Sitting in the lap of greatest heights of the Himalaya, Nepal is where the ice-cold of the mountains meets the steamy heat of the steamy heat. A land of yaks and yetis, Stupas and Sherpas and some of the best trekking on earth offers you hospitality with great care and love. The Himalaya's most sophisticated urban cultures took shape here, in the three great minikingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur - home to a world-class artistic and architectural heritage.

In Kathmandu, admire magnificent royal residences, cobbled streets, ancient squares and buildings sprinkled with intricately hand-carved windows set against a backdrop of the majestic Himalaya. In the narrow lanes and alleys, jostle with Nepalese people in a happy and lively atmosphere. Visit artists markets, temples, pagodas, a hill resort and a local home.