Nepal

Overview

The Himalaya Kingdom of Nepal is a great destination. With its stunning mountian views, including the world's highest peak Mount Everest (Everest Region ), its ancient culture with many fine examples of Budhhist art and architecture and its great outdoor activities such as hiking and white water rafting, Nepal is a dream come true.

Nepal can be visited easily from the neighbouring giant India . The people of Nepal are quite relaxed, so the country offers a nice break from the crowded Indian plains.

The capital city of Kathmandu is an inspiring place. It is packed with temples and has a very friendly atmosphere. From Kathmandu, is is only a short trip to the nearby Patan with its impressive Durbar square where the past can be revived. Bhaktapur is even older and offers some interesting insights into the famous Newari architecture. Pashupatinath , the holiest city of Nepal, and Boudhanath , with the largest Stupa of Nepal and home to many members of the Tibetan community, are an absolute must.

If you want to have some astonishing views of the mountain ranges, set off for Nagarkot or leave the Kathmandu Valley for Pokhara. Pokhara has one of the most stunning settings in the world. Mountains of 8 kilometers and up are all around it. You can also go to the Everest Region where you can see Everest and other stunning views of 'the roof of the world'. Royal Chitwan national park offers some unexpected wildlife for a mountain country: crocodiles & rhino's e.g. It is...more

History

In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003. In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime minister who formed a four-party coalition government, which the king subsequently tasked with paving the way for elections to be held in spring of 2005. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the king in February 2005 dissolved the government and assumed power.