Nepal

Nepal is a small yet beautiful nation rich in both nature and culture and is nestled right in between two giants, China and India. Despite being a landlocked country with an area of  147,181 sq. km, Nepal has a lot to offer in terms of landscapes, biodiversity, breathtaking scenery, diverse traditional practices, and welcoming communities. 

The geography of Nepal is quite unique. The total land is divided into three different regions known as the Hilly, Himalayan, and Terai regions. Each region has its own unique attractions where you can enjoy exploring. 

The Hilly region is the largest part of the country, occupying 68% of the total land area, and is also the most populated one. The capital city of Kathmandu lies here too. There are different ethnic groups scattered all over the region, but some prominent groups include Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, Newars, Thakalis, Chepangs, and Brahmans. They have their own cultural practices, beliefs, languages, and way of life. The hilly region has the biggest forest cover of Nepal and is home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. 

The Terai region is the lower belt of Nepal with only 17% of land occupancy. It is also known as the food basket of Nepal, as most of the agricultural crops are grown in this region. The terai is very famous for it’s wildlife, such as elephants, one-horned rhinos, and royal Bengal tigers. The birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, Lumbini, is located in the Terai region. Tharus, Madhesi, Darai, Kumhal, and Majhi are some of the main native inhabitants of this region. 

The Himalayan region is the upper part of Nepal and is mostly covered with snow-peaked mountains. Eight out of the fourteen highest peaks above 8000 meters are scattered within this region, including the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. Some of the other prominent peaks include Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. Some of the main natives of this region are Tamang, Gurung, Sherpas, Rai, Limbu, and Khas. All of the trekking destinations, such as the Everest Base Camp, Langtang Valley, and Annapurna Base Camp Trek, fall under this region. 

Nepal is not only limited to trekking but has a plethora of adventure activities you can engage in. From paragliding and bungee jumping in the hills to doing a jungle safari in the Terai to conquering the highest peak in the Himalayas, you can choose and enjoy. If cultural and religious immersion is what you prefer, then you can deep dive into the Newar culture, Hindu practices, or find inner peace with Buddhism. From temples to monasteries, you can find different cultural heritage within a small area. 

And of course the cuisine of Nepal is so underrated but so good. From classics such as Momo and Dal Bhat to some daring foods such as Ghonghi (water snails), you can try it all. Each region and ethnic group have their own specialty. 

In the end, Nepal is a small country with big cultural and geographical diversities. While most people think it is a combination of Indian and Chinese influences, that is far from reality. While there are some influences, Nepal has its own unique people, communities, cultural representations, traditions, landscape, and biodiversity. It is far better than what you have seen and read in books and on the internet. So find the best destination for you and visit now.