Nepal's cultural heritage is extraordinary in its depth, diversity and living continuity. While much of the world's ancient urban culture exists in museum form, Nepal's heritage sites are active religious and social centres where ceremonies, festivals and daily rituals have continued unbroken for centuries. The seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley are not archaeological ruins but living temples where daily worship, seasonal festivals and ancient ceremonies continue alongside tourist visits.
Our cultural tours go beyond the standard UNESCO monument circuit to provide genuine access to Nepal's living traditions: early morning at Pashupatinath's ghats when the first cremations begin; evening circumambulation at Boudhanath when butter lamps are lit and monastery horns sound for evening puja; the potters' workshops of Bhaktapur's Pottery Square; the metalwork studios of Patan where master craftsmen produce traditional Buddhist statues by the same techniques as their ancestors. Our licensed cultural guides are specialists in Nepali history, religion and art who translate the significance of what you're seeing rather than simply reciting names and dates.
There are few other places in the world with such a harmonious blend of cultures as Nepal. Take a cultural tour in the Kathmandu Valley to discover about the Newari founders, or take an ox cart village tour in the Terai region to truly discover Nepal's fascinating mix of cultures.
Nepal's convenient weather, fertile soil, and natural setting were the lucrative position for many emperors and tribes to settle in the history. Various, mighty, dynasties ruled Nepal throughout the episodes of the history, bringing many cultural and religious perspectives to this tiny land. Respective to geography and religion, Nepal's cultural environment is as diverse as its natural settings. However, Nepal - now - is a federal democratic republic country that cocoons 101 ethnicities and protects every religion beliefs and practices.
Nepal is divided into three layers, according to its geographical settings - Himalayan region, Mid-hills, and Terai region (flat land). Himalayan region is the home of Legendary Sherpas, who are renowned for climbing mountain Everest. One of the first mountaineers (two) to climb Mt. Everest is Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Sherpas follow Tibetan Buddhism, the "ancient school" by religion, friendly in nature and share part of a culture of Tibet. During Everest Base Camp trek, much of Sherpa culture and lifestyle can be witnessed.
Mid-hills of Nepal are populated by many hill tribes of Nepal like Gurung, Magar, Rai, Limbu, Tamang, Chettris, Brahmins, Newars, etc. Before the unification of the modern Nepal, Gurung, Rai, Magar, Tamang had their independent countries, and still have their independent culture; manner of practicing religion, language, cuisine, music & dance, and their architectural settlement is distinct to each other. Newars, being indigenous the Kathmandu Valley, are rich in metal works, arts, crafts, and building castles and temples. Chettries (Khas) and Brahmins are Hindus by religions and historians state they are ancient settlers of Karnali region of Nepal. They have carried their cultural values - with them - wherever they settled.
Terai is the home of Tharu tribes, and of Madhesis. They have distinctive cultures and lifestyle, though their social life is influenced by Aryan culture and Hindu religion. The tradition, custom, art & pottery, and language resemble the ancient Aryan culture and civilization. Being a hot province of Nepal, people of Terai region wear light, cotton, clothes, but, yet, works hard during the day time.
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