NEPAL – SO CLOSE TO HEAVEN
A land of ancient cultures, diverse peoples and religions, and an eventful history between tradition and modernity. A journey to discover Nepal’s natural beauty and the people who live in this remote setting.
Nepal – A land where primeval forests meet mountain deserts, with both tropical regions and icy peaks. One of the poorest countries in the world and yet a magical, mystical place, realm of the gods and a spiritual paradise. A country of ancient cultures, many peoples, multiple religions and an eventful history, caught up between tradition and modernity. We cross the country from east to west on the Mahendra Highway, passing through the world’s highest mountains, the Himalayas. In the first part we start in the east, in the lower Himalayas on the border to India, a scenic hilly landscape where we visit the tea plantations of Ilam. Via Janakpur we continue to Chitwan National Park and finally to Mount Everest and the fertile Kathmandu Valley. The second part takes us from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Muktinath via the original villages of the former Mustang kingdom to Pokhara and Phewa Lake and onward to the spectacular trekking routes in the Annapurna area and to Bardia National Park. Wonders of nature alternate with cultural sites, pilgrimage sites with busy bazaars, Buddhist with Hindu sanctuaries. A journey to discover Nepal’s natural beauty and the people who make their lives in this harsh and remote setting.
Episodes: From Ilam to Kathmandu / From Manang to Bhim Datta