| Nepal is a land of beauty. Amazingly, for such a small | | | | There are so many things to do in Nepal that this is |
| area, there are about 50 ethnic groups, or castes, | | | | reason enough to cause many visitors to go Nepal |
| each with their own culture and traditions. Before you | | | | trekking once, twice, or even more often. Where cities |
| make your trek to Nepal you will find it interesting to | | | | are concerned there is an area known as the |
| study the names of the groups. Some people use the | | | | Kathmandu Valley. This area has three great towns - |
| name of their ethnic group as their surname. The | | | | Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. You might want to |
| caste system provides for many occupational castes | | | | plan a visit to at least one of these areas. There is still |
| which include everything from Hindu Priests to Potters | | | | evidence in each of these three towns to show the |
| and butchers. | | | | competitive midiaeval mini-kingdoms. |