Nepal is blessed with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, and the irresistible attraction of the Himalayan mountains, sheltering peaks such as Everest, Annapurna and Lhotse, has helped make Nepal a top destination for adventure activities like rafting, trekking and mountain biking.

Add to this exciting wildlife reserves and a rich cultural heritage, and you have a country with a wide range ofattractive holiday options, with the local Nepalese people offering great hospitality.

The capital city of Kathmandu is most people’s first real taste of Nepal with all international flights landing there. Kathmandu is a fast growing city with a chaotic mix of narrow streets,ancient buildings in local red brick and carved wood interspersed with more modern styles, and with colourful Hindu and Buddhist temples tucked away in small squares and on many street corners. As you wander the busy streets your senses are assaulted on all levels by car horns, cycle bells, the smells of unfamiliar foods, wandering cows and the sounds of people chanting in the temples.

The most convenient flights from the UK are through Delhi with Jet Airways, Bahrain with Gulf Air or Doha with Qatar Airways, with other connections available through Singapore and Bangkok. Most nationalities (including British, US & European) can obtain a visa on arrival (15 day visas cost US$25 and longer trips US$40).

Nepal has been troubled by political problems and a Maoist insurgency over the last decade, with reduced tourist numbers at the height of the troubles. The Maoists stopped fighting and entered the political process, forming a government after elections and the removal of the King from power in 2008. However, they resigned from government a year later in protest at a perceived lack of progress and a new interim government is in place. The new constitution remains unfinished but hopes are high that progress is now being made, and tourist numbers are increasing again.

Mountain trekking is the main attraction, and there are options available for anyone relatively fit, with routes ranging from gentle 3 day hikes to challenging 3 week expeditions. There are numerous routes in the Annapurna, Langtang and Manaslu mountain regions, as well as the ever popular and spectacular route up to Everest Base Camp.

Many of the treks follow some of the country’s fierce meltwater rivers downstream and a few days getting thrown about in a small raft is many people’s ideal way to wind-down after a long hard walk. There are several world class white-water rafting rivers to enjoy, from some like the Seti and Trisuli having easy gentle rapids, to steep raging torrents like the Bhote Khosi and Sun Kosi which are bursting with class IV and V rapids.

Other tourists choose a less an adrenalin-fuelled tour and combine time in the National Parks, with visits to remote and fascinating trading villages and religious centres in the Kathmandu Valley, sometimes completing the trip with a short trek. For nature lovers, a trip to Nepal is not complete without spending some time searching for endangered tigers and rhinos and other wildlife by jeep, on foot or on elephant back in one the country’s vast and beautiful wildlife parks. Most popular is Chitwan National Park, which lies near the India border about 6 hours drive from Kathmandu but companies like Nepal Uncovered are also encouraging visits to Bardia National Park in the far west of the country where there is a better chance of seeing tigers, and the less developed infrastructure make you feel much closer to the park and the nature around you.

Nepal is also a great destination for families looking for a more adventurous and exotic holiday, and Nepal Uncovered have specially customised itineraries to work well for children aged 6-16, either joining group departures, or run as a private tailor-made tour.

An ever-increasing number of people are also now looking to combine their trip to Nepal with a visit to the neighbouring countries of India, Tibet and Bhutan. These are vastly different in their own right and Nepal Uncovered are happy to create itineraries that spend time in any combination of these countries.

Ralph Foulds, Operations Director at Nepal Uncovered says of Bhutan that “after the chaos of India and excitement of Nepal, Bhutan exudes a special charm, a feeling of calm and serenity, which envelopes you the instant you arrive. The people are deeply religious, following the Lamaist form of Buddhism, and monasteries, temples and the unique Bhutanese 'Dzongs' are dotted across the landscape. We love taking people to both Nepal and Bhutan, and our travellers love the contrasts and the distinctive natural beauty and cultural heritage they see there.”