Nepal, officially Kingdom of Nepal, is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, bordered by China to the north and by India to the south, east and west. The origin of the name Nepal is uncertain, but the most popular understanding is that it derived from Ne (holy) and pal (cave).
For a small territory, the Nepali landscape is uncommonly diverse, ranging from the humid Terai in the south to the lofty Himalayas in the north.
Nepal boasts eight of the world’s ten highest mountains. The world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) at 8,850 m is located on the border with Tibet. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, is also located on its eastern border with Sikkim.

Most of the trekking Nepal is called “Tea-House Trekking” as the day’s hike is between guesthouse-filled towns. While this doesn’t make the treks that much easier, it means there is no need for tents, food, water, or beer– all those things, plus luxuries such as apple-pie, can be purchased along the way. Remote trekking is also possible, but unless you are an experienced wilderness trekker, it is recommended to hire a guide and porters.

• Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek: Stunning scenery, Wonderful people. While trekking is possible in this area the whole year round, the best times to visit are from the beginning of March to mid May and from the beginning of September to mid November.
  The trek can be as short as a two day walk from Lukla to Namche or an eight to ten day trip to Everest Base Camp. Irrespective of the length of the journey, as there are no roads in the area, it will definitely involve putting on hiking boots and walking the mountain paths. Trekking permits are not required for the Everest (Khumbu) region
• Annapurna Circuit: A 3-4 week trek around the Annapurna mountains. May be considered as one of the best treks in Nepal. This trek takes you through distinct sceneries of rivers, flora, fauna and above all - mountains. The trek goes counter-clockwise and reaches its summit in Thorung La (pass) at the height of 5416 m
• The trek typically starts at Besishar. Tourist and local (longer trip with more stops, but cheaper) buses will get you from Kathmandu to Besishar in a drive that is quite spectacular in itself for the Middle Hills scenery you pass through and the narrow, windy road
• Jonsom-Muktinath Trek: The last week of the Annapurna Circuit, done in the opposite direction. Known as the “Apple-Pie Trek” partly for crossing the apple growing region of Nepal, and partly for being one of the easier (but far from “easy”) treks
• Helambu-Langtang Trek: Relatively easy Trek from Kathmandu. The Langtang Trek provides an opportunity to see the nearly whole Nepalese Himalayan mountain range from Annapurna in the west, to Makalu in the east

One reliable and highly recommended trekking company is run by the very experienced Ngawang Sherpa: yontensherpa@yahoo.com. You may also choose Himalayan Humanity, a tour company run by a former porter and an advocate for porter rights and social responsible trekking.

[Photo: View of Annapurnas from Ghorepani. By Maj. Text partly derived from Wikitravel. This post is released under the CC license]