Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/143180
NEPAL Himalayas form Nepal's northern border and cover 16 percent of its total land area. The country boasts an astounding diversity of animal life, with exotic mammals such as the royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard, as well as rhinoceros, elephant, bear, deer, monkey and jackal; and 800 bird species including the rare danphe bird. There are more than 6500 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in Nepal, and in March and April rhododendrons, the national flower, burst into colour. The sights Kathmandu Valley is home to seven World Heritage monuments. These seven man-made wonders are found within a 20-kilometre area. Kathmandu's Durbar Square forms the heart of the city, with its intriguing collection of temples 144 www.paradisesonline.com and palaces. At Chitwan National Park, 146 kilometres south of Kathmandu, visitors can see wildlife, ride elephants, can take a canoeing trip down the river and visit Tharu villages. In Patan, the stunning Durbar Square has the largest display of Newari architecture in Nepal, including the Royal Palace. Just north of the square is the Golden Temple, a Buddhist monastery guarded by sacred tortoises. Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres southeast of Kathmandu's city centre, is home to probably the best known site in Nepal— the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, also known as 'monkey temple', after the large tribe of monkeys that guard it. Beyond, on the banks of the Bagmati River, is Pashupatinath, the country's pre-eminent Hindu temple and one of the most significant Shiva temples on the subcontinent. The huge stupa of Bodhnath is the largest in the country and among the largest in the world—and is also the centre for Nepal's considerable population of Tibetans. Trekking is a strenuous but ideal way to see Nepal's central hills, valleys and its northern highlands. You can trek into the mountains as far as the Everest base camp, through Sherpa villages and monasteries such as Thyangboche and Pangboche. Where to stay Accommodation spans the spectrum, from international-standard hotels in Kathmandu to very basic and economical tea houses dotted around the countryside.