NEPAL
Guarded to the north by the highest mountains
in the world, riven by sheer-sided gorges, and
protected by a vital religious tradition, Nepal
provides glimpses of a way of life fast being
eroded elsewhere in the world. This pocket-sized,
landlocked country offers a wealth of variety
to the traveller. The medieval towns of the Kathmandu
Valley, dotted with incredible palaces and temples
and vibrant with a culture virtually unchanged
in centuries. The hilltop retreats of Dhulikhel
and Nagarkot are situated in the attractive foothills
of the Kathmandu Valley within easy reach of the
Kathmandu; the two villages offer a tranquil break
from Kathmandu’s hectic bustle. Nagarkot
is distinguished by its captivating imalayan views,
stretching from the Annapurna Range in the west
to Everest and Kanchenjunga in the distant east.
Most visitors stay at least two nights, taking
the opportunity to relax, enjoy the splendid mountain
sunrise, and take some walks. Dhulikhel also enjoys
wonderful panoramas, coupled with a strong sense
of history. A visit to the World Heritage-listed
Changu Narayan temple perched high above the valley
floor, on the way to or from Kathmandu is a must.
For the wildlife enthusiast the Royal Chitwan
National Park, lying in the lowland Terai of Nepal,
southwest of Kathmandu is rich in wildlife. Taking
safaris by jeep, on elephant back and under foot
in search of one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear,
deer, gharial crocodile and the elusive Royal
Bengal Tiger is a wonderful experience. Few places
in the world can claim such a perfect setting
as the lakeside town of Pokhara; with an ever-present
backdrop, the towering Himalaya, serene and majestic
offers abundant opportunities to enjoy some of
the world’s most spectacular trekking.
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BHUTAN
Bhutan is a land wrapped in myth and legend, nestled
deep in the eastern Himalayas between India and
China. Hidden behind its revered mountains is
a mysterious country of supernatural beings, ancient
monastery fortresses and above all warm hearted
people. Despite opening up to tourism in the 1970s
this remote kingdom has managed to minimise the
effect of outside influences and the country is
virtually untouched in terms of the environment,
architecture and lifestyle. Bhutan is a bastion
of Tibetan Buddhist culture and religion at its
purest and this is reflected in its religious
festivals known as Tsechus, which offer the opportunity
to witness the colourful mask dances and religious
performances depicting the cultural heritage of
the country. Tsechus are celebrated all over the
country, but the Tsechus at Paro and Thimpu are
considered to be two of the most important in
Bhutan. Festival dates are determined by the Bhutanese
calendar and are normally announced in June for
the coming year. The best time to visit Bhutan
is generally from October to May, however, in
the winter months of December and January the
skies are normally clear, but the nights are cold
with temperatures falling below freezing.
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