Tourism Development in Nepal
Geography
Nepal is a landlocked country between China and India. The natural landscape consists of valleys and plains in the south, and the awe-inspiring Himalayan Mountains in the north.
History
- In 1950, Nepal's first road system was built to connect the city of Kathmandu to the Indian border. As a result, Nepal welcomed international tourists to explore the region's rich culture and picturesque Himalayan landscape.
Economic Significance
- According to the Encyclopedia of Tourism, in 1983 Nepal's tourism peaked as the country's leading economic sector by marketing the Himalayan landscape and the Hindu/Buddhist cultures.
Cultural Tourism Destinations
- According to the Nepal Tourism site, Nepal's developed regions for recreational tourism are the most popular. These destinations include Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Nepalgunj, Patan, Bhaktapur and Janakpur.
Mount Everest
- Tourism to the base of Mount Everest is a huge contribution to the development of Nepal's tourism sector. Tourists wishing to climb the world's highest mountain must purchase an additional permit for an additional $25,000 per person, thereby injecting a large amount of tourism dollars into Nepal's economy.
Trekking
- Nepal's diverse geography makes it the perfect place for trekking of all sorts, from mountain to forest to desert. The most popular treks in Nepal are the one to the Mount Everest base camp and those around the Annapurna mountain.
Trekking takes a lot of stamina and requires very good health, since you must carry a heavy pack, sometimes for days at a time, across very rough terrain.
Mountaineering
- Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, is part of the famed Himalayan mountain range that frames Nepal. The range is the most popular tourist destination in the country.
While the Nepalese government encourages mountaineering, it is still quite expensive. Climbing Mount Everest can cost around $25,000. It also is much more difficult than trekking, since you must climb steep slopes covered in snow in high elevations, all while lugging a heavy pack.
Rafting
- Nepal is crisscrossed by many rivers, making rafting another popular part of tourism. River rafting is done in a rubber raft or a kayak. The difficulty of the rivers ranges from a rating of 1 for very easy to 5 for extremely difficult.
Rafting in Nepal is a true natural experience. Rivers run through canyons and unpopulated forests. Camping is a necessity on any rafting trip that is more than a day long.
National Parks
- For such a small country, Nepal has an abundance of national parks. There are eight in total, ranging in type from wildlife preserves featuring tigers, rhinos and many other species of animals, to mountainous regions, forests, lakes and even traditional villages.
All of these parks welcome tourism, although some are much easier to get to than others.
All parks charge entrance fees.
Permits
- Permits are needed for nearly any form of tourism in Nepal.
The permit for trekking must be obtained in the area one wishes to trek.
Mountaineering permits must be obtained a couple of months in advance and are based on the elevation, the mountain climbed and the number of people in the climbing party. Permission to climb must be obtained from the Nepalese government's tourism branch before the permits will be issued.
Rafting permits must be purchased in Kathmandu. The cost for each river is different, but they all charge per person per day.
Weather
- Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring is warm, although rain is common. Summer is monsoon season with high temperatures and daily rain, making any outdoor activity difficult. Fall is cool and dry and very popular among trekkers. Winter is cold with snow in high elevations; the lower elevations are milder.
