Nepal's culture, too, is a mix of influences. Until 2006 the world's oldest Hindu monarchy, the country has for many years also been a refuge for Tibetan Buddhism, whose culture has thrived among the Sherpa of north-eastern Nepal.
Trekking in Nepal
Home to no fewer than eight of the world's ten highest mountains, Nepal is the ultimate goal for mountain lovers, attracting both hardened mountaineers and novice trekkers alike.
While Nepal is most famous for its 8,000m+ peaks, you needn't be a hardened mountaineer to discover these spectacular mountains. Popular and accessible treks include Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit, while non-technical 6,000m+ climbs such as Mera Peak can be conquered even by less-experienced climbers.
And for those seeking to explore the Nepali Himalaya but without the various hardships that go with mountain climbing, our Nepal in Comfort itineraries offer an easy lodge-based alternative to a standard trekking or climbing holiday.
We design treks and climbs that suit your goals and your interests - matched to your ability. See our Nepal trekking pages for more information.
Wildlife holidays in Nepal
Outside of its popular mountain routes, much of Nepal remains little explored, particularly its southern national parks. Yet Nepal houses a diversity of wildlife, including such rarities as snow leopard, Bengal tiger, and the greater rhinoceros. Accessing this wildlife isn't always easy. The most remote corners of Nepal are usually accessed via India, where National Parks such as Dudhwa and Singalila provide a gateway on to some of most fascinating environments of the Nepal-India border. Beginning in North-West Bengal, treks on the Singalila Ridge offer the rare prospect of viewing red panda and black bear in the wild, while the vast terai of Dudhwa is home to tiger and rhino, among other large mammals, which move freely between Nepal and India.
More accessible is Chitwan, in south-central Nepal. The country's oldest and most famous national park, Chitwan serves as an easy extension to a trekking holiday, offering visitors the prospect of sighting Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear and Indian rhinoceros in their national habitat.
More remote is Bardia National Park. The preferred option for those wanting to escape the crowds of Chitwan, Bardia protects one of the largest stretches of tiger territory in Asia, and is also home to a healthy population of rhino.
