Nepal can be visited easily from the neighbouring giant India. The people of Nepal are quite relaxed, so the country offers a nice break from the crowded Indian plains.

The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is located between India in the south and China in the north. At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the kingdom. The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848m) in the north and the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District. Altitude increases as you travel south to north. To the north temperatures are below-40 degrees Celsius and tin the Terai, temperatures rise to 40 degrees Celsius in the summer. During June, July and August, the kingdom is influenced by monsoon clouds.

The Himalaya: The Himalayan range makes up the northern border of the country and represents 16% of the total land area of Nepal. Peaks like Mt. Everest (8848m), Kanchenjunga (8598m), and Dhaulagiri (8137m) are found here and sparse vegetation is found up to 4,500m. Some of Nepal’s most beautiful animal and plant life are also found here. Although rare, the snow leopard and danphe bird are much talked about sights among visitors. The people in this region produce and sell cheese besides working as porters and guides. Many also trade with Tibet and travel across the border to sell their goods.

The capital city of Nepal Kathmandu is an inspiring place. It is packed with temples and has a very friendly atmosphere. From Kathmandu, is only a short trip to the nearby Patan with its impressive Durbar square where the past can be revived. Bhaktapur is even older and offers some interesting insights into the famous Newari architecture. Pashupatinath, the holiest city of Nepal, and Boudhanath, with the largest Stupa of Nepal and home to many members of the Tibetan community, are an absolute must.

In Nepal, ethnical cultural groups are diverse and many of them have their own languages and customs. However, they can be geographically categorized according to their habitats. The Sherpas who are of Tibeto-Burman stock mainly occupy the higher hills of eastern and central Nepal. The Solu Khumbu region, where the world’s tallest peak Mt. Everest stands, is inhabited by Sherpas. Generally they are Buddhist but some follow the Bon, the pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet, and other religions, The Sherpas are famed for their valor and mountaineering skills and are professionally involved in many mountain expeditions. Today, Sherpas have joined other occupations as well, like business, administration and politics.