Nepal

Location: Between the republic of India and the Tibetan autonomous region of the People's republic of China

Area: 147,181 square kilometers

Capital: Kathmandu

People: More than 100 ethnic groups (59 yet recognized by the government) and 92 spoken languages

Political system: multi-party democracy, Federal Republic democratic country

Topography: from the world’s deepest gorge ‘Kali-Gandaki’ to the highest point on earth ‘Everest’

Vegetation: As per the size of the country, Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world, ranging from sub-tropical rainforests to Alpine deserts.

Weather: Climate ranges from Tropical in the lowlands to Arctic in higher altitudes.

Season: Winter (December to February), Summer (March to May), Monsoon (June to August), Autumn (September to November) [Monsoon: mostly rains, making the following day crispy clean, and fresh. Most of the northern belt of the trans-Himalayan Zone is rain-shadowed and ideal for trekking.

National Bird: Lophophorus pheasant (Danfe)

National flower: Rhododendron-Arboreum (Lali Gurans)

World Heritage sites (Cultural)

• Swayambhu
• Bouddha
• Changunarayan
• Pashupatinath
• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Patan Durbar Square
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square

World heritage sites (Natural)

Everest National Park (1148 square kilometers

Royal Chitwan National Park (932 square kilometers)

National Parks:

Royal Bardia National Park (968 square kilometers)

Langtang National Park (1710 square kilometer)

Shey –Phoksundo National Park (3555 square kilometers)

Rara National Park (106 square kilometers)

Khaptad National Park (225 square kilometers)

Makalu-Barun National (2330 square kilometer)

Wildlife Reserves

Shukla Phanta Reserve (499 square kilometer)

Parsa Reserve (499 square kilometer)

Koshi-Tappu Reserve (175 square kilometers)

Conservation areas:

Annapurna (2600 square kilometer)

Makalu-Barun (2330 square kilometer)

Hunting Reserve:

Dhorpatan (1325 square kilometer)

Endanger Species

Tiger, Rhino, Snow leopard, Clouded leopard, Red panda, Brown bear, Assamese macaque, Gangetic dolphin, Wolf, wild elephant, Giant horn-bill, swamp deer, wild yak, Nayan, Tibetan antelope, Blackbuck, four-horned antelope, musk deer pigmy hog, Hispid harem Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard Saras crane, Impian pheasant, Python.

Wildlife:

Nepal harbors one of the world’s best habitats for one-horned rhinos, royal Bengal tigers, snow leopards, clouded leopards, Red pandas, blue-sheep, and long-snouted fish-eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephants, buffaloes, bison, blue bull, brown bear, sloth bear, leopards, crocodiles and many varies of cat, dog, deer, and antelope families, and 840 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds.

A living cultural Heritage:

The heritages in Nepal are alive and dynamic. Shamanism, Pananimism, and witchcraft are still practiced in remote regions. Temples, shrines, monuments, and monasteries with devotees burning butter lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells, and playing drums are spotted everywhere as a living cultural heritage.

Travel Notes:

Visa: Available in Nepalese Embassies and Nepalese Consulates abroad or on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Currency: Nepalese Rupees.

Time: Nepal time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT.

Tourism Services:

Trekking Services: One of the best in the world with treks guided by world-renowned Sherpas.

White Water River Rafting: One of the best in Asia in terms of quality water rafting and professionals.

Mountaineering: One of the world’s most professional mountaineering services available here in Nepal.

Jungle Safaries: One of the best jungle Safari operations in Asia.

Helicopter Services: Most tourist destinations are easily accessible by a variety of helicopter services.

Charter Air Services: Permission for chartered air services is easily obtained from the Department of Civil Aviation.

Popular Tourist Destinations (By air/Road)

Gorkha, Pokhara, Baglung, Tansen, Lumbini, Janakpur, Bardia, Sukla-Phanta, Chitwan, Dhankuta, Dharan, Ilam, Dolakha, Koshi Tappu are to name a few.

Popular Tourist Destinations (By trek):

Everest, Annapurna, Jomsom, Manang, Mustang, Dolpo, Rara, Jumla, Lukla, Syanboche, Larke, Rowling, Khptad, Manaslu, Makalu, Barun, Gosainkunda, Langtang, Helambu, Namche, Muktinath, Kanchanjunga are to name a few.