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A Kathmandu resident helps families decide whether to "do" Nepal in winter, spring, summer or fall by exploring adventure options like trekking, river rafting, elephant safaris, and plain old sightseeing.

I'm sure most of you associate, as did before my first visit, the Himalayas' Mt. Everest with Nepal. But did you know Nepal offers great white water rafting, jungles, tigers, rhinos and elephant polo? Nepal is one of the best destinations for families. There is so much to do and see and much of it can be quite affordable, but you'll have to make choices about which activities or regions you prefer before deciding what time of year to go.

Due to periodic Travel Warnings issued by the U.S. Dept of State about the current security environment in Nepal and urging that U.S. citizens defer non-essential travel, FTF has chosen not to update this famiy travel story. For more inforamtion, visit the Department of State online.

In this deeply religious country, citizens practice a Hinduism full of Tibetan Buddhist strains. There are temples and prayer shrines everywhere: en route, in the villages, and even in some guest houses. If you time your visit for one of the many festivals that occur throughout the year, you might be lucky enough to see the kind of joyous and colorful celebrating that the Nepalese excel at.

Trekking

Over a typical summer vacation, hiking at altitude or "trekking" is the only adventure option, due to the seasonal monsoon. Up on the Jomsom trail leading to Annapurna (the world's 5th tallest mountain at 26,500 feet), the weather is mild and lovely and, since it's off season, the trail is not crowded. You'll follow the Kali Gandaki River gorge between the soaring peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulgiri, a hike well-suited to families. The route is dotted with small villages and guest houses, and no technical climbing skills are required. Indeed, this trail is so popular with American trekkers that it has been nicknamed "the apple pie trail."

In general, well-maintained trails are a continual up and downhill challenge throughout the trekker's day. The scenery is, of course, always spectacular, and you will pass herds of goats and, if high enough, yak (they only live at altitudes above 10,000 feet). Some treks go through Tibetan refugee areas, others through Newari or Sherpa villages. In all cases, the people are sweet and friendly, and will be delighted to talk to you and show you around their village.

Since tourism is Nepal's top income earner, several international and local outfitters now organize different levels of treks to all major areas. On some circuits, you can organize your own trek; maps are easy to follow, and you can usually find a few freelance guides (Sherpas) to walk with you and carry large backpacks, so you only lug essentials and a camera. Experienced family hikers should carefully judge kids' stamina before planning a trek. Though hikers over 8 years old well do very well on the Jomsom trail, you might consider hiring a Sherpa to carry small children who tire easily.

White Water Rafting

Summer, however fine for trekking, is not the time of year for white water rafting, since the rains make the rivers too full. Rafting season is from late September to early December (brr!), and from March until May. The waters are low (which makes them safer for children) in March and April, as well as in October and November, although by mid-November it's probably getting a little too cold. Rafting trips range from the fairly luxurious to the more participatory trips, where you help with the rafting, setting up camp, cooking, etc. There are short, under one week trips available, as well as much longer ones.

Safaris and Elephant Polo

Nepal also has several national parks and preserves. Royal Chitwan National Park, in southern Nepal's Terai, bordering India, is probably the most famous. It hosts the world famous Tiger Tops Resort and the annual World Elephant Polo Tournament (held every December), with over 20 teams participating from around the world. Aside from the tournament, the park offers daily elephant safaris, where the entire family can ride on one to see (if you're lucky) rhinos, Bengal tigers, and Gharial crocodiles. Many of the lodges close during monsoon, so the best time to go is October through February.