the whole city. Wooden royal palace now a museum. The living goddess Kumari lives in a special palace. Since the 18th century, she has guarded kings and blesses them to reign. Kumari is chosen from girls aged 4-5 years with special facial features and a horoscope. Kumari takes up residence in the palace with her entire family and lives until she reaches puberty, an age at which she is believed to remain innocent and pure. Only once a year is she allowed to go outside, when she is driven through the city. She is taken care of, trained, guests visit her. When, after 10 years, Kumari leaves the palace forever, she is paid a large sum of money and she continues to live as a private person. No one marries her, as the former Kumari brings misfortune.

Stupa Swayambhunath built ontop of Monkey Mountain. The path for believers to the stupa has 365 steps up. A highway has been built for tourists. Entry 200 NRs. The top is the best place for a panoramic view of the entire city. It is known that the first large stupas in Nepal were built during the reign of the Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. e. Despite the fact that archaeological research of religious buildings in Nepal is prohibited, there is no doubt that the Swayambhunath stupa is about 2 thousand years old! It is a huge white hemisphere, the upper part of which is decorated with a cube with a cone ringed with 13 belts. On all sides of the cube are depicted huge all-seeing eyes of the Buddha. Between them is a symbol denoting virtue. Other numerous buildings located around are temples, columns, small stupas and statues of gods. The walls of the temples are covered with erotic frescoes and sculptures. Bronze figurines depicting a wife enjoying love at the same time as her seven husbands can be bought on every street corner. On the square there are several dozen spinning reels, going in a row one after another. Prayers are engraved on the drums, and inside they are bundles with sayings of the Buddha. Believers pass clockwise side by side and scroll the drums with their hands, thereby, as if saying prayers.

National History Museum- located behind Swayambhunath Hill. It features a unique collection of butterflies, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, plants and various fossilized creatures collected from all over the country.Kaiser Library- is the main center of rare and valuable books and manuscripts. It is open to the public every day except Saturdays and holidays.

Stupa Buddhanath built in the 3rd century. This one of the largest Buddhist shrines in Nepal is located 10 km northeast of Kathmandu and makes an indelible impression. Entry 100 NRs.

Temple Krishna Mandir was built in 1723 in memory of the eight wives of King Narendra Malla, who took the rite of sati (self-immolation) after the death of their husband.

Pashupatinath Temple Complex founded in the 8th century. The main temple of the complex is dedicated to Shiva and has a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. In front of the entrance is a huge statue of the bull Nandi - the vehicle of Shiva. This is the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. There are many pilgrims here, but, unfortunately, entry is prohibited for white tourists. By the river next to the temple, the rite of burning the bodies is performed dead, according to custom. Other temples in Kathmandu are Muktinah and Mahndranath. Budhanilkantha of the 5th century - is a stone statue of the god Vishnu, lying on the rings of the snake Shesha.

Bhaktapur- the second largest city in the valleyKathmandu. Translated from Sanskrit, it means "city of believers in Vishnu". In the 14th-16th centuries, it was the capital of the entire valley, which was reflected in the grandeur of its architectural monuments (mainly of the 17th century), which are perfectly preserved. There are more than ten Vishnu temples in the city, most of which are priceless in their historical significance. On the Palace Square of Bhaktapur, there is a former palace of the kings of the Malla dynasty with 55 windows, and the carving pattern is not repeated on any window. Next to the palace is the Golden Gate leading to the Hindu temple. Another decoration of the city is the five-tiered pagoda of Nyatapola. Entrance tickets to Durbar Square are the most expensive in Nepal and cost 750 NRs.

Changunarayan Temple built in honor of the god Vishnu in the 3rd century AD. e. Since Buddhism and Hinduism have mixed in many ways in Nepal, the temple is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Located 10 km north of Bhaktapur on a hill 1541 m above sea level. It has been documented that Changunarayan is the oldest building in Nepal. Entry 100 NRs. There are many shops near the temple where you can buy magnificent products made of wood and metals at ridiculous prices.

Nagarkot - mountain resort at an altitude of almost 2000 m above sea level, 37 km. from Bhaktapur. For vacationers, several hotels have been built here (one of them is ****), from the windows or roofs of which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the great mountains, including Everest, and breathe the purest mountain air in clear weather.

Other interesting cities and districts of Nepal

Mustang or Lo is a kingdom inside Nepal. One of the most exciting and mystical adventures in Nepal. Mustang is located in the northwest of Nepal, north of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs, on the border with Tibet. The capital of the kingdom is located on a high plateau about 4000 meters high and is lost among the rivers and gorges. It was only in October 1991 that this place was opened to tourists with a permit. You can get to Mustang by plane from Pokhara. 20 minutes. flight and you are in Jomsom. Then the tourists start hiking and in 5 days they reach the capital of the kingdom, Lo Monthang. On the way, the group spends the night in tents, cargo and food are carried on horseback.

Chitwan - national reserve Since 1973, the reserve covers an area of ​​about 1000 km² and is spread between the Narayani and Rapti rivers, 150 km from Kathmandu and 160 km from Pokhara. Chitwan used to be a favorite hunting ground for Nepalese kings. The reserve is inhabited by: about 120 Bengal tigers - now the rarest animals listed in the Red Book, wild elephants, about 400 one-horned rhinos, 4 species of deer, wild boars, antelopes, buffaloes, bears, gharial crocodiles, caiman alligators, monkeys, jackals , wild dogs, mongooses, pythons, cobras and other snakes, several species of hares, reed cats, squirrels, bats and more than 400 species of birds. It is best to get acquainted with the life of the jungle from the back of an elephant. The smell of an elephant interrupts the smell of a man, and wild animals continue to go about their business without fear. Car safaris and rafting can be arranged for guests. Tourists are invited to spend the night in huts with all amenities. Walking in the jungle of the reserve is absolutely safe.Shivapuri is another national park. Even a leopard and a rare Himalayan bear can be found in this reserve.

Excursion to the Chitwan Reserve from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Cost: 2 days and 1 night - $60, 3 days and 2 nights - $70, 4 days and 3 nights - $80. Included: transfer by bus, accommodation in a hotel of ** and *** level, meals, entrance fees. Surcharge for private transport. The tour must be purchased in advance. Buses from Pokhara depart daily at 07:30 am from the Tourist Info Center, near Phewa Lake and the airport.

Pokhara- a wonderful city in the very center of Nepal, located at an altitude of 827 m above sea level at the foot of the grandiose Annapurna massif on the shores of the beautiful large Lake Phewa. Pokhara got a whole pageon our website.

Lumbini is the most sacred place for Buddhists around the world. Lumbini is located in the very south of Nepal on the border with India. Here in the 6th century BC. Born Prince Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha - the great philosopher and founder of Buddhism. Here you can see ancient stupas, the column of the famous emperor Ashoka, the ruins of an ancient monastery and images of Buddha's mother Maya Devi. Each Buddhist country has contributed to the creation of a memorial park and the construction of Buddhist temples in Lumbini. From Kathmandu you can get here by bus in 7 hours.

Namo Buddha Monastery- Another of the many places of worship is located northeast of Kathmandu. According to legend, the Buddha fed his flesh to a hungry tigress so that she could feed her cubs. The monastery has a small hotel where tourists can stay for a few days.

Tours from Nepal to neighboring countries Bhutan and Tibet

T ibet - an autonomous region of China, which was reattached to the country in 1950 after 39 years of independent existence. Tibet is a mountainous region, the birthplace of Lamaism (a branch of Buddhism) and the Dalai Lama, a land with sparse vegetation, many monasteries. The lifestyle of the locals is truly unique.

The Tibet tour starts and ends in Kathmandu. It is for 7 days and 8 nights. You go there via Kodari by bus. Back from Lhasa by plane. Price $905. The price includes: bus and airfare ($420), standard DBL accommodation with breakfast, guided tours, entrance fees to monasteries, Tibetan visa ($60). The visa does not entitle you to travel within China. Not included: Nepalese visa if the previous one expires, $20 airport tax, insurance and evacuation in case of force majeure, porter. Discounts are available if the group consists of more than 3 people.

Kingdom of Bhutan completely lost land in the Himalayan mountains. Because little known. In 2005, only 13,000 tourists visited the country. Here, it seems, time froze 500 years ago and left everything intact. Television appeared here only in 2002! You can plunge into the past world, if we talk about the life of people and at the same time into eternity, meaning the wonderful nature, during the tour with a departure from Kathmandu.

Tour cost (minimum 3 days): $220 per person per night for standard accommodation, $260 for deluxe accommodation. DBL number. For single accommodation, you will have to pay $ 40-50 per day. The price includes, in addition to accommodation, full board, guided tours, entrance fees. Not included: air ticket Kathmandu - Paro - Kathmandu ($455) and visa $30.

Among the majestic Himalayas and lived a relaxed life in the wonderful city of Pokhara, where we were received as close relatives.

We talked a lot with the locals, learning about the life, worries, problems and dreams of ordinary people, we ate at the same "tablecloth table" on the floor. At the end of our stay, we compiled 55 facts about this amazing country.

2. A visa for 2 weeks or a month can be obtained at the entrance to the country - at the airport or at the border crossing.

3. In some buses, it is forbidden to carry large bags and backpacks in the cabin - they are carried on the roof so that more people can fit in the cabin. Since inside, all the same, all the passengers do not fit, the rest travel with their things - on the roof.

4. One of the sacred places in Nepal is a stone in the city of Lumbini, next to which, according to legend, Buddha was born.

5. The national flag of Nepal is the only non-rectangular flag in the world (it consists of two connected triangles).

6. The difference with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in Nepal is very atypical - it is 5 hours and 45 minutes.

7. Due to the lack of rich natural resources, landlocked, underdeveloped agriculture and transport infrastructure, Nepal is one of the most backward and poorest countries in the world

8. 90% of goods and products in Nepal are imported from.

9. Thamel's district is the epicenter of counterfeit, mostly sportswear, clothing of world brands: Deuter, Salewa, North Face, Columbia, etc. Things are sewn quite high quality, and they cost several times cheaper than the original

10. About a third of men in Nepal work in tourism, mostly as guides in the Himalayas.

11. Nepal is the only country in the world where the average life expectancy of men is longer than that of women.

12. In the capital of the country, the generated electricity is not enough to supply the entire city at the same time, so electricity is turned on alternately in different areas, according to the schedule.

13. During the winter months, the houses are very cold, there is no central heating system, and electric heaters are usually not used - it is expensive, and electricity is not always available.

14. In many Nepalese houses, there are bars in the windows, but no glass.

15. To heat the water, the locals pour it into black tanks and try to wash at lunchtime, when the water warms up as much as possible, and it’s not cold outside. As an alternative source of energy, more affluent residents use solar panels, but their power is enough to heat water to a lukewarm state.

16. In winter, Nepalese go home in hats, warm pants, and sometimes in jackets, they also sleep, additionally covered with 2 blankets

17. Nepalese try to do most of their household chores during the day on the street in order to get maximum sunlight.

18. Some locals have a rather strange attitude towards keeping warm - they can be wrapped from head to toe and at the same time walk in slippers, as a result of which they often get sick.

19. Some of the most popular outlets are pharmacy kiosks, which can be easily found on any street, and Strepsils cough drops can be bought at any food stall.

20. In winter, the weather is very changeable. On a sunny day, the air warms up to 22-25 degrees and you can walk in a T-shirt, and after sunset the temperature drops sharply and drops to 8-10 degrees.

21. On cloudy winter days, for heating, local residents kindle fires on the street right in front of the house or shop where they work, where they gather with the whole family to gossip or just keep warm


22. Nepalese, even those with an average income, often sleep on the floor, and side by side with other family members.

23. They usually go to bed around 9 pm and get up at 5 am to make the most of daylight hours.

24. Classes at universities start at 6 am and end at 12 noon.

25. Eat twice a day - lunch around 10 am and dinner around 7 pm.

26. Instead of breakfast, as a rule, they drink a cup of sweet tea with milk.

27. Most Nepalese are vegetarians. A typical meal is rice and dal (lentil stew) plus vegetable curries. Morning and evening meals are practically the same.

28. One of the popular local dishes in cafes is Mo-Mo. In shape, they resemble dumplings, they are steamed or fried in oil, and stuffed with lamb or vegetables, and very rarely cooked at home mo-mo.


29. Meat is eaten infrequently, mainly lamb, goat, chicken, buffalo or yak meat.

30. Dairy products are not very popular but are occasionally found, including buffalo milk and yak milk cheese.

31. Beef is not eaten in Nepal, cows are sacred animals here.

32. At the same time, as in, these sacred animals often walk the streets in the hope of finding food for themselves, and eat almost everything, including cardboard boxes.

33. In Nepal, people only eat with their right hand. The left hand is considered "unclean", so eating food, as well as giving or receiving anything, is not accepted for it.

34. One of the largest and oldest, as well as the most visited Buddhist temples in the world, is located in Kathmandu -

35. A lot of monkeys live near the temples, and they clearly feel like masters and behave, often very aggressively - show their teeth, try to get into bags and grab food.

36. One of the stupas, Swayambhunath, located in Kathmandu, is even called that - because of the huge number of primates living there

37. As well as in, they are held in Kathmandu, they take place in the Pashupatinath temple, which is considered one of the most sacred places for Hindus, only relatives are allowed to the place of burning, but tourists can also watch all the action from the opposite bank of the river


38. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, more than 20 small palaces and temples are concentrated on it

39. The Bagmati River, which is revered in Nepal no less than, is a rather pathetic sight, and more like a dirty sewer.

40. Entrance to attractions for Nepalese is free or costs a penny, and for foreigners it is 10, 20, and sometimes 50 times more expensive.

41. Many tourists, having come to the temple and looking at the locals, consider it their duty to spin the sacred drums, although few understand their purpose.
42. Despite the fact that Nepal is a very poor country, in general it is cleaner here than in India.

43. The city of Kathmandu is quite dusty, so many people walk and, especially ride motorcycles, in bandages that cover their mouth and nose. Moreover, the bandages are often not simple monophonic, but bright, multi-colored, with various patterns.

44. Nepal is the highest country in the world. About 40% of its territory is located at an altitude of more than 3000 m.

45. In Nepal, there are 8 of the 14 "eight-thousanders" - mountains exceeding a height of 8000 m, including the highest mountain in the world - Everest (8848 m)

46. ​​For it is necessary - permit (permission to visit the protected area) and TIMS (registration card in the search and rescue service). They are valid for one visit, but the period of stay in the mountains is not limited - at least one day, at least one year, the main thing is to describe your route and its duration in advance


47. Everything you need for trekking - from clothes and shoes to backpacks, sleeping bags, crampons and harnesses, as well as route cards and sunglasses, can be bought in Thamel in Kathmandu or on Lakeside in Pokhara - prices are less than in Russia. All this can also be rented with a daily payment, or you can buy a new one and then return it to the same sellers for half the cost.

48. Accommodation in mountain villages in trekking is very cheap (from $1.5 per room), sometimes it is generally offered for free, in exchange for a promise to have dinner and breakfast with the same hosts. Sometimes you can even find accommodation with hot water in the shower


49. In every guesthouse in the mountains, without fail, there is a stove that is heated in the evening, and around which tired and frozen tourists gather.

Arrival at Kathmandu airport. Meeting with a guide. Transfer to the guesthouse of the Sheten monastery. Check-in at the guesthouse of the Sheten monastery. Excursion with a visit to the Buddhist stupa Swayambhunath and the palace square
Kathmandu. Excursion to Triten Norbutse Monastery, which belongs to the ancient Bon religion. In the afternoon, excursion to the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.
During the tours you will see:
- The Swayambhunath Buddhist stupa is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and is the oldest in Nepal (built about 2.5 thousand years ago). According to legend, a sacred lotus was buried under the base of this grandiose structure, growing from a seed thrown by one of the previous Buddhas at the bottom of a huge lake that once existed on the site of the current Kathmandu valley. The stupa is located on top of a green hill, from where a picturesque panorama of the Nepalese capital opens. In the vicinity of the stupa there are numerous monasteries belonging to various branches of Tibetan Buddhism.
Excursion to the Triten Norbutse Monastery, belonging to the ancient pre-Buddhist religion of Bon-po. At present, Bon monasteries have survived only in certain areas of Tibet and Nepal, as well as in Sikkim and Bhutan. On the territory of Nepal, there are only about 20 such monasteries, and they are mainly located in remote northern regions - Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Jumla, i.e. in areas inhabited by ethnic Tibetans. In the Kathmandu Valley, Triten Norbutse Monastery is the only monastery of the Bon tradition.
The Bon religion reflects the spiritual and cultural traditions of Tibet, which existed for many millennia long before the advent of Tibetan Buddhism. According to legends, the teachings of Bon originated 16-18 thousand years ago in the ancient state of Shang-zhung in Tibet, i.e. in those ancient times when human life was in constant danger because of the spirits and other powerful natural forces that reigned over Tibet. The worldview of the Bonts inhabited any place with spirits, especially lakes and mountains, rocks and caves. And then the awakened Tonpa Shenrab appeared to teach people to resist and control these forces. For followers of Bon-po, the sacred mountain Kailash is a mountain-soul, and according to their beliefs, it was here that the founder of the Bon sect, the legendary Tonpa Shenrab, descended from heaven to earth.
A distinctive feature of the Bon religion is the pronunciation of mystical formulas and spells, the performance of mysterious trance-inducing rituals, dances and sacrifices to suppress evil spirits and attract good and merciful spirits to help. It is a characteristic feature of Bon to do many things in reverse order (go around stupas counterclockwise, rotate prayer wheels in the opposite direction and say mantras in reverse), just as in the Bon tradition, the rotation of the swastika is left-handed (as opposed to the right-handed swastika of Buddhism), which symbolizes the opposition the forces of nature and the inflexibility of the will of the followers. Witchcraft and shamanic rites of the Bon religion had a significant impact on one of the 4 most important areas of Tibetan Buddhism - the Nyingma school.
Initially, the Bon monastery Triten Norbutse was built in the 14th century. in central Tibet (Tsang province), existed for many centuries and was an important center of Tantrism.
During the period of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, i.e. in the 1950s, the monastery was completely destroyed and destroyed. The modern monastery of Triten Norbutse was rebuilt in Nepal near the Swayambhunath stupa in 1977, because at that time it was impossible to restore the monastery in Tibet itself. The monastery serves the purpose of preserving the ancient cultural traditions of the Bon religion and is one of the 2 most important Bon monasteries outside of Tibet.
Excursion to the ancient temple complex Pashupatinath (built in the 6th century; listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site) - the most sacred Shiva temple for Hindus, and we will be able to observe some Hindu customs here. Perhaps your visit will coincide with one of the big holidays like Maga Shivaratri or Tiz. Childless women come here to god Shiva. Near the temple on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, the cremation of the dead takes place. Here you can see many wandering ascetics, as well as snake tamers. Our guide will tell you many stories and legends about Shiva and his beloved wife Parvati, which are also directly related to the history of the Pashupatinath temple. Overnight at the guesthouse of Sheten Monastery