Nepal
A land of Contrasts! Sandwiched between India and Tibet (China)Nepal is a country rich in a diverse array of landscapes and cultures.
Where else on Earth could you travel 100 km and go from just above sea level to the top of the worlds’ highest mountain? Here you can do just that. The flood plains of the Terai, on Nepal’s southern border, are at an elevation of only 150 meters above sea level while a mere 100 km to the north, straddling the Nepal/Tibet border, is the 8848 meters high bulk of Mount Everest. Not unexpectedly, the landforms, flora and fauna of this region are unique. The steamy jungle, with its’ luxuriant vegetation, to the south is home to rhinoceros, elephants, tigers along with numerous smaller animals and a myriad of birds of all colours and sizes. Heading north, across the foothills, the jungle gives way to forests of pine, fir and rhododendron.
Born in the melting snows and glaciers, flow mighty rivers that have cut immense gorges through the ranges. Heading south to join the Ganges these rivers provide an ideal location for rafting expeditions. From huge rapids to serene, gently flowing waters there is the opportunity for people of all interests to enjoy this experience. Everywhere you look you will see signs of cultivation, for the Nepalese are a nation of farmers who have learned to harvest their lands with an efficiency unrivalled in many developed countries. As you climb higher the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse until you reach the tree-line where the frigid climate allows only summer grazing of the hardy yak and mountain sheep and goats.
You are now in the land of the mountain giants. Of the fourteen mountains on earth above 8000 meters, Nepal has eight. The magnificent scenery of this region has to be seen to be believed. Mountains that rival anything in Europe or North America, are here, merely foothills. The sheer size of the main Himalaya range can be hard to comprehend with the base of most of the mountains starting at a point higher than most other mountains anywhere else in the world.
The life of the Nepalese people revolves around their religions. The majority of the populations are Hindu while most of the remainders are Buddhist. Anywhere else you would expect tension between such religious groups but here there is an amazing tolerance and understanding.
Derived from two main backgrounds, Indo-Burmese and Mongolian, the ethnic groups of Nepal are a source of fascination for anyone interested in anthropology. Over twenty different groups can be identified, all with their own language and culture. Despite being unified in the eighteenth century these groups have managed to retain their traditions largely intact and show a great deal of pride in their preservation. Their colourful ceremonies; their unique dress, their architecture all provide a wealth of different experiences for the tourist; who wants to see more than just the mountains.
Yes, Nepal is truly a land of contrasts and can offer an experience so diverse that it can cater for visitors of all tastes, ages and abilities. Its’ political stability can guarantee that your trip will be unlikely to be marred by the unrest becoming so common in other parts of the east. Its’ warm friendly people will welcome you to share their culture and customs. This may be your first visit but it probably won’t be your last
