Introduction

Recently listed as one of the top ten travel destination for the year 2010, by the Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2010"; Nepal is indeed one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity and its unique geographical position / altitude variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 meters above sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters ( with over 1310 magnificent peaks over 6000 meters including eight of the world's highest 14 peaks of 8000 meters) all within a distance of 150 kilometers resulting in climatic conditions from sub-tropical to arctic. This wild variation fosters an incredible variety of ecosystems, the greatest mountain range on earth, thick tropical jungles teeming with a wealth of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills and frozen valleys.

 

Occupying only about 0.1% of the world’s total land area, Nepal has a total of 118 ecosystems with 75 vegetation types and 35 forest types which provide habitats for biological species of both Indo-Malayan and Palaeoarctic realms, including endemic Himalayan flora and fauna. It harbors over 2% of the flowering plants, 3% of pteridophytes and 6% of bryophytes of the world’s flora. Nepal also has more than 4.2% and 8.5% of the world’s total mammals and birds known so far and possesses more than 400 species of agricultural crops.  The total known species in Nepal (1992-2002) include 6,937 higher plants, 181 mammals, 274 breeding birds, 119 reptiles, 5 amphibians and 13 fishes. Over 19% of the total country's land (147181 sq. km) has been designated as protected areas, representing all ecological regions (Terai, Mid-hills, High Mountains and Himalayas) with 9 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 3 conservation areas, 1 hunting reserve and 9 buffer zones. The ratio of protected area to total land area of the country is one of the highest in the world.

 

Kathmandu Valley, the capital city of Nepal, a fertile green bowl set in the midst of the Himalayan foothills, is an oasis of magnificent art and the home of an ancient and sophisticated culture. It's a blend of different ethnic groups, with a mosaic of cultures having 7 UNESCO Culture Heritage sites (out of 10 including 2 Natural in the whole country). Within this spectacular geography is also one of the richest cultural landscapes anywhere. The country is a potpourri of ethnic groups and sub-groups who speak over 93 languages and dialects.

 

With such a vast repository of global significance, Nepal is undoubtedly a biological (as well as a cultural) hotspot; offering an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions and adventure opportunities found nowhere else on earth. Makalu Adventure brings you some of the highly crafted Nepal tour itineraries. Please visit our website: www.makaluadventure.com   www.nepalmakalu.com for   a detailed list of our Nepal tour / travel itineraries or email us at makaluadv@wlink.com for further   information.

Come and join us or create your own very Nepal dream trip using our expertise…………….!

Glance of Nepal