Nepal

The country of Nepal is home to stunning soaring peaks, breathtaking high-altitude terrain and is almost entirely covered by the Himalayan mountains. In fact, it is the highest country in the world. Sandwiched between China to the north, India to the south, east and west and, Nepal is very much a land-locked country. Instead of coastline, the Himalaya are home to hidden glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks and ice-cold rivers that run amongst the massive mountains which overlook idyllic natural rural landscapes below.

Nepal is most famous for being home to Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on earth at 8,849m high. Of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000m tall, 7 of these behemoth mountains are scattered across Nepal making it the premier destination for mountaineers, trekkers, climbers and high-altitude enthusiasts. Trekking in Nepal is an experience unlike any other. The sheer number of peaks to climb, the friendly Nepali people, the culture and abundant spirituality of the country make this a truly unique trekking destination and one that travellers find themselves coming back to time and time again.

Most of the Nepal population live in Kathmandu but many make a living in the mountains farming and supporting the tourism industry, whether as mountain guides, porters and sherpa or by maintaining teahouses along the plethora of trekking routes through the foothills of the iconic Himalayas. In addition to the renowned 8,000m Nepalese mountains Everest, Lhotse, Manaslu, Makalu, Dhaulghiri, Annapurna and Kangchenjunga, there are numerous trekking peaks in Nepal making it a great place to take your hiking adventures to the next level. In addition to the iconic Everest Base Camp trek, Kandoo Adventures offer trips up both Island Peak, as an extension to your Everest Base Camp climb, and Mera Peak, the highest trekking peak in Nepal. For those wanting to experience Nepal trekking but are shorter on time and experience, trekking up Poon Hill will reward you with one of the best viewpoints in all of Nepal.

There is plenty to see and do besides trekking in Nepal, and the capital city of Kathmandu is definitely worth spending time in. Much of Nepal’s history and culture is deeply rooted in religion, both Buddhism and Hinduism, and evidence of this can be seen throughout Kathmandu and further afield from the many shrines, temples and monuments scattered across the country. The capital is a great place to explore the history of Nepal, sample delicious Nepalese cuisine and get to know the friendly Nepali people who are always excited to teach visitors about their beautiful country.

Outside of Kathmandu there are 12 national parks in Nepal and a plethora of wildlife to discover. In particular, Chitwan National Park is famed for its lush biodiversity and rare inhabitants including Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos and many, many bird species. Add this onto your trek and experience the magical hidden corners of Nepal that often get missed in between trekking.

To make the most of your Nepal adventure, combine an epic walking adventure, such as the Annapurna Circuit or Annapurna Sanctuary trek, with an exotic Nepal safari and finish on a high with a cultural stop in Kathmandu, Pokhara or Bharatpur to make the most of your time in this truly spectacular Himalayan paradise.