The topography of Nepal ranges from the lowland Terai in the south, nearly at sea level, to the high peaks of the Himalayas, including Mt. Everest, at 29,028 feet. It has the greatest range of altitude of any country in the world. Kathmandu lies at about 5,000 feet elevation, but because it is located less than 30 degrees of latitude North of the equator (the same as central Florida), it has a very moderate climate.

Nepal's population is just a little over 20 million people, with a significant percentage located in the Kathmandu Valley. As a frame of reference, Nepal is approximately one-half the size of the state of Colorado.

Spirituality

The two primary religions in Nepal are Buddhism and Hinduism, with a very small Moslem minority. Buddhism tends to be more prevalent in the northern part of the country, which has felt the influence of Tibet (China), whereas Hinduism is more widely practiced in the southern regions, near the border with India. These two religions co-exist peacefully, and in fact, many Nepalese honor both religious traditions. Numerous Hindu and Buddhist temples may be found throughout the country -- in fact, the Kathmandu Valley has a greater concentration of shrines and temples than anywhere else in the world.

Lumbini, in southern Nepal, is believed to be the birthplace of Buddha. Consequently, significant numbers of people make religious pilgrimages to this location. Although a few shrines and temples have been built there in commemoration of Buddha's birth, most travelers to this location come because of its historical significance, rather than any current attractions. Overnight accommodations in Lumbini have historically been quite limited. However, during the past few years a couple of quality hotels have been constructed in an effort to alleviate this situation.

Transportation

The vast majority of travelers to Nepal arrive by air through the international airport in Kathmandu. The two primary gateway cities into Kathmandu are Delhi, for those coming from European destinations, and Bangkok, for those arriving from North America, Japan, and Australia.

Within Nepal, Royal Nepal Airlines operates a number of scheduled and charter flights from Kathmandu to primary destinations.

Although intercity bus service available, the busses tend to be very crowded and uncomfortable. Vehicles in Nepal are designed, quite naturally, for the Nepalese, who tend to be much smaller in physical stature than Westerners.

Taxis are readily available within the major city areas, and larger size "van-taxis" are available to accommodate taller Westerners and Europeans. Taxi fares tend to be very reasonable; consequently, taxis are a viable means of transportation to locations within a 20-25 mile radius of metro areas.

For longer trips to less populated areas, it is possible to engage a "Land Rover" type vehicle, along with an experienced driver. For small groups, this tends to be a very convenient and efficient more of travel. It is advisable to contract for a driver along with the vehicle, since the "rules of the road" in Nepal -- especially in the rural areas -- are unique to that country. An effort has been made during the past decade to improve the intercity roadways. However, they are still of relatively poor quality compared to Western standards. The mountainous terrain presents a special challenge for the construction and maintenance of highways throughout Nepal.

Lodging

Hotels are readily available throughout most of Nepal. A few luxury hotels are available in Kathmandu, and in some of the larger cities. But, most hotels are in the moderate to inexpensive price range. In negotiating for hotel rooms on the more economical end of the scale, it is wise to inquire whether the room has a private bathroom, and if it has Western-style plumbing. Due to Nepal's moderate climate, many of the hotel rooms are not heated, although portable electric heaters are usually available to rent for a very modest fee.

Restaurants

Nepal is well known for its fine dining. Kathmandu and virtually all of the tourist-destination cities have an ample number of fine restaurants which offer delicious culinary experiences at very moderate prices. Although Nepal has its own unique cuisine, it is heavily influenced by India. And with the influx of Tibetan refugees in recent years, Tibetan restaurants may now be found throughout Nepal. Also, with the increased number of international travelers during the past couple of decades, the variety of restaurants has broadened accordingly. In the non-tourist destinations, it is wise to exercise caution if eating in local restaurants, as sanitation conditions in Nepal are significantly different from Western standards.

Shopping

A wide range of local arts and crafts are available in shops and street markets throughout Nepal. One of the more popular shopping locations is Bhaktapur, a short distance from Kathmandu. This walled mediaeval city also has a spectacular variety of temples and other ancient architectural structures. Most of the tourist destinations, such as Pokhara, have an abundance of craft and souvenir shops. Many of the items available are related not only to the Nepali and Tibetan cultures, but also to Buddhist or Hindu religious traditions. Many of the Tibetan refugees rely on sale of such items for their economic survival.

The Nepalese People

Most of the people of Nepal are incredibly caring, helpful and of high integrity, even though their current economic situation is extremely challenging. For most Westerners, it is hard to understand how people can live so happily under such difficult circumstances.

As is true everywhere throughout the world, there are always a few who would take advantage of the relative affluence of tourists. Consequently, it is prudent to be "street-wise", and not display wealth overtly in a manner that would be tempting to someone in need.