FLYING NEPAL - AIR AMBULANCE STANDBY

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked central Himalayan country in South Asia.

The country of Nepal is famous for being home to the tallest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. Eight of the 14 tallest mountains on the globe lie within the country's borders, including Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu and Cho Oyu. These mountains make Nepal a haven for professional climbers.

The Everest Climb

Reach the highest point on earth or choose to live out your dream by standing at the foot of Mt. Everest (8,848 m). The Everest region in Nepal is more than just trekking,  it is a milestone in anyone’s life, and some have even described the experience as a journey close to Nirvana. Located in the northeast province of Nepal, this is a colony to dramatic glaciers, deep settlements, several majestic mountains.

Passing through legendary Sherpa villages, the trek is a mix of a deeply cultural and spiritual experience in addition to the physical one. Buddhist lamas, monks and nuns led by Rinpoches (reincarnate lamas) serve the predominantly Sherpa com-munities from gompas (monasteries). The journey to Everest or Everest Base Camp, begins from Lukla, if you are taking a direct flight from the capital. However, for die-hard lovers of trekking, there is an another switchback starting from Jiri through the mid-hills of Solu; ethnically diverse and flora-rich.

Taking a flight is a time-saver while trekking from Jiri gives you the opportunity to take in each tiny detail of the trek, with extra time to to meet the charming people and see the rich flora and fauna on the trail. The option from Jiri will roughly take 10 days to reach the famous Sherpa village, Namche Bazaar (3,500m). The Sagarmatha National Park in the Khumbu is one of the few places on earth with the rarest biodiversity and the highest and youngest mountain system in the world.

For those with sufficient time, a 10-12 day trek through Solu to the Khumbu and the Sagarmatha National Park is an excellent itinerary both in terms of acclimatization and to experience the changing customs, traditions, and lifestyles as you pass through lower altitude settlements to those in the higher altitudes. A part of the Himalayan ecological zone, the park was added to the list of UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites in 1979. The park contains three of the world's seven highest mountains Sagarmatha or Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and Cho Oyu and is also home to several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6,000 meters.

Climbers and trekkers continue to trek to Everest Base Camp and not surprisingly the "Roof of the World" continues to be the scene of some of mountaineering's most significant accomplishments and a favored haven for alpine enthusiasts. The Everest region has been valued as the key to evolutionary history of the Earth, and is also a habitat for some rare and endangered species like snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan black bear, musk deer and Himalayan wolves.

Kathmandu The Capital City

Kathmandu's Durbar Square is picturesque and historic, and to reach it from Thamel you'll explore some colorful and lively alleyways en route. All of the guidebooks will have this down as a must-see, and they aren't wrong. However, what I would add is that you should leave yourself plenty of time to walk here. This way, you can check out some of the side streets, where you'll find little shops selling everything from Western clothes and colorful Saris to pots and pans, baked goods, coffee, and, of course, tea.

• There is an entrance fee, as this is a UNESCO Heritage site.
• If you're up for a long day, come back and see this at night, as well — it can be a lot of walking, but the square is like another world once it gets dark.
• The streets will be packed with pedestrians and motorists; watch where you're going and try not to get irritated at the constant horn beeping, part of the driving culture here.
• Bear in mind that parts of the monument were damaged during the April 2015 earthquake. It is still amazing to experience it however.

It's on Kathmandu's back streets where you'll find restaurants that look too small to be restaurants — and get quite possibly the most authentic experience eating with locals. If you find yourself in a small local restaurant with no menu, consider ordering the dishes in the tips that follow. Walking down Kathmandu's back streets is when I have met some of the more interesting people in the city, so I cannot recommend it enough.

• If you decide to eat with your hands, make sure to use only the right hand, as that is the cultural norm. The locals will usually giggle with enjoyment when they see you do this.
• Steamed "momo" are a good bet when it comes to street food.
• For breakfast, order "aloo chana" (sautéed potato and chickpeas).
• For lunch, go for "momo" (dumplings). Some places will only serve meat momo (usually chicken or buffalo), but vegetarian momo can be found.
• For dinner, get "dahl baht." Dahl is a lentil soup, and baht is rice, which comes with vegetables. For an even more authentic experience, eat like the Nepalese do: with your hands.
• Following the April 2015 earthquake, some buildings along the backstreet were left in poor structural condition, and are only still standing with the help of poles. Try to avoid these lanes if you stumble across them as they may not be secure.

In the '60s and early '70s, Kathmandu was a hub of the so called 'Hippie Trail,' and Jhhonchen Tole is the area where travelers would come to buy government-regulated marijuana. Those days are long past, and the drug is now illegal in Nepal, but Freak Street (now referred to as Old Freak Street) is still worth a visit for its cafes, restaurants, and stores selling clothes that will make you feel like you're back in the '60s. There are plenty of souvenir shops and cyber cafes; there are also several guesthouses, so if you care to stay in this area for a night, finding a place won't be a problem. If you have read about the old Freak Street of yesteryear, then my advice is to go in with an open mind — it has changed a lot, but so has almost all of Nepal. The history alone makes it worth a visit.

• You can visit Freak Street on the way to Durbar Square, or on the way back.
• Consider having lunch here, as there are more places to eat than in Durbar Square.

So you've had a long day of navigating some of Kathmandu's busiest pedestrian streets and visiting Durbar Square. Now you want to get a good meal and relax. Places offers comfortable floor seating, a consistently good music selection, and one of the few menus that doesn't have a single bad item on it (and I've tried almost everything they have). It's a good place to meet other travelers, and you will likely see a few locals here as well. During the day and earlier in the night, Places is a quiet spot, but later at night it gets busy, especially on weekends.

• The "Aubergine Pie" is one of their best dishes.
• There are hammocks on the roof.
• They often have live music in the evenings, and I have been here for some good jazz.

The Durbar Square in Patan is similar to the Durbar Square in Thamel, but with a history of its own. This square is home to an ancient palace and loads of beautiful architecture from the Newa people (one of the groups who occupied this area before Kathmandu was united into one city). Most of the architecture dates back to the 1600s, and like all three of the Durbar Squares, this one is a UNESCO Heritage site. The intricate craftsmanship on the wooden structures is something to marvel at: There has been some restoration work done over the years, but it has been done well, and most of what you see here today is original.

• The entrance fee to the square includes entrance to the first floor of the Patan Museum.
• If coming from Thamel, take a micro bus from Rutna Park and ask for Patan Durbar Square. It should be a 15-minute walk from where they drop you off.
• Stroll through the residential alleyways if you have extra time — there are many small stupas and temples to see.
• Note that while some monuments were affected by the April 2015 earthquake, this square regained its ambiance quickly. Be mindful for ongoing reconstructions in the surrounding lanes however.

Located inside Patan's central Durbar Square and containing art dating back to the 7th century, Patan Museum is a must-see, even though it's sometimes overlooked (the first time I walked through Durbar Square, I had no idea it was even there.) The museum has been changed in the last few years and is now a combination of three museums. There are sections specifically for art relating to Hinduism, Buddhism, and architecture, making this is one of the nicest, most unique museums I have seen in Asia. The breadth of art that has been curated here is not only beautiful, but educational; there is so much history in every piece.

Block out at least an hour or two to make the most of the experience; it's not the cheapest museum to get into, but it's worth it.

Also known as the 'Monkey Temple,' this place is about a 40-minute walk from Kathmandu's Thamel area, close enough that it makes for a nice half-day trip. You will see loads of monkeys that are comfortable enough to come close to the visitors, making for some great photo opportunities. Swayambhunath Temple is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the area, so please be respectful and (as I would also suggest for all of Nepal) do not wear revealing clothing.

• There is an entrance fee charge.
• It's ideal to go for sunset because there is a nice view of Kathmandu; consequently, that is also the busier time, so if you want peace and quiet, go early in the morning.
• Following the April 2015 earthquake, areas of this complex may still be undergoing reconstruction efforts during your visit. This in itself is a moving sight to see!

In Thamel, the company Social Tours offers a Nepali Cooking Course two times a day: in the morning and then in the afternoon. You will learn to cook 'momo' (dumplings), 'dahl baht' (Nepal's national dish of lentils, rice, and vegetables), or 'alu parantha' (like a chapati with mashed potatoes inside). The kitchen is clean, the program is well organized, the chef is a great teacher, and the recipes are outstanding. These are the best spinach-and-cheese momo I have eaten in all of Nepal (and I have tried many). The day starts with the chef taking you to a small local market to buy the ingredients you will cook with, and after you cook you'll get to eat with some of the employees. The best part about this (besides the momo) is that there is no price — at the end of the class, you pay whatever you think it was worth.

• Choose the momo course; it's technical, and you will learn more. (They will also be happy to send you the recipe for dahl baht anyway, so you can cook it at home.)
• This is especially nice on your last day — you'll leave Kathmandu with a good taste in your mouth (literally!)

Mountain biking is rapidly developing as a popular sport among locals in Nepal: the terrain throughout the country is ideal, and Kathmandu is no exception. Yes, it is a big, busy city, but the unique thing about Kathmandu is that it doesn't really taper off into suburbs — rather, it comes to an abrupt halt and changes from city to countryside. Taking a bike tour is a perfect way to explore the areas directly outside the city, and various tour groups offer options for all skill levels. You can ride through small villages or national parks, all in close proximity to the city center.

Make sure you choose a reputable company to ride with — having a knowledgeable and well-prepared guide can make all the difference.

Located in the heart of Thamel, OR2K not only has good food but also a great ambiance, with lots of art on the walls, relaxed floor seating, and atmospheric tunes. It's a trendy place, therefore good for meeting other travelers. If you don't have so much time to sit and eat, then check out their falafel shop, located on the corner of Mandala Drive, right next to the entrance of OR2K. They use freshly baked chapati and make the falafel right in front of you; the tahini is locally made as well.

• If you think the falafel wrap may be too much food, go for the falafel and chips bowl — it's just as tasty, but without the bread!
• I have often been with people who like to share the combo platter, but if you are very hungry, then it's a good portion for one.
• The WiFi here is good.

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