Nepal – The Country of Mountains and Spirituality

The South Asian inland country Nepal borders on China and India. Its north and east are dominated by the gigantic Himalayas, which contain the Mount Everest (8.848 m) as the highest mountain on earth. Together with seven other mighty mountains, they cause Nepal to be the world's highest situated country after Tibet. The mountains decrease toward the south and constitute a region with heights of about 3,000 metres. It is followed by a low mountain range and the fertile Terai plains, which are part of the Ganges Delta. While endless winter prevails in the high altitudes, the regions of medium height and the lowlands are characterised by temperate tropical climate with averagely cold winters and warm summers.

Nepal's abundance of mountains is unprecedented. The mighty mountain tops of the Himalayas covered in snow in the north tower straight up into the sky. Hills alternate with valleys and gorges in the lower regions. The harsh mountains are home to animals such as the snow leopard, marmots and yaks, while the Ganges plains in the south of the country are covered in the fertile landscapes of the Terai with its vast fields and jungles. The sal tree, the country's most important source of wood, grows here. Furthermore, the region is populated by rhinoceroses, tigers, elephants, leopards and water buffaloes.

Adventurers from all over the world are drawn to the mountain of mountains. You can climb the Mount Everest from Lukla up to the base camp (5.364 m), which is where most expeditions start. On this tour you find thick, green forests, scenic, little mountain villages and the famous Tengboche Monastery. You pass the magical landscape of the Sagarmatha National Parks, which is home to leopards, wolves, black bears and deer. Close by you see the scenic Gokyo Lakes, which are the highest freshwater reservoir on earth and offer a magnificent view of the Mount Everest. A popular location for trekking tours is the Annapurna region. From its base camp Annapurna (4,113 m) you have a great view of the gigantic Himalayan mountain tops. At the same time you get to know the facets of the high mountain region. The nature in the Chitwan National Park in the south present s a completely different picture: there you can meet elephants when you enter the deep thicket of the jungle.

After an earthquake had buried Kathmandu Valley, the Newar people immigrated to Nepal. For a long time they belonged to the Chinese Empire. In the 14th century, the country freed itself and constituted an independent kingdom. At the turn of the 20th century the monarchy receded in importance during a bloody civil war in Nepal and only has a representative role today. The state has a complex system of different cultures with their own languages, which are interconnected by the Hindu caste system. The inhabitants of the country, in which Buddha was born, are friendly, thoughtful and characterised by their spirituality.

The capital Kathmandu is considered the city of temples and gods. That is no wonder as you can marvel at numerous fascinating wooden temples and pagodas decorated with figurines and pillars against the backdrop of the scenic mountains here. The most beautiful sights are located around the central Durbar Square such as the ancient Royal Palace and the statue of the monkey-god. Another well-known attraction is the Monkey Temple outside of Kathmandu, which is populated by many baboons who run free and sometimes snap away tourists' food or valuables. Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, provides an insight into the heart of Buddhism. Besides the many cultural sights, the city Pokhara is famous for its great view of the Himalayas.

While the people in the mountains have Tibetan food, Indian dishes are common in the south and international food is eaten around Kathmandu and Pokhara. But the Nepalese have one thing in common: they all enjoy eating daal bhat - lentils and rice, which are prepared with meat, occasionally vegetables and curry. Party-goers find lots of opportunities for going out in the cities Kathmandu and Pokhara. In addition, the palace-like Garden of Dreams in Kanthipath attracts visitors with various live events, for example typical Nepalese music. A spectacle you should not miss out on are the country's colourful, exuberant religious celebrations, which take place throughout the year. Popular souvenirs are Buddha statues and handmade clothing made of wool or silk.

Unspoiled, deserted mountains, which tower up into the sky, promise pure adventure. You rarely feel the elemental forces of nature as extremely as at the foot of the Himalayas. Numerous trekking tours invite visitors to dive into this fantastic world. Together with a local guide you can climb the mountains on foot or on horseback. Moreover, the country offers perfect conditions for mountaineering, mountain biking and winter sports. A great way of experiencing the unique mountain world are also flights with a helicopter. In addition, there are many activities which promise thrills: paragliding, bungee jumping or canoeing. Meditation and yoga courses, on the other hand, provide relaxation. In the unspoiled, calm nature of the remoteness of a monastery, you can find yourself.

You arrive in Nepal by plane via the airport in Kathmandu (KTM). In addition, the state has many small airports, which you can reach from within the country. There is a great traffic connection from east to west over the Asian Highway 2 and a long distance connection to China. The country has a vast network of hiking paths and suspension bridges, on which you can explore Nepal on foot. The official language is Nepali.