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Nepal's
identity as a travel destination is inseparable from
the
Himalayan peaks found within its borders. Long confined
to serious mountaineers, these Himalayan regions have
more recently become popular as trekking destinations,
offering on their lower slopes alpine terrain of unparalleled
beauty. The appeal of Nepal is not, however, confined
to its upper altitudes: the relatively tame terrain
of the Kathmandu Valley and the Terai, while less visually
spectacular, also have plenty to offer.
Despite its popularity among travellers over the last
couple of decades, this fertile valley continues to
offer a living window into Nepal's ancient history.
Bhaktapur, seat of a medieval kingdom, remains unspoiled
by cars or modern buildings. Members of different castes
live in separate neighborhoods, each with its own square,
water source and temples. Nagarkot, on the eastern edge
of the valley, rewards hikers with panoramic views of
five of the world's ten highest peaks: Everest, Lhotse,
Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu. Eight- to ten-day whitewater
rafting trips down the Sun Kosi River (to the east of
Kathmandu) offer first-hand views of Nepali village
life (and plenty of rapids).
The
Terai: Chitwan National Park,
famous throughout Asia for the variety of its game animals,
is one of the few wildlife parks in the world that allows
visitors to walk around on foot. The park is home to
many rare species, including the Asian one-horned rhinoceros,
Bengali tigers, elephants, jackals, hyenas, leopards,
rhesus monkeys, and wild boars. Visitors who want to
experience the interior of the park can travel down
the Rapti River in dugout canoes and camp along the
riverbanks. In December of each year, one of the park's
lodges sponsors an elephant polo tournament, perhaps
the only sporting event of its kind in the world.
The
Himalayas
The
Annapurna Region: The trail leading around the Annapurna
Massif gives trekkers the full range of Nepal's topography,
from tropical vegetation to sparse, rocky mountaintops.
As the trail climbs steadily upwards, hikers cross rivers
on rickety suspension bridges and walk through gorges
so deep the sun rarely reaches them. The high point
(literally) is the Thorong La Pass, at 5,250 meters
(17,222 feet). The section of trail after the pass provides
stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges,
with the Kali Gandaki River flowing between them far
below.
 The
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek leads directly into the mountains.
A single narrow trail rises through rhododendron and
bamboo forests into the Sanctuary, a secluded meadow
surrounded by sheer cliff faces. The area was sacred
to the native Hindu peoples, who considered it the dwelling
place of local gods.
The
Everest Region:
The trek to Everest Base Camp is strenuous, with many
sudden changes in altitude. The first days out of Jiri,
the traditional trailhead, take trekkers through Buddhist
villages and past Thubten Choling, Nepal's largest monastery.
Higher up, the trail wends its way through mountains,
glaciers and spacious valleys. For a taste of Nepali
folklore, stop at the Pangpoche monastery, where visitors
can view what is supposedly the preserved hand and scalp
of a Yeti (Abominable Snowman). The final goal: the
top of Kala Pattar (18,200 ft), with spectacular views
of Everest and other snow-covered peaks.
Helambu:
For visitors short on time and/or energy, Helambu offers
a taste of trekking in less than a week and without
sharp changes in altitude. The trail, which starts only
a few miles out of Kathmandu, gives trekkers an introduction
to Nepal's diverse topographies, from terraced farms
to snow-capped mountains. The trail also offers a glimpse
into Sherpa life, leading through villages of traditional
stone houses where yaks can still be seen carrying supplies.
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