Nepal

[goutham]

nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. The Himalaya mountain range runs across Nepal's northern and western parts, and eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest, are within its territory.The capital Kathmandu is the largest city in the country. The official language is Nepali and the state currency is the Nepalese Rupee

[dhruv09]

Recently nepal made a transitions from being a monarchy to a democracy.

The biggest USP of nepali tourism is offcourse MOUNT EVEREST also natively called sagarmatha

[Prawn_86]

Someone i know recently went mountain climbing in Nepal. Not sure where or anything like that, but they did about 3 months training before leaving, and took a huge bag of soft toys with them to give out to those less fortunate children.

From all reports i heard it was a very successful trip

[dhruv09]

ya, nepal is known for its mountaineering expeditions..........

another big tourist destination in nepal is the temple of lord pashupatinath(shiva) in kathmandu(capital of nepal)

[begusarai]

Mountain climbing in Nepal instantly became a passionate adventure treat for mountaineers after the country first opened doors to climbers back in 1949. Though the attempts to climb mountains started from the early years of the 20th century but no one had been able to claim triumph over it until 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgey set their first ever foot on the summit of Mt. Everest. Soon after the pair’s first historical mountaineering victory, the appeal of mountaineering grew manifold luring thousands of mountaineers from all around the world to scale various Himalayan heights. Despite all the hardship of mountaineering, adventurers have been fighting their way through the summit in a hope of making their dream of adventure come true.

[jameshards]

Nepal is celebrating 2011 as a Tourism Year. Any body want to participate?

[Philip P]

I'd love to visit Nepal again. I was there in 1996 and trekked to the base camp of Mount Annapurna - it was amazing. And the Nepalese people were so nice...

[monterosa]

Nepal is Known as the Land of Everest and land of sublime scenery, one of the world’s best and Archeologically very important temples, and some of the best walking trails on the Earth. Although the GDP of “The Land of Buddha” is very low, but it is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures.

The kingdom has long exerted a pull on the Western imagination and it's a difficult place to dislodge from your memory once you visit Nepal and return.
This is why so many travelers are forced to visit Nepal again and again with a greater appreciation of its natural and cultural complexity, a stout pair of walking boots and a desire for improved leg-definition.

Name of the Country: Kingdom of Nepal
Area: 140,800 sq km
Population: 23 million
Capital city: Kathmandu
People: Hindus, Newars, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
National Language: Nepali
Religion: Hindu
Government: republic Democracy
GDP: US$27.4 billion
GDP per head: US$1100
Annual growth: 6%
Inflation: 2.1%
Major industries: Tourism, Handicraft, Agriculture and Water Resources

Nepal's recorded history began with the Kiratis, who arrived in the 7th or 8th century BC from the east. Little is known about them, other than their deftness as sheep farmers and fondness for carrying long knives. It was during this period that Buddhism first came to the country; indeed it is claimed that Buddha and his disciple Ananda visited the Kathmandu Valley and stayed for a time in Patan. By 200 AD, Buddhism had waned, and was replaced by Hinduism, brought by the Licchavis, who invaded from northern India and overthrew the last Kirati king. The Hindus also introduced the caste system (which still continues today) and ushered in a classical age of Nepalese art and architecture.

By 879, the Licchavi era had petered out and was succeeded by the Thakuri dynasty. A grim period of instability and invasion often referred to as the 'Dark Ages' followed, but Kathmandu Valley's strategic location ensured the kingdom's survival and growth. Several centuries later, the Thakuri king, Arideva, founded the Malla dynasty, kick-starting another renaissance of Nepali culture. Despite earthquakes, the odd invasion and feuding between the independent city-states of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, the dynasty flourished, reaching its zenith in the 15th century under Yaksha Malla.

The rulers of Ghorkha, the most easterly region, had always coveted the Mallas' wealth. Under the inspired leadership of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Ghorkha launched a campaign to conquer the valley. In 1768 - after 27 years of fighting - they triumphed and moved their capital to Kathmandu. From this new base the kingdom's power expanded, borne by a seemingly unstoppable army, until progress was halted in 1792 by a brief and chastening war with Tibet.

Further hostilities followed in 1814, this time with the British over a territorial dispute. The Nepalese were eventually put to heel and compelled to sign the 1816 Sugauli Treaty, which surrendered Sikkim and most of Terai (some of the land was eventually restored in return for Nepalese help in quelling the Indian Mutiny of 1857), established Nepal's present eastern and western boundaries and, worst of all, installed a British 'resident' in the country.

The Shah dynasty continued in power during the first half of the 19th century until the ghastly Kot Massacre of 1846. Taking advantage of the intrigue and assassinations that had plagued the ruling family, Jung Bahadur seized control by butchering several hundred of the most important men while they assembled in the Kot courtyard. He took the more prestigious title Rana, proclaimed himself prime minister for life, and later made the office hereditary. For the next century, the Ranas and their offspring luxuriated in huge Kathmandu palaces, while the remainder of the population eked out a living in medieval conditions.

The Rana's antiquated regime came to an end soon after WW II. In 1948, the British withdrew from India and with them went the Ranas' chief support. Around the same time, a host of insurrectional movements, bent on reshaping the country's polity, emerged. Sporadic fighting spilled onto the streets and the Ranas, at the behest of India, reluctantly agreed to negotiations. King Tribhuvan was anointed ruler in 1951 and struck up a government comprised of Ranas and members of the newly formed Nepali Congress Party.

But the compromise was shortlived. After toying with democratic elections - and feeling none too pleased by the result - King Mahendra (Tribhuvan's son and successor) decided that a 'partyless' panchaayat system would be more appropriate for Nepal. The king selected the prime minister and cabinet and appointed a large proportion of the national assembly, which duly rubber-stamped his policies. Power, of course, remained with only one party - the king's.

Cronyism, corruption and the creaming-off of lucrative foreign aid into royal coffers continued until 1989. The Nepalese, fed up with years of hardship and suffering under a crippling trade embargo imposed by the Indians, rose up in popular protest called the Jana Andolan or 'People's Movement'. In the ensuing months, detention, torture and violent clashes left hundreds of people dead. It all proved too much for King Birendra, in power since 1972. He dissolved his cabinet, legalised political parties and invited the opposition to form an interim government. The panchaayat system was finally laid to rest.

The changeover to democracy proceeded in an orderly, if leisurely, fashion, and in May 1991 the Nepali Congress Party and the Communist Party of Nepal shared most of the votes.

[garbage001]

I love Nepal specially mount everest and the Temples in the capital city.If time give opportunity i must visit Nepal:)

[topao]

Nepal is a unfortunately a Gem which most people don't consider when planning a holiday, But for those who have been able to travel there there's no denying just how spectacular it really is

[Nothing But Adventure]

I would love to head over to do a Mt Everest base camp.. but I think getting fit would be first priority.

Has anyone here trekked Mt Everest before?

[Trekinepal]

Everest Bascamp is Great. i think you should go once in your life. yea, you are right, you need to be fit for doing Everest Bascamp trekking.
:)

[neevedu]

Wonderful place.

[MissTibet]

I was reading about climbing in here...?
Do you mean climbing or hiking? Maybe I am getting confused with the English words (I am German). I would love to climb in the Himalayas! I did climbing in Germany quit a bit. Well, you said, they trained for 3 months in advance. Where would you train in Australia? I would be very interested. So far I only did hiking here. Didnt climb for 5 years (since I left Germany). So if ita climbing were talking, where would I go and train to become fit for a trip like that? I know you can walk to plenty of camps, but I wish, that one day, maybe with extra holiday leave, I could get up a little higher! :-) thanks!

[MissTibet]

Here we go, trekking is another word I haven't heard, lol ;-)

So please anyone, what's the difference between hiking and trekking?

[nepaletrek]

Tsum Valley Trek is newly opened trekking route in northen Gorkha of Nepal. Aptly called the "hidden valley", Tsum valley is located nearby Nepal China boarder. The remote Tsum valley is nestled between Baudha Himal and Himal Chuli to the west, Ganesh Himal to the south, and Sringi Himal to the north. Because of its distant location and inadequate information and promotion, the trekking route to this region was only opened in October, 2007.

'Tsum' which is derived from the Tibetan word 'Tsombo' means vivid. True to its meaning, the Tsum valley continues to guard its distinct and natural treasures of clear streams, teeming vegetation, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, unspoiled hot springs and ancient relics. One of most interesting features of this Tsum Valley trek is the people with their unique culture and age-old lifestyles that they still follow.

Tsum valley trekking offers the unique and wilderness culture, landscape and beautiful mountain views. Spring and autumn are the best season to trek in this area and it is the wise selection for adventure trekking holidays in the wildness area of the Himalayas.

Trip Hightlights:
Duration: 17 Days
Type of Trek : Camping
Max Altitude: 5390 m.
Minimum Pax: 1 +
Mode of travel: Land Transportation
Grade: Strenous

Note: This is totally new trekking destination nearby Nepal China Border