NEPAL

Nepal is one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations, where the towering Himalayas meet subtropical forests, alpine meadows and vast river floodplains. Although famous for Mount Everest and its legendary trekking routes, Nepal is equally remarkable for its biodiversity. The country protects an impressive network of national parks and conservation areas that provide refuge for some of Asia’s most iconic wildlife, including Bengal Tigers, Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses, Snow Leopards, Red Pandas and Asian Elephants.

Stretching from just 60 metres above sea level in the southern Terai to over 8,800 metres at the summit of Everest, Nepal contains an exceptional range of ecosystems within a relatively small area. This dramatic variation in altitude creates habitats for more than 900 bird species and over 200 mammals, making the country one of Asia’s premier destinations for wildlife watching, birding and nature photography.

The lowland national parks of Chitwan and Bardia offer some of the finest tiger safaris outside India, while Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is internationally renowned for migratory waterbirds and one of the world’s best places to see the endangered Bengal Florican. In the Himalayas, remote protected areas such as Sagarmatha, Langtang and Kanchenjunga shelter elusive mountain species including Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep and the elusive Snow Leopard.

Whether searching for rhinos in the Terai grasslands, photographing Himalayan Monals in alpine forests or exploring high-altitude valleys beneath the world’s highest peaks, Nepal offers an unforgettable combination of spectacular scenery and exceptional wildlife that few destinations can match.