Nepal Life Checklist

Prove your Nepali-ness with momos and chaos!

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Trek to Everest Base Camp

Stand at the foot of the world's tallest mountain

Complete the Annapurna Circuit

Trek through diverse landscapes and cross Thorong La pass

Celebrate Dashain with a Nepali Family

Receive tika and jamara during Nepal's biggest festival

Eat Momos Until You Can't Move

Try at least 5 varieties of Nepal's beloved dumplings in one sitting

Master the Art of Dal Bhat Power 24 Hour

Experience the energy-giving staple diet of Nepal

Spot a One-Horned Rhino in Chitwan

Witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat

Visit All Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu Valley

A cultural marathon through temples, squares, and stupas

Successfully Bargain in Thamel

Get at least 50% off the initial asking price

Experience Tihar Festival of Lights

Witness homes illuminated with oil lamps and candles

Try Homemade Raksi with Locals

Sample Nepal's traditional distilled alcohol (and survive)

Defend Your Snacks at Swayambhunath

Visit the 'Monkey Temple' without losing food to the locals

Paraglide in Pokhara

Soar with eagles above Phewa Lake

Row a Boat on Phewa Lake

Navigate to Tal Barahi Temple in the middle of the lake

Trek the Langtang Valley

Experience the 'valley of glaciers' on a less crowded trail

Eat Himalayan Yak Cheese

Savor the distinctive flavor of high-altitude dairy

Experience a Kathmandu Power Outage

Embrace the impromptu candlelit evening

Get Completely Covered in Holi Colors

Become a walking rainbow during the festival of colors

Watch Sunrise from Sarangkot

See the Annapurna range glow golden at dawn

Develop a Taste for Gundruk

Try Nepal's fermented leafy green specialty

White Water Raft the Trishuli River

Navigate thrilling rapids through gorgeous gorges

Visit Upper Mustang

Explore the 'forbidden kingdom' and its Tibetan culture

Stay in a Traditional Village Homestay

Experience authentic rural Nepali life

Spin Prayer Wheels at Boudhanath

Circle the giant stupa among Tibetan pilgrims

Witness an Aarti Ceremony at Pashupatinath

Experience the evening fire ritual at Nepal's holiest Hindu site

Take a Rickshaw Ride Through Old Kathmandu

Navigate narrow streets the traditional way

Enjoy a Traditional Newari Feast

Sample all 84 dishes if you're brave enough

Hear a Local's 2015 Earthquake Story

Connect with Nepal's recent challenging history

Make Pottery in Bhaktapur

Try your hand at this ancient Newari craft

Remove a Leech After a Monsoon Trek

A rite of passage for rainy season trekkers

Drink an Everest Beer at 5000m

Possibly the highest beer you'll ever enjoy

Go on a Jeep Safari in Bardia National Park

Search for wild tigers in Nepal's remote wilderness

Walk Through Terraced Rice Fields

Marvel at centuries-old agricultural engineering

Cross a Himalayan Suspension Bridge

Test your fear of heights while admiring the view

Overnight at Namobuddha Monastery

Experience the daily routine of Buddhist monks

Buy an Authentic Khukuri Knife

Own the traditional blade of the Gurkhas

Take a Nepali Cooking Class

Master the art of momos and more

Bungee Jump from the Last Resort

Leap into the Bhote Kosi gorge from 160m high

Eat Juju Dhau in Bhaktapur

Taste the 'King of Yogurts' in its home city

Sunrise at Poon Hill

Watch the first light hit the Annapurna range

Complete a Kora Around Boudhanath

Join pilgrims in the sacred clockwise circuit

Witness Dashain Goat Festival

Experience the ancient sacrificial traditions

Get the Himalayan Trekker's Tan

Return with the distinctive sunburned face, spared nose

Spot the Living Goddess Kumari

Glimpse Nepal's living deity at her window

Get Caught in a Monsoon Downpour

Experience nature's most dramatic shower

Visit Three Different Gompas

Compare the unique styles of Buddhist temples

Survive a Microbus Ride

Experience Kathmandu's most thrilling public transport

Eat Fresh Sel Roti from a Street Vendor

Enjoy Nepal's traditional ring-shaped rice bread

Drink Himalayan Grown Coffee

Taste Nepal's emerging specialty coffee scene

Eat Spicy Chatpatay from a Street Cart

Test your spice tolerance with this tangy snack

Sunset from Nagarkot

Watch the sun drop behind the world's highest mountains

Drink Chhang from a Traditional Wooden Cup

Sip the millet beer from a tongba

Road Trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara

Experience the winding highway journey

Snack on Sukuti with Raksi

Pair dried meat with local spirits

Get a Raksha Bandhan Thread for Janai Purnima

Receive the sacred protection thread on your wrist

Receive a Red Tika Blessing

Get the traditional red dot on your forehead

Survive an Overnight Bus Journey

Travel long distance the local way

Relax at a Hill Station

Unwind at Dhulikhel, Bandipur, or another mountain retreat

Get Invited to a Nepali Wedding

Experience the color and joy of a multi-day celebration

Visit Buddha's Birthplace in Lumbini

Make a pilgrimage to where Buddhism began

Witness Indra Jatra in Kathmandu

See the Kumari's chariot procession and Lakhe dancers during this major Newari festival

Share Chyaang with Village Elders

Participate in the social ritual of drinking homemade rice beer from traditional vessels

Experience Gai Jatra Festival

Witness the 'cow festival' with satirical performances honoring those who passed away

Climb the Rebuilt Bhimsen Tower (Dharahara)

Ascend Kathmandu's iconic landmark that was rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake

Trek the Less-Crowded Mardi Himal Route

Experience breathtaking Annapurna views on this newer, quieter trekking route

Visit Janakpur's Janaki Temple

Explore the birthplace of Sita at this important Terai religious site

Reach Sacred Gosaikunda Lake

Trek to this high-altitude sacred lake revered by both Hindus and Buddhists

See the Eternal Flame at Jwala Mai Temple

Witness the natural gas flame that has been burning for centuries in Muktinath

Explore Remote Dolpa Region

Venture into one of Nepal's most isolated and culturally preserved areas

Listen to Traditional Sarangi Music

Hear the hauntingly beautiful sounds of this Nepali string instrument

Rest at a Village Chautari

Take a break at a traditional resting place built around a Pipal tree

Celebrate Losar (Tibetan New Year)

Join in the vibrant celebrations with Nepal's high mountain communities

Join the Ropain (Rice Planting) Festival

Get muddy planting rice with locals during this agricultural celebration

Visit a Chepang Community

Learn about one of Nepal's most marginalized indigenous groups

Experience a Nepal Bandh (Strike)

Find creative ways to navigate when everything mysteriously shuts down

Receive Blessings from a Kumari

Get a tika from one of Nepal's living goddesses during special ceremonies

Buy Authentic Dhaka Fabric in Tansen

Purchase the colorful traditional textile from its original production center

Tour the Narayanhiti Palace Museum

Walk through the site of Nepal's dramatic 2001 royal massacre

Raft the Wild Mahakali River

Navigate class IV-V rapids on Nepal's western border river

Explore Khaptad National Park

Discover the 'Switzerland of Nepal' with its unique plateau ecosystem in Far-Western Nepal

Stand at the Shores of Rara Lake

Visit Nepal's largest lake in remote Mugu district

Farm with Jyapu Farmers

Learn traditional agriculture from Kathmandu Valley's indigenous farmers

Watch Khukuri Making in Bhojpur

See master craftsmen forge Nepal's national knife

Visit Baraha Temple in Sunsari

Explore this important Vishnu temple that emerges from the Koshi River