Highlights of Himalayan Frontiers

Lumbini was the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Lord Buddha, in 623 BC and has been a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists for thousands of years. The Indian Emperor Ashoka visited and built a commemorative pillar which can still be seen today. Numerous temple complexes have been built here over the years.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha

Nepal's capital is a fascinating city narrow streets and alleyways, palaces and hidden temples, with a huge diversity of people. The city is centred around Durbar Square, home to the Royal Palace and numerous temples. The alleys leading from the square are filled with shops and bazaars selling an amazing range of products. The Buddhist stupa of Swayambhu, known as the monkey temple, is the oldest holy shrine in the valley and offers spectacular views. Bodhnath Stupa is one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, surrounded by temples. Pashupati is the most famous Hindu temple in Nepal, set on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kathmandu Valley

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim, located between Nepal and Bhutan, which was annexed by India in 1975. Steeped in Tibetan culture, the town offers spectacular views of the Himalayan peaks. Its attractions include the Drodul Chorten surrounded by 108 prayer wheels which commemorates the victory of good over evil, the Institute of Tibetology which contains numerous priceless religious paintings (thangkas), statues and Buddhist books and manuscripts and the Rumtek Monastery outside of town, the largest in Sikkim and the headquarters of the Kagyupa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Pemayangste Monastery is the principal monastery of Sikkim, founded in the 17th century, and the centre of the Nyingmapa sect. This is a mystical type of Tantric Buddhism derived from Tibetan Lamaism, whose monks are characterised by the red caps they wear. Nearby lies Kecheopelri or the Wishing Lake, the holiest lake in Sikkim and a place of pilgrimage for both Buddhists and Hindus.

The Paro Valley is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan, located along the Paro Chu River with rice fields, pine-covered hills and many of the country's most famous and historic dzongs. The Taktseng Monastery is the most famous and sacred in Bhutan, perched spectacularly on a cliff face 900 metres over the valley. Translated as 'Tiger's Nest' based on the legend that its founder flew there on the back of a tiger, the monastery can be reached on foot but tourists aren't allowed to enter. Drukgyal Dzong, or Victorious Fortress, is located along the main route between Bhutan and Tibet and was named after a 17th century Tibetan invasion was defeated. The imposing fortress of Ta Dzong today houses the National Museum with an excellent collection of sacred scrolls, religious icons, Bhutanese stamps and walls covered in thanka paintings and colourful murals. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the holiest temples in Bhutan and is believed to date back to the 7th century when it was built to subdue a demoness. The Paro Festival, held every year in springtime, brings a carnival atmosphere to the town and monks engage in masked dances and prayer meetings that celebrate Bhutanese legends and traditions.

Punakha is located in eastern Bhutan, reached from Thimpu or Paro by a spectacular road journey over the Dochula Pass, which at 3,050 metres provides magnificent views over the eastern Himalayas. Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, is located in a sub-tropical valley at 1,350 metres. The 17th century Punakha Dzong was once the seat of the Bhutanese government but today is the winter retreat of the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. Located on the confluence of two rivers, the dzong is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture comprising numerous tiered halls, inner courtyards and golden spires. The nearby Cimi Lakgang Monastery is a beautiful sacred temple built in the 15th century by the 'Mad Monk', the Lama Drukpa Kunley.