Travel in Nepal

Nepal ranks high on most adventurers’ bucket lists, and with good reason. Home to the magnificent Himalayas, Nepal reigns supreme when it comes to landscapes. Its world-famous trekking routes and national parks teem with vastly underrated wildlife. In its bustling market cities, cultures collide and living divinities hold court over ancient spiritualism.

They may cross six countries and contain many colossal mountains such as Everest and K2, but journeying through the Himalayas isn't just about making it to the top. The following five treks will give you more than just sore feet and lots of photos of snow-capped peaks.

Trim out the religious and/or mystical connotations and Buddhism boils down to something quite simple – brain training. Emptying your mind of white noise in the Buddhist manner – and thereby opening it up to richer focus and awareness – has never been easy. But the digital age is making it even harder, with an ever-billowing storm of information clamouring for our attention. So, retreat – a Tibetan Buddhist monastery might just be the perfect balm to your perpetually flicking and scrolling mind.

If you're planning an autumnal escape, check out where our editors and writers have chosen as their favourite destinations at this time of year.

Nepal’s energetic capital is the entry point for most travellers who come to this mountainous and culture rich country. Foreigners tend to apply a “get in and get out” policy to the sometimes overwhelmingly chaotic city, sunk in the basin of the Kathmandu Valley. There are, however, plenty of remarkable sights in the metropolis to make a few days or more here compelling, memorable and – though it may seem surprising – relaxing. Here are our top tips on the best things to do in Kathmandu.

Last week something remarkable happened: a new national park was born in Chile. The million-acre Parque Pumalín was, in a previous life, defunct farmland, but a 25-year rewildling project has slowly turned the region into a haven for wildlife.

From the beautiful yet little-known volcanoes of Kamchatka in Russia to the birthplace of Buddha in Nepal, we round up 20 of the most overlooked UNESCO World Heritage sites you should visit.

In April 2015, Nepal hit global headlines when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated the country, killing almost 9000 people. Two years on, Nepal continues to recover, but it remains as fantastic a destination as ever.

If your favourite way to travel is with two feet and a heartbeat, this selection of the world's best walks will be a dream come true for you.

Tibetans call the world's highest mountain Chomolungma, 'Goddess Mother of the World', while the Nepali authorities use the name Sagarmatha. The British on the other hand named it after a Welshman, Sir George Everest who first accurately surveyed the peak from India.

Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, these places are sure to give you a spine-tingling experience. From ghosts to other supernatural beings — here are a few of the most haunted places in the world.

On an island filled with weird and wonderful living things, the spiny forest has to be Madagascar's most unusual ecosystem. Endemic to the south of the island, the forest is distinguished by tall, virtually branchless plants with dagger-like spikes, and dumpy succulents with swollen trunks. Elegant sifaka lemurs leap from tree to tree with ease, effortlessly avoiding the lethal thorns.

Planning ahead and wondering about the best places to visit in April? Our run-down of exactly that will help you find your perfect spring break.

The information in this article is inspired by the The Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for visiting the world.

For most visitors, coming to Nepal is a chance to experience the great mountains. However, once here most people are quick to realize that Nepal’s artistic heritage and fascinating wildlife are all an equal draw to the mighty peaks. Here are some of the best things to do in Nepal, to give you a taste of why you should visit this beautiful country.

As autumn looms in the north and spring blossoms in the south, October is a beautiful month around the world. As a result, our recommendations for the best places to visit in October are nothing but diverse. Dive in for inspiration, whether you fancy an arty city break, or want to drink in the last of Europe's sunshine. Tempted to go for a bucket-list-level trip? We've got that covered too.

In collaboration with our diverse team of writers, editors, and staff members, we have curated a list of the best holiday destinations worldwide. Prepare to be captivated by these extraordinary recommendations, which are sure to awaken your wanderlust and ignite your passion for travel.

It’s not just height that makes a mountain mean. Different routes can make one side of a mountain a cinch and the other side nearly impossible. The weather can turn a technically easy climb into a deadly expedition. Whatever the weather, many aspire to tackle the world's hardest mountains to climb. Here's our ranking of the 11 trickiest ascents. Glorious and gruelling, gorgeous and grim – these peaks are as dangerous as they are awe-inspiring.

Editor’s Note: This CNN Travel series is, or was, sponsored by the country it highlights. CNN retains full editorial control over subject matter, reporting and frequency of the articles and videos within the sponsorship, in compliance with our policy.

For those truly epic, once-in-a-lifetime destinations, you want to leave your itinerary to the experts. Whether your dream is to see the Big Five on an African Safari, trek tall mountains, explore European cities, or something even wilder, a group tour is the easiest way to do it.