Nepal is a backpacker’s haven, what with the famed Himalayan range being its most noted trekking and backpacking circuit. Nepal also prides itself on the Annapurna range, which is also a backpacker’s treat. In fact, the Nepalesealpine valleys and hills are considered to be the best hiking, trekking and backpacking location in the entire world by seasoned travellers!

To go backpacking in Nepal, though, one needs to keep in mind a few important points. These backpacking information on Nepal are quite important to ensure that one’s trip is conducted smoothly and one can enjoy oneself to the ultimate –

• Several permits are required – one being a Visa to enter Nepal  and another being the essential trekking permit.

• The months that are best suited for backpacking in Nepal are October and November, considering that the weather is at its best during this time

• Food and lodging are not an issue, since there are numerous villages scattered all along the trekking trail offering these facilities. Water, though, needs to be carried all the time

These little tips would definitely help the experienced and the novice backpacker in making his / her trip to Nepal a success!

The Maldives, a tourist hotspot owing to its calm, serene beaches and its various water-sports and adventure activities, is gradually becoming a vacationer’s delight owing to the hospitality offered by the locals. Among the many things that make a traveller to the Maldives rave about it, is the tantalizing taste of Maldives! The awesome cuisine of Maldives is sure to leave the visitor licking his fingertips!

Maldives cuisine comprises a diverse assortment of delectable dishes ranging from the most amazing seafood to vegetarian delights. Tere is something for every ‘foodie’ to gorge on! The traditional recipes and the age-old cooking methods only go on to underscore the scrumptiousness of the fare.

Maldives cuisine, though largely oriental, has been of late incorporated with other elements as well. Earlier, the tantalizing taste of Maldives was largely its own, though a touch of Arabic, Indian, and Sri Lankan tastes were also seen. Today, the tourist has a wide range of international options to choose from, considering that Thai, Middle Eastern and Continental varieties have also made their foray into the land.

The Maldives, lying in the Indian Ocean, are an archipelago offering over 80 islands dedicated solely to tourist traffic. In fact, the Maldives is among the most-visited beach sites in the entire world.

The Maldives is very famous for its water-based sporting activities among other tourist attractions. Most people visit the Maldives for participating in and getting a high out such adventure sports as snorkelling, scuba-diving and more. Scuba-diving in the Maldives is an amazing activity that can be done throughout the year. In fact, there is no off-season for diving in the Maldives. It is possible to go diving on organised trips or you  can also consult a yacht agent who can advise you on organising your own yacht for a scuba diving expedition. The Maldives has a large number of beautiful spots ideal for scuba diving and exploring by boat.

The scuba diving season in the Maldives is broken up into two – the North East Monsoon Season, between December and April, and the South West Monsoon Season, between May and December. The North East Monsoon Season has sunnier days and the weather is dry, offering excellent visibility. The South West Monsoon Season is rainier and temperatures are cooler. However, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks can be seen during this seen towards the Eastern edge of the diving locations, though the weather might be a little rough on these edges.

Considering that scuba-diving is good to go all year round in the Maldives, you need not actually plan a vacation, but take a weekend break and head over!

Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, is a veritable treasure house of beaches and seaside locales for the traveller to bask in. Phuket, however, offers not just calm, serene, golden sand beaches for you to relax in. If you are the hardcore adventure and sports buff, Phuket offers you the best scuba diving, snorkelling, SNUBA, yachting and jet-skiing experience ever!

The coasts of Phuket, with its colourful reefs and coralforests are an awesome place to go diving in. Phuket, with its decent dive sites and snorkelling areas has a number of expert diving operatorswho assist tourists in their diving activities. In fact, these professionals offer a variety of diving safaris for the traveller to choose from.

Among the most famous, the Dolphin safari in Phuket is a must-do once you’re in the island! The most amazing part of such diving is that you can observe dolphins in their natural surroundings. This means, that your diving trip is dedicated solely to watching these dolphins and their myriad activities. Dolphin safaris are also awesome, because you may actually touch and feed them, provided you have professional guidance.

The largest city of Myanmar and its erstwhile capital, Yangon sees thousands of travellers come to its land every year. An extremely popular vacation destination, Yangon is essentially a city from the past, proudly displaying its ancient architecture and heritage sites. A lot of people come to Yangon just to breathe in this essence of the past that so seamlessly mixes with the spirit of the present.

Some of the most amazing places to visit in Yangon include the Schwedagon Pagoda or Paya, standing atop Singuttara Hill, is the most sacred site in all of Yangon. Some of the other Pagodas that are must-visit attractions in Yangon include Sule Paya (Sule Pagoda), Botataung Paya, Kaba Aye (World Piece) Pagoda, Chauk Htat Gyi Pagoda, housing the fourth largest reclining Buddha, Nga Htat Gyi Pagoda, Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda and the Kyauk Taw Gyi Pagoda.

Apart from these religious structures, Yangon has a host of other sightseeing locations to offer the thoroughbred traveller. Mahabandoola Garden, People’s Park, Hlawgar Wildlife Park, Kandawgyi Park and Lake, Inya Lake, Martyrs’ Mausoleum, Aung San and Aung San Suu Kyi’s Houses, Defence Services Museum, Allied War Memorial Cemetery and Bogyoke Aung San Market should definitely feature on the top of your list of places to visit in  Yangon.

Shanghai, the eighth largest city in the world is an astounding juxtaposition of the east and west, a coming together of the ancient and the modern. It is this amazing vitality and changing colour that brings a lot of travellers to Shanghai.

Shanghai has a number of sightseeing locations that are a treat for the tourist. These places of interest include historical and cultural landmarks such as the Jade Buddha Temple, Lu Xun Memorial and Gravesite, Temple of the Town God, Old City Wall  and Zhonggong Yidahuizhi. There are also a number of museums that include Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts, ShanghaiNatural History Museum, Elegant Art Gallery and Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.

Apart from the places to go in Shanghai, there are a lot of things to do in this amazing  city. Shopping tops the list of things to do in Shanghai since the city is the world’s best shopping destination. Apart from that, there is the nightlife to be enjoyed with a variety of entertainment options available for one and all – right from amazing food joints to the fabulous bars! You can have all the fun in the world by coming to Shanghai on your next trip!

Sri Lanka, an exotic island country situated in the east, is one of the most incredible tourist destinations in the entire world. A traveller’s haven, Sri Lanka was once known as ‘paradise’ by ancient sea-farers who journeyed for adventure tonew lands. Today, Sri Lanka is still untouched – waiting to be explored by travellers from across the world!

The island country is fringed by golden sands and lovely coastal areas which help it make a beach-traveller’s favourite retreat. These virgin beaches offer the tourist a veritable mix of fun and frolic! The mountains and forests in Sri Lanka are also famed for the many national parks which help preserve a variety of animals and birds. These are must-visit places, if you are the animal-lover since, you can surely see the most fabulous species of flora and fauna.

Sri Lanka is famed for the Seven Heritage Site declared by UNESCO which comprise the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the Dutch fort of Galle, the Temple of the Tooth “Dalada Maligawa”, and Polonnaruwa and its reclining Buddha among others.

Sri Lanka also serves up exquisite cuisines that will leave you licking your fingertips and greedy for more! So, if you’re planning your next vacations, tale a trip to Sri Lanka and come back refreshed and rejuvenated!