Swayambhunath"The Monkey Temple" in the Khathmandu Valley. It is probably the most sacred among pilgrimage sites for Tibetan Buddhists.

The Rhesus Macaques at Swayambhunath are regarded as holy by Tibetan Buddhists. The belief is that the Bodhisattva of Wisdom called Manjushri created the monkeys that live here.

Kathmandu Durbar Square is both Hindu and Buddhist. The Taleju Temple is the oldest and dates from the 16th century. Many buildings here are being restored due to the  devastating earthquake in 2015.

Prayer wheels are spun by Tibetan Buddhist devotees as part of

their daily worship. The mantra

Om Mani Padme Hum

- ॐ मणिपद्मे हूँ -

is on most prayer wheels.

Boudhanath Stupa.

There has been a Stupa here since 400 AD. It is the largest Stupa in Nepal and also the holiest Tibetan Buddhist Temple outside Tibet.

There are at least 29 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries & Nunneries) around Boudhanath.  An estimated 300 Buddhist monks and Nunns from all different sects of Buddhism live here.

Once a year Boudhanath Stupa gets re-painted and new prayer flags are added. The red paint is made from a water and saffron mix and the white is a lime wash. It is a great honour to be asked to paint the Stupa.

Nepal is a stunning country and the Nepali people are some of the friendliest I have met. Around 25 percent of the population live below the poverty line making Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world.

Pashupatinath Hindu Temple complex is located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. This is a very sacred place where you find Pashupatinath Hindu Temple complex is located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. This is a very sacred place where you find Sadhu's " Holy Men" carrying out daily rituals of worship." Holy Men" carrying out daily rituals of worship.

On the banks of the Bagmati River sit the Sundhari Ghats, a  holy cremation ground. Hindus believe if you are cremated here you will go straight to Nirvana having no more reincarnations.

Patan Durbar Square is the oldest of the three cities in Kathmandu Valley. Four Stupas stand at each compass point. Built by the Newars for King Siddhi Narsimha Malla in the 17th century, it is full of Hindu and Buddhist Temples.

Kukur Tihar is part of the Deepawali Festival of Light. It's where People offer garlands, tika and food to dogs, especially street dogs, and acknowledge the cherished relationship between humans and dogs.

The people of Bhaktapur come from different ethnic groups. The main one is the Newar followed by the Chhetree, Brahman, Tamang and Magar. This mix of culture seems to work well.

Nepal  has its fair share of street art which doesn't look out of place here as Nepal is such a colourful and vibrant country. Street art movement in Nepal has also taken part in the earthquake relief.

During Deepawali Festival, Rangoli are created outside shops and houses using coloured rice, dry flour, coloured sand or flower petals. The foot prints are of Goddess Lakshmi, Devi of Wealth and Prosperity.

Mayadevi Temple in Lumbini is the birth place of The Buddha.  A cutting from the Bodhi tree in the beautiful gardens is believed to be from Bodh Gaya in India under which Buddha was enlightened.

Buddhist monks visit Lumbini's  Mayadevi Temple from all over the world to see the birthplace of the Buddha. The monks sitting under the trees praying and meditating add to the peaceful ambience.

There are thirty two Buddhist monasteries on this monastic site from all around the world funded by Buddhist organisations from various countries. Some are still under construction.

The people of Bhaktapur come from different ethnic groups. The main one is the Newar followed by the Chhetree, Brahman, Tamang and Magar. This mix of culture seems to work well.

Momo’s are a filled steamed dumpling, the filling comprises of either vegetable or meat they come with a spicy sauce they are delicious.

Bardia in rural Nepal is surrounded by jungle and small farms mainly growing rice and wheat. The buildings are Thuru tribal timber framed with mud mortar walls and thatched roofs.

Elephant coming back from there jungle anti anti-poaching patrol these elephants get into the hard to reach places in Bardia jungle 

The farms here in Bardia feel like you're going back in time with ploughs being pulled by Oxen or Water Buffalo. Many other animals roam freely. It's a hard life  but people seem happy.

The Tharu people have a traditional way of living. They are connected to the land and the environment that surrounds them. Most of what they need is given by nature.

You never know what you will come across on a walking safari in Bardia National Park. The Bengal Tigers are increasing in numbers due to the dedication of the staff and local community.

The ancient hill town of

Tansen with it's steep streets

has a traditional feel. At the

Shree Amar Narayan Temple

a Brahmin priest recites

Hindu prayers and gives

blessings sunrise and sunset.

Sunrise and sunset can be breathtaking in Tansen, with the Himalayas lighting up with golden skies and clouds lying like tablecloths across the mountain valleys.

The ancient hill town of Tansen with it's steep streets has a traditional feel. At the Shree Amar Narayan Temple a Brahmin priest recites Hindu prayers and gives blessings sunrise and sunset.

Tansen is home to the Magar and Newar people who are welcoming, open and friendly.  They are of mixed religion, the main one being Hinduism.

Lions can be found outside Hindu and Buddhist temples. In Buddhism the Lion represents strength. In Hinduism the male Lion represents the incarnation of Vishnu, the female Lion is associated with Goddess Dhurga.

Phewa Lake in Pokhara covers an area of about 1.7 sq miles. The area known as Lakeside has many restaurants, shops and hotels but there is quietness to be found not far away from the tourist area.

Purano Bazaar, the old part of Pokhara is full of Newar architecture. The buildings have beautiful hand carved wooden doors and shuttered windows. It was on the former trade route between Kathmandu and Tibet.

Machapuchare MountainIts also knowen as Fishtail it is 22,943 ft high and has never been climbed.

Bindhyabasini Temple, Pokhara is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati also known as Shakti. She is honoured as the Mother Goddess, a universal source of energy, power, and creativity.

The serenity of Begnas Lake is reflected in it's surroundings of mountains, jungle and farm land. Set in the south east of Pokhara, the lake is one of many in the Pokhara Valley.

The local people living on the side of Sarangkot Mountain live quite isolated and simple lives. They struggle to get by day to day but still welcome you for a cup of tea and a chat.

The canoes on Begnas Lake are mainly used by local people to get around but some are also rented to tourists. They're not all waterproof but do get you there and it's a good opportunity to appreciate the lake.

The Deurali Hindu Temple stands on top of a hill overlooking Begnas Lake. It is another beautiful example of Newar craftsmanship and is popular locally for weddings.

The trek around Begnas Lake takes around six hours. It takes you through jungle, rice paddy's, wetland, dusty tracks and slippery foot paths. It has a very diverse

eco- system.

The people who make their living on and around Begnas Lake. The Gurkha musician, the palmist, the lady that paddles the boats for tourists and the lady farming the paddy fields.

Some of the older buildings around Begnas Lake are mainly built of stone, brick and wood.  Strangely the corrugated roofs don’t look out of place in the natural landscape.

Bandipur is a hilltop settlement.  The village centre is a car free area and has a traditional cultural relaxed atmosphere. It became an important trading hill town around the 18th century.

Ramkot village feels like time has stood still. This is a traditional Nepalese rural village and has only recently got electricity. Ramkot is a typical Magar village and still has a few round houses which date back hundreds of years.

Bandipur is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain ranges of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh and Langtang. Some of the best trekking can be found in these stunning mountains.

A natural mountain spring and water fountain found on a walk to Teendhara from Bandipur. The water is regarded as sacred by local people who use the fountains for drinking, bathing and washing.

The trek from Bandipur to Ramkot is about 5 miles and takes about two hours up and down mountain tracks. It's a well trodden path used daily by local villagers young and old.

The houses in Bandipur are very rustic, some are painted with vibrant blues and reddy pinks while others, in contrast, are in more muted natural tones of browns and beige.

The people in Bandipur are a mix of Magar and Newari origin and are of Buddhist and Hindu religion. The Magar people are one of the oldest known tribes in Nepal.

You don't have to walk far out of Bandipur before you see small traditional organic farms. The local people rely heavily on these farms for fresh produce.

Bandipur is surrounded by traditional Newar stone and wood carvings. The designs on the carvings are mostly based on Holy Scriptures and the mythical beliefs of Buddhist or Hindu faith.

The dal is lentils and the rice is bhat it normally consist of a vegetable curry, a mix of spicy vegetables, pickles and a papadum. This is one of the staple foods in Nepal.