Country profile
COUNTRY PROFILE: NEPAL
Nepal’s tourism has diversified over the decades and adventure sports has grown by leaps and bounds creating its niche market. Trekking, cultural tours, safari, mountaineering and religious tours are some of the major attractions that bring visitors to Nepal. Kathmandu Valley, with its range of diverse ethnic groups and languages, is a complete destination in its own right. A geographical kaleidoscope, Nepal extends from the thick sweltering jungles in the tarai (plains) to the freezing Himalayas which include the highest mountains in the world. Everyone can find in Nepal, an adventure, a trek or a cultural trip to make his trip worthwhile.
To see and do: Culture, Adventure, Trek
- The cultural richness of the Kathmandu Valley has led to seven sites being designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Boudha Stupa, Pashupatinath, Swoyambhu, the imperial cities Patan and Bhaktapur, and the Durbar Square of the three cities are high on the list of attractions. Hinduism and Buddhism have coexisted in the valley for centuries adding to the richness of the hundreds of shrines in the cities. The high Himalayan region with lofty passes, spectacular views of mountains and terrace hillsides make incomparable routes for trekking. Everest, Annapurna and the Langtang regions are major trekking destinations. Other popular trekking regions are the Dolpo or Mustang areas that can be combined with a summiting of a trekking peak between 6000m and 6500m or a real major expedition to climb 8000m peaks.
- With the establishment of the Great Himalayan Trail which takes trekkers right across the country from east to west, a whole new range of destinations has opened up for hiking. Today, one can move away from the major tourist routes and choose the trek to Ilam in the land of tea or the Ganesh Himal region for a change.
- Nepal’s adventure sports have evolved and come in all forms: bungee jumping, paragliding, zip line, and mountain biking in Mustang. There are yet other options like a discovery tour of the jungle elephant, going rafting on the highest rivers in the world, joining an ornithological/ meditative trip, or finding something unique.
BASIC INFORMATION
- Population: 30, 430, 267 inhabitants
- Area: 147,181 km²
- Density: 206.7 hab / km²
- Capital: Kathmandu
- Political system: Republic
- Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism
- Ethnic group (s): Chhettri, Brahman, Tamang, Newar, Gurung, Sherpa, ...
- Language (s): Nepali (official)
- Currency: Nepalese Rupees
- National Day: December 28 (birthday of King Birendra)
- Total GDP ($ million): 19,921
- GDP per capita: $ 743
- HDI: 0.548
- Life expectancy at birth: 67 years
- Climate: Subtropical in the southern plains; warm to cool temperate between 1000m to 3500m; Alpine in the mountainous region of the extreme north.
- Highest Point: 8,848m Mount Everest
- Independence: has always been independent since unification in 1768
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COUNTRY PROFILE: BHUTAN
Kingdom of Bhutan: A small kingdom, an Indian protectorate, Bhutan chose to limit the number of visitors to the country to preserve its culture and to slow down outside influences. In the process of safeguarding its culture, Bhutan has also preserved the environment. The services offered in the country are still of high quality. Moreover, in this little Himalayan kingdom, the government measures GNH (Gross National Happiness) rather than GNP as the people’s happiness is given top priority. One of the last Himalayan jewels, a Shangri-la of sorts that is fiercely protective of its old ways, yet provides visitors a comfortable trip or a trek in a pristine environment.
To see and do: Culture, Adventure, Trek
- Festivals of monastic dances where the whole population gather, great popular and religious celebrations which constitute the heart of cultural life in the country.
- The Dzongs, Paro, Thimphu, and Wangdipodrang, former fortresses converted to monastic and administrative centres with admirable architecture. The oldest are from the 16th century.
- The newly opened Tongsa Museum in an ancient fortress, small village monasteries and villages with traditional lauze houses.
- Trekking in pristine regions, simple and affordable rides for all to the Snowman Trek that crosses the country from east to west in 23 days.
Formalities: it is mandatory to go through the services of an agency to obtain a visa (deadline 3 weeks). No individual stays (only groups are allowed in).
-Climate: Himalayan of the northern hemisphere, monsoon in summer, cold in December and January,
- Ideal period: September to November or March to May.
-Flying from Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok or by road through the border in the region of Siliguri (North East India).
TO KNOW
- Population: 725,296 inhabitants
- Area: 47,000 km²
- Density: 15.4 hab / km²
- Capital: Thimphu
- Political Regime: Constitutional Monarchy
- Religions: Buddhism
- Ethnic group (s): Bothia, Sharkopa, Lhotsampa
- Language (s): Dzongkha
- Currency: Ngultrum
- National Day: December 17 (institution of King Bop Choda in 1807)
- GDP per capita: $ 2,523
- HDI: 0.522
- Life expectancy at birth: 64 years
- Climate: Subtropical in the South; Temperate and Montagnard to the North.
- Highest Point: 7,553 m Gangkhar Puensum
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COUNTRY PROFILE: TIBET
Despite the Chinese occupation, a trip to central Tibet remains an extraordinary experience that can change your perspective. You can take a comfortable cultural trip between Lhasa and Kathmandu to cross the Himalayan mountains, you can follow the pilgrims on the sacred path to Mount Kailash, approach the highest peaks during treks or ride a mountain bike/ motorbike on the slopes less frequented by tourists and meet nomads who travel around with their immense herds of horses and yaks.
To see and do: Culture, Adventure, Trek
- The Tibetan Plateau, the high road between Lhasa and Kathmandu and the hidden face of Everest (Base Camp),
- The great monastic institutions like the Potala, Drepung, Ganden, Samye, and Gyantse, true cities which sheltered and still shelter to a lesser extent, thousands of monks.
- The fervour and the incredible smile of the Tibetan people encountered in the country markets, in the alleys of old Lhasa or in the intimacy of temples.
- Mount Kailash, the sacred mountain, where thousands of Tibetan pilgrims travel each year can be circumambulated in 3 exceptional days of trekking. To avoid noisy vehicles, one can reach the Kailash via Simikot in Nepal doing an 8-day trek.
- A land of treks, adventure and expeditions on un-crowded paths, between heaven and earth.
- Train from China (Xining, Beijing, Chengdu) to Lhasa travelling across the Tibetan plateau.
Formalities: A trip to Tibet can only be organized through an agency following a route defined in advance. Visas are obtained by us with a delay: 15 days
No individual stays, only groups are permitted.
Climate: Himalayan in the northern hemisphere, no or little monsoon.
Ideal period: from May to October.
Flights from Kathmandu, Chengdu or train from Xining and Beijing.
Lhasa- Kathmandu remains one of the most beautiful adventure trips.
TO KNOW
- Population: 3,000,000
- Area: 2,500,000 km²
- Density: 1.2 hab / km²
- Capital: Lhasa
- Political regime: Under guardianship
- Religion: Buddhism
- Ethnic group (s): Tibetans, Mombas, Qiang, Lhombas
- Language (s): Tibetan
- Currency: Yuan
- National Day: March 10 (uprising against China in 1959)
- Total GDP (in millions): 7,600
- GDP per capita: $ 3,800
- HDI: 0.404
- Life expectancy at birth: 67 years
- Climate: High plateau
- Highest Point: 8,848 m Everest
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COUNTRY PROFILE: NORTH INDIA
Ladakh - Zanskar - Spiti: This region of northern India, long known as “Little Tibet”is beyond the Himalayan range; it is therefore effectively shielded from the seasonal monsoon which sweeps through the rest of India. Thus Ladakh has forever been a beautiful summer destination and a major tourist attraction. Accessible by road from Srinagar or Manali, it is also connected to Delhi by daily flights, allowing visitors to attend some religious festivals even in the heart of winter. Despite roads spreading far and wide in the territory, Ladakh, Zanskar and Spiti remain prime destinations for treks, adventure and culture quite incomparable and offer a range of thrills for travelling in a unique land only found beyond the snow-capped mountains.
To see and do: Culture, Adventure, Trek
- Alchi, Tabo (12th century) World Cultural Heritage Sites and Centenary monasteries that have effectively preserved Tibetan culture, Hemis, Phyang, Zangla, etc. where monastic festivals take place in summer but also in winter (Stok, Mathog).
- Leh, on the Indus, this ancient capital on the Silk Road which has kept this special atmosphere descaravansérails of Central Asia that can be reached by crossing the great Himalayas through passes over 5000 m altitude.
- A land of adventure in the beautiful atmosphere of the Tibetan plateau: the Tsomoriri and Tsokar lakes, a land of restless nomads ideal for mountain bike rides or on a thundering Royal Enfield. The highly forgotten Zanskar valley to the tiny villages surrounded by stone walls are also excellent destinations for adventure.
- A paradise for trekkers, this is a region for treks in all its forms, to connect via desert-like passes, welcoming oasis villages, and camp under the willow and apricot trees.
Formalities: Visa for India
No individual stays, only groups are permitted.
Climate: Himalayan continental of the northern hemisphere: cold in winter, hot in summer
Ideal period: June to September
Access: daily flights from Delhi or highways crossing the Himalayas of Manali or Srinagar, but open only during summer.
TO KNOW
- Population of India: 1,220,800,300 inhabitants
- Area: 3,287,590 km²
- Density: 371.3hab / km²
- Capital: New Delhi
- Political regime: Federal Republic
- Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity and more ...
- Language (s): Hindi, Bengali, Bihari, English, etc
- Currency: Rupee
- Independence: 1947
- National Day: August 15th (independence); January 26 (Republic Day); October 2 (Gandhi's Birthday)
- Total GDP (in millions): 1,843,000
- GDP per capita: $ 3,900
- HDI: 0.547
- Life expectancy at birth: 67 years
- Climate: Mostly Tropical, Arid desert to Alpine Tundra.
- Highest Point: Kanchenjunga (8,586m)