About Nepal

The serenity and grandeur of Nepal attracts nearly one-half million visitors every year. This small, ancient, land-locked country (147,181 Sq. Kms.), nestled between two giants India and China, is home to more then 23 million people, 60 ethnic groups, 70 spoken languages and many religions.

From the north - Nepal's sky high border with Tibet - to the south, where the Terai's jungles buzz just above sea level, Nepal offers the visitor so many different environments to explore, even in a short time we are the only country to have 7 (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites, many situated within a 20 kilometer radius ! After you have experienced ancient Kathmandu, you can take a day trip around the Kathmandu Valley, spend a weekend in the jungle of Royal Chitwan National Park or trek deep into the Himalayas. Trekking options include: Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Sanctuary, Rara Lake (in Western Nepal's "wild west"), or the seldom-visited Nymba Valley, to name just a few. And because of Nepal's diverse terrain and climate: from the world's deepest gorge (Kali-Gandaki) to the highest point on earth (Mt. Everst), one can explore this magnificent country all year round.

Nepal, although small in size, possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical rain forests to alpine deserts. Climate ranges from tropical in the low lands, to arctic in the higher altitudes. Nepal has 6 seasons, Spring (May June), Winter (December-February). With regards to the Monsoon period, it mostly rains at night, leaving the following days clean and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the Trans- Himalayan zone is rain-shadowed, therefore ideal for trekking.

Nearly 14% of Nepal's total area is set aside as national parks and wildlife reserves. Although Nepal has less than 1% of the world's land mass, we have 10% of its birds (more than 800specied.) Impean Pheasant (Danfe) is our national bird, and the Rhododendron Arboreum (Lali Gurans) our national flower. Nepal is also the home of many endangered species and wildlife. The Royal Bengal Tiger, One-Horned Rhino, Snow Leopard, Clouded-Leopard, Red Panda, Buffaloes, Blue Bull, Brown Bear, Crocodiles, Assamese Macaque, Gangetic Dolphin, Wolf, Wild Elephants, Swamp Deer, wild Yak, Tibetan Antelope-and the list goes on.

We are a living cultural heritage, as dynamic and alive as the terrain: Shamanism, Pananimism and Witch-craft are still practiced in remote regions. Temples, shrines, monuments and monasteries are very active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums. Kathmandu Valley consists of 3 ancient cities: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and also
the political, cultural, and commercial hub
of the Kingdom. Its major places of interests
are the Basantpur (or Hanuman Durbar Square
complex), Pashupatinath, Budhanikantha,
Swayambunath, Bouddhanath, the Rana palaces,
and the historic city of Kirtipur.

 

Patan, famouse for its bronze and silverware,
is located at the southern end of the Kathmandu
Valley. Major highlights of Patan are the Patan
Durbar Square, Krishna Mandir, Royal Bath,
Kumbheshwor Temple, the Golden Temple, and
many other ancient, historic and artistic landmarks.

 

 

Bhaktapur is located in the eastern end of the
Valley, and is about 12kilometers away from
Kathmandu. It is a semi-fortified city that
is famous for its Palace of 55windows, the
Golden Gate, Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya
Square and other historic monuments and
heritage sites. Bhaktapur, renowned for its
intricate woodcarvings and terra-cotta artistry,
still preserves its precious culture and history.
It is one of many "must-see" places of our country.

yet, as much as we love to show visitors our home country, we equally enjoy guiding them through neighboring regions of Bhutan, India's Darjeeling & Sikkim, and Tibet with Holy Mt. Kailash's grandeur waiting to intoxicate travelers with its magical beauty and culture. We can talk forever about the wonders of Nepal and the Himalayas, but we hope that you will see for yourself this splendid part of the world.

Himalayan High Camp Trekking (P) Ltd.
Tel: 00-977-1-4268275, Fax: 00-977-1-4268276
Res Tel: 00-977-1-4359071
E-mail: hhct@wlink.com.np
P.O.Box: 14289, Sundhara, Ktm, Nepal