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Transportation

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For a very small landlocked country getting around Nepal for a tourist is often a slow frustrating experience. Tourist buses will take you to all the main tourist destinations in the country. But after that it's a mix of local buses, taxis, motorbikes and the odd rickshaw.

Nepal's roads are generally in quite poor condition and effected by the seasons e.g. monsoon. When there's repair work being done it usually means delays of several hours. Mix in Nepalese strikes (bandas) and the delays can really hamper a journey if you are not careful.

Plan ahead though and you'll be just fine. Do take note of the following though as it will help you with your trip.

There are several types of bus in Nepal and they nearly all suffer from years of bad road conditions. Flat tires are quite common as are breakdowns. But the good news is that such delays are usually fixed quite quickly and on the spot.

The second biggest delay in local bus transport comes from the frequent stops to let people off or pick them up. Tea breaks and meal stops play a role here too. Tourist buses generally have fewer stops.

Bus parks are centrally located with in all the big towns and most local transports know where to find them. However once at the bus parks don't expect to see destinations listed out or set time frames.

Asking around is the best option to find the bus you are looking for is - people will be quite helpful in point them out. Buses generally only leave when they are full.

Private tourist buses may have their own pick up points. i.e. Greenline.

These come in two forms. New express "high-end" tourist buses and the more common "tourist" bus.

High-end buses are generally only available between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Though routes to Chitwan open up during peak season. These buses generally have their own stops. Your luggage is generally stored inside compartments but also on the roof if there's not enough room.

Ticket prices are often $25 or more but include lunch. Popular services include Greenline, Mountain Overland and Jagadamba though the latter charges "forigners" more.

These are older express buses that often don't have working air-conditioning. These are the most common forms of intercity transport for both tourists and locals alike. These buses stop for lunch and sometimes a tea break. Your luggage is generally hoisted up on to the roof and strapped down. There's no charge for this and it's generally covered if raining. They usually leave from set bus parks at half the price of Express buses.

For all kinds of bus transport it's best to carry your valuables with you rather than leave them with your main luggage on the roof or out of sight.

Do read my guide on the Kathmandu to Pokhara bus route.

These are the same as "tourist buses" but generally only leave every easy in the morning or late at night and get in very early in the morning. They don't always run and are generally not for the faint of heart.

These are usually little Toyota vans that have been converted to allow for more seats. Usually by removing seat padding and putting in benches. They are cramped and not very comfortable. They are used extensively as bus transport within cities and depending on the distance usually cost under 10 rupees.

There are some newer micro vans that are used for long distance transport in replacement of tourist buses. They are generally faster, more expensive and not as cramped as the inner city micro vans.

Nepal's taxi ranks are mainly made up of little white Suzuki's. They are meant to be metered but the reality is the meters don't work. The taxi's are small but provide for an essential transport service in Nepal.

Always agree on a price before getting into a Nepalese taxi. Many a driver will try to take your luggage and put it into their boot and just say "no problem" or "yes, yes". Always agree on a price before getting in!

Taxis off a fast cheap way to get around cities and many tourists often hire taxis out for a day of sight seeing.

Nepal has quite an extensive domestic airline industry. Domestic flights arrive/depart from the the terminal adjacent to Kathmandu Airport.

Tickets are bought from many of the travel agents you will see in the cities or indeed from your hotel. You can generally find a seat the day before you leave with no issues.

Flights do have a habit of being cancelled or delayed due to weather conditions or repair work. As such if your international flight is leaving on a fixed day from Katmandu always try to be back in Kathmandu at least a day early ... just in case.

Four wheel drive vehicles are used extensively in Nepal both by locals and tourists. For tourists they are used mainly for reaching some trekking start points or on overland journeys from/to India and from/to Tibet.

It's also possible to hire a jeep out for sightseeing as they are more comfortable than private cars. However the price does go up as well.

More about traveling overland from Nepal into Tibet. And, more about traveling overland from India into Nepal.

Motorbikes are everywhere in Nepal. From speeding students to a family of 5 you'll need to watch out for them or get an occasional close call. That being said renting a motorbike in Nepal is quite an easy thing to do and also quite popular.

The most popular place tourists rent bikes in Nepal is in Pokhara. Either to drive around the pristine lakeside area or to take that big road trip to Kathmandu. You can also take motorcycle lessons in Nepal quite cheaply. Though international standards may not be enforced or even known about.

To rent a motorcycle in Nepal you should have a driving license. You should also take out insurance and a helmet from the place you are renting the bike. Ensure that you know how to maintain the bike and what to do in the even of a breakdown or flat tire.

These are usually inner city bikes that are not official forms of public transport. It's important that you are comfortable about being a passenger on a motorbike before riding on one. Between the traffic, zigzagging, bad roads and pollution it can be quite a hair raising experience!

Best kept to tourist locations like Lakeside in Pokhara, or around Sauraha in Chitwan where there's less traffic than in Kathmandu. Again you will need to be especially cautious of bad roads and hazardous traffic. But it can be a very enjoyable way of getting around in some areas.

Once Nepal had plenty of motorized rickshaws. Today there are very few. High pollution and poor roads mean it's quite rare to see a rickshaw in Nepal.

Also once quite popular these rickety old carriages can still be found in many towns. Quite slow and awkward they are best used for short journeys or during bandas when you can still avail of them.

It is possible to walk around many parts of Nepal's main cities. Tourist zones are in fact best seen on foot as there are often lots of interesting side streets and buildings.. There are however a few things to keep in mind when tackling Nepal by foot.

There are very, very few street names. At least there are very few streets with signposts. Most people use landmarks to tell you directions which can be challenging.

Nepal's streets are often very congested. Between motorbikes, taxies, the odd rickshaw, cow and a sea of humanity it can be quite a struggle if you are not used to it.

Nepal's pedestrian pathways are also basically nonexistent. And those that do exist are often taken up with hawkers, beggars, waste or simply broken concrete.

Nepal's streets are also influenced by the weather. They get flooded during monsoon season and can get very dusty during the summer.

It's certainly very possible to walk around Kathmandu city or Pokhara and enjoy yourself. Just watch your step!

Meanwhile out in the mountain side villages the lack of vehicles makes for some fantastic walking and trekking experiences.

Renting a car in Nepal is possible but may not be worth the hassle. Between deposits, car insurance and the stressful driving conditions most people hire a car and a driver.

This is either done via a travel agency or by simply hiring a taxi along with driver for select period. Many hotels can also arrange this for you. Shopping around for prices will help a lot.

Liked this page? You'll love my books! My guidebooks are better than the rest. Yes, really! In them I cover all of the attractions with well researched information, photographs and travel tested walking tours.

They are interactive & printable guidebooks like no other.

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For a very small landlocked country getting around Nepal for a tourist is often a slow frustrating experience. Tourist buses will take you to all the main tourist destinations in the country. But after that it's a mix of local buses, taxis, motorbikes and the odd rickshaw.

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The collapse of Kathmandu's 183-year-old Dharahara Tower, which once loomed nine stories over the ancient city and modern capital of Nepal, has become a symbol of the nation's cultural loss in the wake of last weekend's earthquake. ( See how the earthquake has devastated Nepal.)

While the 19th-century watchtower was a civic icon, sites of critical importance to the more ancient cultural and religious legacy of Nepal have also been damaged and destroyed by the quake. A country that occupies a mountainous land 1/20 the size of India (approximately the size of the U.S. state of Arkansas), Nepal is nonetheless home to eight UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites. That includes three royal cities and several Hindu and Buddhist sites within the Kathmandu Valley, as well as Lumbini, the legendary birthplace of the Buddha, all of which are in the area affected by the quake. ( Read about the discovery of the world's oldest Buddhist shrine.)

Many of these monuments were damaged earlier in the 8.1 magnitude earthquake of 1934 and were subsequently rebuilt-a testament to the role they play in the lives of the Nepalese and the 1.5 billion Hindus and Buddhists elsewhere around the world. ( Learn about the history of earthquakes in Nepal.)

"These monuments are not museums or beautifully ornate structures but special places on the earth where it is possible for ordinary people to reach out and commune with their guiding goddesses and gods," says Robin Coningham, an archaeologist at Durham University and a director of excavation at Lumbini. "Literally, they are portals where heaven touches the earth and they are the center point for the daily, weekly and monthly lives of millions."

Nepal is still suffering significant aftershocks, and communications-particularly in mountainous and remote areas where many of the nation's cultural monuments can be found-are extremely limited or non-existent. But this is what we know so far about the fate of Nepal's World Heritage sites:

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Nepal's Durbar Squares, also known as "noble courts" or "palace squares," are the historical heart of the country's cities and are centered around palaces, temples and public places.

In Kathmandu, Durbar Square has sustained severe damage; parts of the Hanuman Dhoka, the city's oldest palace-built by the Malla kings in the 16 th century-have collapsed, along with the pagodas of several temples.

A video taken by a tourist shows the moment the earthquake strikes Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur, the "City of Devotees" is located 12 miles (20 km) east of Kathmandu and is the best preserved of Nepal's old cities, despite being severely damaged in the 1934 quake. Coningham has reported that up to 80% of the temples around its Durbar Square are destroyed, including the 18 th-century Vatsala Durga temple, a towering sandstone structure that evoked the peaks surrounding the city.

The fifth-century AD stupa -a mound housing sacred relics-of Boudhanath is among the largest in the world and serves as a center of pilgrimage for Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhists. Located about six miles (10 km) from Kathmandu, it is surrounded by a complex of more than 50 gompas, or Tibetan monasteries. While there appears to be significant damage to surrounding structures, the 1500-year-old stupa has survived, with reports of cracks in the spire.

Reports on Twitter suggest that the Boudhanath stupa is relatively undamaged:

One of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal, Changu Narayan is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and believed to have been built in the 5 th century A.D. Located on a hilltop east of Kathmandu, the two-tiered pagoda is considered one of Nepal's most unique architectural monuments. The extent of damage at Changu Narayan, if any, remains unknown. It appears above in a 1920 photo from National Geographic's archive. ( See 13 Pictures That Capture the Wonder and Thrill of Archaeology.)

Dated to the sixth century B.C., Lumbini is the oldest Buddhist shrine in the world as well as the legendary site of the Buddha's birth. Coningham says that a massive frame surrounding the Maya Devi temple, marking the god's birthplace, has protected the site from earthquake damage.

Pashupatinath Temple vies with Changu Narayan as the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal and is considered one of the most important temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Destroyer. It appears to have survived the earthquake, and Nepalis are bringing victims to temple to perform last rites.

The temple is now the site of last rites for hundreds of earthquake victims:

Located in modern Lalitpur in the south-central Kathmandu Valley, the Patan Durbar is a royal palace complex built in the 17 th century and is the seat of one of Nepal's three kingdoms. According to Coningham, the recently restored Sundari Chowk (courtyard), as well as the most important temple in the Durbar Square, the Krishna Mandir, have survived. However, many smaller pagoda temples have collapsed.

This fifth-century temple complex west of Kathmandu features what is perhaps Nepal's most iconic stupa, with colorful eyes of the Buddha emblazoned on its surface. The stupa has survived, yet the 17 th-century Pratapur Temple adjacent to the stupa, which was heavily damaged by lightning in 2011 and recently restored, appears to have collapsed.

An aerial view of Swayambhunath posted on Twitter shows the collapsed Pratapur Temple to the left of the stupa:
Follow Kristin Romey on Twitter.

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Nepal's 8 Key Historic Sites: What's Rubble, What's Still Standing

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The collapse of Kathmandu's 183-year-old Dharahara Tower, which once loomed nine stories over the ancient city and modern capital of Nepal, has become a symbol of the nation's cultural loss in the wake of last weekend's earthquake. ( See how the earthquake has devastated Nepal.)

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Volunteer in Nepal! Read reviews and alumni interviews of volunteer programs in Nepal. Only at www.GoOverseas.com.

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The Annapurna....this fascinating land of biodiversity is the largest protected area of Nepal, known as the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). The unique biodiversity , the scenic grandeur in combination with the multi-culture and multi-ethnic diversity make it the world's most popular trekking destination.

There we found many facilities just like:-

NTNC-ACAP :-It operates 7 unit conservation offices,several information and check post.

SUSTAINABILITY OF NTNC-ACAP

SUPPORT OF LOCAL ECONOMY AND PEOPLES

SAFE DRINKING WATER STATIONS(SDWS)

The total area of annapurna is 7629 sq.km and the population is near about 100,000. The higest peak of annapurna range is Annapurna 1 st and its height is 8091m. There we can see lots of natural beauty and the rivers mountains village are superv.

Pokhara is the starting point of Annapurna trek .There are two main route which we can choose . One of them is we start from pokhara... Dhampus... landruk ...Ghandruk....Tadapani ..Ghorepani and another is pokhara to Nayapul in bus and Birethanti ulleri ...Ghorepani . Ghorepani is meting point of the two route. And from there Tato pani...Lete...Kobang... Marpha... Jomsom, Jomsom is the biggest and main village in the annapurna trek. In jomsom there is facility of Airport. ... Phedi...after fedi there is most difficult way which is 5416m height and its called thorong pass . Then we start again we reach Thorong Phedi...Manang. Manang is the most beautiful place in Nepal and in this route also and near manang we can see tilicho lake and peak. The main village of manang are Gunsang, Humdi etc.... Chame....Ghermu.... Bhulbhule...and we end in besishahar....

When we reach near to muktinath the high altitue problems always in our head . So now days people also start there trek from Besishahar. From besishahar trek route first we reach Thorong Phedi which is 4450m there we stay for camp so we can fight from high altitude problems. And the another next station which is more than 5000m high altitude is crosse easily as we cant cross by the another route from Pokhara.

On the way we can see many natural beauty of lake Rivers, Mountains etc...The major River are Marshyangdi, Kali gandaki, Seti,Tilicho lake is the beautiful lake we can ever seen,it is the highest and biggest lake which we found in high altitude,and its 4919m.

The view of mountain takes our heart away. All the Himalaya range is so beautiful.The river which is came out from mountain and between the hills is amazing. In the fresh air and environment the trek is so enjoyable. If we are more friendly then our trek will be rocking. Visit one time and make your life more beautiful fill it with joy and happiness .

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The Annapurna....this fascinating land of biodiversity is the largest protected area of Nepal, known as the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). The unique biodiversity , the scenic grandeur in combination with the multi-culture and multi-ethnic diversity make it the world's most popular trekking destination. The view of mountain takes our heart away.

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Nepalese food successfully combines characteristics from Asian cuisine with its own culinary history creating foods that are rich with flavour and culture.

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As most people around the world are aware, on April 25th 2015, Nepal was shaken by an earthquake that measured over 7.8 magnitude on the richter scale. This disaster of colossal proportion was then followed by a large aftershock on May 12th, again bringing much of Nepal to a standstill.

Now, just three months after the earthquake struck Nepal, many people are wondering whether it is a good idea to visit Nepal or not. Is it safe? Would it still be wise to travel to such a huge disaster zone? Was the whole country affected?

Well, here are seven great reasons why you should still definitely visit Nepal, and why there really is no time like the present. For more information on things to do in Nepal, check out this post on Top 5 Places To Go White Water Rafting in Nepal.

Nepal didn't lose any of its beauty despite the devastating earthquake. Nepal is still stunningly beautiful with its snow capped mountains, beautiful forests, icy waterfalls, and rich flora and fauna. Only one out of ten national parks in the entire country was affected by the earthquake. Nepal's most famous wildlife safari destination Chitwan National Park (where you can spot extremely rare one-horned Rhinos such as the one's pictured below), Annapurna Conservation Area ( a popular trekking route), and the beautiful Pokhara city, were least affected by the earthquake and all remain as welcoming as ever to visitors.

While Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square faced devastation of some of the most important national monuments, Nepal still has 8 world heritage sites enlisted by UNESCO, out of which only these 3 were affected. Famous tourist destinations like Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha, is still upright and ready to welcome visitors.

Only two out of Thirty five trekking routes were affected by the earthquake. Most of the trekking routes, including the most popular treks Everest Base Camp Trek, are opened for trekkers. Many locals and guides are economically dependent on tourism in the region and hoping and praying to welcome the visitors back to Nepal now that things have settled a little. If you're looking for a fun, and short, trek than check out the amazing Poon Hill Trek which only takes about 4 days and 3 nights to complete.

4. Basic services are still operating

Basic services like electricity and phone lines have not been affected. There was no damage to highways, subways or major bridges. All the national and international airports in Nepal are safe and fully operational. You will not have to worry about a disturbance in transportation or communication caused by the earthquake.

Many trekking Agencies, hotels and travel companies are offering attractive offers for visitors coming to Nepal in 2015. With these discounts on hotels and packages, visitors to Nepal will be able to enjoy a lot more, for very less. Nepal is a once in a lifetime experience and with all the discounts on the tourist deals, this may be an ideal time to visit the country.

6. Great volunteering opportunities

This is also a great time to go volunteering in Nepal because now is the time the country will need you the most. You can join to volunteer groups all around Nepal and help the country in any way you can. You can help to rebuild, manage the reconstruction, teach children or provide consultancy while you travel in Nepal. It's not every day you will be able to travel with a cause.

Tourism is very important to the Nepalese Economy. The tourism industry provides employment and income for tens of thousands of people in Nepal. The devastating earthquake has done much harm to human lives, monuments and the countryside. During this time of tragedy, nothing is more comforting than support from a friend. Your visit to Nepal will help Nepal to recover from its wounds in many ways.

Essentially, one of the biggest ways you could actually help Nepal right now is to GO VISIT NEPAL. Don't wonder anymore and plan your visit to Nepal. Listen to your heart and you can hear the mountains calling you. Nepal is calling you.

Editors note: This is the 3rd article in a series of guest posts I'm running, written by travel bloggers from around the world. I was delighted to hear from Ruashan, an entrepreneur living in kathmandu, and thought it would be a great opportunity for him to tell my readers a little bit about Nepal and to get a great insight into the country, as told my a local. You can follow Raushan Jaiswal on twitter here.

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7 Reasons To Visit Nepal After The Earthquake

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As most people around the world are aware, on April 25th 2015, Nepal was shaken by an earthquake that measured over 7.8 magnitude on the richter scale. This disaster of colossal proportion was then followed by a large aftershock on May 12th, again bringing much of Nepal to a standstill.

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Tihar is one of the most celebrated festivals in Nepal. It is celebrated for five days. It starts with Kag Tihar followed by Kukur Tihar, Laxmi Puja, Goverdhan Puja and Bhai Tika. Tihar is festival of lights so it is also called Deepawali. Happy Deepawali and Tihar.

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While education in Nepal greatly improved throughout the twentieth century, Nepal still faces many struggles, to date. The education challenges largely relate to poverty in Nepal.

1. The current education system in Nepal is one of the youngest in the world. Until recent years, Nepal followed a three-tier education system, modeled on the traditional Indian system, which ear-marked ten years for school education, four years for college education, and two for a Masters program at university.

2. Education in Nepal improved throughout the twentieth century. In 1951, Nepal only had 9,000 students in primary school, 1,700 in secondary school and about one hundred in two undergraduate colleges. There was no university, and adult education stood at only 5 percent. From 1971 to 2001, primary school numbers grew from 400,000 to 3.9 million, secondary school increased from 120,000 to 1.5 million and post-secondary level increased from 17,000 to 210,000. Literacy rates improved greatly, from 23 percent in 1981 to 54 percent in 2001.

3. School attendance has been unequal across income and gender groups, due to poverty and lack of value on education. As of 2006, 76 percent of the Terai Dalits, 62 percent of Muslims and 45 percent of the Hill ethnic group had not been to school. The Dalits have the lowest rate for completing primary school, trailed by the Muslims. The national enrollment for females between the ages of six and ten is 67 percent, compared to 78 percent for males. On top of families not valuing education for girls, girls themselves do not want to attend school because they may not understand the dialect there, there are no toilets for them to use, and as they get older, they feel it is not appropriate for them to use the fields to "tend to their menstrual cycles."

4. Nepal's education system is of poor quality, especially in public schools. Studies reveal that hardly any learning and teaching occurs in rural public schools. There is very little testing and no help for students who are struggling.

5. There is a shortage of funds. There is a shortage of funds for learning tools such as extra classrooms, libraries, scientific equipment, laboratories, field work and research. Nepal spends 16 percent of the national budget on education. Nepal's share of higher education in the education budget was 6% in 2004, which was one of the lowest in the world.

6. Families in Tibetan villages have been sending their children away for better education. Nepal has also been struggling with families in Tibetan villages in Nepal sending their children away for better education. An estimated 1 percent of Nepal's population is estimated to leave the country every year for better schooling. This is a severe blow to education in Nepal.

7. There is hope for education in Nepal. Despite current struggles for education in Nepal, UNESCO has pointed out that there are ways to remedy the situation. Different policies have helped countries as diverse as Nepal and Nigeria get more children into school. Organizations such as the Global Partnership for Education and Reach out to Asia (ROTA) are raising funds to support educational projects in Nepal and other countries. The Global Partnership for Education will be holding a summit in Brussels, where governments will pledge funding for education. The global summit is seeking $3.5 billion in education pledges. ROTA raises funds to support educational projects in Nepal, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine and Pakistan. In Nepal, 50,000 children will benefit from ROTA's project, which aims to enhance the quality of education resources and facilities. ROTA's on-going project focuses on rural communities, as well as education training, emphasizing the empowerment of the youth of Nepal.

While facing many current struggles, there is hope for a bright future for education in Nepal. ROTA's Executive Director, Essa Al Manaai, stated "Our aim is to secure a better future and provide hope to these vulnerable children to ensure they can receive support for their educational needs. Together with our valued volunteers and esteemed partners, ROTA will once again make a difference to disadvantaged communities in all of our neighbouring countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan."
- Colleen Moore

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7 Facts About Education in Nepal | The Borgen Project

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While education in Nepal greatly improved throughout the twentieth century, Nepal still faces many struggles, to date. The education challenges largely relate to poverty in Nepal. 1. The current education system in Nepal is one of the youngest in the world.

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Online Nepali Converter | English Nepali Translation | Nepali Conversion

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Nepal, a serene land, is encircled by two gigantic countries, India and China. In spite of being such a tiny nation, Nepal is still glorious for its own reasons. Outlanders know just a little about its untouched terrains and historical tales. But today we are going to unveil some out-of-ordinary and really interesting facts about Nepal, which makes this nation, so so special:
image: ebtrust.org.uk

1. A flag that's unlike other flags!

Source: Wikipedia, image: tourismdepartment.gov.np Kathmandu is an eye popping, jaw dropping experience, a riot of sights, sounds and smells that can make your senses explode. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is bestowed with "City of Glory" fame. It serves as the home of more than half of the population of Nepal. Tourist's footfall is quite high in this city.

You are about to get stunned... Nepali is not the only language spoken in this ethnic hub, in fact, 123 languages are spoken in this geographically small country. Its closeness to Tibet, India, and China for centuries gave birth to many colloquial languages.
Source: desinema.com

6. World's Deepest Gorge is here!

7. "Sagarmatha" the highest mountain in the world!

8. Want to have peace? Come here!

9. Abode of Living Goddesses!

10. A nucleus of Extreme Landscapes!

Not many know that several extreme places are located here in Nepal. Apart from Mount Everest, there are many other locations for which Nepal is world famous. Tilicho is the lake that's situated at the highest altitude in the world, while Shey Phoksundo Lake is the deepest of all and Arun Valley is the highest valley on earth. Won't it be super fun to take a selfie at these extreme destinations?
Source: desinema.com, image: himalayanglacier.com
11. Paradise for Nature and Bird Lovers!
13. Blackout is a part of everyday living!

One can enjoy observing this beast of burden during an Everest trek as they are ubiquitous and irreplaceable in here. Yaks are synonyms to tractors in Nepal. They are employed as heavy load vehicle on Himalayan paths due to their strength and capability to climb tough paths and high valleys.
Source: Wikipedia, image: pinimg.com

Source: factofun.com, image: lclark.edu Nepal was once the citadel of hippies because of easy availability of weed here. It was banned later following US request and directions. Though selling and buying of weeds are no more legal here, the growth of weeds can be seen almost everywhere, be it farmlands or mountain sides.

17. An eye-opener to all the warring nations!

Despite the fact that Nepal features diversified cultures, but since its inception, there has been no bloodshed in the name of religion, caste, or creed. Preaching of Lord Buddha is still ingrained in mind and soul of Nepalis. A great lesson of peace for us fellow outlanders. It doesn't mean Nepalis are any less patriotic. The patriotism of Nepalis can be seen everywhere from sports, national festivals, or issues related to Buddha.
Source: desinema.com, image: imnepal.com

18. A plethora of World Records!

Nepal also recorded many of its top of the world records in Guinness Book. They are world's shortest person, longest handshake, youngest photographer, highest mobile phone call and much more.
Source: guinnessworldrecords.com

19. Famous Celebs from Nepal

In the past few days the constitution of Nepal has been a subject for a lot of negative news; still, the country managed to leave behind the rest of the world in a groundbreaking move by becoming the first ever Asian country to have explicit laws benefiting the LGBT community. While most of the progressive Western countries have legalized same-sex marriage, none provides for full anti-discrimination legislation in their constitutions. Nepal is now the 3rd country in the world after South Africa and Ecuador to have non-discriminatory laws for LGBT community.
Source: catchnews.com

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Nepal, a serene land, is encircled by two gigantic countries, India and China. In spite of being such a tiny nation, Nepal is still glorious for its own reasons. Outlanders know just a little about its untouched terrains and historical tales.

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Nepal is a beautiful country rightfully called a paradise on earth. The enigmatic country boasts its diverse ethnicity, rich culture and awe-inspiring natural beauty. With a wide variety of flora and fauna in the country, Nepal holds some of the rarest species like the one-horned Rhino, the Bengal tiger and the national flower Rhododendron. Nepal is truly a god's playground with stunning landscapes, majestic mountains and mesmerizing lakes.

Here we are listing the most fun and interesting facts about Nepal. The most baffling fact about Nepal is that all of the following happens within the limited area of 147,181 sq. km (56,827 sq. mi).

a) Geography:

1. Nepal has 8 out of the world's 14 highest mountains including the Mount Everest.

2. The highest mountain in the world, The Mount Everest is in Nepal. Everest is called Sagarmatha in Nepali which translates to "Forehead of the Sky." In the local Sherpa and Tibetan language, Everest is called Chomolungma, which means "Goddess Mother of the World." The word Everest comes from George Everest, a British surveyor general of the Himalayas.

3. In a span of 100 km going from South to North at any part of Nepal you can experience hot tropical climate to bone chilling Artic type weather.

4. Nepal is the only country with altitudinal variation that ranges from 70 meters to 8848 meters.

5. Nepal boasts the most extreme places on the earth such as the highest lake on the earth (Tilicho 4800 meters), the deepest gorges (1200 meter) in Kaligandaki, the highest valley on earth (Arun valley) and the tallest grassland in the world in Chitwan.

6. Kaligandaki is the river older than the Himalayas. Therefore, it acts as a major ecological dividing line of the whole eastern and western Himalayas.

7. Nepal is a four season destination.

b) Bio-diversity:

Nepal is called an Amazon of Asia. The hidden treasure of its rich biodiversity is not yet fully explored. Many new species could be discovered from Nepal.

1. Nepal has more than 360 species of Orchid which constitutes over 2% of the world's orchids.

2. Nepal has 8 % of the total species of birds found in the world.

3. Nepal comprises 6% of the world's rhododendron species.

4. Nepal harbors 5980 species of flowering plants which covers 2.4% of the world's total. Over 250 species of the flowering plants are endemic in Nepal (i.e. It is not found elsewhere else in the world.)

5. Nepal has one of the largest concentrations of Royal Bengal Tiger in the world after India and Bangladesh.

6. It is said that Nepal has largest moth in the world (Atlas Moth)

7. Some of the largest wild honeybees are found in Nepal.

8. The only natural breeding ground of the Long Snouted Gharial crocodile exists in Nepalese river.

9. Nepal has nearly 870 species of birds, which arguably more than the whole continent of Europe and North Africa combined.

10. Nepal has 4.2% of the world's butterfly species which is over 650 species of butterflies.

11. Thirty six percent of the world's Meconopsis species "poppy" including Blue Poppies are found in Nepal of which four are endemic, only found in Nepal. In Nepal, one of the Blue poppy grows as high as 5400-meter altitude. This is perhaps one of the highest limits for the poppy to be found in the world.

12. The mysterious creature of the Himalayas called Yeti is said to be spotted in the Nepalese Himalayas by many. Sir Edmund Hillary even led an expedition to find the Yeti in 1958.

13. Second largest population of One-horned Rhino is found in Nepal.

14. Nepal has one of the best habitats for Snow Leopard.

15. Sukla Phanta in West Nepal harbors the world largest herd of Swamp deer.

c) Culture, Lifestyle and pride:

1. Nepal is the birthplace for the Lord Gautam Buddha, the light of Asia. Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha) was born in Kapilvastu, Lumbini which lies in Nepal. Lumbini is a sacred place for Buddhists.

2. Nepal was never under any foreign invasion. Thus Nepal does not have an independent day because Nepal was never colonized. Nepal is also the oldest country in South Asia.

3. Nepal has the densest concentration of World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu valley alone has 7 World Heritage Cultural sites within a radius of 15 kilometers. No wonder Kathmandu is called the living cultural museum of the world.

4. Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular flag. Nepal's flag is maroon with two triangular shapes stacked on one another with blue border. The upper triangle consists of moon and the lower triangle consists of the sun. The current flag has been in place since 1962 although the basic design has been used for over 2,000 years in Nepal.

5. Cows are sacred in Nepal. Recently turned secular, Nepal still has the highest proportion of Hindus in the world. Cow is considered the national animal of the country. In Nepal, cows are not eaten and it is considered illegal to kill the animal. Due to this fact, it is not uncommon to see a cow wandering around the streets of Kathmandu.

6. Nepal has the only living goddess in the world called Kumari. Kumari literally means virgin in Nepali.

7. People in Nepal greet one another by saying "Nasmaste" or "Namaskar" with their palms together and bow their forehead. Namaste is directly translated as 'I salute the God in youˇ. Like "Namaste" is common in the Hindu influenced culture, "Tashidele" is a common greeting in the culture close to Tibetan culture.

8. Elephant polo game was originated in Meghauli, Nepal. Tiger Tops in Nepal is the headquarters of elephant polo and the site of the World Elephant Polo Championships.

9. Some of the highest permanent human habitat exists in Himalayan region of Nepal.

10. Nepal has over 80 ethnic groups and 123 Languages (Mother Tongue) .

11. Nepal opened its borders in 1949.

d) Environment:

1. Over nineteen percent of the total country's landmass is protected under National Park and Protected Area in Nepal.

2. Shivapuri National Park at Budhanilkantha in Kathmandu is the only World's National Park close to the capital and international airport.

3. In the last 25 years of conservation work, Nepal has managed to save Blackbuck from extinction, successfully increased the tiger population, and brought back endangered wildlife species such as Gharial, Indian bison, wild buffalo and many others to a healthy and viable population.

4. Chitwan National Park and Everest National Park is listed in World Heritage Site.

5. Multi conceptual park management system was first successfully implemented in Annapurna Area and now ACAP is the world model for conservation and sustainable development.

6. During 70s, there were less than 80 rhinos in Nepal, now Nepal has more than 500 remnants. This is undoubtedly an excellent result in the context of global wildlife conservation record.

e) Adventure:

1. Nepal boasts few of the world's most popular trekking trails such as Annapurna Circuit trekking and Everest Base Camp Trek.

2. Nepal is one of the best arenas for Extreme & Adventure Sport tourism such as mountaineering, cannoning, paragliding, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting, bungee jumping, high altitude marathon etc.

3. Karnali in Simikot is one of the best rivers in the world for kayaking and most of the upstream Nepalese rivers offer the best rapids for white-water rafting.

f) Facts about the Himalayas:

1. The word 'Himalaya" in Sanskrit means abode of snow.

2. The geological age of the Himalaya is approximately 70 million years. It is the youngest Mountain Range in the world.

3. According to Hindu mythology, God Shiva resides in the Himalaya.

4. Nameha Barwa peak is the easternmost and Nanga Parbat is the westernmost peak of the Himalaya.

5. Kumbhakarna is the new name of mount Jannu (7,710 m).

6. Gosainthan (8046 m) is the Nepali name for Shisha Pangma.

7. The ideal height gain per day for mountaineers is 1,000 ft above 10,000 ft.

8. The Himalayas are the source for rivers such as the Indus, the Yangtze and the Ganga-Brahmaputra. All three are the major river systems of the continent of Asia.

9. The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow in the world, after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are approximately 15,000 glaciers located throughout the range.

10. The Himalayas are alive geographically! The Indo-Australian plate is still moving at 67 mm per year, and over the next 10 million years it will travel about 1,500 km into Asia.

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Interesting Facts About Nepal | Himalayan Eco Trek

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Nepal is a beautiful country rightfully called a paradise on earth. The enigmatic country boasts its diverse ethnicity, rich culture and awe-inspiring natural beauty. With a wide variety of flora and fauna in the country, Nepal holds some of the rarest species like the one-horned Rhino, the Bengal tiger and the national flower Rhododendron.

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Kathmandu is the physical and cultural capital of Nepal, with close to 1 million people in population. It is a culturally rich city, dating back at least 2,000 years. The primary religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Nepali is the most commonly spoken language, and tourism is the most important industry which is no surprise in this beautiful, serene, and meaningful country.

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Kathmandu is the physical and cultural capital of Nepal, with close to 1 million people in population. It is a culturally rich city, dating back at least 2,000 years. The primary religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Nepali is the most commonly spoken language, and tourism is the most important industry which is no surprise in this beautiful, serene, and meaningful country.

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On Saturday April, 25th, a little before noon local time, the tiny landlocked country of Nepal was jolted by a massive earthquake. The 7.8 magnitude tremor that was felt across four countries and affected over 6.6 million people, is the most powerful one the country has experienced in over eight decades. Not surprisingly, it has resulted in a large number of deaths and extensive property damage.

While officials currently estimate the death toll to be about 4,000, the numbers could go up substantially as reports from the rugged hillsides that make up most of this impoverished country, come in. Thousands more are injured and even more are without shelter. As strong aftershocks continue to ripple through the area, even residents whose homes are not destroyed have taken to living on the streets.

While the magnitude of the earthquake was certainly a factor, experts say the shallowness and the length of the tremor that lasted about 20 seconds, also contributed to the massive destruction. The fact that a majority of the buildings and homes are not built to withstand big tremors did not help.

The ripple effect of the earthquake whose epicenter was 50km from Nepal's capital Kathmandu, were felt across northern India, Tibet and Bangladesh, where it killed 36, 12 and 4 residents, respectively. The quake also caused a massive avalanche at the Mount Everest base camp, killing 18 climbers and injuring at least 30. Many climbers are still missing.

In addition to the devastating loss of lives, the earthquake has also reduced some of Nepal's historic landmarks to rubble. Among them is Kathmandu's Dharahara Tower. Built in 1832, the nine-story brick structure was a popular tourist destination. Also destroyed was the Maju Deval Temple. The Unesco World Heritage Site was built in 1690. The only silver lining was that the earthquake occurred on a Saturday, which means that children were not at school.

The irony is that just a week ago, 50 earthquake and social scientists from around the world had arrived at Kathmandu to help prepare the congested city for a big tremor. Seismologist James Jackson, the lead scientist for Earthquakes without Frontiers who experienced the earthquake firsthand, says "Physically and geologically what happened is exactly what we thought would happen." The only thing the experts miscalculated was the timing! They had not anticipated a big one this soon.

While not much can be done about what happened, the world is now rushing to do whatever it can to help the people of Nepal. In addition to the typical aid relief from the Red Cross and countries all over the world, corporations like Google and Facebook are using their worldwide reach to help connect loved ones.

Wireless services provider T-Mobile and Internet calling company Viber, have waived fees for all calls and texts to and from Nepal. While it will take the country some time to recover, the new Nepal will hopefully comprise of safer structures, ones that can withstand even the most severe tremors.

Nepal's position at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, the collision of which resulted in the Himalayas, is the reason the country is prone to earthquakes. As the Indian plate continues to push north toward Asia, it rubs against the Eurasian plate. This generates stress and energy that builds up until the earth's crust finally ruptures. To make matters worse, Nepal sits on a thrust fault. Unlike normal faults that create space when the ground cracks, thrust faults cause the tectonic plates to force themselves atop one another. This results in extremely severe movements.

According the Hongfend Yang, an earthquake expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Saturday's massive earthquake resulted in the Indian plate jumping forward by a stunning 2 meters or 6.5 feet!

Resources: npr.org, cnn.com,time.com, telegraph.co.uk,reuters.com

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World Rushes To Help Nepal Recover From Devastating Earthquake

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On Saturday April, 25th, a little before noon local time, the tiny landlocked country of Nepal was jolted by a massive earthquake. The 7.8 magnitude tremor that was felt across four countries and affected over 6.6 million people, is the most powerful one the country has experienced in over eight decades.

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Kids learn about the Geography of Nepal. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.

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Most people practice Hinduism, but some people practice both Hinduism and Buddhism. The caste system has been outlawed by the government but it still makes up the social structure of everyday lives.

Nepalese are from four main groups: the Hindu caste, the Bhotes, the hill tribes, and the Newar. The Hindus originally came from India and continue to follow the caste system. Hill people include the Sherpas and other tribes.

Sherpas are born way up in the mountains at elevations above 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) and are known for their ability to guide tourists in high altitude climbs. They teach visitors about Sherpa culture and Buddhism's love of the land.

The Bhotes live in mountains in the north and are originally from Tibet. The Newar are the original native people of the Kathmandu Valley.

Most Nepalese live in the central, hilly region, which embraces the Kathmandu Valley, and in the southern plain known as the Terai. The Ganges River floods this area and makes the land very fertile for growing crops. About 10 percent live in the mountains over 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and are traders, farmers, and herders.

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Most people practice Hinduism, but some people practice both Hinduism and Buddhism. The caste system has been outlawed by the government but it still makes up the social structure of everyday lives. Nepalese are from four main groups: the Hindu caste, the Bhotes, the hill tribes, and the Newar.