Why the Himalayas Feel Like Home: A Kathmandu Native’s First Journey to the Terai

I was born and raised in Kathmandu Valley, where mountains and hills are more than just a backdrop — they are part of life. Constant. Comforting. Like being held in the arms of the Himalayas. These towering peaks have always been present, always there, offering a sense of security and belonging.
But the first time I left Kathmandu at the age of 18, I realized how much I took those mountains for granted. Traveling to the Terai, Nepal’s flatlands, I encountered a world that felt so different — almost foreign. It took me a while to adjust. I felt like I wasn’t swaddled anymore. The landscape was vast, open, and flat, stretching endlessly toward the horizon.

Leaving Kathmandu: The First Step Outside the Valley

I had grown so accustomed to the protective embrace of the mountains. So when I ventured out of the Kathmandu Valley to the Terai region, I was unprepared for the vastness of it all. There was no jagged mountain range to set boundaries, no hills framing the skyline. The land stretched flat, with only the sky to meet it in the distance.

It was an uncomfortable feeling, like something was missing — like I wasn’t enclosed in the familiar arms of the mountains. Every day, I found myself retreating to the terrace of wherever I stayed, staring out at the plain landscape, wondering how it could feel so… empty.

The Terai: Nepal’s Heartland and Its Strangely Beautiful Vastness

It wasn’t easy to adjust at first. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, that I was untethered in a way I hadn’t been before. The vast expanse of land seemed to stretch on without end, offering no natural landmarks. Yet, over time, I began to appreciate the different beauty the Terai offered. The flatlands had a charm all their own — endless fields, vibrant villages, and the rhythm of life that felt slower and different from the bustling hills of Kathmandu.

It took a few days, but eventually, I began to see the unique beauty of the Terai’s vast openness. I understood that this land had its own way of shaping people’s lives — not like the mountains, but in a more grounded, expansive way.

After spending time in the Terai, it hit me: I had always assumed that every place in the world had mountains nearby. I had no concept of a world without the towering peaks of the Himalayas. The realization was humbling.

This was when I truly understood why tourists flock to Kathmandu. It’s not just for the temples or the city’s vibrant culture; it’s the mountains. The presence of the Himalayas is almost spiritual. They’re the arms that hold the people of Kathmandu, and even those who visit.