Nepal

Nepal is surely the ultimate trekker’s paradise with its lofty Himalayan backdrop to remote hillside villages. Fluttering prayer flags rustling in the wind are a reminder of the religious emphasis in this largely Buddhist country. Outdoor adventures await with mountain biking, canyoning and dramatic hiking trails ascending the base of Everest. There’s a welcome chance to snuggle down overnight in a lodge along the way. Go rafting down the turbulent white waters of a rushing river or enjoy a moment of heart-stopping freedom as you bungee jump over a gaping gorge. But there’s another side to the land of snowcapped peaks. Medieval plazas, elaborate palaces, ancient monasteries, domed stupas and gilded temples brighten the streets of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Whether you are on a spiritual pilgrimage of in search of the ultimate outdoor adventure, Nepal will open your eyes to a country that eschews western consumerism and takes life at a slower pace, one day at a time.