Nepal is situated between the great civilisations of India and Tibet. A landlocked country it has some of the most diverse topography in the world, rising from almost sea level in the south to the highest point on earth within a distance of less than two hundred kms. A land extremely rich in exotic vegetation, the hills are covered with huge numbers of plants, flowers and trees. Pleasant rural villages are linked by paths and ancient trade routes through paddy fields, forested hills, alpine meadows up to yak pastures and mountain moraine. NEC Travels - Kathmandu

The country is situated along the central section of the Great Himalayas, eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains including Mount Everest (29128ft / 8,8848m) are found here. The country can be divided into three distinct regions. The southern lowland (Terai Region) has a hot and tropical Indian climate, it is a rich alluvial plain and the major farming area of Nepal. The central region (Middle Hills) is formed by deep valleys where the land continues to push northward, it has a cooler sub-tropical climate and serves as the base for organising most tourist activities in Nepal. The northern region (Himalayan region) has an alpine climate with little vegetation growing over 4500m.

The Terai Region occupies 17% of the total land in Nepal, altitude ranges from 53 to 305m, width from north to south ranges from 26 to 32 kms. The region being flat is perhaps not surprisingly the most developed part of Nepal, it is basically a rich alluvial plain with well stocked farming land which is fed by the waters of the high Himalaya which lie 90 miles to the north. It is the main farming region in Nepal providing much produce for the rest of the country. Rice, maize, jute, tea, tobbacco and sugarcane along with a variety of fruits are all grown here for export to the major cities and towns. Natural vegetation is mainly consists of Sal and Riverine forest

The Tharu people are the major ethnic group of the Terai, their religious practices differ a lot from most other Nepali groups. Many still practice a form of Aminism (the worship of animal spirits), they are well known for thier colourful ceremonies. The region contains many of the natural reserves within Nepal.NEC Travels Kathmandu A vast array of wildlife including the famous One Horned Rhino and The Royal Bengal Tiger, over 43 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds have been recorded to date. The region begins to rise northwards to reach the Churiya hills which border the south of the Central Region (Middle Hills),

The Middle hills are sandwiched between the Terai and the Nepal Himalaya, they cover a further 68% of the total landmass of Nepal, altitude ranges from 610 metres to 1524 metres. The middle hills are a series of small ranges that lie directly south of the High Himalaya.

Kathmandu and Pokhara are situated here, along with many of the lower altitude treks. Kathmandu is an ideal base to organise group tours, it also provides a tremendous opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage the middle hills provides. The Newars are the main ethnic group in Kathmandu, a tribe of mixed Mongal decent, many still follow strict daily routines where each stage in life is marked with tradition and colourful ceremony. Pokhara, situated 200 kms west of Kathmanu, responds with its outstanding beauty. Set around the beautiful Lake Phewa, it has argueably the finest mountain view in the World.

The Himalayan Region: Accounts for the remaining 15% of land in Nepal. Altitude ranges from the snow line at around 4877 metres to 8848 metres. The region contains 10 of the 14 highest mountains on earth, each over of 8000 metres.

It is a cold and very sparse in vegetation with little plant life surviving above 4800 mtrs. The plants that do survive are often some of the most interesting species to be found in Nepal.

The Nepal Himalaya is perhaps most known for the Everest region, an area made famous by the main ethnic group (Sherpas). They are hardy people who travelled south from Tibet over 500 years ago. Many still practice pasture farming, leading yaks up and down the mountain, depending on the season. The is Yak a means of transportation it also produces fatty milk which is a rich source of protein, ideal for the harsh climate. Yak hair is also woven for cloth, the hide used for clothes, mats or blankets,

Many Sherpas make their living by tourism nowadays. They act as the backbone for mountain expeditions where their stamina and familiarity with the region make sure they have no rivals when it comes to high altitude.