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| Location |
Nepal is landlocked between India and Tibet (China). |
| Area |
1,41,781 sq. km |
| Population |
2,71,33,000 |
| Population |
Altitude range 1000 M- 8852M |
| Temperature |
Nov- March: 10-25 degrees in Kathamndu |
| April- October |
20-35 degrees in Kathmandu |
| Rainfall |
1600 mm |
| Languages |
Nepali, Maithali, Bahing, Limbu (a Tibeto-Burman
language), English |
| Best Time to Visit |
Mid- September to November and March- April |
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HISTORY |
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Neolithic tools found in the Kathmandu Valley indicate
that people have been living in the Himalayan region for at least 9,000 years.
It appears that people who were probably of Tibeto-Burman ethnicity lived in Nepal 2,500 years ago. |
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Nepal is a landlocked nation in South Asia, bordering
the People's Republic of China to the north and India to
the south, east and west. Nepal previously had the
distinction of being the world's only Hindu state, with
over eighty percent of the people following this faith.
However, on 18 May 2006, Nepal was declared a secular
state.
For a relatively small country, the Nepali landscape is
uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terrai in the
south to the lofty Himalayas in the north. Nepal boasts
eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including
Mount Everest on the border with China. Kathmandu is the
capital and largest city. The exact origin of the name
Nepal is uncertain, but the most popular understanding is
that it is derived from Ne (holy) and pal (cave).
If the country was divided by its 3 geographical regions
you would experience the world's deepest gorge called
Kali-Gandaki and the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest,
diversity that cannot be matched anywhere else in the
world.
The valleys in Nepal are overlooked by snow-capped peaks,
whilst at the other extreme the Terai jungle region offers
a variety of birdlife and animals including the almost
extinct single-horned Asiatic rhino. Situated at the foot
of the Himalayas is Chitwan which is one of the few
undisturbed areas of the Terai jungle and is also one of
the last places where you will find the Bengal tiger. If
you are interested you can take an elephant ride to see
the rhinos.
The amazing mountain views are breathtaking and you can
choose from the popular sacred (Fishtail) mountain in
Pokhara to the stunning heights of Mount Everest. These
stunning Mountains have crystal clear streams, a varied
and colourful variety of flowers and birds.
One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty and
cultural riches of Nepal is to walk through them. New
sights, sounds and smells are a magnificent treat for the
senses in an experience of a lifetime, where you will
traverse the beaten trails. Never will you experience as
many rhododendrons (April and May is a good time) as you
will find in the beautiful forests of Nepal.
Kathmandu is an experience in itself and stands out in
total contrast to its beautiful natural surroundings. This
however does not make it less of an experience. There are
some awesome carved temples of ancient times that are
interspersed with modern towers. Part of the atmosphere of
Kathmandu is the throng of beggars hoping to make a few
pence from the many tourists and the monkeys who are
equally looking for a way to survive. All of this and the
choking diesel fumes have become what modern day Kathmandu
is all about. If you are wondering about the best time to
visit then I would advise the months of October and
November as it is the beginning of the dry season.
If trekking is not enough of an experience for you then
you could try white-water rafting in the beautiful
surroundings or maybe experiencing the wildlife in its
natural habitat.
You cannot go to Nepal and not experience one of their
Festivals, which although very spectacular, are a living
part of the cultural heritage. Festivals bring together
the Nepalese people whatever their backgrounds and beliefs
into one nation.
Technological backwardness and the long-running civil war
have also prevented Nepal from fully developing its
economy. The country receives foreign aid from several
countries including India.
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HOW TO GET THERE:
BY AIR
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| Delhi- Kathmandu |
| Jet airways |
9W 262 |
1130 1315 |
| Royal nepal |
RA 218 |
1930 2115 |
| Indian airlines |
IC 813 |
1340 1525 |
| Air Sahara |
S2 501 |
1315 1500 |
| Kathmandu- Delhi |
| Jet airways |
9W 261 |
1415 1545 |
| Royal nepal |
RA 217 |
1700 1830 |
| Indian airlines |
IC 814 |
1610 1730 |
| Air Sahara |
S2 502 |
1600 1715 |
| Kolkata- Kathmandu |
| Indian airlines |
IC 747 |
1350 1500 (DAYS 2,3,6,7) |
| Kathmandu- Kolkata |
| Indian airlines |
IC 748 |
1540 1650 (DAYS 2,3,6,7) |
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BY ROAD
From India, it is best to fly into Kathmandu but for those interested in roughing it out, there are three main crossing points:
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| Sunauli- Bhairawa |
From Varanasi side in Uttar Pradesh |
| Birganj- Raxaul |
From Kolkata side (West Bengal) |
| Kakarbhitta- Siliguri |
From Darjeeling (West Bengal) |
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© 2008, Banjara Camps & Retreats Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. All rights reserved.
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