11 extraordinary places in nepal

For over a decade, I have explored the world's most mountainous country extensively. And these are 11 destinations no one talks about but are definitely amongst the most stunning travel destinations in all of Nepal. From places I think stand out the most purely for the views, to my absolute favourite villages and wildlife viewing spots, here are some places you have likely never heard of but should definitely add to your travel bucket list. Before places like Namche Bazar and activities like climbing Mount Everest even existed, the Sherpas honed their culture for centuries, completely isolated from the rest of the world, here in Thame Valley. Nestled against the backdrop of the world's highest mountains, it is also home to the first ever summiter of Everest, Tenzing Norgay, and the mountaineer who has climbed Everest more than anyone else, Kami Rita Sherpa. Nair might just be one of the most surreal places in all of the Himalayas. Hidden just behind the Annapurna range, the region was completely restricted to outsiders until very recently. Walking through its old narrow stone alleys feels like stepping back centuries in time. At 4,100 metres, it is also one of the highest permanent settlements in the world. Staying here for three days with no phone or internet connection, completely immersed in the Himalayan lifestyle, was an incredible reset button that no spa or therapy can ever induce. Down in the western lowlands is Bardia. This is where I go when I want to experience the subtropical jungles of Nepal. It is home to spectacular wildlife as well as indigenous Tharu culture. Some of the best preserved Tibetan culture resides in the mountains of western Nepal. And very few places still hold on to their ancestral heritage like the Dhotarap valley in the Dholpur region. This is also where the recent internationally acclaimed movie Shambhala was filmed. Having the chance to dress in traditional attire with my wife and being welcomed into people's homes to their absolute awe is something I will never forget. Makalu is for those who really like being purely in nature and want to witness some of the last Himalayan wilderness with no settlements whatsoever. And that itself is very rare in Nepal's Himalayas. The trek is tough but the payoff is enormous. You can get up close and intimate with the 5th highest mountain in the world as it stands tall and mighty, towering like a wall over you. The journey takes you through Makalu Baru National Park, the world's only protected area with an elevation gain of more than 8000 meters. Then there's Chorolpa. Despite being one of Nepal's largest glacial lakes, laid out with beautiful trails, it sees only a fraction of the trekkers that visit Everest or Annapurna. And the journey here takes you through some seriously wild Himalayan landscapes. Beding village is the largest permanent settlement of the remote Rolwaling Valley. Despite its small size of about 70 traditional stone houses, Beding is famous for producing an extraordinarily high number of elite mountaineers. We even met Kimjung Sherpa, whose seven sons and daughters have climbed Mount Everest, a Guinness World Record. Manaslu has become more popular in recent years, but it still is much less crowded than other popular treks. In its old villages like Samagao, Tibetan-influenced culture remains deeply woven into everyday life till today. Getting to witness the birth of a yak right in front of my eyes inside an ancient stone house is something I will never forget. If I had to pick a favorite place purely based on stunning views, this is it right here. Watching the settlement of Gokyo near the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu, is an experience that feels like the most vivid dream you ever had. Gokyo is home to a series of gorgeous turquoise lakes. Although right next to the Everest Base Camp Trek, very few people go here unless they are doing the arduous three-passes treks. When hardly anyone trekked to Dolpo, I once stayed here for a week with an old lady who lived all by herself. And that experience forever changed how I lived my life. Rinmo village next to Lake Fukusundo is by far my favorite village anywhere in the world. I've been here twice and it keeps calling me back. I've made more meaningful relationships in my life here than any other trip. Kanchanjunga Kanchanjunga is the world's third highest mountain, rising dramatically along Nepal's remote eastern frontier, acting as a natural border to the Indian state of Sikkim. Its isolated nature makes the journey to the Kanchanjunga Base Camp feel like a true expedition into one of the last great wildernesses of the Himalayas. Even more than reaching the base camp though, I especially fell in love with Khunsa village and its people. And also as my first monsoon trek, witnessing herds of goats and lush vegetation at over 5000 meters was a mind-blowing experience. Phu is another centuries-old village hidden deep within the remote Narphu valley of Manang. And one of my most memorable experiences while traveling is from here, as a wake of vultures circled right above me as they devoured a recently deceased horse that had fallen off a narrow cliff that I was just happening to walk through. The location of the village itself feels like a faraway land and once you get there, it becomes hard to believe that a settlement even exists in such a remote place. Limi valley in Humla is really the final frontier of Nepal. Deep in the far west along the Tibetan border, Humla was amongst the last regions in Nepal to be connected by road. And much of it is still incredibly difficult to access. And that isolation has preserved both its wilderness and its unique culture. It wouldn't be wrong to call the lower parts of Humla a treasure trove of indigenous cultures and lifestyles. At the same time, upper Humla is just the opposite. Rugged terrains unknown to the world outside as the villages themselves gradually disappear into oblivion. Yes, you heard that right. Much of northern Nepal and its Himalayan cultures are disappearing at a rapid rate, whether due to outmigration or because of climate change. While these places are absolutely worth visiting, please do so responsibly and with respect to the nature and communities in the area. If it's your first time here, make sure to subscribe and if you enjoyed the video or found it useful in any way, do like and share it. And let me know in the comments which of these places you would love to visit first.