Why Nepal?
Nepal is a country that breaks every boundary — both literally and figuratively. Between the Indian lowlands and the highest point on earth lies a state as large as Switzerland and Austria combined, offering more superlatives than any other country of its size:
- 8 of the 14 eight-thousanders — No other country has nearly as many of the world's highest mountains. Mount Everest (8,849 m), Kangchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna — they all stand in Nepal
- Legendary trekking tours — The Everest Base Camp Trek and the Annapurna Circuit are among the most famous hikes in the world. From leisurely walks to week-long high-altitude expeditions, everything is possible
- Vibrant temple culture — Kathmandu's Durbar Squares, the golden pagoda of Swayambhunath, the massive Boudhanath Stupa, the cremation ghat of Pashupatinath — Nepal is a spiritual powerhouse where Hinduism and Buddhism have coexisted peacefully for centuries
- Incredible biodiversity — From snow leopards and red pandas in the Himalayas to one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers in the Terai jungle, to over 850 bird species in a compact area
- The best value for money in Asia — Nepal is one of the cheapest travel countries in the world. With €25–35 per day, you live comfortably, trekking accommodations in tea houses cost €3–8, Dal Bhat (rice with lentils) is available for €2–4
- Warm-hearted people — The Nepali are among the most hospitable people in Asia. The ubiquitous "Namaste" (I greet the divine in you) with folded hands is not a cliché but an expression of a deeply rooted culture of welcome
- Adventure paradise — Paragliding over Phewa Lake, white-water rafting on the Trisuli, bungee jumping over the Bhote-Koshi Gorge, jungle safari in Chitwan National Park — Nepal delivers adrenaline at every altitude
What makes Nepal unique: In the morning, you stand on the rooftop terrace of your guesthouse in Kathmandu and see the snow-capped Himalayan range glowing on the horizon. At noon, you wander through medieval temple districts. In the evening, you sit on a rooftop in Thamel with an Everest beer and plan your trek. And in a week, you'll be standing at 5,364 meters at the foot of the highest mountain in the world. No other country on earth compresses so many experiences into such a small space.
