The Himalayas info - Nepal

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The Kathmandu Valley is a dazzling place. In the former royal capitals of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur you can explore countless temples and palaces. As you wander the narrow streets it's like returning to the middle ages, especially in the old town of Bhaktapur where motorised traffic is banned.

In Nepal you'll find some of the most breathtaking and diverse scenery imaginable. As the Himalayas stretch over more than 800 km from west to east, eight of the world's fourteen peaks over 8000m are in Nepal. In the south, the Terai borders the Gangetic Plain of Northern India. The jungle of the Terai is one of the last places where the Indian single-horned rhino still roams. Travelling north you leave the tropical plains for the foothills. As you gain altitude you enter a different world of snow and ice. From lush tropical jungle to the highest mountains is, in some places, less then sixty kilometres as the crow flies.

Nepal is a developing country and as such has its share of problems. Over-population, poverty and a stumbling political system are the chief obstacles. When malaria was eradicated from the plains some decades ago these areas subsequently became densely populated. Agriculture is taking up more space, making the forming of national parks to protect the unique wildlife a necessity. As the number of people living in higher country increases as well, more pressure is put on the fragile ecosystems in the hills. Of course, tourism has its impact too. It must be said that a lot of effort is taken by the people of Nepal in order to cope with these problems. Reforestation, trekking regulations in consideration of the environment and better information for local people do have some effect. Additionally, modern times are also taking their toll on the Kathmandu Valley. If you fly back from the mountains you'll be amazed by the hectic chaos of the Kathmandu hustle and bustle.

Having been ruled in a feudal manner with most of the power held by landowners and high caste Brahmins for centuries, the first democratic elections were held in 1991. It is fashioned after the political system of India, and changes are slow for the time being. Democracy in Nepal is still in its infancy and several governments have fallen prematurely, due to corruption. The King, as an incarnation of the Hindu-god Vishnu, is the head of state and still wields substantial power.

After the first ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Nepal gradually opened up to foreigners. Since the 1970's tourism has become an important economic factor with thousands of travellers discovering the magic of this Himalayan Kingdom.

The people of Nepal are resilient and you can only admire them for their courage in coping with their circumstances. The beauty of the country and the friendliness of the people you meet when travelling are quite overwhelming. A simple "namaste" the national "hello" will give you many a smiling face. Nepal has become a very special place to me over the last ten years and I try to visit it at least once every few years.