Nepal

Nepal land of the Himalayas, where world’s highest peaks are concentrated within the country’s beautiful landscapes. Nepal known for world’s highest towering peaks and rich cultural heritage.

The country with full of surprises, with various exciting places to get amazed by.The sheer scale beauty of the giant mountains is awe inspiring. Nepal’s diversity of cultures is astounding, despite the country’s small size.
It is the home to more than hundreds of ethnic groups, each tribe with its own unique traditions. Where visitors can witness different languages and customs it is a cultural mosaic with colorful festivals. Which takes place throughout the seasons of the year, makes Nepal one of the most sought country to experience.

Nepal is famous for its towering mountain ranges, green hills covered in dense alpine and rain forest. The landscapes extend from low land of sub-tropical Terai belt towards cooler hills as it continues towards the higher terrains.

As it ends above the tree lines amidst the giant Himalayan Peaks of snow mountains and glaciers.

Nepal is also one of the world richest countries in terms of bio-diversity, due to its unique geographical positions. Including altitude variation, the elevation of the country ranges from 60 m/196 feet above the sea level. Extends to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848.86 m/29,032 feet high.

Surprisingly, all within a distance of 150 km/94 miles, resulting into dramatic change of climate from Sub-tropical-alpine to Arctic.

For a small size of the country Nepal-occupies 0.03% of the earth. It is also home to various different species of rare and endangered flora and fauna. Likewise, 2 % of the world’s flowering plants; 8 % of the world with
39 population of birds (more than 857 species). 4 % of mammals on earth; 11 of the world &15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species). Includes 600 indigenous plant families with 319 species of exotic orchids and much more. This makes Nepal as a unique country to visit and experiences its diverse country landscapes, and varied cultures.

Nepal at a Glance:

• Area : 147, 181 sq. km
• Geography : Situated between China in the north and India in the South-
  West and East.
• Capital : Kathmandu, as well as the commercial hub of the country.
• Population : Approx. 23 Million.
• Language : Nepali is the national language. However, travel-trade people
• understand and speak English.
• Political System : Republic with Multi- Party Democracy.
• Climate : Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Spring March to
  May (2) Summer June to August, (3) Autumn/Fall:
  September-November, (4) Winter: December-February.
• Nepal for seasons around the whole year.
• People : Nepal has more than 60 ethnic groups and 70 native spoken
  different languages.
• Religions : 75% Hinduism and 20% Buddhism, rest are Islam, Christianity
  and Kirat, Animism.

The Himal Or Himalayan Religion:

Nepal is made of mid-hills, high hills to mountainous terrains to Himalayas with evergreen snow lines, throughout the year round.

The landscapes of the country begin from lower Terai belt, to Siwalik Hills or Pahad, stretches to higher hills. Which is known as the Mahabharata with Great Mahabharata ending at massif Himalayan ranges.

The higher Himalayan ranges starts from 4,000m to 8,848.86 m above sea level. The Himalayan range occupies 15% of the total area of the country, within this region lies the eight of the fourteen world’s highest peaks of above 8000 meters.

The Himalayan region is a sheer mountain wilderness where tree lines drops from 4,000 m. Only few villages exist above 4,000 meters, especially temporary settlements of the Yaks and cattle herders. The high altitude crops grown up to 4,000 meters are barley, wheat, and potatoes with few seasonal vegetables.

The higher Himalayan range with deep valleys and plateau, makes good pasture ground for animals to graze. The higher Himalayan region habitat by the Nepali of Tibetan origin, like the Sherpa, Tamang and Manang.
Includes Mustang, Lobas of Tsum Valley and Bhotias of Manaslu, as well the eastern and western people of the high Himalayas.

Pahad Or Mid And High Hills:

The Pahad or Siwalik hills begins from the Terai flatland, populated by all mixed tribes of people. It ranges from 900 m/2,500 feet high, where air gets cooler with heavy agricultural farm is found. As well as many farm villages and towns where road skirts with winding uphill, covered in mixed forest and vegetation.

The Pahad or mid-hills is canopy of verdant valleys, streams and rivers with high rocky cliffs. Where all types of Nepali tribes with a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism exists. The Pahad the mid-hills are best for viewpoints to enjoy spectacular views of surrounding landscapes.

Including the panorama of Himalayan array of snow-capped peaks. Where most trek begins in Nepal from the Pahad or Mid Hills areas, from Pahad region heading further high. Reaching cooler hills covered in alpine and coniferous forest, a pleasant location with best viewpoints.

The upper Pahad or High Hills ranges from 2,000 m to 3,000 meters, where morning and nights time are cooler. Can get snowed in sometimes during early spring, autumn and in winter. The Upper or higher Pahad areas with more of Mongolian and Tibetan origin peoples interwoven to Buddhist religion.

Terai The Flatland:

Nepal’s Terai belt the flatland of sub-tropical climate where dense green jungles are located. Along with heavily farmed areas, the Terai also known as the food basket of the country. Due to its vast agricultural land where paddy and all types of crops, vegetable and fruits are cultivated.

The fertile and rich soils yield good harvest of rice and other crops. Makes the Terai belt, the most populated and crowded region of Nepal. The Terai is the home to indigenous Tharu people, of Indian origin migrated from India as a nomadic people. Occupation of hunting and fishing, but from last past decades they are farmers and cattle herders with livestock. In the early years the Terai belt was the land of Malaria, since the disease was eradicated. Then the people from the mid-hills began to migrate and settled around the warm low land of Terai.

The Terai flatland of Nepal extends from Far East to Western corners of the country. The Terai flatland of Nepal stretches to 33,998 km sq.km. About 13, 127 sq. miles. Covering the country with 23 % of Terai belt with an altitude of 67 m to 300 m. It is the warmest of sub-tropical climate country of Nepal, comprises more than 50 wetland and dense tropical forest. Makes a perfect habitat for wild mammals and bird life, like tiger, rhino, deer with various species of animals and birds.

Culture Heritage:

Nepal is great blend and mosaic of various cultural heritages with major religions Hindu and Buddhist. The culture and heritage goes well hand in hand from ancient time till present. The age-old traditions, culture and heritage is the way of the Nepalese life, celebration takes every seasons of the year. Smaller or bigger festivals are celebrated by all Nepali folks, the culture and heritage is attached to religions. Visitors can observe various types of culture and traditional way of heritage life from the low land of Terai belt. As well of the Pahad and mid-hill to mountainous regions of strong Buddhism culture and heritages.

Religions in Nepal:

About 75% Hinduism with 20% Buddhist, the rest 5% includes minor sects of religions Christianity, Kirat and Animism with Islamic. Hindus are mostly settled around Terai the flatland to mid-hills, or Pahad and valleys. Where visitors can witness many Hindu Temples and shrines around Kathmandu valley and throughout the country mid-hills. The Hindu religion is followed by Buddhism, the Buddhist people mostly habituated from mid-hills Pahad to mountainous regions.

The monasteries and stupas are the religious monuments of Tibetan Buddhism, visitors can the tour around various Buddhist sites. Nepal is also the land where Lord Buddha was born in the flatland of western Terai at Lumbini.

Both Hindu and Buddhist religions exists in Nepal living in perfect harmony with temples and monasteries close by. Nepal with famous religious and pilgrimage sites for both Hindu and Buddhist followers from temples, monasteries to holy lakes. The blend of both religions makes Nepal one of the liveliest country steeped with ancient holy temples and Buddhist sites.