Nepal is an independent kingdom landlocked between China
to the north and India to the south. It is a country of amazing
geographical extremes. The elevation varies from 197 feet above
sea level to the highest point on earth, mighty Everest at 29,028
feet and climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to arctic.
This wild variation fosters an incredible eco-system; greatest
mountain range, thick tropical jungles, thundering rivers, forested
hills, and frozen valleys. Physical features also include green
paddy terraces, wind-swept deserts, dense forests and marshy grasslands.
The country is well endowed with perennial rivers, lakes and glacial
lakes that originate in the Himalayas. Twenty percent of the land
in the country is used for agriculture, where 0.49 percent is
used for permanent crops, mainly rice. Climatic conditions of
Nepal vary from one place to another in accordance with the geographical
features. In the north summer is cool and winter is severe, while
in south summer is sub tropical and winter is mild.
The variety in Nepal's topography provides home to wildlife like tigers, rhinos, monkeys, bears, yaks, leopards and different species of insects and birds. Nepal is a home to almost 10 percent of the world's bird species among which 500 species are found in the Kathmandu Valley . The country has managed to preserve some endangered species of Asia in its extensive parks and protected natural habitats. The most abundant natural resource in Nepal is water. Other resources found here are quartz, timber, lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore and scenic beauty. Nepal’s population of 25 million people are as diverse in their language and customs as the terrain they inhabit. From mountain to mountain, valley to valley, plateau to plain, ethnic groups vary as much as the climate. No fewer than 36 distinct ethnic groups with their own languages, dialects and genetic origins reside in the countless isolated valleys of Nepal. The prevailing religious pattern of Nepal is Hinduism in the south with its origins from India and Buddhism in the north reflective of the Tibetan influence.
Over the centuries the people of Nepal have carved
a precarious, yet self-sufficient existence from the rugged slopes
of the Himalayas and their futile terraced foothills. But Nepal’s
predominantly agrarian past has been sorely threatened by a vast
array of developmental challenges brought on by an alarming population
growth experienced over the last twenty years. One can witness
the astonishment and intrigue of a timeless Asian culture within
a magnificent natural setting while also experiencing first hand
a number of the ecological and social dilemmas the Nepali people
must resolve as a challenge to their vitality and welfare in the
years ahead.
Kathmandu Valley:
The exotic valley of Kathmandu is surrounded by green hills above which, to the north, tower the mighty snow-capped peaks. Three main cities of great historic and cultural interest; Kathmandu(the capital of Nepal), Patan, and Bhaktapur, house numerous shrines, temples, palaces, squares, and ageless sculptures making Kathmandu a living museum.
“The cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley is illustrated by seven groups of monuments and buildings which display the full range of historic and artistic achievements for which the Kathmandu Valley is world famous. The seven include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka ( Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.” - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Kathmandu: Lies in the heart of the capital and is popularly known
as the Hanuman Dhoka Palace - the Gateway of Hanuman - an ancient
seat of Nepalese Royalty. The Palace consists of the huge Royal
square imposing a tremendous variety of the temples dedicated
to different Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Most of the buildings were
constructed from the 15 th – 18 th centuries. The Palace
is named after the Hindu Monkey God, Hanuman , and is painted
completely red right next to the main entrance (the Golden Gate)
of the Palace. He is regarded as the protector of the entire Durbar
Square.
Swayambhunath: A 2000 year old hilltop shrine of Swayambunath ( Monkey
Temple), one of the oldest Stupas in the world, presides over
the entire Kathmandu Valley. The Stupa is an impressive white
mound crowned by the astonishing all seeing eyes which are symbolic
of inevitable Karmic justice on each of the four sides of a golden
cube. Above the rise a tower of 13 diminishing golden disks symbolizing
the 13 steps to enlightenment, then a golden, regal parasol topped
by a bell-shaped crown. Prayer flags stream on cords from the
tower’s pinnacle to the base, where prayer wheels ring the
Stupa.
Boudhanath: One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monument ever
built in the Himalayan Kingdom it is 36m high. The stupa is unique
with its three level, mandala style, platforms. The structural
features of the stupa is somewhat similar to the Swayambhunath
stupa. It was built around the 5 th century A.D. What Mecca is
to the Muslims, this Boudhanath Stupa is for Tibetan Buddhists.
Every year thousands of pilgrims flock here from all over the
Himalayan region.During the Buddhist festivals, listed with Swayambhunath
above, pilgrims gather to celebrate with great reverance to all
Buddhist deities.
Pashupatinath:
Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most important
pilgrimage destinations for Hindus all over the world. This temple
is on a bank of the Bagmati River where Hindus are cremated after
their death. The Bagmati is a tributary of the Holy Ganges River
and so to pass from the physical world at this location is an
auspicious blessing to Hindus from all over the sub-continent.
Astonishing and yet always fascinating sights and sounds will
overwhelm your senses.
Patan: The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of
beauty. It is indeed a city of beauty and grace and is planned
on a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four
points of the compass. The center of attraction is its Durbar
Square complex, situated right in the middle of the market place.
The city is full of Buddhist monuments and Hindu temples with
fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings.
Noted for its craftsmen and metal workers, it is also know as
the city of artists. This city is considered one of the oldest
among the three cities of Kathmandu Valley.The city has the distinction
of being the home of the finest Newari craft. The finest Hindu
and Buddhist monuments are scattered around but the most important
monuments are in the square or close by.
Bhaktapur: Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon , is a museum of
medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture,
woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different
gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a conch shell-one
of the emblems of the god Vishnu. Pottery and weaving are its
major traditional industries. Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The world
Bhaktapur means The City of Devotees.
Changu Narayan: Situated on a small hillock overlooking the Kathmandu
Valley, the temple is decorated with magnificent art works in
metal and wood. This famous temple was built in the 3rd century
A.D. An inscription opposite the temple tells about a historic
event which is the first epigraphic evidence of Nepali history.
Pokhara:
One of the most picturesque places of Nepal, the beauty of Pokhara
is enchanted by lovely lakes and stunningly close views of the
magnificent Machhapuchre (Fishtail) and Annapurna mountains. Pokhara
is the starting point for some of the most popular trekking routes
in Nepal.
Annapurna: The Annapurna region in central Nepal is very diverse geographically and culturally. It includes subtropical lowlands with oak, rhododendron, and bamboo forests as well as high alpine meadows and also windswept desert plateaus. It also boasts of the world’s deepest gorge like the Kali Gandaki.
Everest:
Everest (8848 meters) is the highest peak on earth. The stone-walled field houses of ancients villages steeped in history and tradition, golden-roofed monasteries set amidst stunning mountain scenery and, perhaps above all, the Sherpas themselves. Everest region offers a magnificent Himalayan panorama, which includes five of the world’s tallest peaks.
Helambu and Langtang:
Helambu valley, noted for its temperate forest and alpine pastures, glaciers, lakes and snowy peaks, scenic grandeur and pleasant climate, is just north of the Kathmandu Valley. One can stay in highland monastery villages and small settlements in pristine forests. Above Helambu is a mountain pass the lake of Gosainkunda to the valley of Langtang. Gosaikunda lake itself is situated at 4,380 meters. Nearby are other lakes including Nagkunda, Bhairavkunda, Saraswatikunda and Suryakunda. The trek passes through a varied landscape ranging from evergreen forests, cascading waterfalls and turbulent streams to sub-alpine grasslands and stark, beautiful mountain sides.
