On the other side of the world and shrouded in mystery, Nepal seems more like a dream than reality to most Americans. However, if you're willing to brave the long plane ride, you'll find a welcoming country filled with awe-inspiring scenery and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Here are 5 reasons to get a Nepali visa and go: The Annapurna Circuit: The Annapurna circuit is 128 miles of rugged but spectacular terrain: a parade of rivers, mountains, small friendly villages and remote Buddhist monasteries. Backpacker Magazine calls it "the world’s best trek." If it's on your bucket list, I'd recommend hiking it in the next year-a road is set to fill more of the circuit with Jeeps in 2012, according to the New York Times. The Great Himalayan Trail Eventually, if the dream

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Have you ever dreamed of climbing Mount Everest?  For most people, standing on top of the highest mountain in the world is an impossible dream. The altitude and terrain mean that to make the climb, you have to be extremely athletic. (And just because a 13-year-old recently summited, that doesn't make it an easy climb. Jordan Romero is one tough kid.) For most of us, Everest Base Camp is a much more doable goal. Every year, thousands of people visit the South Base Camp in Nepal, making it one of the most popular hiking trails in the country.  Although the trip to Base Camp is not nearly as strenuous as actually climbing the mountain, you will still get a fairly intense workout. You'll also get a chance to meet local people and experience the local culture along the way. Kraig Becker, a

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Nepal is justly famous for its Himalayan treks, but the capital city of Kathmandu is the country's beating heart.  No matter where you're going, you'll start out here. If you came to Nepal in search of solitude, you may be a bit put off by the city initially. Here's how Gadling describes it: From the time you leave Tribhuvan International Airport, the city is an assault on the senses, with the constant noise of traffic, the smell of incense (often used to counter the smell of trash), and the sights of the busy market places, awash in a myriad of bright, garish colors. The narrow, twisty streets are clogged with cars, the sidewalks are teeming with people, and air is thick with smog. And yet, if you were to rush out of the city as quickly as possible, you would definitely be missing

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