Known by such names as 'Rooftop of the World', 'Shangri-La', and abode of the Gods' is nestled in the cradle of the highest mountains on earth. The relatively small country is 800 km. (479 miles) long and from 90 to 220 km. (96 to 137 miles) wide, about the size of Austria and Switzerland combined. Squeezed between China on the north and India on the east, west and south, this land is diverse in culture, climate and terrain.

A daytime flight into Nepal cannot fail to amaze. There are the flat, checkered plains of the lowland Terai in the south, where the majority of the county's 20 million people live with an elevation just 100 meters above the sea level. Then, the middle hills area with the exotic, terraced rice paddies. Beyond which the Himalaya soar to unbelievable heights, including Mt. Everest at 8,848 meter (29,000 feet) the highest point of the earth. Despite the high elevations (Kathmandu. the capital is 1331 meters; (4368 ft.) the climate is mild owing to its relatively low latitude, comparable to that of Florida and Kuwait. The Kathmandu winters are frosty but mild with no snowfall and in the mountain villages potatoes are grown at over 13,00 feet and barreled even higher.

The people of Nepal are bit as diverse as the climate and terrain. Thousands of years of migration from north, south, east and west have made if nearly impossible to trace the ethnic evolution of the land. For the most part, this complex society can be divided into Indo-Aryan. Mongolian and Tibetan groups. Generally speaking, the Indo-Aryans, predominantly Hindu, inhabit the south while the Mongolian people including, the Rai. Limbu, Tarnang. Gurung and Magar clans opened up the mountainside for cultivation. The famous Sherpas are best known of the. Tibetan groups inhabiting the high mountain areas of the north. No fewer than 36 languages and dialects are 2- spoken in Nepal. And himalayan variations are observed in religious l) raefices. The prevailing pattern is Buddhism in the north and Hinduism in the south, but animist and humanistic rites have survived and are currently on the increase in some areas as people are showing an in dependence from the powerful Brahmin and Chhettri Hindu dominance.

Nepal where truth is no less colorful than fiction is a paradise for geologists, anthropologists, and geographers and just about anyone with an adventurous streak. Whether venturing into the lowland jungle for a safari, the high mountain passes of the Himalaya, or a tour of the thriving Kathmandu valley. Nepal is an experience that never be forgotten.


Trekking Season
Whether your holiday comes in winter or summer, Himalayan Excursions can offer you a trek any season.

Early spring: February and March are ideal months lyr moderate altitude treks. You can enjoy the beauty of the rhododendrons in bloom over 6,000 feet (1800 meters) and the trails are not as crowded as in the peak seasons. This is also a good time to visit Nepal's lowland Terai; perfect weather for a Chitwan National Park jungle safari.

Late Spring: April and may are the best months for high altitude treks, as by now the winter snows are melting on mountain passes Afternoon thunder clouds do build up, but these give way to spectacular rainstorms which clear the air and lead to lovely days. It can be hot and hazy at lower altitudes, so it is best to choose a trek, which will take you quickly into the higher mountains. The increasing temperatures in may are necessary to melt the snow, making mountaineering expeditions possible and more practical at this time of year.

The Summer Monsoon: The monsoon rains last from mid June until mid September and is characterized by clouds, slippery trails, humidity and leeches. It is not as had as it sounds. However, as sunny days do occur and the countryside is lush and green. Trekking in Nepal is still possible, but the absence of mountain views, one of the main attractions of Nepal, making it less desirable, unless, of course, you are interested in the botanical or zoological aspects of the region.

Autumn: After the monsoon rains comes a period of clearing skies, although some rain showers may continue into October. This is commonly believed to be the best season for trekking; therefore major routes can be overcrowded. All types of trekking can he undertaken, from lowland excursions to high mountain passes. In the himalayan region, this fall season extends well into December, with mid November to mid December being a time of fairly settled and predictable weather patterns.

Winter: The colder winter season does not begin until late December, and the low latitude of the region makes it a lot less severe than one would imagine. Periods of very cold weather rarely persist for more than two or three days, and are followed by clear skies and sunshine. Late December and January are ideal months tot lower altitude treks (10,000 feet or 3,000 meters) and many high altitude treks are possible although passes will be off limits. Days are usually Shirtsleeve weather although there may be snow underfoot and nights are quite cold. This season has the added appeal of being less crowded in the most popular trekking regions.


Trek Grade
This section is designed to assist you in choosing the trek appropriate to your level of fitness and walking ability. Each trek is graded from A, the easiest; to D, the toughest, to denote the degree of physical fitness required to tack part and enjoy it. The grading is only a guide, and each person must apply common sense and their own experience in deciding what they are capable of. It is an impossible task to devise a concise scale.