Nepal is a country the size of Tennessee, yet within its borders are some of the world’s most treasured destinations, especially for explorers both land based and spiritual. It’s mountains, the Himalayas, hold eight of the ten highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest. Its lands gave birth to Buddha, and now Boudhanath cradles the monasteries of exiled Tibetan buddhist. It’s capital alone, Katmandu, holds seven UNESCO World Heritage sites which include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan.
Despite its natural beauty and rich mysticism, Nepal is among the poorest of nations, with a per capita income of only $470 per year. The economy is largely based on tourism which is only now recovering from an eleven year low due to political turmoil and instability. Over the past twenty years they have suffered an assassination of the royal family, a violent Maoist insurgency, and an ever changing constitution.
Thankfully Nepal is regaining its foothold on the world traveler’s map. With its government gaining stability, the number of tourists goes up each year. The most popular draw for tourism is trekking. There are numerous companies offering treks anywhere from three to fifteen days. You can explore the base camps of Mt Everest or take a hike through the wild, dense forests of the sub-tropical Terai region. You can even arrange tours to neighboring countries such as India, Bhutan and Tibet. If you are a seeker of the highest peaks, both within and without, Nepal is the journey for you.
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