After living and working in Nepal for 7 months, I got an in-depth look into the best the country has to offer on and off the beaten path. Here is all my insider knowledge on the best hidden gems and offbeat things to see and do in Nepal – for those who want to see a more authentic side.
Nepal is an adventure traveller’s paradise. No ifs, ands, or buts.
World-class trekking in the Himalayas, bustling cities full of ancient temples, jungle safaris in tiger territory. The list goes on. With all of this and the unique, welcoming culture combined, Nepal takes the cake as my favourite country in the world!
Before moving to Nepal for a work placement, I searched online for hours and hours to find all the best things I could see and do in the country. I wanted to get the very most out of my time in Nepal in the most authentic way any outsider could. I wanted to get to know Nepal for what it is, beyond just how it is presented by the major tourist attractions and highlights.
After looking through several ‘Nepal to-do lists,’ I quickly realized that almost every list was more or less the same. They included the great (and still very worth seeing) highlights of Nepal, but the list was short. At least for the amount of time I would be spending there. I wanted to explore deeper and find the more hidden gem things to see and do in Nepal.
Well I am happy to tell you that after 7 months of living and working in Nepal, I have had my fair share of off-the-beaten-path experiences. I have put together my own list that showcases all of the epic and often overlooked adventures in Nepal, so that you do not have to live there to find out!
View Kathmandu from new heights, explore popular destinations from a local’s perspective, check out places that don’t even appear on Nepal’s to do lists, here are 11 hidden gem things to do in Nepal.
The TOP 11 Best Things to Do in Nepal to Take you Off the Beaten Path
1. Get a Unique Perspective of Kathmandu on the Chandragiri Cable Cars
All travellers that visit Nepal see Kathmandu in some capacity. Whether simply passing through or as a stop to explore the country’s bustling capital city, Kathmandu is on everyone’s Nepal itinerary.
The best way I can think of to describe the enigma that is Kathmandu, is beautiful chaos. The city is full of life and a rich cultural and spiritual energy that seems to pulse through the city. Kathmandu is filled with fascinating sights that are sure to leave you in awe. With 7 UNESCO world heritage sites and a concentrated view into the many religions and cultures in Nepal, Kathmandu is a must stop destination.
Kathmandu’s awesomeness aside, I am not here to tell you about the must-see sights. I am here to tell you that you can experience the city from a different perspective… from above!
Kathmandu is situated in a valley surrounded by four of Nepal’s many gigantic green rolling “hills.” Some offer the ability to hike to the top to experience the views. However, the hill known as Chandragiri offers the adventurous experience of riding to the top in a cable car.
The cable car stretches about 2.4km long and takes about 10 minutes to reach the top. At the top, there are several look out points, a temple to explore, and places to buy food or a drink while enjoying the views. And the best part? It is also one of the best spots in the valley to get spectacular views of the mountains on a clear day.
Details on the Chandragiri Cable Cars in Nepal:
Getting There | Most taxi drivers will know where to take you if you say Chandragiri cable cars. We payed about 3000 NPR (roughly 25 USD) for the driver to take us there, wait for as long as we wanted to explore and then drive us back. The drive takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour each way, depending on your departure point and traffic.
Cost | USD $22 roundtrip
Opening Hours | Everyday 9am – 7pm
2. Experience Tranquility and a Garden Paradise at the Namo Buddha Resort
A sacred buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal, Namo Buddha is located about 40 km outside of Kathmandu. Namo Buddha is not only stunning, but has a fascinating origin story and a spiritual energy that reflects it.
The buddhist story claims that long ago, the youngest of a king’s three sons was wandering the area when he discovered a starving mother tiger with her cubs. The young man was caught with a dilemma, over choosing to take another life in order to save the tigress and her cubs or to sit idly by and let them starve. In the end, following what was best based on his buddhist principles, the man decided to sacrifice his own life to save the family, while not having to inflict harm on another being.
Today a buddhist monastery sits on the site where this story is said to have occurred.
Aside from a fascinating view into Nepali’s culture of spirituality, the highlight of visiting the area is a stay at the Namo Buddha Resort. My stay at this resort was one of the highlights of my entire 7 months in Nepal. Let me tell you about the highlights.
The cabins are all beautifully crafted with a blend of traditional Nepali architecture and more modern comfort. The property is a gorgeous garden paradise, filled with an array of rich and beautiful vegetation. All of the food is organic and grown right on the property in their many gardens. This place is simply magical.
In addition to these wonderful physical aspects to the resort, the experience itself was lovely on all ends. Upon arrival, we were upgraded to a nicer cabin simply because they were available. The food was delicious and gourmet. They also had complimentary tea at all times of the day, campfires to sit around and socialize with other guests each night, and the opportunity to eat breakfast outside while watching the sunrise over the mountains.
If you want to experience a true form of bliss, this is a great place to start!
BONUS TIP: Explore the Namo Buddha Monastery a walk away from the resort.
Details on the Namo Buddha Resort in Nepal:
Getting There | There are three options: taxi, bus, or a bus-hike combo.
- A taxi will take about 2 hours each way and cost roughly 2000-3000 NPR ($16 – $25)
- A bus will take a bit longer and you will need to take two different busses. You can catch the bus from Ratna bus park to either Banepa or Dhulikhel, and from there catch another to Namo Buddha. This is definitely the most complicated option, but if you’re up for the adventure and want to only spend a few dollars to get there, this is the option for you.
- I opted for the bus-hike combo. We took a bus to Dhulikhel, where we got out and hiked for 3 hours to Namo Buddha. The hike brings you through more populated areas where you can visit temples on the way. You’ll hike through the countryside where you’ll get a glimpse into Nepali farm life and up roads where all you have to do is look to the left to see the mountains. You can google maps the route quite easily.
Cost | $69 – $153 /night depending on the size of the cottage and if you want the B&B option or both breakfast and dinner.
Book Your Stay | Namo Buddha Resort
3. Experience the Local Nepali Nightlife at Purple Haze Rock Bar in Thamel
One of the first things I learned when I arrived in Kathmandu is that Nepali people LOVE their live music. Almost every bar in the main tourist hub, Thamel, has live music every night of the week. And Purple Haze is by far the best of the best!
With a concert level set up and awesome bands that play covers of worldwide popular rock music, you are in for a great show! The bands that play at Purple Haze are considered those that have “made it” in Nepal, so you know the music will be good.
Sit down and enjoy an ‘Everest’ Beer while watching the band or party hard on the dance floor and make local friends. This is the place to experience how the locals party on a Friday night.
BONUS Tip: Check out Sam’s bar and add your stamp to this chill environment to hang with friends.
Details on the Purple Haze Nightlife in Nepal:
Getting There | Purple Haze is located in the main part of Thamel, Kathmandu. You can easily find it on Google Maps or ask any local in Thamel and they’ll almost surely be able to point you in the right direction.
Cost | Free!
Most of the time entrance is free for foreigners. Occasionally there will be cover if there is a popular band playing, and of course you’ll have to pay for any drinks you might want.
Peak Hours | Friday nights after 11 pm.
Nepal has a one day weekend on Saturdays, so Friday nights are the nights to go. Nepali’s party hard, so the bar usually doesn’t start to get busy until at least 11pm, where people will hang for a couple hours before making their way to the clubs at 1am.
4. Try Nepali Milk Tea at the Local Spots in Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar square is not an off the beaten path Nepali destination in itself. In fact, it is one of Kathmandu’s most popular tourist spots. And for good reason, it is beautiful and a great chance to view traditional Nepali temples and architecture.
However, there is a way to experience this destination in a more hidden gem way that will provide a more authentic view into Nepali culture.
After visiting this spot a couple times, my local friend asked me to go with him. I agreed to go, not expecting to experience this amazing site from a completely new point of view. Just to the side of the square, there is a cluster of tiny tea stands. This is a popular spot amongst locals to sit, have tea, and socialize. Tea is very popular in Nepal and a major part of most Nepali people’s day to day routine. This experience left me feeling like I got the chance to really see a side to Patan Durbar Square that I hadn’t before.
Details on Enjoying Local Tea in Patan Durbar Square:
Getting There | All taxi drivers will know how to get to the square, explore around the main part of the square until you find the spot (tea stands and people sitting at little tables).
Cost | There is an entrance fee for Patan Durbar Square of 1500 NPR ($13), however if you go really early in the morning right at sunrise or after dark, you will likely be able to avoid this cost. The cost of tea is about 20 NPR which is under 20 cents USD.
When to Go | In my opinion, the best time to go for tea is at night, where the temples are all lit up against the dark outdoors. This is when people typically meet.
5. Partake in a Back Street Academy Local Experience
Back Street Academy is one of the coolest social enterprises and tourism organizations I have come across in my travels. Picture Airbnb experiences, where a local host can provide a local experience, but make it sustainable development focused. Back Street Academy has hundreds of epic experiences on their website, that not only provide you a direct opportunity to experience Nepali cultures, traditions and adventures, but also provide an accessible way for locals in need of a sustainable livelihood to showcase their unique skills.
Back Street Academy claims to bring back the human connection that often gets lost in the hustle to see every tourist attraction and the opportunity to explore the “backstreets” of the country.
Pottery classes, Momo (Nepal’s local dumpling) cooking classes, handicraft making classes, mountain biking, local back street photography tours, etc. Backstreet academy has an experience for everyone!
I took a pottery class with Backstreet academy and it was amazing! Pottery is a long held tradition in Nepal and is a big part of their economy in their handicrafts sector. Getting to learn directly from a person who has been partaking in his family traditions his whole life was definitely a unique experience that allowed a more authentic look into what it means to be in Nepal.
Details on Backstreet Academy Experiences in Nepal:
Cost | Depends on the experience you choose
Book Your Experience | https://www.backstreetacademy.com/
6. View the Himalayan Mountains from 1000 Feet up in a Hot Air Balloon in Pokhara
Most travellers that visit Pokhara, a quaint Nepali city with beach town vibes, have heard of the famous paragliding experiences there. However, one experience that is not as well advertised is a hot air balloon ride that brings you up for a unique view of the mountains.
There is only one company that runs hot air balloon rides in Pokhara. You may see various tourism agencies offering hot air balloon rides, for slightly varying prices, but they are all using this one company. It is called Balloon Nepal.
When I went, they had a pilot that had been flying for many years and had all the impressive qualifications, so I felt safe!
BONUS TIP: Book the shorter flight. The actual flight time is the same for both the long and short flight options in most cases, because they jumble all the people together.
Details on Seeing the Himalayan Mountains from a Hot Air Balloon in Nepal:
Getting There | I arranged a meeting spot near my hostel with the tourism agency I booked with. They had my phone number to call me in the morning to update me on what time they were coming.
Cost | 9000 NPR ($120 US)
Book Your Flight | https://balloonnepal.com/
7. Experience the Excitement at one of Nepal’s Many Festivals in Kathmandu
Nepal is known for having many many holidays and festivals all year round. Between hindu and buddhist traditions (the two major religions in the country), there is no shortage of holidays to celebrate. There was on average at least one holiday a month. Some of these holidays also include elaborate festivals that are both exciting to be a part of and really provide a look into Nepal’s many fascinating traditions.
Here are two notable festivals to attend:
- Holi Festival of Colours in February | Often know as the colour festival, thousands of people make their way into the streets and main squares to throw colourful powders at each other. People wear all white and get dyed in a variety of exciting colours. There are also gatherings in Nepali homes for special feasts. If you are lucky to get to know a local family, you may even have the chance to partake.
- Deshain and Tihar in October | Celebrated over the course of 15 days, Deshain is known as one of the largest festivals in Nepal. If you are travelling to Nepal at the time of this festival, you’ll get to experience the spectacles that take place in their durbar squares. You’ll also have to be strategic, because many businesses will be closed for specific days of this festival.
Details on Experiencing Nepali Festivals in Kathmandu:
Getting There | To see the best of Nepal’s festivals, head to either Kathmandu Durbar Square or Patan Durbar Square. These squares are typically the hub for the celebration and will offer a multitude of fascinating cultural experiences to witness and be a part of.
Cost | Free
8. Get to Know the Rural Side to Life in Nepal on a Local Home Stay
My absolute favourite experience, and by far the best-hidden gem for experiencing Nepal in the most authentic way possible, is participating in a homestay with a local family.
When I lived in Nepal, I was working for a local NGO that brought me along on several “field visits” where I got to stay in a local home. These homes were located in remote and rural parts of Nepal. I would never have had access to these rural environments on my own. These were my favourite and most memorable experiences of my entire time there and of all my world travels.
Everyone in the communities I visited was excited to have me there, someone who was interested in their culture and their daily life. They were so hospitable and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. One of the men I met added french fries to my dal bhat meal, and when he found out I really enjoyed this he made sure to add them for every meal.
One of the most popular places to do these home-stays in Nepal is in Panauti. Panauti is a farming community not too far from Kathmandu, so you will likely get the opportunity to help out with farming duties, hiking, and household cooking. It offers a great opportunity to learn more about Nepali culture, while helping add to the livelihood of the women and families in the community.
Details on Local Homestay’s in Nepal:
Cost | Starting at $31 USD/night, not including add on experiences
Getting There | Panauti is roughly 30 kms outside of Kathmandu and takes just under 1.5 hours to drive there. If you are going with a tour, they will handle the transportation for you. However, if you have to arrange your own transport you can take a taxi and arrange for the driver to pick you back up on the day you are done. Make sure to grab their phone number if you can. If you are down for a little more adventure, you can also take a direct bus to Panauti from the Ratna bus park for about 80 Nepali Rupees.
Book Your Home Stay | You can book your choice of nights through Community Homestay or if you want to dive deeper into local life join G Adventures 7 day local living tour in Nepal.
9. Get Your Adrenaline Rushing by Bungee Jumping or Canyoning at the Last Resort
If you are the kind of adventure traveller that likes a little adrenaline rush, then the Last Resort is the place for you. Not only will you get an awesome extreme adventure, you’ll also get a good glimpse into driving through the crazy country-side roads of Nepal. If you think the roads in the city are crazy, just wait! Wild roads aside, you’ll also get a good view of the beauty of Nepal’s countryside with beautiful lush green rolling hills.
The Last Resort has options for canyoning (rappelling down waterfalls), white water rafting, canyon swings, and their most popular extreme activity, bungee jumping from 160m high into a tropical gorge. You can also spend the night in their resort to do multiple of the activities over the course of several days.
Details on Adventuring at the Last Resort in Nepal:
Cost | Each activity is priced differently. Bungee jumping for example costs 8,000 Nepali Rupees ($70 ish USD).
Getting There | The Last Resort headquarters is located right in the tourist hub of Thamel. They handle all other transportation to and from the resort. The bus ride takes about 3 hours each way.
Book Your Last Resort Experience | The Last Resort
10. Experience Nepali Traffic like the Locals on a Motorcycle… if You Dare
Kathmandu is infamous for its crazy traffic. Horns blaring, motorcycles weaving in and out of traffic, and the occasional cow wandering amongst it all. The roads in Nepal are quite the spectacle. And what better way to immerse yourself in Nepali culture, than by getting on the back of one of those motorcycles?
One of my favourite things to do when I lived in Nepal, was a ride on the back of my friend’s motorcycle around the city. The good news is too, that you don’t need to know a local to go for a joy ride. There is a service in Kathmandu that resembles Uber’s services, but with the option to ride on the back of a motorcycle. Hop on and enjoy the ride to one of your destinations in the city.
Details on Riding a Motorcycle in Nepal:
Cost | Depends on the distance
How to Book | You can book your ride through their app called Pathao (you can download this through the app store). It works very similarly to Uber.
11. Trek Ghorepani Poon Hill in the Winter Off-Season
Now trekking Ghorepani Poon Hill is not a hidden gem in itself, however, trekking in the winter for this route will really feel off the beaten path. During the winter, there are wayyyy fewer tourists out trekking and at the lookout spots, which can make a big difference in how you enjoy yourself on the trek. In addition, the tea houses become cozier rather than crowded. You’ll experience a smaller more tight-knit group of tourists and tea house owners hanging out around a fire.
The snow also makes this trek a winter paradise! Grab some crampons and trekking poles and enjoy the extra fun and challenge of hiking in the snowy mountains. Ghorepani Poon Hill is also a relatively safe hike to do in the winter, as there is no real threat of avalanches and the winter conditions do not get too frigid. I did this hike without a guide in the winter and it was the best experience I had during my entire 7 months in Nepal.
Read Related: The Ultimate Guide to Trekking Ghorepani Poon Hill Independently
Read Related Post: Can You Trek in Nepal’s Winter? The BEST and WORST Reasons to Trek in Off Season
Details on Trekking Ghorepani Poon Hill in Nepal’s Winter:
Cost | Ranging from $100 USD for 3 days with no guide – $300 USD with a tour per person
Getting There | For the start of this trek, you will need to make your way to Pokhara. Also known as the gateway to trekking in the popular Annapurna Conservation Area, Pokhara is where you will arrange your transportation to the trek. For more specific details on transportation to and from the trek, read here.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hidden Gem Things to Do in Nepal
As someone who lived in Kathmandu, Nepal for 7 months, I got an in-depth exploration of the country. Nepal’s highlights are mind-blowing and definitely still worth visiting, but these 11 amazing adventures will take you off the beaten path and show you more of what Nepal has to offer.
If you have anything else to add or any questions, feel free to comment down below! Also, subscribe to my newsletter for more adventure travel content by me.
Happy adventuring!
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