• MAGARS - The Magars originate in the western and central areas of Nepal, though are found in scattered communities throughout the country. They may be of either Hindu or Buddhist faith. Traditionally hill farmers inhabiting the lower slopes, they are also known for their fighting abilities and many have been recruited into Gurkha regiments of the British and Indian armies. It is thought to be a strong cultural bond between Magars and Gurungs.

• GURUNGS - The Gurungs also originate from the central and western parts of Nepal, though they have tended to inhabit higher areas adopting a lifestyle of sedentary agriculture and nomadic pastoralism. Like the Magars, Gurungs have been well represented in Gurkha units. They are predominantly Buddhist, though small Hindu and Shamanist communities exist. In recent years, may Magars become involved in the hotel business, especially in the Pokhara region.

• THAKALIS - The Thakalis originate from the Kali Gandaki Gorge and, like many Nepali groups, have been subject to both Hindu and Buddhist influences. Adept entrepreneurs, they have cashed in on the trekking boom and have established little hotels all along the Annapurna Circuit and have also extended their influence to other parts of the country. Before Nepal was opened up to tourism, their economy was dominated by subsistence farming and, in the Kali Gandaki area, by salt trading.

• TAMANGS - The Tamang are found around the Kathmandu Valley and in central and eastern Nepal. Mainly Buddhist, they form a significant proportion of the porters in these regions ; but many are also engaged in the agriculture as  small holders and day labour. The Tamang language originates from the Tibeto-Burmese family.

• NEWARS - The Newars are of Mongolian origin and are the dominant ethnic group of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding central areas of Nepal. Despite their geographical origins, the majority are now Shaivite Hindus following received Hindu customs, although communities of Newari Buddhists do remain. They represent perhaps the greatest synchronism of the Tibetan and Indian traditions of any Nepal's ethnic groups and also incorporate aspects of aninism. The Newari language has been influenced by both the Tibeto-Burmese and Indo-European families. Tradionally Nepal's leading traders, Newars once organized trains of basket carrying porters over the trans-Himalayan passes to Tibet. They are also remarkable craftsmen and developed the unique building style that succesfully blends influences from India, China and Tibet, with carved wood beams and pagoda-like temple roofs.

• KIRANTIS - The Kirantis are comprised of Rais and Limbus and are the oldest known peoples of Nepal. They live in the eastern hills of Nepal, the Rais beeing concentrated in the Solu Khumbu, Dudh Kosi and Arun Valley, while the Limbus are at the east of Arun Valley, in the Katchanjunga region and also extend into Northern parts of West Bengal in India. Both groups have supplied recruits to Gurkha regiments an reference is made to their fighting spirit in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Of Mongoloid features, both have Tibeti-Burmese languages. The religion of the Limbus incorporates elements of Buddhism and Shamanism, while that of the Rais os more influenced by Hinduism.

• SUNWARS & JIRELS - These related groups are small in number and are found in the area around and to the east of Jiri, the place that gives the Jirels their Name. Their religion is significantly influenced by Hinduism, but has distinct oractices and dieties.

• BHOTIA  - The Bhotia live in the northern parts of Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and along the Indo-Tibetan border in Garhwal, Kumaon and Himachal Pradesh. They are Mongoloid people who gradually moved off the Tibetan Plateau. Tibetan Buddhism plays an important part in shaping Bhotia society. The monastery is at the centre of the social environment, and the prayer flags, prayer wheels and chortens are a vital part of daily life.

• ETHNIC TIBETANS - Many thousands of Tibetans fled their homeland as a result of the Chinese Take-over. Most are now resident in and around Kathmandu and Pokhara Valleys, but some habe remained in Bhotia country where they have been highly succesful in integrating with local populations, especially through intermarriage.

• LIMIPAS - The Limipas are a small group living in the Limi Valley in the northwes of Nepal.

• DOLPOPAS - With a population of no more than a couple of thousand. Dolpopas live in remote areas north of Jomsom and Muktinath. A hard working people, they are nomadic pastoralists, traders and weavers.

• LOPAS - Lopas live in Lo Mangthang, the capital of the high and arid region of Mustang, once an independent state. Of Tibetan ethnicity, they follow Tibetan Buddhism and number about 6,000.

• BARAGAUNLE - The name means " 12 village people ". The Baragaunle are also ethnically Tibetan and live in the Muktinath Valley and follow a form of Lamaistic Buddhism that also incorporates elements of animism.

• MANANGIS - Known also as Manangpa or Nyeshang, this group live in the Manang region and along the northern stretches of the Marshyangdi River. They are perhaps the wealthies of any Bhotia groups thanks to a still extant 18th century decree by Rana Bahadur Shah which gave them trading privileges with Tibet and which has today been adapted to the trade of luxury items, some which find their way to Kathmandu.

• SHERPAS - Sherpas live in the Solu Khumbu region of glacial valleys at the southern approaches to Everest. Theit name thells of the origin ( Sha - east, pa - people) and has come to be almost synonymous with great peak that dominates their country. They immigrated from Tibet about 600 years ago. Earlier they were traders and porters, carrying butter, meat, rice, sugar, paper and dye from India, and salt, wool, jewellery, Chinese silk and porcelain from Tibet and beyond. The closure of the border between India and China undermined their economy. Fortunately, with the mountaineering expeditions and trekkers, the Sherpas found their load carrying skills, both on normal treks and high altitudes in great demand.

The Kumbu region has provided a valuable contignent of able bodied, hardy and seemingly fearless Sherpa porters and guides. Over 80 years they have built up a mountaineering reputation as the elite of Himalayan porters.