It is difficult to match Nepal for dramatic scenery: home to the world-famous, 8,848 metre high Mount Everest, it is a completely dominated by the Himalayan range. It has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley alone - most of them ancient temple or palace complexes that display extraordinary craftsmanship. The Nepalis' complex blend of religious beliefs and traditions is reflected in the exquisite thangkas, gold-painted stupas and intricate carvings seen at every turn. Up in the hills around Kathmandu are the lovely rural retreats of Dhulikhel and Nagarkot, perfect two-night escapes from the city. Further west, by the serene Phewa Tal Lake and dominated by the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain , is the adventure capital of Pokhara. To the south, on the grass plains of the Terai, is Chitwan National Park, where visitors go on elephant-back rides in search of tigers or one-horned rhinos. The holy town of Lumbini, with its famous bodhi tree, is the reputed birthplace of Buddha and is a great pilgrimage site.
The main Nepalese airport is in Kathmandu (the main point of connection with Europe, usually via India or the Middle East). There is no railway system to speak of, so the only other way of getting around is by car, jeep or helicopter.
Nepal's climate varies from tropical savannah in the Terai to alpine in the mountains. The best time to visit is from September to late December, when the air is clear after the monsoon but the temperature has yet to drop for the bitter winter. The trekking season lasts from late February to May, when the monsoon begins, and resumes afterwards.
All European and American citizens must possess a valid visa secured from any of the Royal Nepalese Embassies or Consulates abroad. A single-entry 30 day visa, valid for travel within 6 months, can be obtained at the Royal Nepalese Embassy by sending an application form together with your passport, two photographs and a visa fee of £20. Alternatively a visa can be obtained at the airport in Kathmandu after filling in the relevant application form, affixing two photographs and paying a visa fee of US$30.
For information on vaccinations and health requirements, we suggest you contact your GP or a travel clinic such as Fit For Travel at least 2 months prior to departure for advice and to arrange immunisations. Recommended vaccinations for travel to Nepal are polio, tetanus, typhoid, meningitis and hepatitis A. We would also recommend you take anti-malarial tablets, but please consult your doctor for his/her advice.
Kathmandu: 12 hours not direct
Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time)