Nepal is a beautiful country and a cheap place to visit. With so much on offer, some of the worlds oldest temples, trekking in the Himalayas, rafting, kayaking, horse, horseback riding, biking, or just relax around the lakes. Now is the best time to visit, before tourism has on the country.

Landlocked between Tibet, China and India, Nepal is a country with its own culture and offerings. The people are a diverse mix of local tribes, like the Sherpas, Tibetan refugees and migrants from India. Buddhism was the dominant religion, and has left some of the worlds best churches. Hinduism is the religion more important now, this has led to re-use incredible temples and religions as well as one of the most religiously tolerant countries.

Despite recent political problems, Nepal is a tourist friendly. English is spoken everywhere tourism has a presence. The people are friendly and helpful. The costs are economic, and tourism services are good. There are few highways in Nepal, but a good bus service covers the countries in bumpy roads. There are also flights between major settlements.

Since 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has been fighting a popular war against the State of Nepal in the hills of Nepal. They want Nepal to be a communist republic set, instead of the existing constitutional Hindu monarchy. While his ideal is likely to lead to a better Nepal, their methods of torture, blackmail and extortion have caused disturbances in the country, and destroyed that is tourism. However, people never Maoists have attacked tourists and visitors every year have had no problems.

In the last few years tourism has begun to regain momentum, especially around areas like Kathmandu and Pokhara. The price fall has led to heavily discounted across the country.
In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a busy place, but home to some of the worlds oldest and finest temples. Places Durbur of Kathmandu and the nearby city of Patan is full of palaces and temples. Kathmandu worlds oldest pagodas, pagodas and all of Asia are derived from these designs original. The stupas (temples) and Bodnath Swayambhunath are perhaps the most famous images of Nepal. Beautiful, large whitewashed buildings topped by a tower with Buddha and all eyes.

Pokhara is Nepal's second city, at least in terms of tourism. The Great Lake Phewa Tal, surrounded by beautiful green mountains is an idyllic place to spend a few days or the remainder of his visa! As if that were not enough, the powerful fishtail mountain in the Himalayas is that it is impossible to lose in this region. Pokhara offers much, with some of the best trekking in Nepal, cycling, gliding, some of the worlds best rafting and kayaking in various rivers, several temples, extravagant views and a beautiful lake to spend the time walking around. It could be a bumpy 8 hours by bus from Kathmandu, but it's definitely worth it.

Park National Chitwan, south of Kathmandu, is an incredible national park. Now managed, ensuring the great problems of animal husbandry, but also a management proper and its surrounding forests. In particular, tigers, elephants and dolphins freshwater Chitwan visitor a great experience.

Nepal not only home to Mount Everest, but also 8 of the worlds 10 highest peaks. Nepal is considered as the ultimate trekking destination, with endless routes across the country, ranging from 1 hour to 28 days. The Everest Base Camp Trek offers some of the best views of the world's highest peaks. But if walking 2 weeks is not your thing, then take the bus to the town of Nagarkot. From here you can see Mount Everest, but not much more than a speck in the distance, as well as some of the worlds other higher peaks.

Read my travel guide to Nepal and my travel blog of Nepal. I am a travel writer, journalist and photographer.

2007 Worlds freestyle kayaking