Nepal is recognized as one of the most beautiful and exotic countries in the world – amazing scenery, rich religious traditions and a unique cultural experience await any visitor to this landlocked state deep in the Himalayas. It is ideal for those who want a different kind of holiday, one in which integration into local life and meaningful moments are more important than flash hotels and shopping opportunities. Nepal is a mountainous, tough landscape that tests travellers on a regular basis, but one that offers tremendous rewards to those who are brave enough to take on this spectacular country. The country itself is not economically strong, so travelling is very cheap, which is an alluring feature that tends to attract backpackers and spiritual travellers seeking out meaning in the amazing spirituality of this tiny country. If this sounds like the kind of holiday that you want, then here are a few tips that can help you to explore this magical country on a budget.

Backpacking and Travel

Due to the fact that Nepal is in the Himalayas, travelling to and from the mountain kingdom requires significant planning. Most flights arrive via bigger Asian countries like South Korea, China, Bangladesh and India, which means that you can easily include Nepal on a bigger Asian tour. This means that travel costs are low, because you will be able to organize a really competitive deal through Asian travel agents. Once in Nepal, your best bet in terms of accommodation is the hotels – cheap hotels are very safe and basic and give the wary traveller all of the necessary amenities. Backpacking is a great way to catch a glimpse of the unique beauty of the mountainous regions, with bus tours providing the cheapest, most meaningful glimpses into life in Nepal.

Average Budget

The currency of Nepal is the Rupee (like in India), which means that you can eat and live really well for minimal cost. Including transport, food, accommodation and entrance fees, you can budget on anything from $15 to $50 a day depending on the kind of experience you wish to have. You can get meals for as cheap as Rp. 20, which converts to about $0.45, but to be safe you should set aside a little more. An extravagant meal with wine is about Rp. 2000, so it might work out cheapest to really get into the spirit of the local culture and eat the local food, with occasional meals out.

This guest post was written by freelance writer Victoria. She is currently learning about Canada FAQ and the Canadian Economy.

Thanks to No Lands Too Foreign for the photo from Flickr!