NEPAL

Nepal lies between the two domineering land masses and national powers that are India and China. Nepal’s ancient history began in the Kathmandu valley and over the centuries its boundaries grew to include tracts of what today are neighbouring countries such as India and China. The three major systems of the Asian Continent (Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yangtze and the Indus) all have the Himalayas as their beginning source.

That’s because the Himalayas are the world’s third largest depository of snow and ice. The most mountainous part of Nepal in the north contains eight of the earth’s tallest mountains, including its most famous, Mount Everest. Mount Everest stands above all others at 8,848 meters (5.5 miles) above the sea level. It is called Sagarmatha (“Forehead Of The Sky”) by the sherpas. The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu.

PLACES TO VISIT IN NEPAL

1: POKHARA

Pokhara, the ‘Tourist Capital Of Nepal’, is the second largest city in this Himalayan country, after Kathmandu. It is one of the highest cities, making it the base for many world famous treks. The highlight of the town is its lakeside, which is boating paradise flanked with charming shops, dreamy cafes, restaurants and pubs that make up this post card- perfect town.

Pokhara is a popular starting point for many treks in the Annapurna range as well as many paragliding and river rafting opportunities. The city is a beautiful contrast of the bustling lakeside Pokhara and Old Pokhara, which is home to many beautiful historical temples and is also the city’s commercial hub.

2: KATHMANDU

Kathmandu, the city of peace, lives true to this description. The city is charming, busy, bustling, serene, alive and asleep all at once. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is the most accessible city in the country. From buying trekking equipment in Thamal or taking a rickshaw ride through traffic packed alleys of the old part of the city or simply visiting the fascinating buildings in Durbar Squares, Kathmandu is truly a place filled with warmth.