Nepal offers the ultimate mountain country. Go for gold and head out on the high-octane paths to Everest or take a slower pace to explore the Himalayas and its breathtaking scenery. In Kathmandu find Buddhist monks praying at tiny temples or discover ornate stupas in the valley, dotted around World Heritage sights like jewels in a crown.

It is difficult to match Nepal for dramatic scenery: home to the world-famous, 8,848 metre high Mount Everest, it is a completely dominated by the Himalayan range. It has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley alone - most of them ancient temple or palace complexes that display extraordinary craftsmanship. The Nepalis' complex blend of religious beliefs and traditions is reflected in the exquisite thangkas, gold-painted stupas and intricate carvings seen at every turn. Up in the hills around Kathmandu are the lovely rural retreats ofDhulikhel and Nagarkot, perfect two-night escapes from the city. Further west, by the serene Phewa Tal Lake and dominated by the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain, is the adventure capital of Pokhara. To the south, on the grass plains of the Terai, is Chitwan National Park, where visitors go on elephant-back rides in search of tigers or one-horned rhinos. The holy town of Lumbini, with its famous bodhi tree, is the reputed birthplace of Buddha and is a great pilgrimage site.