Climbers brave enough to summit the world’s highest mountains avoided Nepal between 1996 and 2006, when Maoist insurgents blockaded roads, bombed tourist areas and held up trekkers. Even the Peace Corps packed up shop. But thanks to a 2006 peace accord, Nepal is safe again for Mount Everest summits, not to mention less challenging treks through this small central Asian nation. You don’t have to spend all your time going up 25,000-foot peaks, either. Nepal hosts a rich variety of downhill adventures too — on bicycles, horseback, river rafts and canoes.

 

The birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Nepal is home to seven UNESCO heritage sites and several pilgrimage sites holy to Hindus. Pasupatinath, dedicated to Shiva the destroyer and dating back to the 5th century, is the holiest of them all; only Hindus are allowed in the temple courtyard. But don’t let that — or concerns of a renewed insurgency — stop you from visiting this rewarding destination.