LOCATION The Kingdom of Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square kilometers, and stretches kilometers north to south and 850 kilometers west to east. The country is located between India in the south and China in the north. At latitudes 26 and 30 degrees north and longitudes 80 and 88 degrees east, Nepal is topographically divided into three regions: the Himalaya to the north, the hills consisting of the Mahabharat range and the Churia Hills, and the Terai to the south. Elevations are varied in the kingdom. The highest point is Mt. Everest (8848 m) in the north and the lowest point (70 meters above sea level) is located at Kechana Kalan of Jhapa District

Nepal is home to eight out of the fourteen highest peaks in the world. From these breathtaking heights, rivers crash down through the foothills, fed by monsoon rains and melting snow, on their way to the Great Plains of the Ganges. On these rivers you will find the free beaches and warm water. All this makes a wealth of unlimited opportunities for great rafting and kayaking adventures in this Himalayan kingdom. HISTORY OF NEPAL

Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo-Aryans and the Mongoloids. Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups. Religious practices are an important part of the lives of the Nepalese people. Mythologies of various Hindu gods and goddesses abound in this country and cultural values are based on the philosophies of holy books like the Swasthani Gita, Ramayana etc.

Nepali is the national language of Nepal. Though many languages are used throughout the country, most people understand and speak Nepali. Educated people, and those involved in the tourist industry also understand and speak English.

TIME: Nepal Time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian standard time Money: Nearly all money in Nepal is in the form of notes. The Nepalese rupee is linked to the Indian Climate A few parts of Nepal are governed by the same monsoon pattern, with temperatures varying according to elevation (see chart). Five seasons prevail in Nepal, but these are not mere meteorological divisions

CULTURE. A variety of cultural activities can be witnessed being performed along the river. The adjoining slopes of the river often harbor dense vegetation and interesting wildlife. Several varieties of fishes also abound the Nepalese rivers. Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct groups, the Indo- Aryans and the Mongoloids. Kathmandu Valley is the spiritual and cultural meeting point of all these groups

RELIGION Religious practices are an important part of the lives of the Nepalese people. Mythologies of various Hindu gods and goddesses abound in this country and cultural values are based on the philosophies of holy books like the Swasthani Gita, Ramayana etc. Women and children visit neighborhood shrines at dawn to offer worship to the gods. Holding plates of rice, flowers, and vermilion powder, they perform puja by lighting incense, ringing the temple bell, and applying tika, a red paste, on their foreheads. Passers by stop at temples and show their reverence to the gods by spending a few minutes praying. Occasionally, groups of men sit near temples playing music and singing hyms until late night.

HINDUISM AND BUDDISUM Hinduism : Thousands of gods and goddesses make up the Hindu pantheon. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are he three major Hindu gods who have heir own characteristics and incarnations. BUDDISUM Sakyamuni Buddha is the founder of Buddhism who lived and taught in this part of the world during the sixth century BC. The great stupas of Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath are among the oldest and most beautiful worship sites in the Kathmandu Valley. around the Valley.

ROUTE MAP OF NEPAL

TOURIST PLACES KATHMANDU EAST NEPAL WEST NEPAL KANGCHENJUNGA EVEREST FROM GOYKO EVEREST FROM THE EAST

KATHMANDU Kathmandu Valley (1311m) having three fabled cities – Kathmandu, Patan & Bhaktapur. The valley is great historical, cultural and political interest. The valley is open-air museum of artistic temples, monuments, stupas having seven UNESCO World Heritage sites years before Kathmandu valley was a big lake

EAST NEPAL Janakpur - is the birth place of Sita, the consort of lord Ram. Ram was a great noble & democratic King at the period of Treta Yuga (Ramayana), is situated 375 km. south of Kathmandu in the Tarai plans. It is also a historical capital of Mithila Padesh. The King of Mithila Pradesh was King Janak, a father of Sita. Sight seeing places are – Janaki Mandir, Ram Mandir, Dulha Dulhi Mandir, Vivaaha Mandap, Hanuman Temple, Sankata Mochan, Matihani Temple, Jaleshwore Temple, Dhanusha Dham, The holy Ponds & Maithili art Gallery

WEST NEPAL Pokhara Valley (885m) - is one of the much picturesque sports of Nepal, situated 210 km. West of Kathmandu. Its natural surrounding, lovely lakes and close view of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna range with Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal range, enhance the Valley. Tourist places are – Phewa Lake, Begnas Lake, David's fall, Mahendra Cave, Barahi Temple, Vindawashini Temple, Seti George and Natural Museum. The area is famous for 1 to 3 days hiking

KANGCHENJUNGA 27days, 22 days of rugged trekking up to 16,500 feet in very remote regions. Views of Everest, Makalu, and Kangchenjunga; untouched villages. For those who want to get to the base camp of one of the 8,000 metre peaks without the crowds, this is an ideal trek. In addition to spectacular mountain scenery, this area of-fers Buddhist monasteries, great cultural variety, and very few other trekkers 27

EVERESTNFROM GOYGO 16 days, 11 days of moderate trekking at high elevations beneath the tallest mountains on earth. Fantastic views of Everest. As the trail to Everest Base Camp became more and more crowded, a need arose to find an alternative route that would be equally spectacular in terms of the mountain experience and views of the world's tallest peak. The route up to Dudh Pokhari and Gokyo Ri surpasses the traditional route. As we follow the Dudh Kosi River toward its source, we pass majestic Cho-Oyu (26,750'), the sixth highest peak in the world

EVEREST FROM THE EAST 25 days, 20 days of strenuous trekking, full range of cultures and elevations (2,900ft. to 18,200ft. ), one week off-the- beaten-path. This trip combines the best of both worlds: seeing the popular Khumbu area around Mt. Everest without the crowds, and spending a full week on a remote trail that rarely sees trekkers. This is the route used by the famous British explorer, H.W. Tilman, on the first ever Everest trek back in We begin with a flight to Tumlingtar, one of the most spectacular flights in the Himalayas

NEPAL FLAG

The Nepalese are naturally a friendly, welcoming people. We enjoy meeting people from around the world, and are proud to share our wonderful country with you. Visitors to Nepal often return time and time again, drawn by the stunning scenery, the warm and smiling people, the outdoor adventure and the special atmosphere that pervades the clear mountain air.