Namaste!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Namaste...!!
Namaste!
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Labels: Namaste
Culture Of Nepal
The Nepalese people are generally fairly forgiving when people make a cultural hiccup, but they are extremely appreciative of visitors who are respectful to their culture and who make an effort to understand it and abide by it.
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Labels: culture of nepal
Festival Of Nepal
On this day, most of the people in Nepal worship Goddess of learning called “SARASWATI”. In Kathmandu valley, people go to a little shrine near Swayambhunath to worship the Goddess of Learning.
Maha Shivatri (February/March)
This is the most popular festival celebrated in honour of Shiva. It takes place at all Shiva temples, but the greatest attraction takes place at Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu. One gets to see thousands of Hindus devotees from India and Nepal coming to visit the temple of Pashupatinath. Among them are a large number of Sadhus and Naked ascetics. Many people like to keep awake for the whole night keeping vigilance over an oil lamp burnt to please Shiva. In the afternoon the Nepal Army organises a show to celebrate this festival at Tundikhel in which series of gun fire are sounded.
Fagu Purnima (Holi) (February/March)
Holi, named after the mythical demons of Holika, is also known as the festival of color. It is observed just before the full moon of Phalgun and during this time people indulge in colour throwing at each other. Singing and dancing continues until late at night.
Seto Machhendranath Jatra (March/April)
On this day a popular festival held in honour of the white Machhendranath, who is actually the Padmapani Lokeswara, whose permanent shrine is situated at Matsyendra Bahal in Kel Tole in the middle of the bazaar in Kathmandu. A huge chariot of wood supported on four large wheels and carrying tall spire covered with green foliage is made ready for receiving the image of the divinity on this occasion and for dragging in the old town. There is such a spontaneous and heavy turnout of the devotees to pay homage to this God, who is also said to be “ Embodiment of Compassion” at this time.
Ram Nawami (March/April)
This day celebrates the birth of Rama, one of the incarnation of Vishnu, a prominent Hindu God. Religious fast is observed and worship is offered to Rama. A special celebration takes place at Janakpur temple of Rama and Janaki on this day.
The Nepalese New Year’s Days (April)
New Year's Day, which falls in the middle of April, is observed thoughout Nepal as the first day of the official Nepali solar calander. In Kathmandu Valley, Bisket Jatra is held at Bhadgaon (Bhaktapur) to commemorate the death of two serpent demons.
Rato Machhendranath Jatra (April)
One of the most famous and spectacular event that begins with the chariot journeys of the most widely venerated deity of the Nepal valley, who resides in his twin shrines at Patan and Bungamati. His popular name is Bunga Deo, but non Newars call him also by the name of Red Machhendranath. The wheeled chariot is prepared at pulchowk and pulled through the narrow streets Patan town in several stages until several month later it reaches Jawalakhel for the final celebration of this festival called the Bhoto Dekhaune Jatra. The two Machhendranath of Patan and Kathmandu form part of same cult of Avalokiteswara in the Mahayan religion.
Buddha Jayanti (May/June)
Celebrated on the full moon of the month of Baisakh to commemorate the birth attainment of enlightenment and the death of Gautam Buddha, the founder preacher of Buddhism, prayer is offered by the Buddhists in leading Buddhist shrines throughout the country including Lumbini in the Rupandehi district, which is the birth place of Buddha.
Janai Purnima ( Rakchshya Bandhan)(August)
The full moon of the month of Shrawan, the day when this festival is observed is considered sacred all over Nepal and is celebrated in different manner by various groups of people of Nepal. However, the most widely accepted mode of celebration is that on this day all the twice-born caster take ritual bath and they change their sacred thread. Everyone gets strings of thread on his wrist from the Brahmans a protective mark for the whole year. This day is also held sacred for bathing in Gosainkunda. One can also see a pageantry of the Jhankris attired in their traditional costume as they come to bathe at Kumbheshwor at Patan. These Jhankris also visit the temple of Kalinchowk Bhagwati in Dolkhas district where they go to bet their healing powers as they are the traditional healers of the Nepalese villages.
Indra Jatra (August/September)
In the morning a tall wooden pole representing the statue of Indra and large wooden masks of Bhairab are put on display in the bazaar. Several groups of religious dance like the Devinach, Bhairava and Bhakku as well as Mahankalinach come into life during this week. The week also commences with pulling of chariot of Ganesh, Bhairava and Kumari in Kathmandu. On this historical day, King Prithvi Narayan Shah made a victorious march with his troops into the town and ascended the throne of Kantipur the old name of Kathmandu displacing the Malla King Jaya Prakash Malla.
Gai Jatra (The Cow festival) (August/September)
In this festival recently bereaved family honour the soul of their dead by sending young boys dressed up as cows parade the streets of the town. Some are also dressed up as an ascetic or a fool for achieving the same objective for their dead family members. People give food and coins to members of each procession. Groups of mimics improvise short satirical enactment on the current social scenes of the town for the entertainment of the public. The festivity of Gai Jatra itself lasts for a week enlivened by the performance of dance and drama in the different localities of the town. The spirit of the old festival is being increasingly adapted by cultural centers, newspaper and magazines to fling humour and satire on the Nepalese Social and Political life.
Shree Krishna Janmaastami (August/September)
The day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, one of the incarnation of Vishnu. Devotees observe fast and visit Krishna’s temple on this day.
Teej (August/September)
This is the three days festival for the Nepalese women. Nepalese women fast and worship Shiva. In Kathmandu Valley they go to Pashupatinath and then worship Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction) for good fortune and long life for husband.
Vijaya Dashami (September/October)
It is truly the national festival of Nepal celebrated countrywide by all. The Nepalese cherish their Dashain as time for eating well and dressing well. Each house sets up an shrine to worship the powerful Goddess Durga at this time. Barley seeds are planted on the first day in every household and nurtured for nine days. During this period Goddess Durga Bhawani is worshipped and offered a lot of blood sacrifices. Buffaloes, goats, chickens and ducks are sacrificed by the thousands at the temples at military posts and in every household. On the concluding day of the festival called the Tika, the elders of the family give Tika to their junior members and to other relatives who may also come to seek their blessings. Family feasting and feting of guests is a common practice at this time. During this festival Government institutions and school are closed for ten to fifteen days.
Tihar (October/November)
It lasts for five days and is marked by worship to different animals such as crow, the dog and the cow, five various days. The most important day is Laxmi puja. The most endearing sight of this festival is presented by the illumination of the entire town with rows of tiny flickering lamps on Laxmi puja. In the evening of this day, the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi is worshipped at every household and it is on her welcome that myriad of lamps are burnt. On the fifth day sister show their affection towards their brothers with puja and feed them with delectable food. They pray for their brothers long life to Yama, the Hindu God of death.
Bala Chaturdasi (Novermber/December)
Nepalese beleive that for one year after the death, the soul of the dead wanders around awaiting entrance to the under world. Relatives perform rituals and offerings are given in the name of the dead.
Maghe Sankranti (December/January)
A Sankranti signifies the first day of any month in the Nepali calendar year. The first day of the month of Magh, which falls in January is sacred day in Nepal, because the sun, on this day, is believed to be astrologically in a good position. It starts on its northward journey in its heavenly course on this day, thus announcing the commencement of the Uttarayana. In the Nepalese belief this day marks the division of the Winter and Summer Solstices. Bathing in rivers is prescribed from this day, especially at the river confluence and feasting with rich foods of special preparation is common in the family.
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What Kind of Clothes Do They Wear in Nepal?
History
While Western dress has been adopted in many of the countries surrounding Nepal, Nepal's history as an independent monarchy throughout the 18th and 19th centuries allowed this land to retain much of its traditional dress and customs. The clothing in more rural regions of Nepal has remained relatively unchanged for centuries.
Geography
Nepal includes a lowland in the south, near the Ganges River with a warm and humid climate. The climate is more temperate in the region surrounding Kathmandu, while a cold alpine climate with short summers and long, harsh winters prevails at higher elevations. The geography of Nepal has played a clear role in typical Nepalese clothes for different groups in this mountainous nation.
Men's Clothing
Traditional men's clothing in much of Nepal consists of the daura suruwal or labeda-suruwal. This garment consists of a long tunic or vest over pants. The vest or tunic has five pleats and eight ties, each with religious significance. The pants fit quite loosely through the hips and crotch and are then quite fitted from the knee to ankle. A wool hat, called the topi, completes the traditional outfit. Today, the topi may be worn with Western men's dress, particularly in the cities.
Women's Clothing
Women in Nepal wear a sari-like garment called a guniu. The guniu can be woven from cottons or silk fabrics. In Nepal, the sari is commonly draped around the waist and worn with a separate shawl like garment on the upper body. This style of draping is called Haku patasi.
Sherpa Dress
Traditional Sherpa dress consists of a knee-length robe woven of yak wool. This garment is similar for both men and women and is worn with yak wool pants. Boots made of yak hide and stuffed with dried grass for warmth were traditional. Today, many Sherpas have opted for Western dress, including cowboy hats and boots.
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World Trade Clothings Of Nepal
Pashm, or unwoven goat's wool, is collected from goats living above the 4,500 meter (14,750ft) line in the Himalayan regions of northern India, Nepal and Tibet. The quality or fineness of the fleece is dependent upon the high altitudes because it develops on the goat to keep it warm. At lower altitudes, even as high as 3,500 meters, the goats are incapable of producing the fine underfleece.
After collections the pashm has traditionally been woven into pashmina and silk/ pashmina shawl production. Weaving has begun in Nepal and other parts of Northern India as well.
For centuries silk has often been woven with pashmina to give shawls a harder finish, strength and greater body. With the advent of the 1990s silk/ pashmina shawl, however new treatment processes have been added to obtain the objectives of extraordinary softness and fluffiness. These are achieved largely by brushing the freshly loomed shawls both before and after dying. The result is a luxurious and light feeling fabric which still manages to achieve the ancient pashmina standard of providing amazing warmth to its wearer.
Pashmina and silk/ pashmina shawls are hand woven by men as only they have the strength to throw the shuttle back and forth continuously.
Prior to weaving, the pashm wool is carded and spun by women. As the entire process is almost entirely done by hand, there are small natural flaws and slubs that make their way into virtually every shawl. This is normal and should be seen as a sign that the fabric has been hand loomed.
Dying is also done by hand. The undyed shawls are stirred, again by men into large pots of shimmering dye liquid. Periodically they are lifted to be inspected. When the desired colour is achieved, the shawls are rinsed, dried and treated. Because the entire dying process is done by hand some slight colour stiations can be expected.
Finishes can also differ because different dyes have different effects on the silk/ pashmina fabric. This explains why some light coloured shawls feel softer than other dark coloured ones. If they are from the same weaver, the only difference is from the effects of the dye. Care for your Pashmina
Pashmina shawls can be delicately hand washed in cold water with a light detergent such as woolite. They should then be rolled in a towel to remove excess water and laid flat to dry. To remove wrinkles pashmina shawls should either be steam pressed or lightly ironed under a pressing cloth. Silk/ pashmina shawls, however should be dry-cleaned. Although the contents are natural products, the silk and raised nap of the fabric cause silk/ pashmina shawls to wrinkle more easily. Because home pressing can often flatten the raised nap it is best to have silk/ pashmina professionally dry cleaned.
Oriental carpets are one of the most popular products of Asia. Produced from the Middle East to China, they have long been known for their complex designs and rich colors. Traditionally, the dyes used to color the wool and other materials from which carpets are made were obtained from a variety of plants and other natural sources.
Most of the natural dyes were collected in the wild from sources such as oak tree galls, larkspur, woad, indigo, madder, and cochineal. Only a few of the sources, such as indigo, were intensively cultivated. As synthetic dyes were developed, reliance on natural dye sources diminished. Synthetic azo dyes (an acid direct dye that yields yellow or orange-red) were introduced to many weaving areas between 1875 and 1890. Synthetic indigo was developed in 1897, and by 1914, only 4% of the indigo produced was extracted from plants. As the carpet industry has grown and commercial production has demanded more reliable supplies, vegetable dyes have been largely replaced by synthetic dyes, including acid, reactive, chrome, and metal-complex formulations.
In the Kingdom of Nepal this has led to a major environmental problem with significant ecosystem implications, and also a major opportunity for industrial ecology. When the Chinese army occupied Tibet in the 1950s, a flood of refugees entered Nepal. The refugees brought with them their traditional carpet-weaving practices. Searching for income, they began making carpets, and in 1964, the first commercial shipment of hand-knotted carpets was exported from Nepal. Today the carpet industry is the largest industry in Nepal. In 1995/96, Nepal exported .9 million square meters of carpet, providing the country’s largest source of foreign income.
Hundreds of small producers make carpet in Nepal. Over 90% are located in the relatively small Kathmandu Valley. Imported wool is dyed in vats and woven into carpets. The carpets are then washed repeatedly before being trimmed to finish. The vast majority of dyes used are synthetics imported from European producers such as Sandoz and Ciba-Giegy. The dyeing process is largely done with few process controls and the transfer efficiency of dye onto the wool is often quite poor. Consequently, large quantities of dyes are discharged into the shallow rivers of the Kathmandu Valley. Waste dyes are the largest chemical pollutant of Nepal rivers, and the once-clean rivers of the Kathmandu Valley are now black.
A Nepali organization, the Institute for Legal Research and Resources (ILRR), is working with the carpet industry to investigate the feasibility of commercial-scale application of vegetable dyes to substitute for imported synthetic dyes. With financial support from the US-Asia Environmental Partnership, through the Asia Foundation, ILRR has hired two chemists to investigate the challenges to using vegetable dyes. These include color quality and fastness, but the most significant obstacle is obtaining sufficient supply. Many companies produce carpets according to orders from foreign buyers, and one company owner says that it would take six months to get sufficient "traditional" vegetable dyes for a typical order.
Yet the advantages of overcoming these obstacles are striking. Imported dyes are the second-biggest expense to the Nepal carpet industry, after imported wool, and one for which scarce foreign exchange must be used. If vegetable dyes could be grown in Nepal in sufficient quantity it would significantly improve the balance of payments of the country. It would also potentially reduce carpet production costs and make Nepali carpets more competitive in the global carpet market. This economic rationale is increasing the interest of the Nepal government in the ILRR project.
The environmental and health implications are also significant. The metals in imported synthetic dyes are carried downstream from Kathmandu through thousands of miles of Indian rivers, potentially affecting millions of people. Dozens of carpet dyers are known to have suffered acute health problems from contact with the synthetic dyes and are probably the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated that the Nepal carpet industry employs between 100,000 and 300,000 people, many of whom come into contact with raw dyestuffs regularly and who can be expected to have chronic if not acute reactions to the chemicals.
Production of vegetable dyes could also benefit Nepal’s agricultural economy. One of the world’s poorest countries, Nepal greatly needs new kinds of cash crops. The impact of diverting the tens of millions of dollars currently paid to European dye producers to Nepal farmers would be significant.
The carpet market is quite responsive to the use of vegetable dyes. Major carpet dealers distinguish vegetable-dyed from synthetic-dyed carpets for their customers although they usually argue that vegetable dyes are not necessarily of better durability (and in the case of acidic black tannin dyes the durability is worse). Germany is the biggest importer of Nepalese carpets with 80% of the purchases, and German buyers are increasingly conscious of the use of synthetic dyes that have negative environmental effects. The carpet industry has a product labeling system called Rugmark that represents carpets made without the use of child labor, and the Rugmark Nepal Foundation is considering expanding the use of the label to cover environmentally responsible production as well. There is therefore a potential market-driven mechanism to promote vegetable dye use in the carpet industry.
Some dye producers are specializing in natural dyes specifically to respond to market demand. One company based in Colorado, Allegro Natural Dyes, Inc., produces a full range of dye colors from five natural sources: indigo, osage, madder, cutch, and cochineal.
Know-how for large-scale vegetable dyeing is increasing. According to several American carpet dealers interviewed by the author, in the past twenty years there has been a huge increase in the quantity and variety of new vegetable dyed rugs available. The trend began in western Turkey in the late 1960's, but knowledge of vegetable dyeing has now been re-introduced into Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Current know-how is augmented by an extensive literature on natural dyes, dating back centuries. For example, the book Dyer's Instructor, by pattern dyer David Smith, was published in 1860 with nearly 800 recipes for dyes. Now hobbyists and return-to-nature advocates are adding rapidly to the resources available. Over a dozen books on natural dyes have been published in the last few decades.
Despite these resources, Nepal faces significant challenges in substituting locally-grown vegetable dyes for imported synthetics. Research is needed on the types of dye plants that would grow best in Nepal’s varied climatic conditions. If sufficient quantities can be produced, extensive quality control will need to be instituted to satisfy foreign buyers who want large lots of identical carpets. Although vegetable dyes are free of heavy metals, it is not clear that they produce less biological or chemical oxygen demand in wastewaters, or that they do not cause adverse health effects in some workers. Integrating Nepal’s carpet and agricultural industries would likely run into other challenges that are now unforeseen. Perhaps the greatest challenge will be getting the various organizations in Nepal that would be affected by the change to cooperate with each other. However, the economic opportunity is significant, the market is responsive, and there are good indicators that the concept is technically feasible. And success would mean that industrial ecology is real enough to walk on.
Oriental carpets are one of the most popular products of Asia. Produced from the Middle East to China, they have long been known for their complex designs and rich colors. Traditionally, the dyes used to color the wool and other materials from which carpets are made were obtained from a variety of plants and other natural sources.
Most of the natural dyes were collected in the wild from sources such as oak tree galls, larkspur, woad, indigo, madder, and cochineal. Only a few of the sources, such as indigo, were intensively cultivated. As synthetic dyes were developed, reliance on natural dye sources diminished. Synthetic azo dyes (an acid direct dye that yields yellow or orange-red) were introduced to many weaving areas between 1875 and 1890. Synthetic indigo was developed in 1897, and by 1914, only 4% of the indigo produced was extracted from plants. As the carpet industry has grown and commercial production has demanded more reliable supplies, vegetable dyes have been largely replaced by synthetic dyes, including acid, reactive, chrome, and metal-complex formulations.
In the Kingdom of Nepal this has led to a major environmental problem with significant ecosystem implications, and also a major opportunity for industrial ecology. When the Chinese army occupied Tibet in the 1950s, a flood of refugees entered Nepal. The refugees brought with them their traditional carpet-weaving practices. Searching for income, they began making carpets, and in 1964, the first commercial shipment of hand-knotted carpets was exported from Nepal. Today the carpet industry is the largest industry in Nepal. In 1995/96, Nepal exported .9 million square meters of carpet, providing the country’s largest source of foreign income.
Hundreds of small producers make carpet in Nepal. Over 90% are located in the relatively small Kathmandu Valley. Imported wool is dyed in vats and woven into carpets. The carpets are then washed repeatedly before being trimmed to finish. The vast majority of dyes used are synthetics imported from European producers such as Sandoz and Ciba-Giegy. The dyeing process is largely done with few process controls and the transfer efficiency of dye onto the wool is often quite poor. Consequently, large quantities of dyes are discharged into the shallow rivers of the Kathmandu Valley. Waste dyes are the largest chemical pollutant of Nepal rivers, and the once-clean rivers of the Kathmandu Valley are now black.
A Nepali organization, the Institute for Legal Research and Resources (ILRR), is working with the carpet industry to investigate the feasibility of commercial-scale application of vegetable dyes to substitute for imported synthetic dyes. With financial support from the US-Asia Environmental Partnership, through the Asia Foundation, ILRR has hired two chemists to investigate the challenges to using vegetable dyes. These include color quality and fastness, but the most significant obstacle is obtaining sufficient supply. Many companies produce carpets according to orders from foreign buyers, and one company owner says that it would take six months to get sufficient "traditional" vegetable dyes for a typical order.
Yet the advantages of overcoming these obstacles are striking. Imported dyes are the second-biggest expense to the Nepal carpet industry, after imported wool, and one for which scarce foreign exchange must be used. If vegetable dyes could be grown in Nepal in sufficient quantity it would significantly improve the balance of payments of the country. It would also potentially reduce carpet production costs and make Nepali carpets more competitive in the global carpet market. This economic rationale is increasing the interest of the Nepal government in the ILRR project.
The environmental and health implications are also significant. The metals in imported synthetic dyes are carried downstream from Kathmandu through thousands of miles of Indian rivers, potentially affecting millions of people. Dozens of carpet dyers are known to have suffered acute health problems from contact with the synthetic dyes and are probably the tip of the iceberg. It is estimated that the Nepal carpet industry employs between 100,000 and 300,000 people, many of whom come into contact with raw dyestuffs regularly and who can be expected to have chronic if not acute reactions to the chemicals.
Production of vegetable dyes could also benefit Nepal’s agricultural economy. One of the world’s poorest countries, Nepal greatly needs new kinds of cash crops. The impact of diverting the tens of millions of dollars currently paid to European dye producers to Nepal farmers would be significant.
The carpet market is quite responsive to the use of vegetable dyes. Major carpet dealers distinguish vegetable-dyed from synthetic-dyed carpets for their customers although they usually argue that vegetable dyes are not necessarily of better durability (and in the case of acidic black tannin dyes the durability is worse). Germany is the biggest importer of Nepalese carpets with 80% of the purchases, and German buyers are increasingly conscious of the use of synthetic dyes that have negative environmental effects. The carpet industry has a product labeling system called Rugmark that represents carpets made without the use of child labor, and the Rugmark Nepal Foundation is considering expanding the use of the label to cover environmentally responsible production as well. There is therefore a potential market-driven mechanism to promote vegetable dye use in the carpet industry.
Some dye producers are specializing in natural dyes specifically to respond to market demand. One company based in Colorado, Allegro Natural Dyes, Inc., produces a full range of dye colors from five natural sources: indigo, osage, madder, cutch, and cochineal.
Know-how for large-scale vegetable dyeing is increasing. According to several American carpet dealers interviewed by the author, in the past twenty years there has been a huge increase in the quantity and variety of new vegetable dyed rugs available. The trend began in western Turkey in the late 1960's, but knowledge of vegetable dyeing has now been re-introduced into Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Current know-how is augmented by an extensive literature on natural dyes, dating back centuries. For example, the book Dyer's Instructor, by pattern dyer David Smith, was published in 1860 with nearly 800 recipes for dyes. Now hobbyists and return-to-nature advocates are adding rapidly to the resources available. Over a dozen books on natural dyes have been published in the last few decades.
Despite these resources, Nepal faces significant challenges in substituting locally-grown vegetable dyes for imported synthetics. Research is needed on the types of dye plants that would grow best in Nepal’s varied climatic conditions. If sufficient quantities can be produced, extensive quality control will need to be instituted to satisfy foreign buyers who want large lots of identical carpets. Although vegetable dyes are free of heavy metals, it is not clear that they produce less biological or chemical oxygen demand in wastewaters, or that they do not cause adverse health effects in some workers. Integrating Nepal’s carpet and agricultural industries would likely run into other challenges that are now unforeseen. Perhaps the greatest challenge will be getting the various organizations in Nepal that would be affected by the change to cooperate with each other. However, the economic opportunity is significant, the market is responsive, and there are good indicators that the concept is technically feasible. And success would mean that industrial ecology is real enough to walk on.
Posted by New Arrivals at 5:27 AM 0 comments
Tourism Associations The Existing Tourism associations are:
The NMA is the founder member of Union of Asian Alpine Association (UAAA) and also an active member of the Union of International Alpine Association (UIAA) to help carry out its objectives, the Government of Nepal has authorized the Nepal Mountaineering Association to issue permit for 33 peaks in the Khumbu, Langtang, Annapurna and Manang area. Donation in cash and kind, membership fees from general member and professional members also form the NMA fund.
Furthermore, HAN was able to project itself as a leader in the decision making process pertaining to tourism. No aspects of tourism policies and their implementation could avoid the forceful imprint of HAN. The hotel industry at that time was perhaps one of the most successful industry in the scenario for hardly any other industry existed.
The period of 1970 to early 1980 was prolific year for tourism growth and its spread. It was in this period that all category of star rated hotels grew not only within the confines of Kathmandu but it also spread its wings beyond the valley such as Pokhara, Chitwan and other districts of this valley itself. Till then tourism was still within the confines of sustainability and hotels helped in the growth of other segments of the tourism industry. Travel and trekking agents became more professional and their size of the market and its returns grew in manageable levels.
The 1980's ushered in the idea of a borderless world and as such trade and commerce began to flow from one part of the world to the next. The tourism industry, the very heart of the concept of borderless economy, obviously began to get its full share of benefit. On the other hand, the concept of international standards made the need for international network of marketing.
The Event: With this in mind, the Nepal Association of Rafting Agents in cooperation with Peak UK, one of England's largest whitewater kayaking equipment companies, has developed a proposal for the introduction of a river running event that has the potential to stimulate interest in Nepal as a tourist destination in general and Nepal's rivers in particular as one of the world's premier river running tourism destinations. The Peak UK Himalayan Whitewater Challenge in Nepal is a multi discipline one boat Event that combines extreme slalom / river running skills with down river speed and freestyle action to find an overall whitewater champion. This event, which will combine state of the art forms of extreme whitewater slalom, head to head down river racing and amazing displays of freestyle rodeo maneuvers into one world class competitive event. Additionally, this event will also allow for a competitive display of Nepal's rafting history as there will be a down river raft race in which Nepal's original Nepali raft guides, the current company owners, will guide rafts filled with their companies' best guides in a head to head race down the Bhotekoshi river to claim the honor of 'Top OG' (Original Guide). As such, this event promises to be not only a world class competitive affair, but also an opportunity for Nepal to demonstrate its long standing tradition of whitewater rafting expertise among its citizens.
Event Size and Expected Economic Benefits to Nepal's Tourism IndustryThe event's organizer expected to attract to approximately 100-150 foreign competitors and approximately 100 Nepali participants, in addition to nearly 200-250 spectators, all of whom will help spread the world of Nepal's awesome whitewater tourism potential to those that they know aboard. Additionally, the foreign participants will all ply into Katmandu's Tribhuban International Airport, many of Nepalese air couriers Nepal Airline and then stay in Katmandu's hotels and guesthouse. Where they will shop for good and eat at local restaurants, helping to bolster the country's critical tourism industry that has taken such hard blows in 2001 due to both national and international crises. Additionally, past experience has shown that these participants will travel throughout Nepal after the events, to paddle many of Nepal's world class rivers and as such will help to benefit other areas throughout the country economically. Further, as a by-product of the event is, publicity about Nepal as a safe and secure tourism destination will be disseminated helping to stimulate other non whitewater bases sectors of Nepal's tourism industry as well.
As both the Governments have principally agreed to review exiting air service agreement , the accessibility problems would be solved," said Dewan "However, we will do our best to promote Nepal as the cultural and scenic destination", he added. During the meet, Shi Xiang, the director of China National Tourism Office -Kathmandu informed that the Chinese Government has authorized additional 450 Chinese travel agencies to organize the tour between the two countries and handed over the list of the agencies to NATTA. He informed that the intensive promotion is required to attract Chinese tourists to this Himalayan Kingdom. "The Mission can be successful in creating awareness in the Chinese market about the beautiful Nepali tourism products." he said. Currently around 300 travel agencies, out of some 600 registered are are in active operation in the country and the NATTA is demanding the government to authorize all these agencies to operate Chinese tourists. The mission that comprises 36 tourism entrepreneurs including three hoteliers had visited the city to Shanghai from 23 to 31 July, 2002.
Since its establishment, the number of trekking agencies has been increasing as well as the number of members of the association. TAAN limited its membership only to Nepalese trekking agents at its initial phase. Nevertheless, it opened its associate membership to foreign organizations to broaden the scope of the Association.
TAAN members (nearly 300 general members and 12 associate members) meet annually to endorse policy guidelines, which govern the Executive Body. It frequently communicates with the concerned bodies of the government to simplify the procedures and solve the problems related with trekking. TAAN has Nine Sub-Committees, which assist to meet its objectives. It also organizes workshops to make trekking agents aware of the rising pollution in trekking routes and other problems encountered by the trekkers and trekking agents. The executive body, which is elected every two years, has 6 office bearers, 8 Executive Members, 1 immediate Past President, 1 Chapter Representative and 3 Nominate Executive Member/s.
Posted by New Arrivals at 5:13 AM 0 comments
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Trekking in Nepal
My Organize Trekking : An Organized Trekking offers the best value: not luxury but not cut-price, flexible but comfortable. Everything you need, except for personal articles like clothes, day pack, walking boots or sleeping bag, is supplied; if needed, these can easily be acquired in Nepal. We supply whatever staff or materials you require - Guides, Sherpas, cooks, tents, mattresses, food, water, etc.Meals on Organized Trekking are always nutritious and tasty. This type of trek is very safe and very comfortable as it is much like the more expensive custom trekking. While it is safer than a Tea House Trekking, it does cost more because we supply staff, varied meals, and clean and comfortable sleeping accommodation.
Tea House Trekking (Lodge Trekking) :In Nepal, it is quite popular to trekking along the many trails, stopping each night to eat and sleep at a local Tea House. Our guide takes you along your route, organizing and paying for places to eat and sleep. Meals depend on the menu at the tea house, usually the simple basic meals of the local people. Although many tea houses and hotels in the hills and mountains are reasonably comfortable, some may be dirty and, in areas where chimneys are rare, rooms may be smoky. The benefit of Tea House Trekking is that, by arranging food and accommodation locally, you can move at your own pace, set your own schedule and - most importantly - meet and experience the real life of the rural people.
Camping Trekking:A Camping Trekking is surprisingly luxurious. You are woken each morning when hot water and a hot drink are brought to your tent. All the trekking gear - sleeping tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, kitchen tents, cooking gear and toilet tents - are provided, along with all necessary support staff. A Sirdar (chief guide) is employed to pre-arrange and then to oversee the entire program. All land transportation, local permits, taxes, porter insurance, port dues, and entrance fees to National Parks or sites constituting an integral part of the trip are arranged. Depending on the area, provisions are based either on fresh local food or a combination of local and imported ingredients. Your only job is to enjoy yours.
Posted by New Arrivals at 9:16 PM 0 comments
What to Bring
Equipment list of Trekking:
There is given as below some recommended Equipment list for trekking in Nepal Himalayas. Our Porters will carry your big bag with about 20 kg to 25kg. and It's better to carry a your day pack yourself, where you can keep your necessary things for the day time. Such as: camera and film, water, napkin paper, Ti-shirt for the warm place and warm Jacket for the cold place.
Clothing
01 Duffel bag (This should be nice with good zipper)- 1
02 Large plastic bag to put inside the duffel- 103 Daypack- 104 Trekking boots (this should be water proof)- 1 pair
05 Socks for trekking boots- 3 pairs
06 Short pants for hiking- 1 pair
07 T-shirts or short sleeved shirts- 3
08 Long sleeved shirt- 1
09 Sweater / jacket (can be buy also in Kathmandu)-1
10 Underwear- 3 pairs
11 Bras (for women)- 2
12 Rain coat or a good umbrella-1
13 Sanitary napkins (for women)- 1
14 Bathing suit (for spring treks)- 115 Warm hat and sun hat- 1
16 Extra clothing for cold sensitive:1 pair long underwear- 1 pair long woollen, 1 wool shirt (long sleeved)
17 Utility knife- 1
18 Sunglasses- 1
19 Towel- 1
20 Bar of soap or tube liquid soap- 1
21 Toothbrush & toothpaste- 1
22 Toilet paper (can buy in KTM & on trek)
23 Water bottle (mineral water can be on trekking some where)
24 Plastic bags (for clothes organize)
5 Flashlight with extra batteries & bulb- 1
26 Some common medicine likes: Band-Aids, aspirin or Tylenol for headaches or other pain, antihistamine, Throat lozenges etc.
27 most important thing "CAMERA" and necessary things.
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Travel Insurance
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Altitude Sickness
Basic Symptoms:
• Loss of appetite
• Sleep disturbance
• Difficult to pass urine
Medium Symptoms:
• Headache which is bad
• Irregular breathing
• Nausea
• Mild weakness
Serious Symptoms:
• Slight swelling of hands and face
• Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
• Can hear gurgling sound in the chest.
• Zero energy.
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Tea House Trekking
Tea House Trekking ( Lodge Trekking) : In Nepal, it is quite popular to trekking along the many trails, stopping each night to eat and sleep at a local Tea House. Our guide takes you along your route, organizing and paying for places to eat and sleep.Meals depend on the menu at the tea house, usually the simple basic meals of the local people. Although many tea houses and hotels in the hills and mountains are reasonably comfortable, some may be dirty and, in areas where chimneys are rare, rooms may be smoky. The benefit of Tea House Trekking is that, by arranging food and accommodation locally, you can move at your own pace, set your own schedule and - most importantly - meet and experience the real life of the rural people.
Tea House Trekking & Its daily activities
6:45 to 7:00 AM : Breakfast consists of oatmeal, Porridge/muesli, eggs, bread or chapatti, Pancake with butter/jam/honey/peanut butter and tea/coffee/hot chocolate at same Lodge.
7:30 to 8 am AM : Commence walk gradually through villages, rice terraced field, forest, along River, Grassy meadow slope enjoying landscapes, make picture, Video observe local activity and atmosphere, sweat little bit, take a short break, Gasping slowly.
12:00 to 12:30 PM : At Lunch, we offer tea/ coffee/hot chocolate, we serve freshly cooked hot Lunch prepared by the Lodge's Cook consist of rice, daal, French fries, items of noodles, Macaroni, fried rice, vegetables occasionally we get meat items but we recommend not to consume meat because of health concern and difficult to get fresh.
02 to 03:00 PM : Halt in the Lodge, You can take shower, wash yours sweated light clothes like shock, t-shirt, enjoy a glass of tea/ coffee visit to local people's home and surrounding,climb couple of hundred meters for acclimatization.
6:00 to 7:00 : Enjoy Dinner in the warm dinning room, read a book, (lit by pressurized kerosene Petromax (Light)). Dinner always contains soup, a main course (mostly with meat), dessert and tea/coffee/hot chocolate. Yours guide explain you about following day program.
SERVICES INCLUDES ON LODGE TREK
Transport: All the Airport Transfers Transport to starting point of Trek & from Ending point to Kathmandu or nearest city you desire.
Staff: English Speaking Sherpa Guide (Team Leader) and essential porters or Yaks, staff insurance equipment for guide & Porters such as warm jackets, pants and shoes.
Food : Freshly cooked full board meals three time a day, 7 am Before leaving Breakfast as per clients Choice, Lunch 11-12 am mid way freshly cooked , Reaching at Camp cookies with tea, Dinner 6-7 Pm, at same Lodge where you overnight.
Breakfast : Eggs different items, Fresh made Bread, Chapati, Muesli, Cornflake, Caned Juice, Porridge, vegetable etc,
Lunch : Noodles Items, salad, potatoes, French fries, canned meat, sausage, fried rice, macaroni, Pasta, vegetables
Dinner : Nepalese style & Indian Style meals, Rice, vegetable lentil, vegetable , noodles, pasta, Macaroni, canned meat, sausage, Ham, Salami desert fruit pancake, different types of Soup.
Drinks : Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolates per yours choice, boiled water to drink on request.
Fees : All the government fees, park entry fees, trekking permit if required
Equipments : Sleeping Bag (hired), For safety Concern, Gamow Bag, Duffle Bag, General First Aid Kits, Satellite Phone set on request,
SERVICES EXCLUDE ON LODGE TREK
Bar drinks Such as Mineral Water, Coke Fanta & Alcoholic BeverageClient's personnel trekking equipment such as warm jackets, Pants etcStaff Tipping.
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Camping Trekking:
A Camping Trekking is surprisingly luxurious. You are woken each morning when hot water and a hot drink are brought to your tent. All the trekking gear - sleeping tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, kitchen tents, cooking gear and toilet tents - are provided, along with all necessary support staff. A Sirdar (chief guide) is employed to pre-arrange and then to oversee the entire program. All land transportation, local permits, taxes, porter insurance, port dues, and entrance fees to National Parks or sites constituting an integral part of the trip are arranged. Depending on the area, provisions are based either on fresh local food or a combination of local and imported ingredients. Your only job is to enjoy yours. With camping groups we always carry Kerosene or Gas stove, so that no local wood need to be used to cook. Naturally, to maintain our high standard, we have a dedicated team of experienced staff, from the office managers who arrange your trip right down to the cooks that prepare your foodMakalu Base Camp TrekkingMakalu (8,481m), the fifth highest mountain of the world lying on the Nepal – Tibet border has the virtue of observing the Nepal’s most major peaks to the east of the Everest. The trek starts right from the Arun Valley. This region, considered as one of the non-tourist area is famous for its unique flora and fauna not for Nepal but also for the world. This place still needs your exploration to come out with true delight and entertainment provided by birds and wildlife.
Ganesh Himal Trekking
Ganesh himal is to the west of Langtang Himal and east of Manasulu range. It stretches between the two rivers Trisuli and Budhigandaki. The main peak is Ganesh himal 7429m. the region has altogether 7peaks and all has its distinctive character. These mountains became famous since they can be seen from Kathmandu. It is one of the precious areas where the simple life of Himalayas can be still observed. The charm of this area is that it offers quite but variegated trekking, visiting some peaceful villages of Tamangs, hot spas, gorges and glaciers.The course starts from Trisuli bazaar, in the semitropical sun, goes up to a fairly high elevation, where a close view of Ganesh 7163m.can be enjoyed, and descends to Syaprubesi after crossing over two passes. The highest elevation is more than 4000m.
Kanchanjunga Base Camp Trekking
Kanchenjunga is the third highest in the world at 8,598m; it sits astride the Nepal/Sikkim border only a few miles from Tibet. This route was opened to the trekkers in 1988, though people have trekked in the area in connection with mountaineering expedition since the turn of the century. Kanchenjunga is along way from Kathmandu and the nearest road and airports are along way from the mountains. Our long trek here climbs from the intensively cultivated hillsides of the Nepal Midlands, populated by the Rai and Limbu tribes, towards the peaks of Jannu and Khabru and the great wall of Kumbakarna, Kanchenjunga and Rathong, passing on the way through some of the finest high mountain scenery anywhere. Until very recently this was a restricted area, so this is an ideal trek for those who already know Nepal and want to get away from the better known areas and visit a remoter part where few foreigners have penetrated.We fly from Kathmandu to Biratnagar and transfer to Basantapur on the same day. The trek begins with our first camp at Chauki then trek through Gyabla, and ascends to the higher camp at Pang Pema (5120m) and camp at Lhonak. The trek concludes at Suketar via the descent from Omje Khola, from where we fly back to Kathmandu.
Manaslu Round Trekking - 21 Days
Newly opened in 1992 to trekking by HMG Nepal, this area has still its own natural virgin beauty that every trekkers can have the maximum satisfaction of nature’s paradise. This fascinating trek is constantly rewarded with biological diversity, unsurpassed beauty of brilliant mountain vistas of the Ganesh, Manaslu Himal (8118m) and insights into the cultures of a cross- section of ethnic Nepalese tribes and people of Gurung, Magar, Tamang and Bhotes (Tibetan) who inhibit the region whose way of life unchanged for decades and maybe, even centuries. Beginning in Gorkha, home of the celebrated Gorkha soldiers, visit the ancient place of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. Soon after civilization fades and we pass through ancient villages, observing the simple agriculture habits of its people.Then we ascend the Gandaki River valley, fed by innumerable rivers and waterfalls, offering the chance of a plunge into some bathing pools. From here, the strenuous section begins and yaks begin to outnumber people in the rocky landscape. In Samagoan (3450m) we visit the glacial green lake of Birendra, before crossing into mystic Samdo, a mere 15 Km from the Tibetan border. Here Tibetan monks inhabit scared monasteries and combined with the views of Tibetan plateau against stark white Himalayas makes this a truly spiritual place. Continuing, more monasteries await in Larkya La (pass). This 5213m snow-covered pass demands the utmost respect. Snow-covered peaks over 6500m tower above as we cross. The decent, once off the snow lakes take us through alpine then tropical areas, busting with ferns, bamboo, pine trees, waterfalls and aqua-blue green lakes laced with cotton-white beaches. Finally, Manaslu will disappear as we descend to Beshishar (832m.) This 3-week excursion will leave you with a sense of peace and respect for the people of Nepal and its ecological wonders.
Lower Dolpa Trekking
Trekkers rarely visit the district of Dolpo and yet it offers a wonderful chance to experience a landscape and culture very different from other parts of the country. Dolpo is rugged and remote and divided into two areas (upper and lower). The upper region is restricted and requires a permit. The whole of Dolpo is situated in the Shey Phoksundo National Park, 400 km west of Kathmandu. It is a rich and diverse area lying west of the Kali Gandaki valley just behind the Dhaulagiri massif in mid-western Nepal.Dolpo is home to many rare and endangered animal species including the Snow leopard, musk deer and blue sheep. The Dolpo region has only been opened to foreigners since 1989. Lower Dolpo is the least strenuous trek of the two Dolpo treks on this web site (see upper Dolpo trek in restricted regions) nevertheless it is not an easy trek. One of the many highlights of the lower trek is the flat upper valley, which contains a number of interesting villages which are mostly inhabited by people of Magar & Gurung origin. There are number of Buddhist and Bon temples to be experienced along the way.
Jumla Rara Lake Trekking
can be Reach to Jumla from Nepalgunja to direct flights. At an altitude of 2370m. Jumla. This town is the starting point for route heading east into Dolpa., North Humla & West into Bajura. A few stores line the 200m. flag stoned main street but despite the presents new Kasrnali technical School on the outskirts of town, Jumla retains an atmosphere of almost total inertia. Bustling it isn’t. The culture center of the town is the flag -swathed Chandan Nath Temple, from within which can is heard bell ringing & horn blowing Pujas every afternoon. The inhabitants of Jumla are mainly high-casts Thkury & Chettrie Hindu who do not like working as porters.
Makalu Base Camp Trekking
Makalu (8,481m), the fifth highest mountain of the world lying on theNepal – Tebet border has the virtue of observing the Nepal’s most major peaks to the east of the Everest. The trek starts right from the Arun Valley. This region, considered as one of the non-tourist area is famous for its unique flora and fauna not for Nepal but also for the world. This place still needs your exploration to come out with true delight and entertainment provided by birds and wildlife.
Rolwaling Trekking in Nepal
Very few tourist success to do trekking in this area, cause of its, covering the mountain terrain of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border, the trail to this pass goes between huge mountains along glaciers, situated in eastern parts. With many Hidden valley including many and cross very high passes, walk on trails over glaciers between high mountains and providing its magnificent panoramic mountains scenery with more than thirty mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft.This is an excellent habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals; 526 species of plants, 40 species of orchids and 300 species of birds. Interesting wild animals include many kinds of monkeys, the Himalayan thar, gaur, and the musk deer, Himalayan black bear, wild dog, Himalayan thar and more than 250 species of birds.Besides its, the area offers a range of Nepali culture, which reflected by Tibetans and the area includes many ancients monasteries and colorful festival.The trails rise from 1950 meters (6,396ft) to 5793 meters (19116ft) above sea level. For the most enjoyable trek, a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 25 days should be planned.
Mardi Himal Peak Climbing 5,587m
The most triangular shaped ridge and its summit that form the westerly lower slope of mount Machhapuchre. the mountain possess two peaks thus it named as this which in English means 'Fish Tail'. Its great skyline is seen even from Phewa lake at PokharaIt is situated to the most southerly high point of Mt. Annapurna massif, around these appears majestic grouping of mountains in the central Himalayan that includes 5 of the 12 highest mountains in the world, all these awaits to this route.Descending first through the forest a different route takes us steeply down to the upper Mardi Khola, the torrent that has been the ice and the snow of Mardi Himal although remote and still away form the used trekking routes, the expedition now takes on the moods of the warm valleys and the friendly villages, as we make our way along the banks of Mardi Khola form the hill side village of siding, down through the lovely fields, past the simple farms over the bridges.
Panchase Trekking
The trek commences from the lakeside town of Pokhara traveling south west before looping into the main Annapurna trekking region. The area around Panchase is well known for its array of bird and wildlife. The first five days trekking are away from the more frequented trails providing an opportunity to experience the wealth of culture to be found in this area. We eventually arrive at Ghandruk the largest Gurung village in the region and the Centre of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project. We rest up for a day to explore this ornate Gurung village which provides some serious views of the mountains Macchapucchare (Fishtail) Annapurna South and Himchuli before a two day trek back to Pokhara.
Panch Pokhari Trekking
Pristine Mountain views, rich culture and genuine adventure, offering a trekking experience to the base of Jugal Himal towards north east of Kathmandu. This area offers a combination of rich cultural heritage, unsurpassed beauty and biological diversity. Beginning from Chautara, home of Sherpa and Tamang people. This trek starts from 1,400m and goes up to 4,000m at Panch Pokhari, a seldom-visited pilgrimage site and ends at the Tibetan border tatopani?
Upper Dolpa Trekking
Dolpa Trek Located on the isolated corner of Trans Himalayan Zone Dolpoa is a virgin and divine land in Mid-Western Nepal. Shey-Phoksundo National Park in the core of Dolpa Region is famous for snow leopard. A great Naturalist Rodney Jackson conducted his research on snow leopards in Shey Phoksundo area. The Dolpa is famous for deepest Lake Phoksundo in entire Himalayan Region. Mother Nature created a unique and wonderful treasurer like Dolpo, which is being the shelter of many rare alpine living beings. In spite of tough trails and rugged topography journey to Dolpa area is a lifetime experience. Tourists rarely visit Dolpa Region and the trekking route is very narrow and steep at places, so good hiking experience is essential for this trek. The altitude ranges from 2500m to 5070m.
Upper Mustang trekking- 27 Days
Few regions of the great Himalaya remain unraveled. The ancient kingdom of Mustang in western Nepal is one of them. Only a handful of foreigners have crossed the high passes to the valley of Tholung where in lies the palace of Lo-Manthang, the seat of the king of Mustang, who is still in residence.From Kathmandu you drive to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest town set on the shores of Lake Phewa Tal. You spend a day here relaxing before taking the flight up the great Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomsom where the trek begins. You ascend the ridge to the north of the town with a spectacular panorama of the Annapurna range rising behind you.The trail continues to climb onto this southern edge of the Tibetan Plateau towards Mustang. There are several pass crossings (the highest being the Nyi La at 3990m) all of which offer astounding views south to the Annapurna and north to Tibet, before you make the final climb to a ridge at 3850 metres.From here you look down into the Tholung Valley to the walled city of Lo-Manthang. Their days here enable you to explore this remarkable medieval city with its monasteries and palace or to ride ponies north to the King- a memorable character from another world. You then trek back to Jomsom via a different route before flying to Kathmandu via Pokhara. This is an exceptional trip.
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Peak Climbing
Different mountains have various levels of difficulty. All of our climbs follow the standard and easiest route on every mountain. This gives us a better chance to reach the top. Our guides always pick safe routes and know the signs of danger. We give all our clients time to acclimate and if the altitude begins to effect anyone we know how to react. Good physical shape is needed for these climbs but no climbing experience is needed. We urge all clients to follow an exercise routine before coming to Nepal.
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SIGHTING IN NEPAL (MUST VISIT)
The Kathmandu Valley, the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal, is the first stop for the majority of visitors to the country. Originally known as the Nepal Valley and a separate kingdom in itself, it contains three fabled cities, each an artistic exposition of graceful temples, elegant palaces, brick- paved courtyards and quaint streets.Bouddhanath Stupa : (World Heritage Siste)Lies about six km to the east of downtown Kathmandu and is the largttyest stupa in the Valley. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating specimens of stupa design. Bouddhanath is also known as Khasti, or dew drops, after an account that builders had to use dew to mix the mortar as Kathmandu was suffering from a severe drought during its construction.
Swoyambhu Stupa : (World Heritage Site)
Watches over the Valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The huge stupa is one of the holiest Buddhists sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swayambhu is also known as Samhengu. The National Museum and the Museum of Natural History are situated at the foot of the hill.
Bouddhanath Stupa : (World Heritage Siste)
Is situated below Shivapuri hill at the northern end of the Valley. It is about nine KM from the city center. The hub of the temple complex is a pond in which lies a great stone figure of the Hindu god Bishnu reclining on the coils of a cosmic serpent. It is also known as Bhuijasi.
Pashupatinath Temple : (World Heritage Site)
One of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, Pashupatinath lies five km east of the city center. The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva. Chronicles indicate the temple's existence prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati river flowing beside the temple.
Changu Narayan Temple : (World Heritage Site)
Is situated on a ridge overlooking the Valley, about 12 km to the east of the city. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Bishnu. One of the finest and oldest specimens of pagoda architecture, the temple is embellished with exquisite wood and stone carvings.
Kathmandu Durbar Square : (World Heritage Site)
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th- century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also three museums inside the palace building.
Patan Durbar Square : (World Heritage Site)
Like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects. One remarkable monument here is a 17th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, built entirely of stone.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square : (World Heritage Site)
As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the spatial layout here. The 15th-century Palace of 55 Windows, situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The entrance to the palace, the Golden Gate, is a masterpiece in repousse art. In front of the palace building is a medley of temples of various designs.
Nagarkot : Nagarkot(altitude 2,175m)
Is by far the most popular.Located 30kms east of Kathmandu.nagarkot is popular for sunrise and sunset tour. At sunrise,the Himalayan range,stretching from Dhaulagiri in the west all the way past Everest to kanchenjunga in the east.
Dhulikhel :
The hill resort of Dhulikhel lies 32 kms east of Kathmandu on the arniko Highway that leads to Tibet. In the old days, Dhulikhel flourished as a trading center handling commerce Kathmandu and Lhasa. Today it delights visitors with its enchanting cultural and stunning Himalayan views.Dhulikhel means luxuriating in unspoiled natural splendor and becoming oblivious to the cares of the world.
Dakshinkali and Chobhar :
The temple of Dakshinkali is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali and is one of the most popular places of worship in Kathmandu. Located 22 km from the city center on the southern rim of the Valley, the shrine is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays when animal sacrifices are offered to the deity. On the way back, stop at Chobhar gorge. The narrow gash in the hills was made by Lord Manjushree to drain out the lake which once covered the Kathmandu Valley.
Pokhara :
If Kathmandu is the cultural hub of Nepal, then Pokhara is its center of adventure. An enchanting city nestled in a tranquil valley (altitude 827 m), it is the starting point for many of Nepal's most popular trekking and rafting destinations. The atmosphere on the shores of Phewa Lake is one of excited vitality as hipster backpackers crowd the many bars and restaurants exchanging recommendations on guest houses and viewpoints, both by the lake and above the clouds. Pokhara is a place of remarkable natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6,977 m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and magic.
Lumbini :
Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born in 623 BC, is situated in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. The nativity site is marked by a stone pillar erected by Indian Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage to the sacred spot.
Shopping :
Nepal is famous for Handi-crafts items. Handi-crafts from Nepal were coveted across Central Asia in ancient times for their superior quality and intricate workmanship. Today, the skills inherited from the old masters continue to be practiced with the same devotion to bring you works of art which you will forever cherish.Garments, Gems, Jewelry, Khukuri, Metal-ware, Music cassettes and CDs of Nepalese classical, folk and sacred tunes, Paper products,Paubha, Pottery, Spices, Tea, Wood carving, Woolen carpets Statues. The casting of bronze, brass and copper statuary in Nepal dates back to the 13th century.
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JUNGLE SAFARI
Elephant Safari
Exploring the jungle the traditional way, you get a wide overview perched on an elephant's back, making your way through the lush forests at a leisurely pace.
Bird Watching
Oxcart Ride
Discover village life in a laid-back oxcart ride through the countryside.
Colorful Tharu Village Visit
Experience the culture and traditions of the Tharu people living close to the jungle and wildlife for centuries.
Nature or Jungle Walk
Explore the jungle on foot to get a closer look at birds, plants and all kinds of wildlife. We can show you some good places for spotting tigers or rhinos.
About the Terai
The Terai is stiflingly hot during summer months and temperate during winters. Summer months require cool clothes, good walking shoes, shady hat and sunscreen. Other important items are mosquito repellant, anti-diarrhea tablets and anti-histamines. During monsoons one should carry waterproof jackets and an extra pair of shoes. The Terai jungles are infested with leeches during monsoons, hence one should carry insect repellant to keep them away. Salt or a lighted cigarette will make them fall off. Pulling them off could infect the wound.
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OTHER ADVENTURES
Mountain Flights
Mountain flights offer the closest possible aerial views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, and the Tibetan plateau, among many others. For those who are restricted by time or other considerations, these flights offer spectacular panoramic views of the Himalayas in just one hour.
Rock climbing
Rock climbing has become a popular sport in Nepal because it offers some unmatched opportunities to face a soaring wall of rocks amid awe-inspiring views. Balaju, Nagarjun, Budhanilkantha and Shivapuri are some of the most places where you can give it a try.
Bird watchingNepal is a paradise for bird lovers with over 800 species of birds. Almost 500 hundred can be found in the Kathmandu Valley alone. Bring your binoculars and be prepared for some amazing encounters.
Hot air ballooning
Cable Car
Mountain Biking
Discover the Kathmandu Valley and the Pokhara area on a mountain bike. Good bikes can be rented from many shops around town.
City Tours
Shopping
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