Slow or relaxed travel in Nepal is an interesting way to breathe in the beauty and experience of Nepal without feeling rushed and tired. Many travelers have a big misconception that slowing down travel means doing less. However, the truth is that slow travel in Nepal allows you to experience the tradition, connect with local life, and soak in the sheer beauty of the mountains at a gentle pace.
In a country like Nepal, where the ancient temples weave the folktales, palaces echo the royal history, mountains act mighty, and rivers show the pace, quick sightseeing stops are never enough. Ever-changing landscapes, cultural encounters, travel hours, iconic landmarks, and various attractions require time and patience to explore Nepal without rushing.
Pick Fewer Destinations, Go Deeper
Usually, many travelers try to include everything in a single trip, which not only rushes exploring but also makes you exhausted and overwhelmed, rather than enjoying. So, it is always better to focus on fewer destinations and explore every place in depth.
For instance, if you have a vacation of 4 days, instead of planning on exploring Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, you can just plan on a Kathmandu sightseeing tour. You may wonder if the Kathmandu exploration will require 4 days. To be real, Kathmandu Valley is vast on its own. The three Durbar Squares reveal different stories of the past. Iconic landmarks like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Changu Narayan have their own historical and religious significance.
These are just popular attractions in Kathmandu Valley. Lesser popular attractions like Khokhan and Kirtipur present you with an authentic way of living. Hence, focusing on fewer destinations allows you to spend time in one place and focus on the small details that many people often overlook.
Plan Travel Days Realistically
Another ideal way of relaxed travel in Nepal is to plan your travel days in a realistic way. Generally, the road trips between cities can be much longer than expected. Sometimes a flight can be delayed due to unforeseeable circumstances. So, while planning a Nepal travel itinerary, you can treat commute days as rest days when you will be exploring the surroundings lightly rather than hopping from one destination to another.
It is important to start the day early to be able to make the most out of daylight time. Furthermore, weather, traffic, etc, can cause unforeseen delays. Hence, you need to be flexible while planning your travel days. Allowing yourself to have more time and travel at a slower pace makes every day of travel a great experience by itself.
Balance Experiences with Rest
It is important to feel rested as well as experience Nepal without burning out. Having too many activities on your daily schedule may cause fatigue, and even the most beautiful places may seem to be stressful and not worth visiting. Rather, you can balance out the sightseeing with proper rest so that exploring feels like stress-free travel in Nepal, not a chore.
For example, when you visit Pokhara on the Best of Nepal Tour, you’ll have the chance to explore the beautiful Phewa Lake and its surroundings once you arrive. The next day, you can enjoy a relaxing meal after witnessing a stunning sunrise at Sarangkot. You might also enjoy taking a short stroll to a nearby attraction during the day, making your trip even more memorable.
This is one of the best ways to travel Nepal, where you’ll get to see the best of the best in every place you visit and also have your body and mind have a break. The focus on rest and relaxation would make all the activities pleasant and would keep you refreshed and present throughout your trip in Nepal.
Travel in the Right Season
When you’re planning a Nepal vacation, it is important to choose the right season, especially if you are considering trekking in Nepal. The spring(March to May) and autumn(September to November) are considered peak seasons for trekking and tours in Nepal, while monsoon(June to August) and winter(December to February) are considered off-season for trekking.
The peak season can offer you unobstructed mountain vistas, pleasant weather conditions, while the off-season promises you fewer crowds and a more mindful experience. Usually, the weather has a direct effect on the time spent on the trip, the conditions on the road, and the safety of the trekking experience.
For instance, monsoons can cause heavy rainfall, leading to landslides and rainfall. If you visit Nepal when roads are blocked due to a landslide, and you get stuck in some places, your Nepal travel pace will be disturbed, and exploring days will be shortened. This will cause you to explore the places in rush once everything related to the road and other stuff gets sorted out.
Instead of attempting to see it all, attempt to slow down, be in the present and enjoy every moment. The quality of experience is much more important than the number of places you explore. Exploring Nepal without a rushing approach will result in getting deeper into the cultural encounters, valuable experiences, and memorable moments.
