Nepal is a melting pot of diverse religions and cultures. Here you can experience the perfect amalgamation of two of the worlds greatest religions - buddhism and hinduism. This unique blend has resulted in the most amazing and intriguing of cultures. Kathmandu valley is replete with legends and myths. Legend has it that Kathmandu valley was once a great lake and Manjushree is said to have slashed a hill, which is presently known as Chovar, to drain the water to give us Kathmandu valley as we know it. Today it is no longer an expansive watery body but a vast lake of architectural and cultural wonder. This small valley surrounded by mountains and hills that soar up to the sky have seen kingdoms rise and fall and Nepalese art and culture develop and flourish. Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan, the three districts that make up the valley, each have extraordinary history that rivals each other. It is no wonder that seven UNESCO designated world heritage sites are situated within a radius of a few kms in the valley. The commercial and political hub of the kingdom, Kathmandu is the most densely populated city in the whole country. Modern yet traditional, the city offers a window to the glorious past of the valley. Just walking through the narrow lanes of the city is a travel back into time. Unchanged for centuries some of the places look like open air museums with skillfully built temples, palaces and stone structures which bear testimony to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the city. It is also home to Kumari, the living child goddess who is the protector of the city. Chosen at the age of four or five, the Kumari Devi is the most important of the several living goddesses in Nepal. Another interesting city is Pokhara famous for its pristine climate and beautiful lakes. You can visit the major sites there and soak in the sun at the famous Phewa Lake and gaze in the amazing reflection of the mountains on the lake. No trip to Nepal is complete without visiting one of the various wildlife sanctuaries. These wildlife reserves located in the flood plains of the country attract visitors from all over the world. It is quite amazing to see that the country holds such diversity in a small area. The magnificence of the towering mountains is matched by the abundance of wildlife in the tiny kingdom. A foray into the deep jungles of the terai is stepping into the domain of the Royal Bengal tiger, or Sher Khan made famous by Rudyard Kipling in his ever popular ‘Jungle Book”. So you can step into the shoes of Mowgli to match his escapades and relive the adventure. The various parks scattered around the country offer a unique opportunity to view a variety of animals from close quarters. Several resorts that boast comfortable accommodation and delectable cuisine dot the parks. Manned by trained personnel they provide various wildlife activities like safaris on elephant backs, walks thorough the jungle, canoe trips that take you deep into the jungle, beyond the beaten tracks. The anticipation of encountering a rhino or a tiger face to face or listening to the sights and sounds of the jungle gives you a high beyond comprehension. Apart from animals the culture and lifestyle of the tharus, the local indigenous people of the terai, offer a unique cultural experience. We can also make a tour of Lumbini the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautam Buddha, the apostle of peace, compassion and non-violence. The broken Ashoka pillar, remnant of an old monastery, images of Buddha's mother Maya Devi, etc. are preserved in Lumbini.