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Nepal, home to Mount Everest, is dominated by the world's most imposing mountains. Although the country is relatively small (147,181 square kilometers), 80 percent of its territory is occupied by the dramatic peaks of the Himalayas. Nepal was closed to foreign visitors until1951, a situation which contributed greatly to its mystique in the west. This small, hospitable country has since become an exceptionally popular destination for travelers, whether they are in search of climbing challenges or spiritual enlightenment.

Nepal can be divided into three geographical regions, each stretching from east to west across the country. The southernmost strip of land, the Terai, is bordered to the north by Himalayan foothills and to the south by the Ganges River. The area was originally covered with tropical vegetation, but has been almost completely converted to agricultural production. The Terai is now the breadbasket of Nepal and is covered with farms.

The central section of Nepal is formed by the Mahabharat Chain, a range of mountains that reach modest altitudes of 2,000-3,000 meters. Farming has become an important activity in the area; terraced farms produce rice, corn and wheat. The Kathmandu Valley, a stretch of green in the middle of the Mahabbarat, is home to Nepal's capital and other historic cities.

The Himalayas stretch across the northern section of Nepal. Eight of the ten highest peaks in the world are located here, and most are covered with permanent snowfields. The area is sparsely populated, with little vegetation above the tree-line (4,200 meters).

The climate varies considerably with elevation. May to October is monsoon season, when rain soaks the Terai and snow falls on the Himalayan peaks. Mid-October to mid-December is prime mountaineering weather: the skies are clear and sunny, temperatures range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains. March and April are also good months for mountain treks, although temperatures in Kathmandu and the Terai tend to be steamy.

Places of Interest:

Nepal's identity as a travel destination is inseparable from the Himalayan peaks found within its borders. Long confined to serious mountaineers, these Himalayan regions have more recently become popular as trekking destinations, offering on their lower slopes alpine terrain of unparalleled beauty. The appeal of Nepal is not, however, confined to its upper altitudes: the relatively tame terrain of the Kathmandu Valley and the Terai, while less visually spectacular, also have plenty to offer.

Despite its popularity among travellers over the last couple of decades, this fertile valley continues to offer a living window into Nepal's ancient history. Bhaktapur, seat of a medieval kingdom, remains unspoiled by cars or modern buildings. Members of different castes live in separate neighborhoods, each with its own square, water source and temples. Nagarkot, on the eastern edge of the valley, rewards hikers with panoramic views of five of the world's ten highest peaks: Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu. Eight- to ten-day whitewater rafting trips down the Sun Kosi River (to the east of Kathmandu) offer first-hand views of Nepali village life (and plenty of rapids).

Kathmandu
Kathmandu is really two cities: a fabled capital of convivial pilgrims and carved rose-brick temples, and a splenetic sprawl smothered in dirt, monkeys, beggars and the pollution of diesel fumes. It simultaneously reeks of history and the wear and tear of increasing modernity.

Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is in many ways the most medieval of the three major cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Despite recent development, the city still retains a distinctly timeless air, with much of its glorious architecture dating from the end of the 17th century.

Highlights include Nyatapola, the highest temple in the valley, and Til Mahadev Narayan, an important place of pilgrimage. Nearby is Potters' Square, where thousands of clay pots are made and sold. Just east is Tachupal Tole, another square containing temples and monasteries and craft museums.

The Terai
Chitwan National Park, famous throughout Asia for the variety of its game animals, is one of the few wildlife parks in the world that allows visitors to walk around on foot. The park is home to many rare species, including the Asian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengali tigers, elephants, jackals, hyenas, leopards, rhesus monkeys, and wild boars. Visitors who want to experience the interior of the park can travel down the Rapti River in dugout canoes and camp along the riverbanks. In December of each year, one of the park's lodges sponsors an elephant polo tournament, perhaps the only sporting event of its kind in the world.

The Himalayas

The Annapurna Region
The trail leading around the Annapurna Massif gives trekkers the full range of Nepal's topography, from tropical vegetation to sparse, rocky mountaintops. As the trail climbs steadily upwards, hikers cross rivers on rickety suspension bridges and walk through gorges so deep the sun rarely reaches them. The high point (literally) is the Thorong La Pass, at 5,250 meters (17,222 feet). The section of trail after the pass provides stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, with the Kali Gandaki River flowing between them far below.

The Annapurna Sanctuary Trek leads directly into the mountains. A single narrow trail rises through rhododendron and bamboo forests into the Sanctuary, a secluded meadow surrounded by sheer cliff faces. The area was sacred to the native Hindu peoples, who considered it the dwelling place of local gods.

The Everest Region
The trek to Everest Base Camp is strenuous, with many sudden changes in altitude. The first days out of Jiri, the traditional trailhead, take trekkers through Buddhist villages and past Thubten Choling, Nepal's largest monastery. Higher up, the trail wends its way through mountains, glaciers and spacious valleys. For a taste of Nepali folklore, stop at the Pangpoche monastery, where visitors can view what is supposedly the preserved hand and scalp of a Yeti (Abominable Snowman). The final goal: the top of Kala Pattar (18,200 ft), with spectacular views of Everest and other snow-covered peaks.

Helambu
For visitors short on time and/or energy, Helambu offers a taste of trekking in less than a week and without sharp changes in altitude. The trail, which starts only a few miles out of Kathmandu, gives trekkers an introduction to Nepal's diverse topographies, from terraced farms to snow-capped mountains. The trail also offers a glimpse into Sherpa life, leading through villages of traditional stone houses where yaks can still be seen carrying supplies.

Culture

At once a time machine and a magic carpet, Nepal sweeps you along crooked, ancient streets flanked by irregular, multi-roofed pagodas, stupas and stone sculptures, and into rooms cluttered with horror-eyed masks, spinning prayer wheels, trippy thangka scrolls and Tibetan carpets. Muttered chants, esoteric tantric hymns and Nepalese music hang in the air, whether it be the twang of a four-stringed saringhi or the plaintive notes of a flute.

Nepal's food is surprisingly dull given that it lies at the intersection of the two great gastronomic giants India and China. Most of the time meals consist of a dish called dal bhat tarkari which is a combination of lentil soup, rice and curried vegetables - hardly the makings of a dynamic national cuisine. On the other hand, Nepal has adapted famously to Western tastes, markedly evident in Kathmandu's smorgasbord of menus: Mexican tacos; Japanese sukiyaki; Thai chocolate; Chinese marshmallows; onion and minestrone soup; borscht, quiche and soyburgers; and some of the best desserts - apple and lemon pies, almond layer cakes, fruit cakes - found anywhere in the world. To wash any (or all) of these offerings down, try a lassi (a refreshing mixture of curd and water), the locally produced beer or chang, a Himalayan home brew made from barley.

Traditional folk musicians, or gaines, gather for an evening of singing and socialising; classical dancing and trance-like masked dances enliven the Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur regions; while no wedding would be complete without the raucous damais - Nepal's modern ensembles.

Nepal Trekking tours trips
reetings from the Himalayan Country of Nepal! Nepal Social Treks is the largest full service trekking and tour operators in Nepal. We are fully recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP). We have been involved in the trekking and travel business since 1999. During this time, we have built up a wealth of experience which has enabled us to provide incredible tours and treks to hundreds of clients from around the world. Nepal Social Treks are specialists in arranging opportunities to discover our country and its neighbours, their mountains, religious places and fascinating people. First and foremost we endeavor to provide exceptional service to our guests whom we regard not just as customers but extended family members. We understand that the beautiful Nepali countryside alone is not sufficient for an unforgettable tour; expert arrangement by conscientious operators is essential for a safe and unforgettable experience. Accordingly, our team takes pride in planning outstanding trips tailored to your individual requirements. Whilst we customize our treks and tours, some of the trekking possibilities in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim, as well as other activities are outlined below and on our website. This list may be extensive but it is by no means exhaustive. If you require something that is not mentioned below, just let us know; it is our pleasure to help you. Ram Barakoti Nepal Social Treks and Expedition (P.) Ltd. G.P Box 25580, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel; 00977 01 4701070,4701071 Fax 00977 01 4701071 Cell 00977 9851099172 (Ram) Email:info@nepalsocialtreks.com, nepalsocial@wlink.com.np www.nepalsocialtreks.com,