The Magic of Nepal

Till the middle of the last century Nepal was largely closed to foreigners and it was only in 1950 that the first foreigners were allowed to come close to its himals, as the Himalayan massifs are known. It is thus only in recent years that the outside world has come to know the ancient culture and the colourful people of this beautiful land lying between the highest mountains in the world and the plains of South Asia. While the Valley of Kathmandu carries the past in a myriad vibrant temples and works of fine architecture and the terai to the south its legends of history and mythology, the greatest attraction to many a visitor are the Himalaya to the north, strectching in a magnificent arc of glittering peaks, deep gorges and pristine meadows. Over the years the inhabitants of many of these remote areas have built up an infrastructure of hospitality which makes trekking a pleasurable experience. There is no other place in the world where a room with a bed and a warm dining room awaits the visitor at over 15,000 feet. This book is a small tribute to the magic of Nepal.