Nepal, the adobe of snow, is one of the most picturesque regions in the world. In the northern part, you have lofty mountains almost talking to the sky and in the south stretches the limitless lands of grass, as far as horizon. Between them lies the kingdom of Nepal, the land of temples and pagodas.

The Kingdom of Nepal offers different genres of attraction for the visitors. On one hand you have Buddhist heritage sites that attract tourists from Indo-China region and on other hand there are famous Hindu temples that are very popular among Indians. Both of them attract droves of westerners. These include casual tourists as well as researchers. Then there are palaces erected by the various dynasties in Nepal. These places are famous for their distinct architecture and decoration works.

The Kathmandu valley consists of 3 historic, artistic and cultural towns namely Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The combined area of this urban agglomeration is more than 250 square miles. Kathmandu is the Mecca of Nepal's traditional culture, arts and cuisines. This is the place for rest and relaxation and don't have hectic lifestyle that has so become part and parcel of metropolitans round the world. The easy-day sightseeing takes you to various historic and artistic temples and monuments. One also enjoys Kathmandu for nightlife, shopping and for the mountain views.

The must visit sites in Kathmandu start with Pashupatinath Temple. The Hindus all over the world revere this temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The ambience is very holy and is marked by burning incense sticks and religious hymns. Equally holy and magnificent is the Buddhist Pagoda of Boudhnath. The monastery is the most popular and the biggest in Nepal and attracts scores of devotees every year. Nearby is another Buddhist monument known as Machhendranath. The pagoda has a distinct architecture and is very popular among the followers of Hinyana sect of Buddhism. Apart from religious structures you have Durbar Square that is very popular among the tourists. The area has many small but beautiful monuments that have Historical importance. Nearby is Narayanhity Palace, the home of Nepal's monarch. Though this place is out of bound for the tourists, one can very well appreciate the beauty from outside. Apart from that Kathmandu offers ample options for eateries and shopping. The place is famous for handicrafts items that can be bought for mementos and gifts. The embroidered clothes are the other must buy items.

According to a conservative estimate, Nepal has as many as 100 different kinds of mammals and at least 750 kinds of birds in totality. Due to its industrial backwardness, Nepal has limited industries. That is why Nepal's rich fauna and flora is not under grave threat as in some of its neighboring countries such as China and India. Nevertheless, rampant poaching and massive deforestations made the government mull the plan for establishing dedicated wildlife reserves. Established in 1973, Chitwan National Park is the oldest National Park and wildlife reserve in Nepal. The park covers an area of around 1000 square kilometers and supports a fragile ecosystem. As far as the flora is concerned, nearly 70% of Chitwan National Park vegetation comprises Sal forest. The remaining vegetation types include grassland (20%) and Pines (5%). The grasslands have a diverse composition comprising more than 50 species. According to a conservative estimate by the UNESCO, the park has at least 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles. Among animals, one-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, and Crocodile are given special attention. the park also has a sizeable population of Gaur, Wild Elephant, four-horned Antelope, Striped Hyena, Pangolin, Gangetic Dolphin, Monitor Lizard, Python, Chital, Hog, Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Deer, Common Leopard, Palm Civet and Rhesus Monkeys. A few of the common birds seen are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, and different species of egrets, Herons, Kingfishers, Flycatchers and Woodpeckers.

Surrounded by beautiful snow-caped mountains with a magnificent lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water; the Pokhra is a dream come true. An all-year round pleasing weather and friendly inhabitants will greet you with smile and leave you with the most unforgettable moments in your life. So pack up your bag, load your camera, and get ready for Pokhara experience!

Among the attractions, nothing is as majestic as the Fewa (or Phewa) Lake. The lake is 1.5-kilometer long and second largest in Nepal. Fewa Lake offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections in the water. This picturesque place is a hot favorite among the honeymoon couple. There are as many as 8 different lakes in Pokhra and apart from Fewa Lake, Begnas and Rupa Lakes are the most serene. Both these lakes are located about 15 km from Pokhara and are ideal places for relaxation, boating and fishing.

Lumbini that means 'The Lovely One' in Sanskrit is a famous Buddhist site in the Lumbini District Zone of Nepal. Lumbini is considered the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. Lumbini is located 25kms east of the municipality of Kapilvastu. The place is famous for Maya Devi temple. It is believed that the present temple has been built at the place where Queen Maya gave birth to lord Buddha. Another important structure is the Ashoka pillar. Apart from that Lumbini has ruins of various Stupas and monasteries. Then there is Pushkarni pond where Queen Maya took bath before giving birth to Buddha.

Trekking and mountaineering in Nepal give a deep insight and first hand experience of witnessing the vivid and distinct flora and fauna as well as admire the picturesque natural beauty of Nepal. The best thing about the mountaineering and trekking in Nepal is the process itself. The objective of trekking is not just the particular destination, but also the journey. You travel at a modest pace, observing nature, rural communities, and spectacular mountain panoramas. The most interesting thing about trekking in Nepal is the range of geographical features that you witness in the process. It is perfectly usual to cross snowfields in the morning and bathe in sub-tropical streams in the afternoon. The only dampener in the process is the absence of signposts. For the most part, trekking routes are well traveled by local people and mountaineers alike, but remain unmarked and are without signposts.

Copyright @ Worldways Tours & Travels (Pvt) LTD - 2009
all right reserved.