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17 December 2020 09:03
Feel on top of the world in Nepal
Join us as we scale the world's highest wonder...
If anywhere deserves to make the Natural Wonder list, the tallest point in the world does. Mount Everest was named after Sir George Everest, a man responsible for mapping much of Asia and the Himalayas. Unlike other natural wonders, few animals call this destination home. Almost no wildlife is found above 20,000 feet as snow prevents even the hardiest lichens and mosses from growing.
Mount Everest's most famous appearance in film came in 2015 in 'Everest' an adventure starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The story followed the real events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, when eight climbers sadly lost their lives while descending from the summit. Bear Grylls became the youngest Brit to conquer the mountain when he reached its peak at just 23 years old. The extreme survivor took on the climb just 18 months after breaking three vertebrae in a parachuting challenge.
Tourism on earth's highest peak has boomed in recent years. However, scaling the mountain is no small (or cheap) feat. A permit to climb the natural wonder costs $25,000 (approx. £19,000) and the ascent, when factoring in time to acclimatise, can take as long as ten weeks. Although treks to the base of the mountain are substantially cheaper and far easier to complete, the best way to see the summit is from the sky. Scenic flights are widely available and depart from Nepal's capital Kathmandu.
Although the summit lies on the border of three countries, it's probably best to experience Everest from Nepal. Away from the mountain, the 'roof of the world' as it's often known, is a hub for Buddhist culture. Lumbini is a must-see for temples and shrines and its monasteries offer a unique glimpse into traditions in the region. And if the breath-taking views of the Himalayas ever start to lose their charm, Chitwan National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinguished by its savannahs and teeming with wildlife, including one-horned rhinos.
At World First we provide travel insurance for trips to Asia, so nothing can bring you down from your trip to the 'roof of the world'.
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