Top 20 souvenirs to buy in Nepal before you fly back home

When you are thinking of traveling to Nepal, you don’t want to forget to think about what you’re going to buy before you leave Nepal as well. Because apart from its unmissable natural beauty, the majestic Himalayas, timeless cultures and traditions, rich history and the amazing ever-smiling people, it also offers the varieties of unique souvenirs to the travelers and the tourists alike. If you don’t have any ideas in these souvenirs that only Nepal can offer and you depart from the country without even buying or carrying any one of these, your trip to Nepal will seem so unworthy and a waste. All influenced with the nature, arts, cultures and the histories, these Nepalese souvenirs are the best things to take to your family and friends.

Without further ado, let’s get some insights into all the souvenirs you can buy in Nepal with the help of Nature Lovers’ team or by yourself in the touristic areas of the Kathmandu valley or the Pokhara city. We firmly believe you will fall in love with our list of Nepali souvenirs and you will surely grab one of these souvenir items to take back home.

1. Thangka (Thanka) Paintings

Topping our list is the all-time favorite of the travelers from all over the world, Thangka. Many people even come to Nepal only to buy them alone because of the fact that Thangka in Nepal is worldwide popular of its finest quality. A souvenir which will ensure you good health, happiness, fame and the fortune is really worth of spending your time and money. Thankas are the hand paintings made on cotton or silk which usually depict the lives of the Buddha or the lives of the great Buddhism leaders. Thankas in Nepal has some of the richest and intricate designs. In Nepal, they also hold powerful religious significance. Perfect for hanging on any wall of the house, the price of a Thangka will differ variously depending upon the size, the quality of the drawings or paintings and the time duration spent on creating one. You will have to take a closer look, or consult with the artist or the expert himself to get the clear knowledge. Undoubtedly, the most valuable souvenir of all souvenir items in Nepal.

2. Cashmere or Pashmina 

One of the most fashionable and the most luxurious items in Nepal can be the pashmina which is also known as cashmere. The genuine pashmina shawls or the scarves are of high quality and can be costly too, however lately even the cheaper options are available. There are a lot of varieties and different qualities to try from. The pashmina in Nepal is handmade and hand-spun from the real fiber. Those fiber comes from the soft hair of the mountain goats found in the Himalayas of Nepal. They are also made of Yak wool in Nepal but since pure Yak wool is hard to find, you might not be able to get the pure pashmina made out of it. If you have a woman in your house back home, then this is the right souvenir choice for you to buy. In addition to the pashmina shawls or scarves, you might also want to check other similar items like cardigans, stoles and blankets in the stores which add more elegance to the souvenir style.

3. Khukuri (Nepali knives; Gurkha knife) 

The authentic Nepali knives are called ‘Khukuri’ which are famously known as the Gurkha knives. Khukuri is an exquisite example of the Nepalese craftsmanship. Very simple to use and lot easier to handle or carry, Khukuri or the Nepalese dagger is connected to our rich and the proud history. Our ancestors had fought bravely with this weapon against our enemies back in the past. It has a shining strong blade with the inside curve which serves as both the weapon or the utility knife. Khukuri also comes in various shapes and sizes these days. Don’t be confused that the ordinary Nepali Khukuris are sharp and deadly but the souvenir styles are blunt and only for the showpiece but they look similar definitely. The must-buy souvenir style of Khukuri normally comes in small or moderate sizes which you can easily carry in your luggage while going back to your home.

4. Mad Himalayan Honey

We have added Himalayan honey in our top priority of the souvenir list as it’s highly trending these days. People are mad about these honeys which are found in the wild hills and the cliffs and made delicately by the wild bees collecting nectar from different herbs and plants in the wilderness. Himalayan honey has always been popular ever from a long time but it’s gaining more recognition of late. There are different honeys in the market but typically obtained from the Himalayas is what we are talking about in here. One small dose of the honey will give you a psychedelic trip that’s why Himalayan honey is on high demand in Nepal and to which any tourist would love to add in their souvenir list.

5. Singing Bowls of Nepal

Another leading souvenir in Nepal is the singing bowls. Widely popular throughout the world especially in the European nations, singing bowls are the mostly dealt objects in the international market. Nepal produces abundant singing bowls and supplies to the entire world. There are the varieties of singling bowls in terms of handmade or machine-made or in terms of the plain or decorated singing bowls. It also differs with the materials used and thus the price varies accordingly. Singing bowl is all about sound and the harmonic vibration it creates. The vibration that comes from the bowl has the healing qualities and it is usually used for the healing purpose. Secondly, it can also be used for the meditation purpose. The authentic Nepali singing bowl is highly expensive in terms of other duplicate products in the market. To help in your meditation or just to gain the soothing experience, get the singing bowl before you leave Nepal.

6. Lokta Paper Products or Rice Paper Products

Nepal has a unique paper called ‘Rice Paper’ which is being used in most of the government offices and also to make the official documents in Nepal for a long time now. These papers are really soft and smooth. Out of many exotic handicrafts in Nepal, Rice paper or Lokta paper is also one of them. It is interestingly made either from the rice husk or the bark of a certain type of tree, found in the remote areas of the country. Nowadays, these paper has given birth to a lot of interesting products in the market such as photo albums, wallpapers, calendars, handbags, lampshades, notebooks, gift boxes, etc. naming just few. These are real cheap while look intriguingly awesome too. So, do not miss to buy one of these lokta paper products as the souvenir for your close ones in your next Nepal holiday. What a wonderful money-saving souvenir for your family! 

7. Hemp Bags and Backpacks in Nepal

Hemp is the fibre extracted from the stem of the cannabis plant. Natural hemp are mainly obtained from the Himalayas of Nepal. Very trending in the market these days, bags and backpacks made of hemps are out for grabs for the trendsetters. They look really fashionable and will go great with any sort of looks especially with Boho look. Westerners love these and they certainly cannot go without buying at least one of these before leaving this wonderland country Nepal. Usually handmade, these hemp bags are intricately made and very tempting to the eyes. Hemp backpacks are especially popular among the trekkers while hemp bags are appealing to everyone. So, what else can be the better souvenir other than hemp bags and backpacks!

8. Statues and Masks

Religious, traditional and cultural statues and masks are one of the most important symbols of Nepal and the Nepalese society. They show the real talents of our artists in Nepal which we all are proud of. The statues and masks are made of many different materials like metals, brass, bronze, clay, gold and silver and many other similar things. These statues and masks play the important roles in forming the Hindu religious structures like temples and others while they also are the important parts in the religious festivals. They are the great showpieces for your interiors and also the luck bringing charms to you and your family. Keeping some of these statues and masks in the house, Hindus and Buddhists have a lot of beliefs that the evil eyes will not fall upon the households and they have prosperity. Most of them are associated with the Buddhism. Nothing can beat the statues and masks in such style of souvenirs. 

9. Dar Cho –Tibetan Prayer Flags

Tibetan prayer flags or dar cho, are mostly used by the Buddhism and is mostly hanged in and around the houses, monasteries, temples and the stupas. If you go to trek in the Himalayas, you will find the prayer flags on your path, on the chortens or the mani walls, in the deserted places and around the settlements as well. The colorful Tibetan prayer flags are used for the well-being and the increase of fortune and life for all sentient beings. It is believed that with the mantras, symbols and the sacred texts inscribed in the flags, they generate the spiritual vibrations which is released once touched by the wind and carried in the air as the silent prayers. Since the flag is related to the blessings, one can buy this as a form of souvenir and gift it to your loved ones. The Tibetan prayer flags are available in various shapes, sizes and colors as well. The best blessings and love can be shared through the Tibetan prayer flags in the form of souvenir. 

10. Gold, Silver, Bead, Bone and Stone Jewelleries

There is no doubt at all that such fine and exotic, Nepalese jewellery can enter the woman’s heart very easy. What else can make a woman happy other than the beautiful jewelleries! The jewelleries in Nepal constitute the biggest portion of all the Nepalese handicrafts and they are made of many precious items like gold, silver, bead, bone, stone, etc. There are millions of choices to choose from in the varieties of forms like bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings and more. So many colorful and attractive stones or the semi-precious stones are found in Nepal only which can be mixed with any other jewelleries and form a unique masterpiece. You can either buy the ready-made or custom-made depending upon your choice. Don’t wait until you get old and ragged to make your woman happy when you can do it right now, here in Nepal by buying a simple jewellery souvenir. 

11. Tea and Spices

Nepal is remarkably known for its varieties of teas and spices as well. We, Nepalese love drinking tea. What about you? If you ever get to taste typical Nepali tea or locally known as ‘Nepali Chiya’, you will fall in love instantly. Why not buying it to bring it to your own home which you can enjoy for the rest of the life! Besides normal tea, we have so many other varieties of teas like earl grey tea, masala tea, green tea, oolong tea, golden tips tea, silver tips tea, herbal tea, etc. Moreover, they come in the beautiful packets as well.  Nepal has a huge production of high quality tea. What are you waiting for! Just go and buy a tea packet for your lovely people and tell them it's the most precious souvenir from Nepal, which will cost you merely small amount only.

Thanks to so many spices as found in the Nepali market, our food taste unique and exotic. Nepal is solely responsible for manufacturing so many varieties of spices. They can be used extensively in the varieties of cuisines to shape the tastes as per the people’s choice of taste. Whether it’s about the collection or it’s your personal interest in cooking foods, buying spices to your home could be a great idea. Freshly extracted from the Himalayan fields and the wilderness; the most commonly used spices in Nepal are ginger, garlic, coriander, Sichuan pepper or timur, chillies, turmeric, fenugreek seeds, cumin, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, mustard seeds, and so on.  They can be found either in raw form or the powdered form; a number of spices to pick as the souvenir for your chef back home.

12. Tiger moving game (Bagh Chal)

If you’re looking for something different and unusual which is typical Nepalese style also, then tiger moving game is right for you. Locally known as (Bagh Chal; Bagh means tiger), it is a very classical game in Nepal which is loved and enjoyed by all age groups. This game has a board layout which simply has a square figure or a box with a lot of small boxes and the lines inside. There are 4 tiger pieces and 20 goat pieces in the game. Either the tiger wins or the goat wins. The tiger wins by engulfing all the goats while the goat wins by blocking all the tiger pieces. Tiger moving game is an intelligent puzzle game which is somehow compared to the chess game but is simply quite easier to learn and execute. Buy this interesting game for your kins and they will surely love this souvenir from Nepal.

13. Trekking Gears and Equipment from Nepal

Can you really find the trekking gears and equipment in Nepal to buy as a souvenir? Obviously yes, that’s even in the cheaper price for the good quality items. Since Nepal has the majority of tourists coming in for the trekking, Nepalese business leaders has been manufacturing trekking gears and equipment and catering to the tourism markets for decades now. Why not going to the mountains with your own trekking gears and gear yourself up in those impossible hills and the mountains! Most importantly, you can buy any of these items as the souvenir and gift them to your friends and family. They will be surprised. You don’t even have to finish the big deal of amount and you can buy these items at cheaper rates than in the foreign countries. Some local brands like Kala Patthar, Shona’s Alpine and Sonam Gears are the most popular brands in Nepal and abroad which supply these souvenir trekking gears and equipment.

14. Nepali Dhaka products

The exclusive Dhaka from Nepal has got its unique prints and patterns. This typical Nepali product is made from cotton fabric and is weaved in the traditional loom. It reflects the pure Nepali craftsmanship. The Dhaka fabric has gained much popularity in the recent days and from Dhaka, there has been a lot of innovative products like Nepali sarees, hats, shirts, shawls, bed sheets, handkerchiefs, table mats, etc. The colorful designs have become one of the most recognizable and remarkable handicrafts in Nepal. Palpali Dhaka hat or called as Palpali Dhaka Topi is the most renowned Dhaka hat in Nepal. Dhaka hat is a part of the national dress and also the symbol of Nepalese nationality. According to Nepali culture, the clothes made of Dhaka is significantly used by the groom on the wedding day. Ready to buy the Dhaka products as the souvenir which is sure to make your woman look elegant and the man look glamorous.

15. Nepali Music and the Musical Instruments

Everyone loves music, don’t they? Nepal also boasts of having so many varieties of music. Nepali music has been gaining popularity among the tourist as well. Especially the folk instrumental music played with combining different musical instruments. Listening to the tunes or the songs, a traveler can enjoy more during their journey in the Nepal Himalayas. Why not taking a music collection back to your home as a souvenir and the reminder of your amazing Nepal stay! The most popular Nepali song is the ‘Resham Firiri’ while the famous tunes are ‘Om Mani Padme Hum-a Buddhist tune’and ‘Nepali Lok Dhun’. There are countless others to listen to. Now, there's no comparing to the musical souvenirs, is there?

On the other hand, buying the musical instruments can also be a choice and could be a beautiful treat for yourself too. There are innumerable musical instruments in Nepal which is used during the casual friend gatherings and from the formal to the informal occasions. Some of the most famous folk musical instruments of Nepal are Bansuri (the flute), Madal, Murchunga, Dhimay, Panche Baja (sets of 5 traditional folk instruments), Sarangi (the most classical musical instrument) and similar others. These could be the interesting souvenir to take back home.

16. Prayer Wheels in Nepal

Similar to prayer flags, prayer wheels are also used for spreading spiritual blessings and the well-being. Imprinted with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum in the Indian script or in Tibetan script, around an axle, the prayer wheel is spun round and round. Tibetan Buddhists believe that reciting this mantra, silently to oneself or saying out loud invokes the powerful blessings of Chenrezig, the Buddha of compassion. Mani wheels or prayer wheels are found abundantly all over the trekking routes of Nepal which are influenced by the Buddhism. These wheels can be found in all Buddhism sites and the monasteries. In the form of souvenir, one can buy different sized prayer wheels and bring it with them for the inner peace and to achieve the immense blessings.

17. Traditional Nepalese Clothing

Nepal is a multicultural country where inhabits vast number of communities living together preserving their own unique cultures and traditions. With this comes the number of styles of clothing that is worn by them multiple communities known as traditional clothing. There are so many beautiful dresses or the attires which has gained the popularity even among the tourists today. Traditional clothing in Nepal is very colorful and joyful. They are comparatively cheaper to purchase as well. From the 70s look to the modern trendy looks, the Nepali clothing are improving time to time and the generations to generations. Made from the varieties of fabrics including wool, cotton, cashmere and silk, Nepali traditional clothing is distinguishable by its durability, warmth and often the vibrant colors. From hats to the slippers, shirts to the jackets, trousers to the pants and from blouses to the dresses, more than enough choices are there to choose from while buying as a souvenir for your close ones.

18. Traditional Dolls and Puppets in Nepal

One of the most typical Nepali souvenirs which you can buy before you fly to your home nation is the traditional dolls and puppets. Been existing here for centuries, Nepalese produces so much of these handicrafts either to export or mainly to showcase the craftsmanship of the local Nepali artists to the foreigners. Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu valley is mainly popular for the production of the unique dolls and puppets. They usually depict different gods and goddesses or even demons according to the Hindu traditions while could also portrait the different cultural attires in different shapes and forms of a human figure at the other times. Would you consider of buying one of these dolls or puppets as a souvenir to your family??

19. Tiger Balm

Here’s another simple but a very effective item you can buy as a souvenir, known as tiger balm. Tiger balm is like a lotion which you apply on the skin to ward off the cold at winter times or to finish off the running nose problems. It’s similar to the Vicks if you’ve heard of it which will come very handy while you are traveling overseas. You will find it easily on the streets of the touristic markets as these lotions will be carried by the individual street vendors who is always on the move to and fro. Probably one of the cheapest souvenirs you can find in the Nepali touristic market.

20. Other Traditional and Cultural Nepali Handicrafts

Except for the pashmina products, lokta paper products and various jewelleries that we have mentioned before, there are also many other traditional and cultural handicrafts which proudly showcase the beauty and uniqueness of Nepal and the Nepali society. Lots of varieties to choose from, which will keep you all enthusiastic and interested throughout your shopping period. We also have many bamboo products, the carpets and rugs, leather goods, incenses, wooden crafts, ceramic items, stones and crystals, alloy goods, bags and luggages, plastic recycled items, utility items and a whole lot of other souvenir items.  

Our list is never ending but these items were on the top of our list of the souvenirs you can buy when traveling to Nepal or before flying back home to your lovely country. Didn’t get enough of the souvenirs we’ve listed so far? Nature Lovers can recommend you more exquisite and valuable souvenirs for you to take to your home. You’ve been an interesting reader, thank you lots.