17 Awesome Things to do in Nepal – that AREN’T Trekking!

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A round-up of fun, unusual, and unmissable things to do in Nepal – beyond trekking in the Himalayas!

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I loved Nepal. The craziness of Kathmandu; the epic mountain views glimpsed from juddering buses; the warmth of the people I met; the random cows sleeping in the middle of busy roads; the thick tangles of wires decorating every building and lamppost and tree at the side of the roads; the colourful temples; the bizarre encounters; the incredible food. I loved it all.

There’s so much to this country, and yet so many people think of Nepal as little more than just treks and mountains.

After spending a couple of weeks there without once setting foot on any kind of trekking route, I’m here to tell you that there is plenty more to do in when you’re travelling or backpacking in Nepal. Here are 17 things to do in Nepal that aren’t trekking…

17 Fun Things to do in Nepal

1 – Everest Mountain Flight

If you want to see Everest and the other Himalayan peaks, but you don’t fancy trekking, there is another way. You can book an Everest Mountain Flight, or take an Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour, to see the snowy giants from the air.

Stefania from Every Steph has a great post about her Everest flight experience, and it’s packed full of her handy tips.

You’ll spend an hour in the air, soaring past the peaks of the world’s tallest mountain range, with the pilot and crew providing a narration so you know what you’re looking at. And you’ll earn yourself some serious travel bragging rights!

RECOMMENDED TOUR: One-Hour Panoramic Everest Flight

2 – Temples of Kathmandu

Chaotic, crowded, and at times bat-crap-crazy, Kathmandu is Nepal’s wonderfully insane capital. Many visitors treat the city as nothing more than a jumping-off point for a trek, but there’s so much more to it. Spend some time exploring the city, and in particular its incredible temples…

Boudhanath is perhaps the most famous of Kathmandu’s Buddhist temples, and it’s one of the most impressive sights in the city. The gold and white stupa is enormous, and the complex is bustling with devotees and fluttering prayer flags.

Swayambhunath, aka the Monkey Temple, is a Buddhist temple offering some amazing – if hazy – views of the city. And of course, there are dozens of monkeys!

Pashupatinath is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Pashupatinath. You can watch cremations being performed on the banks of the Bagmati River, and explore the crumbling stone buildings of this important Hindu site.

Where to stay in Kathmandu: I loved Kathmandu Guest House in the popular Thamil district. The hotel’s garden is a total oasis from the chaotic city outside! 

3 – Paragliding in Pokhara

Fancy an adrenaline hit on your Nepal trip? Why not take to the skies in Pokhara? It’s considered one of the best places in the world for tandem paragliding!

Thanks to relatively stable thermals, pretty decent weather year-round, and the safety net of Pokhara’s huge blue lake, the city is perfect for paragliding. Throw in some seriously epic views of the snow-capped mountains that surround Pokhara and you have the ideal recipe for an amazing paragliding session.

RECOMMENDED TOUR: 30-Minute Tandem Paraglide

4 – Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park

It’s not all about the Himalayas in Nepal – the country’s topography is actually pretty varied. Down in the lowlands in the south of Nepal lies Chitwan National Park, a sprawling area of lush jungles and grassy plains that’s just 415m above sea level. On a safari in Chitwan, you’ll be able to spot rhinos, elephants, hundreds of bird species, and – if you’re lucky – the elusive Bengal tiger.

For the most dazzlingly luxurious safari experience in Chitwan, try Megauli Serai. This stunning lodge is from the famous Taj Safaris chain and they really know what they’re doing. From the incredible villas (complete with private pools overlooking the park) to the faultless service, everything about my stay at Megauli Serai was amazing. Click here to read my blog post all about it.

5 – Bungee Jump

When it comes to adrenaline-rushes and extreme sports, Nepal does not disappoint! Not far from Kathmandu is the adventure sports complex The Last Resort – where you’ll find the world’s ninth-highest bungee jump. It’s a 160m high jump into a tropical gorge above a raging river. Would you be brave enough?

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Bungee Jumping Day Trip from Kathmandu

6 – Panauti Homestay

One of my favourite discoveries in Nepal was Panauti Community Homestay. When they’re done well, a homestay is a great way to get a true insight into the local culture, and there are quite a few homestays across Nepal to choose from. What I loved about the Panauti Community Homestay was that it was run by a cooperative of local women. The goal is to give local women independence and to raise their status in society – so you’ll be supporting a really good cause.

At a homestay, you’ll be staying in a genuine local home – so you can get a pretty authentic glimpse of real life in Nepal. Accommodation is basic but comfortable, and my hosts couldn’t have been more welcoming. From cooking lessons to dances, they’ll find plenty of ways to keep you occupied on your visit!

7 – Canyoning

For a true Himalayan adventure, try your hand at canyoning in Nepal. Basically, you throw yourself into a fast-flowing mountain river and let it carry you downstream. This is a great way to get a real hands-on experience of the Himalayas, as you abseil, slide, and splash your way through gorges, waterfalls, and untouched jungle. This is one of nature’s most amazing playgrounds – don’t miss it!

8- Birthplace of Buddha

India might be more famous for its connections with Buddha, who lived most of his life there, but Nepal is where he was born. In the southwestern lowlands lies the city of Lumbini, where you’ll find the Buddha’s birthplace.

It’s a sprawling complex of gardens, temples, and monasteries – and at the heart of it lies a small white building inside which are the archaeological remains of Buddha’s birthplace. The woodlands behind the building are smothered in colourful chains of fluttering prayer flags, and the gardens are beautiful.

Read more about the birthplace of Buddha in Lumbini in this fab post by Travel Photo Discovery.

RECOMMENDED TOUR: 6-Day Kathmandu and Lumbini Tour

9 – White Water Rafting

Yet another way to get wet and wild in the Himalayas is with white water rafting. Nepal has numerous rivers to explore on rafting trips ranging from one day to a week or ten days.

Try something new, and discover the beauty of the Himalayas from raging rivers fed by snow melts and monsoon rains. White water rafting in Nepal is a real challenge, but it’s a serious thrill and a great way to test your limits! 

RECOMMENDED TOUR: Trishuli River Rafting Day Trip from Kathmandu

10 – Motorbike Across Nepal

If you’re looking for independence and adventure, why not rent a motorbike and set off across the country? That’s what The Runaway Guide did (read his awesome post about riding Nepal here) and I was insanely jealous!

The winding mountain roads offer up some spectacular vistas, and it’s a great way to explore with total freedom. Driving in Nepal probably isn’t for the fainthearted, though; those roads can be dangerous and potholes are pretty common. But if you’re looking for adventure and bragging rights this is for you!

11 – Skydiving Nepal

For the ultimate adrenaline rush in Nepal, you really can’t beat a tandem skydive in front of Mount Everest! Dropping from a helicopter at 23,000ft, you’ll free-fall, then parachute, right in front of the world’s highest peak. Then you’ll land in one of the world’s highest drop zones, Amadablam Basecamp at 15000ft.

The Everest skydive is pretty expensive (as in $25,000 USD expensive). But there is a more reasonable alternative over in Pokhara too for around $800! Still pricey, but for a once-in-a-lifetime adrenaline rush in a spectacular mountain setting, it could be worth the splurge.

12 – Explore Patan

On the outskirts of Kathmandu, Patan was once an independent city-state and still feels quite separate from the capital. You can’t miss a visit to Durbar Square, Nepal’s best collection of temples and palaces. But there are also some great shopping opportunities. Visit the fair-trade craft stores to buy handicrafts and help support Nepal’s neediest communities.

Top tip: most people visit on a day trip from Kathmandu, so if you stay the night you’ll have Patan all to yourself once the crowds head home. Click here to check the latest hotel prices in Patan.

13 – Farmstays and WWOOFING

I’ve already mentioned homestays, but if you want to take it a step further why not consider a farmstay? WWOOF Nepal is part of the organisation World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and they can hook you up with a local farm that will give you room and board in exchange for a pair of willing hands. You can take part in farm work, see how real people live in rural Nepal, and support the local efforts towards sustainable agriculture. It’s a fantastic way to give a little back.

14 – Mountain Yoga

Yoga is all about connecting with the world around you. And what better way to do that than by practising yoga outside, surrounded by the very best of the natural world? At various yoga retreats in Nepal, you can learn and practice meditation, yoga, and spirituality whilst surrounded by the majesty of the Himalayas. Sadhana Yoga Retreat in Pokhara comes highly recommended. This school offers everything from daily classes to 21-day intensive courses.

15 – Discover Ayurveda

Dating back to the Vedic period, Ayurveda is the oldest authentically recorded science in existence. The goal is to achieve harmony between the four dimensions of health (body, senses, mind and spirit).

Book an excursion to meet traditional Ayurvedic healers and learn more about the natural medicines and ancient tools they use. Or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic massage – a key part of Ayurvedic therapy. It’s a holistic massage treatment using essential oils and music to relax and restore.

16 – Visit the International Mountain Museum

Although this is a post about things to do in Nepal other than trekking, it’s still pretty hard to escape the Himalayas. The world’s tallest mountain range is one of the countries biggest draws, after all. For a better understanding of the mountains, head to the International Mountain Museum outside of Pokhara.

Not only does the museum cover everything from how the mountains formed to the cultures of the people who live on them, but there’s also a huge exhibit dedicated to the long trekking history. Even if you’re not going to conquer Everest yourself, it’s interesting to learn more about the folks who have – and how they do it!

READ MORE: Check out this blog post about the museum to learn more.

17 – Eat!

Nepali cuisine gets a bit of a bad rap amongst travellers in my opinion – partly because trekkers often wind up eating the country’s staple dal bhat for three meals a day during their trips. But this country has so much more to offer than the hearty lentil soup that’s served with almost every meal.

There are momos – my personal obsession – as well as rich curries and loads tastier dishes. Don’t miss buffalo curry, sekuwa – spiced meat char-grilled over a natural log fire – or the spiced lentil patties known as bara.

There’s so much to discover, so check out Foodie Flashpacker’s post about his food tour in Kathmandu to find out what you’re missing. Or just book yourself onto the tour for a fab insight into the local cuisine.

READ MORE: 18 Nepali Dishes You Need to Try!