Nepal

Travel Nepal on your gap year. Ideas for gap year travel to Nepal.

Nepal gap year - Gap year programmes in Nepal

Nepal is indisputably one of the most beautiful countries on earth. The great appeal of Nepal is the Himalaya mountain range and the tallest mountain of them all - Everest. Even if you lack the ambition or stamina to get up to Everest Base Camp or beyond, though, Nepal offers some of the best and most spectacular walking trails in the world. Gap year travellers will discover in Nepal a unique culture, amazing landscapes, some outstanding wildlife, historic buildings and some of the warmest, friendliest people you're ever likely to meet.  

Whether you arrive in Nepal by plane or have travelled overland from India you'll definitely spend some time in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, at some point. Kathmandu simply teems with humanity and possesses a unique, spiritual atmosphere. The city is home to many of Nepal's beautiful carved rose-brick temples.

If you want to get involved with a volunteer project in Nepal you could consider Real Gap's ‘Nepal Teaching English Volunteer Project'  Volunteers work as teaching assistants, helping underprivileged Nepalese children with their schooling. Participants also get the chance to take some yoga and meditation lessons, along with Nepalese language training. If you are interested in having a real cultural experience in Nepal then this programme is a really rewarding way to achieve this.

The other great city of Nepal is Pokhara. Pokhara is perched on Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal, and has stunning views of the nearby Annapurna mountain range. Unlike Kathamandu there are not so many must-see buildings or sights here - it's simply a lovely relaxing spot in which to take a break before or after a trek. Wherever you go trekking in Nepal - be it in the Everest region, Annapurnas or anywhere else - it's always advisable to take a guide with you. Trekking trips in Nepal can be arranged either before you depart for Nepal, or once you arrive - in places like Kathmandu and Pokhara.

If you plan to go trekking in Nepal you should make sure you go well prepared and follow any safety advice you've been given. It may be warm and sunny when you're at lower altitude somewhere like Pokhara, but it's amazing how quickly the Nepal weather changes at higher altitude - and you'll need to have the correct clothing and equipment with you.
 
Away from the mountains, a fantastic place to see some wildlife in Nepal is the Royal Chitwan National Park. At Chitwan it's possible to see some of Nepal's few remaining tigers, leopards and wild elephants. Doing a safari on elephant-back at Chitwan is definitely one of Nepal's must-do experiences. The Nepal jungle scenery is beautiful and you are almost guaranteed to see rhinos, monkeys, deer, numerous different bird species and possibly sloths.

Nepal has long been an established gap year destination and there's so much to see and do in this beautiful country. The cost of living is also incredibly cheap and it would be easy to spend many weeks or months exploring Nepal whilst getting through your gap year funds at a fraction of the speed you would anywhere else - another great reason to visit Nepal on your year out.

Nepal gap year - Gap year programmes in Nepal


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