Nepal, About Nepal,
Nepal is an independent country landlocked between Tibet (China) to the north and India to the south, east and west. A land of diverse topography, climate, ethnicity and biodiversity, Nepal is a country of amazing extremes. The world's highest peaks including the mighty Sagarmatha (Everest) tower over the terraced foothills sparsely populated by over 36 distinct ethnic groups. Thick jungles where elephants, rhinos and tigers roam. White-water rivers cascading from their glacial origins high in the Himalayas. A personal Shangrila awaits every visitor who travels to this enchanted wonderland !

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to arctic.

This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.

Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages and dialects. Nepal offers an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. And you can join in the numerous annual festivals that are celevrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs.

For the last 50 years Nepal has been the haunt of hippies and trekkers exploring the stunning topography with its amazing wildlife. The world's tallest mountain, Everest, is located here providing a robust challenge to all who dare to climb it. This magical, mysterious destination welcomes you with its time-worn temples, ancient Buddhist and Hindu culture and spectacular scenery.

Nepal Essentials

Official Name: Kingdom of Nepal.

Location: Between India & Tibetan Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

Passport/Visa Requirements: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need passports and visas (available on arrival). Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before Departure.

Capital : Kathmandu.
Population: 23,314,681.
People: 40 Ethnic Group & 70 Spoken Languages.
Languages: Nepali, dialects.
Predominant Religions: Hindu, Buddhist.
Political - System: Multiparty Democracy with Constitutional Monarch.
Topography: From the world's deepest gorge 'Kali-Gandaki' to highest point on earth 'The Everest'.

Time Zone: 5.8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+5.8 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 977, country code for Nepal; 1, city code for Kathmandu.

Weather: Climate ranges from Tropical in the low lands to Arctic in higher altitudes.
Seasons: Winter (Dec-Feb), Summer (March-May), Monsoon (June-Aug), Autumn (Sep-Nov)

National Bird: Impean Pheasant (Danfe)
National Flower: Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans)

Some very famous Tour Points of Nepal :

Kathmandu Durbar Square, the place of the Malla and then the Shah kings of Nepal. Places of interest here are the Kasthamandap: It lies near the temple of Kumari. It was built in 1596 by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla. It is said to be constructed from the wood of a single tree. It is believed that Kathmandu derived its name from Kastha Mandap.

Kumari Temple: It is the residence of Living Goddess (Virgin Goddess). The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window screens. The non-Hindu visitors may enter the courtyard, but may not go beyond. The Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her balcony window. Photography is prohibited.

Swayambhunath: This is said to be more than 2000 years old and is one of the world's oldest Buddhist Chaityas. The stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a cornice of copper and gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is two miles west of Kathmandu city. Situated
on a hillock it is about 250 feet high above the level of the Valley. The hill is a mosaic of small chaityas and pagoda temples and possesses great dignity and beauty.

Patan:
The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. The Malla kings ruled the Kathmandu Valley until the ascension of the Shah dynasty. In 1768, King Prithvi Narayan Shah began his campaign to unify Nepal and Patan became a city in the kingdom of Nepal.
In the early 1800's the Shah heirs fought the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) against the British East India Company over the annexation of small neighboring states. The Nepalese lost and were forced to cede land to the British in exchange for autonom

Bhaktapur : Bhaktapur or 'the City of Devotees' is situated at an altitude of 1.401 m and covers and area of about four square miles. This small little city still retains the medieval charm and visitors are treated with numerous natural wonders. The ancient glory of the Malla rulers reflects in the Durbar Square and pottery and weavingare their traditional industries.

Pashupati Nath :
Pashupatinath temple is the biggest Hindu temple of Lord Shiva in the world located on the banks of the Bagmati river in the eastern part of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The temple served as the seat of national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, until Nepal was secularized. The temple is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. On the bank of bagmati river and near Pashupati the crimination ceremony of Hindu occors.

Stupa Boudha nath : The village that surrounds the great Kadyapa tower is generally known by the name of Bouddha. ...which in Tibetan is called Yambu Chorten Chenpo. Yambu is the general name by which Kathmandu is known in Tibet; and Chorten Chenpo means great tower. The real name of the tower in full is, however, Ja Rung Kashol Chorten Chenpo, which may be translated into: "Have finished giving the order to proceed with." The tower has an interesting history of its own which explains this strange name. It is said in this history that Kadyapa was a Buddha that lived a long time before Shakyamuni Buddha

Pokhara : Pokhara Nepal, About Pokhara
Pokhara is situated at about 827 meter from sea level. The magnificent city is located about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu and can be reached both by aircraft as well as bus. The journey duration is 35 minutes and 5 hours respectively. As far as adventure trips are concerned, Pokhara is the next destination after Kathmandu. Pokhara is often called the enchanting Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures.

Among the attractions, nothing is as majestic as the Fewa (or Phewa) Lake. The lake is 1.5-kilometer long and second largest in Nepal. Fewa Lake offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections in the water. This picturesque place is a hot favorite among the honeymoon couple. There are as many as 8 different lakes in Pokhra and apart from Fewa Lake, Begnas and Rupa Lakes are the most serene. Both these lakes are located about 15 km from Pokhara and are ideal places for relaxation, boating and fishing.

Chitwan : Chitwan Jungle Safari : Chitwan national Park: Wlild Life Safari in Nepal : Chitwan, to reiterate, comes from the full name Chituwa Ban, meaning 'Leopard Forest'. It is also believed to have originated from Chitta Ban, or 'Heart or deep of the jungle'. Another legend has it that the name of this tropical valley comes from Sita Ban, meaning 'Sita/s forest'. Sita was the consort of Lord Ram, the hero of the great Hindu epic Ramayana. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973. It was included as a World Heritage Site in 1984 in recognition of its focus on people-and-park harmony and the contributions it has made to the replication model on conservation and sustainable development inand the world. The Park is situated 140 kms south west of the Kathmandu valley in the fertile Chitwan Valley.