Nepal

From the steaming lowlands of the Terai to 29,029-foot Mount Everest, Nepal is one of Asia’s most enthralling destinations. It’s a country long sought out by backpackers and trekkers drawn to Himalayan heights, age-old temples, and friendly high-country waystations. Though it’s been rattled in the past by unrest—and though natural disasters such as the devastating 2015 earthquake suggest the darker side of the monumental landscape—Nepal remains at the top of the must-go list for many globetrotters.

Even if you’re not “peak-bagging”—much easier said than done—you can pursue a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the Himalaya: That staggering array of ice-mantled peaks along the Tibetan frontier. For decades now, Nepal has been among the most popular corners of this greatest of mountain ranges for multiday foot excursions, both guided and independent. One of the world’s foremost hiking odysseys, the Great Himalaya Trail, traces the full length of the Nepali Himalaya: The “low route” passes through verdant valleys and numerous settlements, while the “high route” takes a more remote course through staggering terrain. Whether you see them or not, knowing you’re in the presence of exotic beasts such as snow leopards, blue sheep, and Himalayan brown bears adds even more energy to the jaw-dropping landscape.

Nepal’s outdoor attractions are certainly not confined to the thin air past 15,000 feet. The Pahar hill belt and the alluvial plains of the Terai harbor some of the country’s most important national parks, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chitwan. Its forests and grasslands provide incredible opportunities to glimpse Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, gaurs, leopards, and other creatures—possibly from the unbeatable vantage of a safari elephant’s back.

Whether you encounter them on a busy side street in Kathmandu or a farflung Himalayan valley, the Nepali people are likely to welcome you with a broad smile and a warm cup of tea. There are numerous ethnic groups here, from the Pahari to the Sherpa, and even the most casual of cultural explorations introduces you to a long and intricate history. As everywhere, food and religion are excellent portals for getting to know local society. Nepal harbors some of South Asia’s holiest sites, including Lumbini (said to the birthplace of the Buddha) and Pashupatinath Temple (one of the spiritual centers of Hinduism). In preparation and ingredients, meantime, the native cuisine straddles Tibet and India, with some of the richest cookery traditions practiced by the Newar people of the Kathmandu Valley.

With its natural beauty and its striking and varied cultural palette, Nepal remains a glorious hub for adventure. Across much of the country, you’ll certainly be roughing it—but the demanding footpaths and crowded buses are more than compensated for by the incomparable vistas and down-home hospitality you’ll find nearly everywhere you look.