It's not just mountaineers with their hearts set on conquering Everest who fall in love with the Himalayan country of Nepal. With stunning scenery, fringed by the highest peaks on the planet, leading down to steamy jungle packed with wildlife, there's something for everyoneIn addition to a distinctive ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture, Nepal has jaw-dropping mountains with spectacular scenery for walkers and trekkers.

If there is a hikers' paradise, this is it, with picturesque mountain villages linked by hundreds of trails that have been used for centuries, with little change noticeable even today. Trails are dotted with intriguing temples to discover on the way.

Nepal was created from an amalgam of principalities in 1768 under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under the control of a hereditary king, it became a 'buffer state' between the British Empire and territories to the north. The country became independent in 1923, but it was not until 1947 (the year of Indian independence) and total withdrawal of the British before Nepal achieved complete autonomy. In May 2008, the monarchy was abolished making Nepal the world's newest republic.

Nepal is divided into five development regions, from east to west:

• Eastern Nepal - Everest region, Arun valley, Kanchenjunga, Ilam .


• Central Nepal - Kathmandu and Langtang region .


• Western Nepal - Pokhara and the Annapurna region


• Mid Western Nepal - Dhaulagiri Himalaya, Dolpa, inner Terai valleys and Jumla .


• Far Western Nepal - Mahakali river.

Cities and Towns

• Kathmandu - capital and cultural center of Nepal.


• Pokhara - Picturesque lake-side town, and the base for many activities. Great live music scene, with plenty of cool bars and hotels. Fast becoming the destination of choice for travelers due to the scenery, adventure sports and nightlife .


• Bhaktapur - well-preserved historical city, center of Nepali pottery making .


• Biratnagar - this city is in eastern Nepal near Dharan and famous for political reason .


• Birgunj - business gateway between India and Nepal. It is in mid-southern Nepal .


• Janakpur - a historical religious centre and home to the 500-year old Janaki Temple .


• Namche Bazaar - a Sherpa settlement located in the Solu Khumbu region - popular with trekkers


• Nepalgunj - the main hub for the Mid- and Far-Western Development Region. Bardiya National Park is close-by


• Patan - sister-city of Kathmandu and metal working center.

Destinations

• Chitwan National Park - See tigers, rhinos and animals in the Jungle .


• Khumbu - At the foot of Mt. Everest .


• Nagarkot - A hill station one hour from Kathmandu offering excellent views of the Himalayan Range .


• Daman - A tiny village in the mountains offering panoramic views of the Himalayas - especially stunning at sunrise and sunset .


• Annapurna area - Popular trekking region of Nepal, where the world-famous Annapurna Circuit is .


• Dang-Deukhuri - Lowland valleys in western Nepal inhabited by Tharus who have a very distinctive culture .


• Dhorpatan - Large east-west valley south of the western Dhaulagiri Range. It connects the far western Karnali-Bheri basin that is the birthplace of the Nepali language (and probably its rulers) to the Gandaki basin that they migrated into before unifying the country. This is also a trekking gateway to the far west, the Dhaulagiri Range, and to Dolpa and other high valleys with Tibetan culture beyond the Dhaulagiris .


• Rara Tal (Lake) - Large, deep subalpine lake at the foot of Kanjiroba Himalaya, far western Nepal. Another gateway to transhimalayan Humla and Dolpa regions.