The Himalayas and Mt Everest

Some people come to Nepal for the culture, others to learn about the local Buddhist religion, but the Himalayan country’s dramatic natural landscape is the biggest draw of all. Mt Everest, the world’s tallest peak and the crowning jewel on many a peak-bagger’s bucket list, rises 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level. Even if you aren’t planning to shell out the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to climb the peak, you’ll still find jaw-dropping scenery in spades.

The best time to enjoy the Himalayas and views of Mt Everest are from early March through the middle of May and again from early September through mid-November when temperatures are relatively warm and the skies tend to be clear and blue. From Kathmandu, it’s possible to trek into the Himalayas for a day to multiple weeks, hopping from one village to the next along the way. To see the mountains from above, take a flight tour of the Himalayas or a Mt Everest fly-by.