NEPAL
A small, mountain nation tucked between China and India, Nepal is a hidden treasure, nestled among the giant Himalayas. Once you visit Nepal, you will leave a piece of your heart here.
Though not more than 200 km at its widest point, and a total area roughly similar to that of England, if you flattened Nepal out, it would be the size of the entire Sub-Continent, leaving countless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Nepal is immensely diverse in its geography, especially for such a small country. Within 100km you can go from the hot, dry plains of the Tarai, to the lush mid-hills (2000-3000m hills, that is) to the snow-capped landscape of the rooftop of the world. In Nepal you can find eight of the 14 over 8000 metre peaks in the world, and you can also find the Royal Bengal tiger.
The 26 million people who call Nepal home, known as Nepalese or Nepalis, are predominantly Hindu (81%), and Buddhist (9%), and they pay for their chia (Nepali tea) and daal bhat (traditional Nepali dish) in Nepali Rupees.
South Annapurna
Sunset
Monkey at Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Kathmandu Nepal
South Annapurna
Nepal is one of a kind in terms of its culture, tradition, natural beauty, art and architecture. The unique environment of religious tolerance has always been matter of pride for Nepal, where you can find people of different religions living in same community celebrating their respective festivals in common spaces and happily involving all in the celebrations.
You will feel inspired by culture and history everywhere you go in Nepal because you can see a temple in almost every corner.
Nepal has ten national parks, three wild life reserves and six conservation areas, within which many world class treks in the Himalayas are possible, such as the majestic Annapurna Circuit, untouched Upper Mustang and classic Everest Base Camp treks.
With the notion that “atithi deva bhawa” (guest are our god), you will find Nepali people to be extremely hospitable, happy, helpful and polite. That’s why most of the tourist who visit Nepal says: “For Nepal once is never enough.”