Nepal is a heady mix, a fascinating land of ancient history, vibrant cultures and people, bio-diversity and scenic grandeur. From the magnificent snow-capped peaks to the North, the lesser mountains and midlands in the central region and the tropical jungles and fertile plains to the south, Nepal is a land that is largely defined by its geographical features. Located between China and India, Nepal also stands at the defining frontier of civilization in this part of the world, showing a true multi-cultural, multi-ethnic amalgamation. Despite being wedged between two giant neighbors and civilizations, Nepal has produced a history and culture that is vastly different and unique. People This varied landscape has one of the richest cultural landscapes. It has a population of roughly 22 million people. The heterogeneity is seen in the multiplicity of ethnic and caste groups who speak over 70 languages and dialects. Amazing cultural diversity for such a small country. The cultural heterogeneity is also linked to the landscape and can be seen in the way that different ethnic groups occupy parts of the country. The Gurungs and Magars live mainly in the western region, the Rais, Limbus and Sunwars inhabit the slopes and valleys of the eastern mid-hills while the Sherpas, Manangpas and Lopas inhabit the higher Everest, Annapurna and Mustang regions respectively. The Newars constitute an important ethnic group of the capital valley Kathmandu. The Terai has various caste groups like the Tharus, Yadavas, Satar, Rajvanshis and Dhimals. Brahmins, Chhetris and Thakuris are generally spread out over all parts of the kingdom. Landscape Nepal consists of several physiographic regions or natural zones - the four mountain ranges, the valleys located between them and the plains to the south of these ranges. The plains or flatlands in Nepal consist of the Terai and the Bhabar. The Terai forms the northernmost part of the fertile Gangetic plain and extends into Nepal - a region that is called the `granary' of Nepal, and a green expanse of paddies, mango groves, bamboo thickets and palm fringed villages. Between the plains and the first foothills is a narrow expanse of stony, shallow, immature soils called the Bhabar. Due to its porosity and it is unfit for agriculture.

Adventure tourism in Nepal dates back to the early attempts to scale the world's highest peaks. It has come a long way since. While trekking, mountaineering and game watching have long been popular, an entire range of other possibilities have been explored in the recent years - rafting, biking, fishing, rock climbing, paragliding, ultra-light aircraft, hot air ballooning, mountain flight, boating, pony treks, jet scooter, boating and bungy jumping. This varied landscape has some of the best sites for these activities, raging rivers to run, mountains to scale, clear blue skies, challenging treks, fine lakes and rivers to boat, fish and raft down, and a wild terrain to ride.

Go trekking in the lower slopes where along with forests of rhododendron, isolated hamlets, villages, temples, monasteries and breathtaking landscapes, you will also encounter friendly people of different cultures offering a fascinating taste of traditional rural life.

Enjoy scenic rafting, one of the best ways to explore the typical cross section of natural as well cultural heritage of the country. You can glide on clam jade waters with magnificent scenery all around or rush through roaring white rapids. Rafting is inarguably the best way of exploring Arcadian Nepal, as it takes you through hamlets, canyons, virgin forests, and wildlife.

How about a jungle safari in the densest forest in South Asia? Venture into the jungles of the National parks located in the Terai region on elephant back across rivers and swamps, Rare animals and birds will greet you at every corner. Be prepared for a royal treat. Royal Bengal tiger may surprise you by his majestic appearance.

Nepal's diverse terrain is a mountain biker's dream adventures come true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. Because this is a spartan, laborious mode of travel, it is also considered the way to travel by the so-called "purists".

For all those cliffhangers out there, Kathmandu offers terrific places for rock climbing that make for an experience of a lifetime. Make sure you leave time for hot air ballooning for a bird/s-eye view of the Kathmandu Valley and the magnificent Himalaya. See life from a new perspective as you take off in a micro-light aircraft for motor gliding in Pokhara. A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalayas. If you thought that bungy jumping is restricted to some locations in North America, Europe, and New Zealand, it/s time you got an update. The sport has found a natural home for itself in the highest and most magnificent mountain range in the world. The ultimate thrill of a bungy jump can now be experienced in Nepal at one of the best sites that this sport can boast of anywhere in the world. The Bhote Kosi, one of the world's wildest raging rivers, rushes down from the heights of the Himalayas. It roughly translates as `river from Tibet' and so there are a lot of rivers that go by this name in Nepal. This Bhote Kosi is the main tributary of the Sun Kosi and is followed by the Arniko highway from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Nepal's first Bungy jumping site is situated 160 m over this river, inviting you to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush in the surroundings of this amazing place. An extreme sport popular in Europe, canyoning is now available in Nepal. Canyoning gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world. Top off your visit with a mountain flight for a stunning visual finale. Mountain flights offer spectacular views of the Himalaya in just one hour. Only awe-stricken silence can come close to matching the experience of going on a mountain flight to encounter the tallest mountains of the earth. These flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest and other above 8,000 m peaks.

Come be part of this experience.