B-Line Tours and Travels

About the Country

The land of the famous Gurkhas, the birthplace of the Buddha, Nepal also has the highest mountains in the world including Mt. Everest. In sharp contrast to its two giant neighbours, China in the north and India in the south, Nepal occupies an area of only 1,47,181 sq.km. In this land of contrasts, the sweltering subtropical plains (tarai) lie only a 30-minute flight south of the enchanting Himalayas. A harmonious co-existence of Hinduism and Buddhism has ensured a rich cultural heritage evident in the numerous, spectacular festivals that take to the streets of the capital city, Kathmandu. The smiling Nepali face puts a visitor instantly at ease, and the friendliness of the people draws tourists back to Nepal time and again.

The magnificent stupas, the architecturally beautiful pagodas and the superbly crafted palaces stand testimony to the artistic brilliance of the valley dwellers. But equally beautiful are the gifts of nature one encounters on leaving the valley. Green terraced hillsides, sweeping valleys, gushing rivers and the ever present backdrop of the gigantic snow-capped mountains make Nepal the best trekking destination in the world. The countless villages inhabited by tribes of diverse culture and intriguing religious beliefs augment the enchantment.

Nepal is also a bird watchers' paradise where more than 840 species of birds have been sighted, and the jungles in the south are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including many endangered species of mammals like the Royal Bengal tiger and the One-horned rhinoceros. Elephant safari, white water rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding, hang-gliding and mountain climbing are some of the great adventures that await you.

Himalayas

The Himalayan chain of mountains is the youngest as well as the highest range of mountains in the world. Stretching 2,400 km east to west, they are spread over several countries. Of the fourteen peaks that rise above 8,000m, eight are found in Nepal and all have been successfully climbed. It was Mt. Everest (8,848m) that first drew world attention to this tiny nation when Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary made the first ascent back in 1953. Countless mountaineers arrive in Nepal each year to climb the numerous peaks that are open to climbers. The peaks are divided into two categories: Expedition peaks and trekking peaks. The trekking peaks are lower in height but nevertheless, taller than the highest peaks in Europe. Climbs on the expedition peaks require permission from the ministry of tourism, but those for trekking peaks fall under the jurisdiction of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). Nepal’s Himalayas provide climbers with the most challenging peaks in the world.

Rivers of Nepal

Nepal is endowed with a surprisingly high number of fast flowing rivers that come gushing down from the Himalayas. The vast network of rivers ensures there is ample choice when it comes to white water rafting. From the difficult Bhotekoshi to the easy Trishuli, rafters can pick and choose, but much depends on the time you have at hand. Some rivers are easily accessible while others lie in the east or far west from Kathmandu. Duration of the trip can vary from a day to a week on the river. With many exhilarating rapids encountered on the way, this is a high adrenaline adventure sport, which also provides excellent views along the way. Besides the adventure, much of Nepali culture is also seen along the banks of the rivers en route.

Lakes of Nepal

Besides the famous Phewa lake of Pokhara, there are many pristine snow-fed lakes well preserved, primarily because of their remoteness. One of these is the Gokyo lake with its turquoise waters. The Gokyo trek is quite popular as it also includes the ascent of Kalapthar which undoubtedly enjoys the best view of Mt. Everest. Another astoundingly beautiful lake is the Shey Phoksumdo, known as the Jewel of Dolpo. The Dolpo region gained popularity after it was featured in the film “Caravan”. The Phoksumdo Lake trek is one of the difficult ones. One of the most stunning, yet the least visited lakes is the Rara, which lies within the Rara National Park. The pine, juniper and spruce trees that abound in this area add to Rara’s charms and the lake is known for its tranquility. Another undisturbed lake that gets little visitors is the Tilicho that falls within Manang district. With the Destination Manang program, it has been receiving much publicity in recent years.

Culture

Nepal is a land of many cultures and more than 200 different spoken dialects. In the upper regions live the ethnic groups that belong to Tibeto-Burman ancestry, while in the lower regions people of Aryan descent predominate. The wide mix of cultures encountered along a trek in Nepal is truly amazing and educative. There are few places uninhabited by people in Nepal, except for the high Himalayas and the dense jungles. Sherpa people are found living at altitudes as high as 18,000ft at the foot of giant peaks. Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal have lived in harmony, as one will discover in the capital Kathmandu, where you are likely to find Hindu deities within Buddhist shrines. Practicing shamans still heal the sick and exorcise evil spirits, priests still dominate the lives of believers and visiting temples is a way of life for Nepalese.