This month, Nienke (@nienke_travels on Instagram) joined the Dragon Trip for an amazing 13-day tour travelling in Nepal. We caught up with Nienke to find out what her favourite parts of the tour were – and what she loved about the country!
Why did you choose to visit Nepal?
I chose to visit Nepal because of a Buddhism and meditation course I really wanted to do. After the course, I wanted to have some time to explore the country – and a group trip seemed the best option to do so.
What was your favourite thing that you learned about Nepal on your trip?
Nepal is a country where people with many different religious backgrounds live together. We got really lucky during our tour, and saw multiple rituals while we visited temples – specifically, the ritual of young girls getting married to fruit was really interesting to witness. [You can read more on Bel Bibaha here.]
What was the best experience you had on the trip?
We did a three day hike in the Poonhill area and it was so magical to see the mountains! I have never seen them from this close before. Even though the trekking was not easy, seeing the mountains and views made the hikes worthwhile every day.
Where was your favourite place to visit in Nepal?
We went to Lumbini (Lord Buddha’s birthplace) and visited many different temples. Many countries build their own temple or monastery in Lumbini, and I loved seeing the difference between all of them. We drove around the city by tuktuk, and that was also really fun!
Do you have a favourite story or moment from your trip?
In Pokhara, we had the opportunity to go paragliding and that was definitely one of my favourite moments! It was amazing to fly over the hills – and we could even see the mountains!
What was the best food you ate in Nepal?
Without a doubt: dal baht! I had it at least once a day, but on most days, twice.
Any top tips for travellers going to Nepal?
Be prepared for the weather! After traveling warmer countries for months, it was quite cold for me in January! Luckily, you can buy everything you need in Kathmandu and there is some free time in the first few days to pick up any supplies that you require. The guides will also help suggest some specific brands for your needs. If you fly in from home, I would recommend to bring your own things.
Finally – where’s next on your travel bucket list?
In the next few months I will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Australia!
