Regions

Nepal is divided into five development regions, from east to west:

• Eastern Nepal – Everest region, Arun valley, Kanchenjunga, Ilam.
• Central Nepal – Kathmandu and Langtang region.
• Western Nepal – Pokhara and the Annapurna region
• Mid Western Nepal – Dhaulagiri Himalaya, Dolpa, inner Terai valleys and Jumla.
• Far Western Nepal – Mahakali river.

These are further divided into fourteen administrative zones called 'anchal'.

Other regions (most of these are popular names, not official district/region titles): Annapurna, Everest, Kathmandu Valley, Langtang, Mustang, Terai

Cities and Towns

• Kathmandu – capital and cultural center of Nepal
• Pokhara - Picturesque lake-side town, and the base for many activities. Great live music scene, with plenty of cool bars and hotels. Fast becoming the destination of choice for travelers due to the scenery, adventure sports and nightlife.
• Bhaktapur – well-preserved historical city, center of Nepali pottery making.
• Biratnagar – this city is in eastern Nepal near Dharan and famous for political reason.
• Birgunj – business gateway between India and Nepal. It is in mid-southern Nepal.
• Janakpur - a historical religious centre and home to the 500-year old Janaki Temple.
• Namche Bazaar – a Sherpa settlement located in the Solu Khumbu region - popular with trekkers
• Nepalgunj – the main hub for the Mid- and Far-Western Development Region. Bardiya National Park is close-by
• Patan – sister-city of Kathmandu and metal working center

Climate

Nepal has a Monsoonal climate with four main seasons - though traditionally a year was categorized into six distinct climate periods: Basanta (spring), Grishma (early summer), Barkha (summer monsoon), Sharad (early autumn), Hemanta (late autumn) and Shishir (winter).

Below is a general guide to conditions at different seasons:

• Heavy monsoonal rains from June to September - the rains are generally lighter high in the Himalayas than in Kathmandu, though the mountain peaks are often lost in cloud.
• Clear and cool weather from October to December - after the monsoon, there is little dust in the air so this is the best season to visit the mountains.
• Cold from January to March, with the temperature in Kathmandu often dropping as low as 0°C (32°F) at night, with extreme cold at high elevations. It is possible to trek in places like the Everest region during the winter, but it is extremely cold and snow fall may prevent going above 4,000 - 4,500 meters (13,000 - 15,000 feet). The Jomosom trek is a reasonable alternative, staying below 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) with expected minimum temperatures about -10°C (14°F) (and much better chances of avoiding heavy snow.)
• Dry and warm weather from April to June - there is an abundance of blooming flowers in the Himalayas at this time, with rhododendrons, in particular, adding a splash of color to the landscape. Terai temperatures may reach or exceed 40°C (104°F) while Kathmandu temperatures are about 30°C (86°F).