Nepal is more than the Himalaya, the 'roof of the world', and also offers much to non-mountaineers. It is exactly the enormous variety in landscape and culture that makes Nepal an attractive travel destination.
At less than 200 km distance from the highest mountains on earth, and separated from these by lovely hills, lies the tropical lowland plain of the Terai. The coming together of such different landscape and climate types on such a small surface area is unique in the world.
The diversity in population groups is possibly even greater than the differences in landscape and climate. The friendly, colourful population exists largely of a great number of ethnic groups, among which are the Sherpas, Newars and Gurkhas.
Culturally, Nepal also is a fascinating country. The Kathmandu valley is covered with temples. As most of them are still in daily use and are often the scene for the large number of festivals, the valley could also be held a single large open air museum.
Nepal caters for all tastes. The Capital, Kathmandu, with its narrow, busy shopping streets in the old centre is famous for its architecture. Durban square in Patan, with its magnificent temples and palaces, brings the past to life. Bhaktapur and Bungamati still breathe the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The active traveller can engage in hikes of one or more days in the Kathmandu valley. Hiking tours from the capital and from Pokhara through the hills and mountains of the Himalaya offer the traveller the opportunity to penetrate deeper into the country.
Wild water rafting is also one of the attractions that have gained in popularity in recent years.
For those wishing to enjoy the natural tropical environment of the Terai a visit to the Chitwan and Bardia National Park, home to the Indian rhinoceros and tiger is recommended.
In short: "Nepal offers something for everyone".
