Kathmandu, Oct. 20 -- Nepalis living abroad are often asked the same question: "Have you been to Everest?" Some answer proudly. Others pause to think. Despite being home to the world's highest mountain, Nepal remains a place many Nepalis have yet to explore fully.

For Archana KC Rana, senior manager at the Nepal Tourism Board's Asia-Pacific desk, the question is a reminder that Nepalis should make time to see more of their own country. She believes everyone should visit the Everest region at least once in their lifetime.

"Wherever we go, people associate Nepal with Everest and assume we must have been there," she says. "So we should see it for ourselves, find out what Everest looks like and where it stands."

The long Dashain-Tihar holi...