Nepal

Landlocked, high-altitude Nepal is known for golden temples, breathtaking Himalayan vistas, and jungle wildlife. It’s an incredible destination with a unique culture and heritage, colourful festivals, and the birthplace of Buddha.

Nepal shares Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain, with China (the boundary line between the two countries runs across the mountain’s summit). Head up the Everest Base Camp Trek for stunning views, charming villages, and romantic Buddhist monasteries with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Capital Kathmandu is colourful, chaotic, and home to landmarks such as the 17th-century Kathesimbhu Stupa, the extraordinary red-brick courtyard of Kumari Bahal, or the monumental Swayambhunath Stupa, topped with a golden spire. The heart of its Old Town is Durbar Square, where ancient kings ruled and were crowned. World Heritage-listed Chitwan National Park’s forests, marshes and grasslands are home to many species of wildlife, including one-horned rhinos, monkeys, deer, and the elusive, majestic Bengal tiger. Head to Lumbini for Maya Devi Temple, which marks the spot where the Buddha was born, somewhere around the year 563 BC. A site of veneration for centuries, the temple features ancient ruins and statues polished smooth by pilgrims’ hands.