After a series of devastating earthquakes and aftershocks, Nepal’s tourist industry is on the rise again. Though hundreds of thousands have been left homeless, and daily life is not fully back to normal, the country’s historic landmarks are slowly being restored. Trekking routes are reopening and the resilient Nepali people are finding their feet. Thoughtfully spent tourist dollars will go a long way here; choosing independent homestays and grassroots tour companies ensures money ends up in local pockets. With varied landscapes – from the Himalayas to jungles inhabited by tigers, elephants, and rhinos – Nepal should be your first choice for travel in 2016.