| As the only Hindu Kingdom country in the world, | | | | three zones include a lower alpine scrub, upper alpine |
| Nepal is a unique cultural and spiritual land. Yet it is this | | | | zone and arctic zone, where visitors have reported |
| country's untamed landscapes that define its | | | | sightings of tahr, serow, black bears, Himalayan mice, |
| character more than anything else. The terrain found | | | | langur monkeys and jackals. |
| here compromises a landscape like no other: fertile | | | | One of the most illustrious parks is Royal Chitwan |
| and lush plains, sinking and rolling valleys, and high and | | | | National Park National Park, located southwest of |
| rising mountains. Nepal embraces eight of the world's | | | | Katmandu. In 1973, Nepal acted to preserve this gem |
| ten highest peaks, which is even more impressive | | | | by designated over 2,000 square miles in the Terai |
| when compared to its gargantuan neighbors, China | | | | region as a national sanctuary. In 1984 it was |
| and India. | | | | designateda UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park, |
| You don't have to come to the mountains of Nepal, | | | | enclosed by the natural borders the Rapti and Reu |
| however, to relish its natural beauty. With almost | | | | rivers and the undulating Someshwor hills, was once a |
| 14,000 square kilometers (~30,000 square miles) of | | | | renowned big game hunting reserve. |
| protected national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, | | | | The park offers some of the most unique flora and |
| Nepal provides several off-the-beaten- track locales | | | | fauna in Nepal. With tropical and subtropical forests, |
| easily accessible from Katmandu. | | | | the vegetation includes vast grasslands and wetlands |
| Ever since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay planted | | | | full of animals and birds, The park protects |
| their respective national flags at the top of Mt. | | | | engendered crocodiles, Bengal tigers, rhinoceros, |
| Everest in 1953, Nepal's allure has never faded. Soon | | | | elephant, antelope, monkeys, deer, and many |
| after, Mt. Everest and the surrounding | | | | indigenous wild birds. |
| mountains-three of them higher than 8,000 meters | | | | Lying north of Katmandu and west of Sagarmatha |
| (~23-25,000 feet)- were designated national parks. | | | | National Park is the distinguished Langtang National |
| You don't have to surmount Mt. Everest to enjoy | | | | Park. A day trip to Langtang offers a wide range of |
| Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park. Because of the | | | | topography, from low-elevation forests to |
| park's intrinsic altitude, the climatic zones incorporate | | | | higher-elevation foliage such as rhododendron, spruce, |
| a forested lower zone of pine, cedar, fir, juniper, | | | | maples, pines and firs. The trees help protect the |
| birch, hemlock and rhododendron, where you might | | | | animal habitats, including those of the red panda, |
| stumble upon hares, gorals, weasels, musk deer and | | | | muntjack (type of deer), black bear, and wild dogs. |
| many species of birds and pheasants. The other | | | | |
