The Swotah Journal
Route guides, permits, packing lists and dispatches from the trail.
268 articles
Nepal ExperienceMount Everest Compared to the World's Tallest Buildings
How does 8,848.86 m Mount Everest compare to the Burj Khalifa, Merdeka 118, and the Empire State Building? Height comparisons that put the peak in scale.
Nepal AdventuresYarsagumba (Cordyceps) Nepal: Benefits, Cost & What Science Says
Yarsagumba (Himalayan caterpillar fungus): what it is, claimed benefits vs actual science, prices up to USD 100,000/kg, harvest season, and side-effect cautions.
Nepal AdventuresRafting in Nepal: A Complete Guide
Rafting in Nepal explained: the best rivers from the Trishuli to the Bhote Koshi, rapid grades, costs, seasons, gear, and safety tips for first-timers.
Nepal ExperienceLangtang Trekking Permits: Everything You Need to Know
Langtang trek permit guide: national park entry fee (NPR 3,000), TIMS card rules since 2023, mandatory guides, Shivapuri fees, and where to buy each permit.
Nepal Experience10 Most Beautiful Valleys of Nepal
From Khumbu and Langtang to Upper Mustang and Dolpo, explore the 10 most beautiful valleys in Nepal and the treks that take you through them.
Nepal AdventuresDho Tarap Dolpo
Visit Dho Tarap, one of the highest villages on Earth, in Nepal's remote Dolpo: Bon and Buddhist culture, Phoksundo Lake, permit costs, and the best seasons.
Nepal AdventuresHow to Climb Mount Everest for Free?
Sponsorship, fundraising, guiding, and agency deals: five realistic routes to an Everest climb when you cannot pay the USD 45,000+ price tag yourself.
Nepal AdventuresEverest Base Camp Elevation
Everest South Base Camp sits at 5,364 m in Nepal; the North Base Camp in Tibet is about 5,150 m. Elevation chart, altitude effects, and trek advice.
NepalCaste System in Nepal: History, Facts and Details
The caste system in Nepal explained: its origins, the four varnas, Jayasthiti Malla, modern anti-discrimination laws, and where the system stands today.
Nepal ExperienceRed Honey Nepal: The Mysterious World of Mad Honey
Nepal's mad honey is harvested from cliffs by Gurung honey hunters and prized worldwide. What red honey is, its effects, dosage, prices, and legality.
Nepal AdventuresCouple Bungee Jumping in Nepal: Conquer Your Fears Together
Couple bungee jumping in Nepal: Kushma (228 m, world's 2nd highest), Bhote Koshi (160 m), and Pokhara, with prices, weight limits, and safety tips.
Nepal ExperienceHow Many People Die on Mount Everest Each Year? Death Toll Explained
How many people die on Mount Everest each year? 340+ deaths since 1921, 18 in the record year 2023, 5 in 2026. The data, the causes, and what Nepal is changing.