Nepal is literally perched on the top of the earth. The country claims eight of the ten highest peaks in the world, among which Everest, Annapurna, and Manaslu make Nepal truly exceptional because of its vast variety of landscapes within such a tiny geographical territory. From the subtropical jungles of the Terai plain to the glacier regions of Khumbu, everything can be found in Nepal.
However, Nepal has so much more to offer. Nepal's capital region, the Kathmandu Valley, is home to no less than seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ancient palaces of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur; ghat steps of Pashupatinath, the Buddhist stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath; as well as courtyards where goddesses reside since long time ago. Leaving the city, you can travel to Pokhara with its lake view, Chitwan and its rhinoceroses, as well as hill villages with their endless celebrations, farms, and traditions.
In terms of hiking, Nepal provides the traveler with unsurpassed possibilities. One of the most popular trails is Everest Base Camp via the Khumbu region; another one that can be recommended is Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp trails because they offer diverse landscape and cultural features. More remote routes, such as Manaslu Circuit, Upper Mustang and Dolpo, provide access to wild landscapes.
It is also one of the easiest adventure travel destinations in the whole of Asia because of the permit system for hikers, presence of developed teahouse networks, and unique Nepali culture of hospitality, which makes the process of enjoying high altitude adventure with full comfort possible. Be it your first experience in Nepal or an expedition to the challenging mountain peaks, there is something for everyone here.
The best period for visiting Nepal is October-November (the post-monsoon season; clear sky, beautiful colors) and March-May (spring, blooming rhododendron flowers, good visibility). Nepal Standard Time (UTC+5:45) is the official time zone of the country, and Nepalese Rupee (NPR) is its currency.
