Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra shared photos from the base camp of Mount Everest in Nepal recently. This is not the first time the actress has shared pictures and stories of adventure travels on social media. Being a travel junkie, she keeps updating her Instagram with travel pictures from different parts of the world. But this trip to Nepal was part of a film shoot. Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas on all sides, Nepal certainly abounds in pristine natural beauty. Be it the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan ranges or the tranquil valleys, most of Nepal looks just like an image turned reality from your childhood fairy-tale book.
Mount Everest is located on the border of Nepal and China in the Himalayas. Parineeti posted pictures taken from the lush green valley near the snow-capped peaks. She was seen in a pair of glares, blue jeans, and a blacktop. Parineeti has also posted an interesting video of her playing ball with others in the base camp.
Base camps are places where mountaineers can relax. On Mount Everest, there are two base camps on opposite sides of the mountain. The South Base Camp is in Nepal at an altitude of 5,364 meters. The North Base Camp is in Tibet, China at an altitude of 5,150 meters. Tourists climbing the south eastern slopes use the South Base Camp and those climbing the Northeast Ridge use the North Base Camp.
One of the dreams of every adventure traveller is to climb Mount Everest at least once in their life. Its season in the months of March, April, and May every year. Nepal had banned tourists from visiting the area due to Covid. The area was reopened to tourists last month. There are still restrictions on travel for tourists who have not been vaccinated.
5 must-visit tourist destinations in Nepal
Nagarkot: Located just 28 km from the Kathmandu International Airport, Nagarkot is a serene hill station at the height of 7000 ft. It served as a summer retreat for royal families until it became famous as an international tourist destination. The region offers stunning views of 8 Himalayan Ranges (out of 13) in Nepal including Mount Everest and Kathmandu Valley. It is also a paradise for hikers or adventure lovers as well as serenity seekers. Lots of budget-friendly homestays are also available here to enjoy a true nature vacation without the interference of the modern concrete world. You can also go trekking, mountain biking, and even try paragliding if you’re feeling like a total daredevil.
Kathmandu: This bustling, slightly dusty, exciting capital is usually the first stop to find some of the best places to visit in Nepal. One of the best things about Kathmandu must be the eclectic mix of temples, historic sites, shrines, restaurants and bustling streets. Once you’re in the city, make sure to head over to the; stunning Pashupati Nath Temple, the UNESCO site of Boudhanath Stupa, the (monkey temple of) Swayambhunath and the Kopan Monastery. You can also plan a hiking or trekking trip, shop your heart out at the Thamel area and eat delicious local grub at restaurants like Forest and Plate, Places, and Yangling. Don’t forget to buy some gorgeous handicrafts while you’re here, too. Some good spots for gifts are SK Handicrafts and Local Women’s Handicrafts.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Located just 15kms to the east of the capital city, Bhaktapur is an excellent option for a day or weekend trip from Kathmandu. A UNESCO world cultural heritage site, the Durbar Square (Royal Plaza) is the epicentre of this ancient Newari city. The square is indeed a living museum. You can see plenty of ancient monuments, buildings, and temples everywhere you turn. If the weather cooperates, you can experience panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks from Nagarkot, a tiny hill-station village that lies near Bhaktapur. If you get the chance, try a homestay to experience authentic Nepalese hospitality as well as some flavoursome traditional home-cooked meals. The square also houses the main entrance to the courtyard known as Hanuman Dhoka that houses the Royal Palace. To the south of the square is the Basantpur Square which used to be the stable for royal elephants but has now been replaced with shops selling traditional souvenirs.
Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is the most sacred Hindu temple of Nepal which is located by the holy river Bagmati in the capital city Kathmandu. This temple has been listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The divine aura of this place attracts thousands of pilgrims every year especially on MahaShivaratri in the month of March. If you want to invoke your spiritual energy then this is the best place for you.
Lumbini: Lumbini is famous the world over for being the birthplace of Lord Buddha and attracts thousands of Buddhist pilgrims every year. It is said that Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in the sacred area of Lumbini located in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, testified by the inscription on the pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BC. Lumbini is one of the holiest places of one of the world's great religions, and its remains contain important evidence about the nature of Buddhist pilgrimage centres from as early as the 3rd century BC. This place offers a feeling of complete devotion and serenity. Many people love meditating in this place. Since the city has no commercial buildings you can see only monasteries and temples throughout the city. Breath-taking architectural excellence can be seen in these temples and monuments. It is a place you cannot afford to miss if you are visiting Nepal.
