The name Nepal conjures up images of lofty, snow clad peaks, villages tucked into mountain sides, age-old traditions and folklore and rugged mountaineers with snowy beards and peeling noses. The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal is unusually diverse for a small country and has been an adventure travel destination before the phrase was coined. The mountain ranges, hilly valleys and Terai plains allow the adventurous traveller unlimited trekking, biking, camping, river rafting and safari options to name but a few.
Nepal is of course home to Mount Everest the world’s highest peak, Everest sits on the Nepal/Tibet border but with the southern ridge being the easier route, the lure of Mount Everest brings the fearless mountaineers year on year to Nepal. Nepal is in fact home to eight of the fourteen highest mountains in the world but for those who think anything above 8000 meters is a bit too extreme, Nepal has so many other breath-taking treks such as the famous Annapurna range or Langtang Valley.
The plains, known as the Terai region, spread down to the Indian borders where the climate is hot and humid. Here you will find the vast Royal Chitwan National Park, a paradise for nature lovers where visitors can take an elephant safari through the jungle hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger, one-horned rhino or crocodiles. This region is also where Buddhist pilgrims come to see the peaceful grove at Lumbini where Lord Buddha was born.
The culture of Nepal is also quite unique although it has been heavily influenced both by Tibet and India. It’s strange traditions and folklore are still very much a part of life even today, for instance the tradition of keeping a living goddess, who, if you are lucky, you may see in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. Cities such as Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are simply crammed full of wonderful architecture and a guided tour through the narrow streets from temple to shrine to royal residence is a mind boggling experience. At the end of a busy day or challenging trek there is nothing better than to settle in to one of Pokhara’s cosy restaurants with a plate of Dhal Bhat and a bottle of Everest beer.