Introducing The Terai & Mahabharat Range

Hanging out in the plains might not be the first thing that comes to mind when visiting the world's most mountainous nation, but the Terai is a fascinating and varied place and most people see only a tiny fraction of it as they rush between the Indian border and the hills. There are plains and jungles, forts and temples, ancient monuments and national parks, wilderness and bustling bazaars, plus the lush green landscape of the Chure and Mahabharat hills. If you thought the Terai was all pancake flat, prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

The vast majority of travellers follow a well-established route through the Terai, from Kathmandu or Pokhara to Royal Chitwan National Park and on to the Indian border crossing at Sunauli. However, more and more people are escaping this touristy circuit and discovering the cities of the Terai - places like Janakpur and Tansen - and the historical birthplace of the Buddha at Lumbini. If you're heading to India, don't restrict yourself to Sunauli - there are four other border crossings between India and Nepal, providing easy access to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Lucknow and Darjeeling.

Tourism to the Terai dropped off markedly in the early years of the Maoist uprising, but visitor numbers seem to be slowly creeping upwards. However, the situation remains volatile and the long-term future of tourism in the Terai depends on the government and Maoists finding a political solution to their grievances. At the time of writing, the most obvious signs of the insurgency were the army roadblocks along major highways, but it's essential to check the latest security situation before you visit.