The Majestic
Nepal
Nestled in the cradle of the highest
mountain on earth, it is not surprising that NEPAL has come to
be known as the kingdom where deities mingle with mortals. NEPAL
is an explorer's paradise. Imagine people born deep in the
Himalaya, displaying the wisdom and patience of these mountains
in every smile. This is NEPAL . From tropical jungles and the
birth place of Lord Buddha to the ancient old palaces and the
marvelous trekking trails below the world famous Himalayan
mountains : every inch of this country has a miracle to offer
and an adventure to propose.
NEPAL is the religious, pilgrimage and the
cultural wonderland. Here are Gauri Shankar, home of Shiva And
his consort, Parvati. The Ganesh Himal, named for the elephant -
headed god , Ganesh . And Annapurna , the Goddess of plenty. The
devotion of ages past remains among Nepalese today: whether
Hindu, Buddhist or Animist , the people of NEPAL live close to
their gods. NEPAL is a blissful confluence and harmony of both
Buddhism and Hinduism combined with a rainbow of ethnic groups
and languages.
Truth, no less colorful than fiction, has
made NEPAL one of the world's most incredible countries, a
geographical wonder , an ethnological conundrum. NEPAL is a
mosaic of corners, each waiting to give you an unexpected
thrill. NEPAL is a handful of secrets, with the palm held open.
The wild rivers are waiting to be run , birds and wild life to
be discovered , and mountains to be climbed. There are foods,
smells and sights that are beyond your imagination.
View Larger Map
Area: 1,47,181 Sq. Km.
Country : Nepal is located between
India & China in the South - Asia region. It is the land locked
Country. Nepal is know as the country of the Himalayan Mountains
and the abode of the Deities.
Religion : Nepal enjoys the
distinction of being the only Hindu Kingdom in the world.
However, there is a harmonious blending of Hinduism and
Buddhism.
Climate : Nepal has four major
seasons, namely, (1) Winter:December-February, (2) Spring:
March-May, (3) Summer:June-August, (4) Autumn: September-November.Nepal
can be visited the whole year round.
People : Nepal has more than 61
ethnic groups and 70 spoken languages.
What to Wear : Light weight clothing
is recommended for May through October.Warm Garments are
required in October-March. An umbrella or a raincoat is a must
for the rainy season.
Entry Procedures & Visa Fees
A visa is required to enter Nepal Except for Indian
visitors. Free visa for tourists from China and SAARC countries.
Tourists can get a visa at Nepalese Embassies or Consulates or
upon their arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Children
10years need not to pay any visa fees.
1. Free Visa : for 3 days, Visa Year : Jan
– Dec
2. Single Entry : USD 30 for 60 days [ Sixty days ]
3. Multiple : USD 80 for 60 days [ Sixty days ] ( Valid for 150
days in a visa year )
4. Visitor who intend to re-enter the country within 150 days
after leaving the country during the same visa year has to pay
USD 50 for 30 days.
5. For visitors intending to stay more than 60 days, tourist
visa extension fee is USD 50 for 30days.
6. Business Visa ( Multiple Entry) : This can be obtained from
the department of immigration for the period of one year and
five year upon the recommendation of the ministry of Industry by
paying USD 100 and USD 250, respectively. Payments entertained
in Nepalese rupee.
Foreign Exchange : Foreign
currencies must be exchanged only at the banks or at the
authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such
transaction are to be obtained and retained.Visitors can also
exchangemoney at the foreign exchange counters at TIA upon
arrival.
Custom Facilities : All baggages
must be decleared and cleared through the customs on arrival at
the entry. Personal effects are permitted free entry. A Tourist
may bring in dutiable goods, such as tobacco and liquors, within
the prescribed quantity free of duty. They can also carry back
souvenirs to their respective countries. The export of antiques
requires special certificate from the Department of Archeology,
National Archive Building, Ram Shah Path, Kathmandu.
Airport Tax : Rs. 1365 [USD 20 ] per
person for departure to SAARC and Rs. 1695 [ USD 25 ] for
departure to the Internatrional Destination. Airport tax for
domestic departure is Rs. 170 [ USD 3 ].
Entry & the exit points from & too Nepal
are as below.
Kakarbhitta - Eastern region – Access via road
Birgunj - Central region – Access via road
Kathmandu - Central region – Access via Air, Tribhuwan
International Airport [TIA]
Kodari - Nothern region – Access via road
Belhia , Bhairahawa - Western region – Access via road
Jamunaha, Nepalgunj – Mid-Western region - Access via road
Mahana, Dhangadi - Far Western region – Access via road
Gadda Chauki , Mahendranagar - Far-Western region – Access via
road
Banks : Banks are open between
10:00AM and 2:30 PM from Sunday to Friday. They are closed on
Saturday and and on public holidays.
Time : Nepal Standard Time is 5
hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian
Standard Time.
Official Holidays : Saturday is the
weekend holidays in Nepal when most government offices are
closed. Most business houses, however, remain open on saturdays
as well.
Working Hours : Govt. Offices open
from 10 AM to 5 PM in summer and 10 AM to 4 PM in winter.
Popular Tourist Destinations in Nepal
Nowhere in the world can one find the same
concentration of culture, art and tradition that exist in the
KATHMANDU Valley. In the distant dawn of unrecorded time, the
valley of Kathmandu was a turquoise lake. Upon this lake rested
a wonderful lotus flower from which emanated a blue light of
awesome magnificence. This was a manifestation of SWOYAMBHU or
ADHI BUDDHA, the primordial Buddha.
From mountain retreat in Tibet came
patriarch MANJUSHREE. Wishing to worship the flame more closely,
he sliced the restraining Valley wall with his flaming sword of
wisdom, draining the water and allowing the lotus to settle to
the Valley floor. There MANJUSHREE built a shrine that was to
grow into the great Stupa of SWOYAMBHUNATH.
At present KATHMANDU is the capital city of
Nepal. The beautiful rolling green hills and shimmering snow
peaks surround it. On a clear day, you can see the crystal clear
snow peaks of the Himalayas. You can not miss the main cities of
KATHMANDU & PATAN once the petty kingdoms in the history , now
merging into a common urban sprawl. A little further east is the
Valley's third major city, BHAKTAPUR . Within each city is the
concentration of the temples , outlining the main Palaces and
Durbar Squares. The large white neo - classical palaces built by
the Ranas are easily identifiable.
The great civilizations of the KATHMANDU
Valley are justly famous for the masterpieces of art they
produced. In architecture , sculpture , painting , metal work ,
literature , music & dance. The various group of people who have
made the Valley their home have left a marvelous legacy. Ahead
of you is the excitement of a mélange of peoples and cultures
found nowhere else on earth.
PASHUPATINATH TEMPLE : PASHUPATINATH
is one of the popular names of lord SHIVA. The PASHUPATINATH
Temple is located at some 6 kilometers to the east of center
KATHMANDU . Literarily PASUPATINATH translate to "Lord Of All
The Living Creatures". He is composite god. The Hindu religious
belief translates lord PASHUPATINATH as both destroyer and
creator , at once the end of things and the beginning of new
ones.
He is respected universally by all the
Hindus worldwide. The main shrine of lord SHIVA imposes its
grandeur on the western bank of the holy river Bagmati . The
main shrine of Shiva dates back to the 5th century BC. However,
the large, gilded, triple roofed temple was built in 1696 AD.
The visitors can observe the eye - catching daily activities of
Sadhus & Sanyasins , the holy men living in the banks of the
sacred river Bagmati and the entire periphery around the main
shrine. Entrance to the temple precinct is forbidden to
non-Hindus. This great temple of SHIVA is one of the most
popular & sacred pilgrimage site for all the Hindus from both
India & Nepal .
SWOYAMBHUNATH STUPA : Atop a green
hillock west of Kathmandu, at the point where the legendary
patriarch MANJUSHRI discovered the lotus of the ancient valley
lake , stands the great stupa of SWOYAMBHUNATH. There is little
doubt that this sacred site was established more than 2,500
years ago.
SWOYAMBHUNATH stupa is the most ancient in
the world. It was an important center of Buddhist learning ,
closely linked with Lhasa . The great stupa of SWOYAMBHUNATH is
an architectural model of its kind. It is the center of
religious harmony in Nepal. The visitors can have the excellent
look over view of the KATHMANDU Valley from this heritage site .
The site is popularly known as a "Monkey Temple " .
KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE : Located at
the heart of city center, KATHMANDU Durbar square was the royal
residence of united Nepal up till 1889 AD. Today it is a center
of tourist attraction for Medieval Palaces and skyscraper
Temples . There are hundreds of shrines including the temple of
the living Goddess " Kumari". Apart from it , the erotic
carving, fierce image of Kalbhairab, Garuda, and the monkey god
HANUMAN are some of the outstanding images. Also, the SHIVA
PARVATI Temple , The Taleju Temple , KASTHA-MANDAP " The house
of Wood ", the Big Bell & the Neo –Classical Rana Palace are all
worth seeing heritage sites.
It is the best shopping place for curios
and antiques, flutes, wood carving, masks, handloom products,
souvenirs and many more. A walking trip of 45 minutes around the
periphery of this square will familiarize you the semi -
classical & pre - modern life style of the indigenous Newar
people of Kathmandu. It is a must not forget visiting Heritage
site of KATHMANDU Valley.
BOUDHANATH STUPA : The other great
stupa of the Valley and indeed, the largest in all of Nepal , is
BODHANATH stupa. It is situated on the flat land to the east of
the Valley. BODHANATH'S great size and its red , white and blue
– painted eyes give it a striking appearance. The great stupa of
Bodnath was built in fifth century. The site around the present
day stupa was an overnight camp of Tibetan businessmen. The
Tibetan Merchants used to offer prayer at the site where there
is stupa now. Today it is the principal centers of Tibetan
culture outside of Tibet. Several Buddhist monasteries have been
built up recently in the immediate vicinities of Bodhanath. The
periphery around the stupa is also popular for Tibetan Jewelry,
hand-woven carpets, thankas, masks, khukuri knives and many more
Tibetan products. A whole day can be spent over here observing
the beauty of this huge stupa from different view –angles and
the roof top restaurants.
BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE : BHAKTAPUR
is the most medieval town in the Valley of Kathmandu. It is
situated 14 kilometers east of kathmandu. This ancient town was
founded in 889 AD.
The name BHAKTAPUR translates as " the City
of Devotees ". It was designed sometime in the 9th century in
the shape of BISHNU'S Conch by its legendary founder late king
Ananda Malla. This ancient town is not built in the concentric
growth pattern like that of the Valley's other two cities. The
town has three main courtyards clearly separated from each
other. This small town has preserved its character and identity
better than KATHMANDU & PATAN.
The Golden gate , the Royal Bath , the
famous "Palace of 55 Windows ", the courtyard of Taleju Shrine ,
The National Art Gallery , the five storied : hanging like
temple "Nyatapola" ( 60 m ) , the pottery's square , the
Dattatreya Square , the Peacock window etc are all not to be
missed heritage sites. You can experience the essence of
timelessness while walking through the bazaars of this exotic
old town.
PATAN DURBAR SQUARE : The city of
PATAN , also known as LALITPURA , seats on the slightly high
plateau above the course of Bagamati river, to the south of
KATHMANDU . The PATAN Durbar has an oblong square that
constitutes perhaps the most spectacular example of traditional
NEWARI architecture in any urban context. The Mediaeval Durbar
Square here exhibits the incomparable art works sculpted on the
roof struts, cornice, fringes and the supporting column of the
temples.The Square contains the open display of the array of
temples on one side and the another side of it is bordered by
the Medieval Royal Palace. In side the Royal palace are the
three ancient courtyards.In one of them there exists the ancient
Royal Bath called TUSHA HITI. .
Back to the Square , the KRISHNA Temple
entirely built from the Stone, is an outstanding example of
Shikhar style architecture of Nepal. The sculpted scenes on the
stone walls of this great temple depicts the scenes from the
epics of Mahabharat & Ramayana. Other must see sites are : the
Golden Temple , the Kumbhesor Temple , the Mahaboudha Shikhar
Temple and the Rudra Varna Bihar , the traditional buddhist
monastry . The Old Palace Square of Patan city is worth visiting
to enjoy the taste of the ancient architecture .
CHANGUNARAYAN TEMPLE : It is the
most ancient historic place preserved by UNESCO as a heritage
site. Located on the northeast side of the valley at the
distance of some 19 kilometers from KATHMANDU. Situated atop a
small hillock, CHANGU-NARAYAN offers a small mosaic of Hindu
temples and stone images that date back to 5th or 6th century.
The main shrine dedicated to lord NARAYANA is a majestic
masterpiece of pagoda architecture found most ancient in the
whole of Nepal. It was built by then King Manadeva . The stone
carving and architectures of the temple date back the early
civilization of the modern age.
BUDHANILAKANTHA TEMPLE :
BUDHANIL-KANTHA is the another popular name of God BISHNU. This
site is located in a small hamlet about 10 km north from
KATHMANDU city center. Lord BISHNU, also popularly known as
NARAYANA is the ultimate source and creator of life . At this
shrine he is lying in the dreamless sleep. The huge statue of
Lord Vishnu reclines upon a bed made from the coils of a huge
snake, ANANTA ( the never ending one ), on the cosmic water
before the universe was created. It is a great holly site for
all Hindus. You can make a half day visiting trip to see this
unique shrine dedicated to lord BISHNU.
CHOBHAR GORGE : Chobhar is the place
where Manjushree (The Chinese monk who had settled the city in
the valley) had cut a gorge and drained the water of Kathmandu
valley. It lies on the way to Dakshinkali. The sound of roaring
water in a narrow tunnel deep down to the gorge below the
suspension bridge is awful. It is also a worth visiting.
GODAVARI BOTANICAL GARDEN : - Below
the 2700m high Phulchoki hill, Godavari is the biggest and
beautiful botanical garden of Nepal. It is very famous for film
shoots and picnic. Wide varities of plants and flowers are
collected there. It is a popular tourist destination too.
AROUND
KATHMANDU VALLEY
THE POPULAR HILL STATIONS
NAGARKOT : The Hill Resort Village
of NAGARKOT, located at 30 km east to the KATHAMNDU , at an
altitude of 2099 m , offers great mountain views. NAGARKOT is
popular tourist destination for the panoramic view of the great
Himalayan ranges and surrounding green valleys . Mountain
watchers usually make their way up to the Village Resort, stay
overnight in one of NAGARKOT 'S hotels & lodges, then wake up at
dawn to watch the sun rise appear over the Himalaya. You will
never forget the majestic view of the sunrise from this corner
of the earth.
DHULIKHEL : To the eastern edge of
Kathmandu Valley, there is another popular Hill Resort called
Dhulikhel . It lies on the way to Tibet border 60 km east from
Kathmandu . This hidden hill resort is slowly gaining popularity
as the perfect spot to view the excellent Himalayan panorama
.There are very comfortable hotels and lodges. Also , one - day
cycle tou r connecting Dhulikhel , Namobuddha and Panauti is
popular to enjoy the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley.
DAMAN : A three-hour comfortable
drive towards west from KATHMANDU arrives DAMAN. It is situated
at 2322 m above sea level , midway between KATHMANDU & HETAUDA .
Its claim to fame is that it has , arguably, the most
spectacular outlook on the Himalaya. There are unimpeded views
of the entire range from Dhaulagiri to Mt. Everest. There is a
viewing tower and it also has one of the best Hill Resort of
Nepal. At least an overnight's stay is suggested here before or
after the trip to POKHARA & CHITAWAN .
POKHARA VALLEY
Two hundred kilometers west of KATHMANDU,
nestled in a valley beneath the ANNAPURNA mountain lies the city
of POKHARA. POKHARA is virtually in the geographical center of
NEPAL . Located on the main road between KATHMANDU & BHAIRAWA ,
there may be no other place in the world from which the great
Himalayan peaks can be admired from such a close distance. The
town of POKHARA has quietly won the hearts of travelers from
around the world. Many visitors find their most lasting
impression of Nepal comes from the awesome " FISH-TAIL " of
majestic MACCHA-PUCHARE mountain reflected in the still waters
of POKHARA's Fewa Lake. POKHARA'S seclusion made it a place of
mystery in the past . Once arriving in POKHARA you would
definitely say - "Ohh ! The Mountain is still Young " .
POKHARA is the finest natural city of the
world and is marked by a half dozen lakes of varying sizes , all
linked by a trekking trail. Hence, it is also known as a lake
city of Nepal. It is Nepal's tourism capital and the second
largest tourist destination too. Experience it by heart : it is
honeymooners' paradise.
The sites not to be missed in POKHARA are
Devi's Fall , Fewa Lake & Barahi Temple , Sarangkot Hilllock ,
Beganas Lake , Seti Gorge , Mahendra Cave , International
Mountain Museum , Bindabasini Temple & Kahun Danda.
DAVI'S FALL : It is a beautiful
waterfall formed from the outlet of Fewa Lake. Why it is named
Davi's fall might be the matter of interest. One Day Trekkers
named Devin and David had their bath down to the Fewa dam but
unknowingly the doors of the dam opened to reduce the water
level. Both the trekkers did not notice the signal to run away
and sadly they were washed away and one of them mysteriously
disappeared down into the underground passage beneath the fall.
Since then the fall was named Davi's fall. It is worth visiting
site of POKHARA.
SARANGKOT : Sarangkot is a small
hill on the north west side of POKHARA. It is the best place for
Sunrise and Mountain View like Machhapuchre (Fishtail),
Annapurna range, and Dhaulagiri range, Lamjung Himal, Manaslu
and the Ganesh Himal. Tourists reach there early in the morning
to view the rolling sunrise and the dazzling mighty snow peaks
in the morning tender sun.
FEWA LAKE : Fewa Lake is the finest
lake of Nepal. It is 41/2km long and 200m. to 2 km width.
Boating on the lake is an exciting and most interesting moment.
In the middle there is an island where Barahi temple is located.
Every day thousands of visitors visit the temple. Surrounded by
the green forest and lakeside city, Fewa lake reflects the
beautiful images of Machhachapuchre.
BEGNAS LAKE : Begnas lake is located
13 km east of POKHARA city. This lake is in a round shape and is
surrounded by green hills. On the north beautiful Annapurna
fourth Himal is overlooking the lake. While boating on the lake
the images of the mountain is seen into the lake.
SETI GEORGE : SETI RIVER is
originated from the beautiful mountain the Machhapuchre
Himal.The water is milky white and cool. The river before
entering into the POKHARA city has been disappeared into a
narrow natural tunnel and has appeared in some places. It is
another natural wonder of POKHARA. Its width is hardly 2 meters
and the depth is more than 20 meters but you can not see the
bottom of the river. Mahendra Pool (bridge) is the right place
to view the dreadful rush of the river through a narrow george.
GUPTESHOR MAHADEV CAVE : South of
the POKHARA valley there is a beautiful cave. The cave has
different branches but the end has not yet been met. The main
part of the cave is some 20m. down. The bottom is wide and
spacious. There is an image of Lord Shiv. One of the branch of
the cave goes towards the Devi's fall and after a 20 meters easy
walk one can reach near the fall. It is a very wonderful moment
to stand just below the fall inside the cave. Gupteshor Mahadev
cave is a religious site for the Hindus. Many Hindu devotees
visit the cave in different occasions.
MAHENDRA CAVE : It is located on the
north of POKHARA valley some 10 km from the city center. This is
the most popular cave of Nepal. It is also unexplored. There has
been made necessary arrangement for the visitor with service of
the guides. Nearby the cave there is another cave named Chamera
cave or the bat cave where hundreds of bats live. Both caves are
worth visiting.
WORLD PEACE STUPA : It is one of
finest place of sight seeing destination in POKHARA. Located on
a small hilltop, world peace stupa is the best place to view the
Himalaya range just in front of your eye. Overlooking the FEWA
Lake the stupa site is well managed. The access is easy and both
options trekking for one hour and driving are available to reach
the stupa.
KAHU DADA : On the northeast side of
POKHARA valley, Kahu Dada is another viewpoint center of POKHARA.
There is a tower to view the mountain range and the valley. It
is the best option for a day hike. It takes about 2 hours gentle
walk to reach the hilltop through villages and bushes.
INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM (IMO) :
- Among of the entire sight seeing destinations in POKHARA. IMO
is the newly opened destination. Located on the south east of
POKHARA city, IMO is only one mountain museum in the world of
its kind where mountaineering history including the climbing
information and climbers' details are preserved and displayed.
For the interested one an artificial wall of Mount Manaslu has
also been constructed. The museum has preserved the climbing
records and equipments of all the famous climber of the world.
BINDABASINI TEMPLE : Located right
in the city center, BINDABASINI Temple is the popular pilgrimage
site of Hindus. On a small hill the temple is beautifully
located and maintained. It is the best site of POKHARA to
experience the Nepalese religious belief.
TIBETAN REFUGEE CAMP : In the fiftth
decade many TIBETAN refugee had inflexed into NEPAL. They are
settled in different part of the country under the direct
supervision of UNESCO. In POKHARA there are four TIBETAN refugee
camps. All these camps today are like the TIBETAN villages where
they have maintained the Tibetan culture, tradition and
lifestyle. To experience the Tibetan culture at least one center
is worth visiting.
OTHER POPULAR DESTINATIONS
MANAKAMANA TEMPLE : The Temple of
Great female deity MANAKAMANA is about 120 km from KATHMANDU on
the way to POKHARA and CHITAWAN. She is "Wish fulfilling"
goddess and is popular among the Hindu devotees & specially
among the newly married couples. After three hours drive to
KURINTAR from KATHMANDU and 10 minutes cable car ride over the
mighty TRISULI River, you can reach the temple. It is located on
a hill that overlooks the TRISULI basin and the hill
settlements. MANAKAMANA Temple visit can be made a part of
POKHARA or CHITAWAN trip.
GORKHA : GORKHA is the historic
place of Nepal from where the late great king Prithivi Narayan
Shah unified the country of Nepal. At the time he came to the
power Nepal was broken up into numerous small principalities but
by the time he died he had created a unified state country under
one roof. It is 128 km to the west of KATHMANDU and on the way
to POKHARA . The GORKHA Palace , the old royal palace of the
great king , is the best site to observe and experience the 300
year old administrative system of Nepal. Gorkha is the gateway
to Manaslu trek and expedition. This historic site is worth
visiting place also to understand the geographical terrains of
Nepal. Gorkha visit can be added up as a three hour short trip
while on the way to POKHARA & CHITAWAN .
LUMBINI : Located some 250
kilometers west of KATHAMANDU , LUMBINI rests on the plains of
KAPILVASTU. In the 6th century BC when the Buddha lived , a
confederacy of Sakya clan people was situated here. There are
numerous buildings of religious significance in LUMBINI . The
most important of which is the shrine of MAYADEVI , the mother
of Buddha . This shrine is said to be located at the exact place
where the Buddha was born in the palace garden. It contains a
stone relief depicting GAUTAMA BUDDHA'S nativity scene. There is
also a rectangular pond said to be the remains of a sacred pool
, the brick foundations of the ruined monastery, some small
votive stupas & several large plinths. Nearby exists a massive
stone pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC.
Today Buddhism has become the main religion of millions of
people. It is the pilgrimage site for Buddhist as well as
Hindus. According to the master plan prepared by a Japanese
architect Kenzo Tange , Lumbini , now is being developed as a
Buddhist pilgrimage site by Lumbini Development Trust. It is
being developed as a tourist residential village with all
facilities. There are different stupas and gompas developed by
different countries like China, Japan, Thailand, Sri-lanka,
Korea, Burma and others. Lumbini is not only a holly land but
also a land of peace too where the travelers can feel the
mythical air of peace.
TANSEN : Tansen is one of most
popular hill station of Nepal. It is nearly 350 km south west of
Kathmandu. It is one the way to Lumbini from POKHARA. On the
hill top, Srinagar is a fantastic viewpoint from where one can
enjoy the low land of Terai and the world highest and longest
Himalaya range at a time. Tansen Bazaar is a very ancient Bazaar
of Nepal and traditionally operated. The handloom and metal work
of Tansen is famous even in the outside Nepal.
CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK : Nepal is one
of the richest countries in the world in term of wild life and
vegetations. Nepal's best known and most accessible national
park , ROYAL CHITAWAN , was also its first. This park is located
about 175 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. In the heart of
ROYAL CHITAWAN NATIONAL PARK are a couple of famous Jungle
Resorts. Elephants greet those who fly into MEGHAULI airstrip
and carry them to their accommodation. The park is also
accessible by surface from KATHMANDU. Once arriving in the Park,
the trained naturalists lead visitors on Safaris ( by foot ,
elephant, Land Rover or boat ) to search for the tigers , rhinos
, crocodiles and colorful bird life. Roaming around the National
park on the elephant back is the most exciting moment . If you
have enough time a week long vacation can be spent here enjoying
various safari activities.
JOMSOM & MUKTINATH AREA : Out of the
75 districts of Nepal , Mustang is one of most prominent
himalayan district famous among the travelers and the holiday
makers. It is famous for its traditional culture that resembles
the Tibetan life style. At 2713 m, the serene JOMSOM is located
just below the beautiful NILGIRI mountain. The easiest & the
popular way to reach at JOMSOM is to take a flight for about 30
minutes from POKHARA . The alternative method to reach at JOMSOM
is the Trekking that starts from POKHARA. It takes about 3 days
trekking to reach here from POKHARA. Then , the 7 hours trekking
from Jomsom will make you arrive at the Muktinath Area . The
trekkers may wish to return the same trail back up till Jomsom
and take a flight back to POKHARA . Or they may proceed their
trekking beyond Muktinath in order to arrive back to POKHARA
through the alternative trail.
If you have time, you can manage to stay at
least a week along the route between JOMSOM & MUKTINATH. The
Tibetan style settlements like Lo-Mangthang , Jharkot , Kagbeni
& Marpha , between KALI GANDAKI river & mount NILGIRI , are the
heavenly places that you can not find on this earth elsewhere.
NAMCHE BAZAAR : Namche Bazaar is the
gate way to Mt. Everest base camp, Khumbu valley and many other
Himali destinations. It is a beautiful Himali settlement of
Sherpas. Living with the Sherpas for few days sharing their
culture and tradition is an opportunity to experience the Himali
Tibetan based culture, tradition and life style. |