Nepal

Types of trips: Hiking, Exploring, Adventure, Scenic, Historical, Geographical

Best known for: Mount Everest, Hindu/Buddhist Temples, Birthplace of Gautam Buddha

Why Go?: Many people are drawn to Nepal for the famous mountains, and come back for many reasons. The scenery, the sports, the culture; Nepal is surprising for the amount you can pack into a country, especially one so dwarfed by the tallest mountains in the world.

Fact File

Population: 26,500,000

Capital: Kathmandu

Language(s): Nepali

Ties to the UK?: Good political relationship, increasingly popular travel destination

Landscape: Lowlands in the south, progressing to hills and then mountains in the north with rivers and valleys.

Climate/Seasons: The wet season is generally between June to September, with the rest of the year generally dry. The temperatures change with altitude, with the lowest areas having a tropical climate and the high mountainous zones with Arctic temperatures.

When to Go: The autumn (September - November) and spring (March - May) are the best times to visit, with relatively dry 

Reasons to Visit: Mountain hiking, city exploration, relaxing with a view - just a taste of whats available in Nepal! The National Parks alone will fascinate pretty much anyone, and there's activities both fast paced and relaxing to suit people of all dispositions. 

How to Get There: Air travel is the best way to get to Nepal from the UK - there is only one international airport so make sure to check flights well in advance.

Places to Go: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Lumbini, Everest Base Camp/foothills

Famous People: Tenzing Norgay, Rajesh Hamal, Sushil Koirala, Ram Baran Yadav

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Mount Everest/Himalayas, Phewa Lake, Langtang, Tilicho Lake

History: Civil war in the 20th/21st Century, now a democratic country

Architecture: Swayambhunath, Boudhanath

Culture: Folklore influences, popular music and dance

Sport: Football, Cricket

Events: Religious festivals

Watch Out For: You should always be careful when travelling in the mountains, especially if you are at high altitudes. Never go alone and always have someone who is qualified and knows the terrain with you at all times. The bad weather and avalanches of 2014 caused much of the walking season to be cancelled due to a high number of deaths of both adventurers and Sherpas. Understand the risks, listen to the guides and be well prepared. Travelling on the roads at night is generally considered far too risky for school trips. Bear in mind that vehicles often have no seatbelts, will not have working headlights and that drivers often work long shifts and so you must be aware of these key aspects fo your travel plans if you are utilising local transport. Accidents are common.

Medical Issues: There are some vaccines and boosters advised - check here for a general overview and always consult with a doctor.