Garden of Dreams

After having traveled for weeks on end, with lots of adventures, sights that made a deep impression on me and left a lasting trace in my mind, after hassles and noise, after being active from early morning to late evening, and after a few days in the hectic pleasant chaos of Kathmandu, I longed for a moment of peace, a moment of rest, a moment of inactivity. I needed a break. When I learnt about the Garden of Dreams, or the Swapna Bagaicha, I knew that would be exactly what I needed. Its central location in Kathmandu made it even easier to decide.

The entrance on Tridevi Marg looks small, and conceals what can be found just behind the high wall surrounding the Garden of Dreams. Once inside, as the noise of cars and motorbikes, the voices and yells, disappear behind your back, you walk into an oasis of peace. Suddenly, you realise that there are actually birds singing, you hear the murmur of water, no one tries to sell drugs or trekking tours: you are, in fact, by yourself! What is more: the main relaxation areas in the Garden of Dreams provides cushions to install yourself on the grass. I could not resist, lied down and closed my eyes.

As I was blocking the visual pleasures of the Garden of Dreams, I could still discern the street noise, but it had become a background, almost monotonous noise, which I somehow filtered out. It took little time to relax completely, and I thoroughly enjoyed the silence and the very pleasant atmosphere of the surroundings. When I got up again, I made a tour of the Garden of Dreams. Much more than just a garden, it has been painstakenly restored - the garden was started by Field Marshal Kaiser Shamser in the 1920s, but deteriorated after his death. They have been opened in 2006, work is still in progress, but already now, you cannot miss the combination of overall design and the details that make this garden stand out. Small pavilions, sculptures, waterfalls, exotic plants and flowers, ponds, circular gates, steps integrated into the lawn. A highly romantic place, from which it is difficult to leave.

Pashupatinath Cremation

After getting off the taxi, I walked into a park belonging to the Pashupatinath area. Some teenagers were playing cricket, older people were sitting down for a chat, and a monkey rushed past as I walked on. I turned a corner and saw some souvenir stalls, and paid my entrance fee. Just around the corner, I entered a platform and saw a line of people hanging over the edge, smoke rising behind them, coming from below. When I joined them to look down, I saw fires burning below, and realized that this was the famed cremation site of Kathmandu. I walked down, crossed the small river and joined another line of people sitting on the stairs. It was hard to imagine that this narrow stream of water was actually the holy Bagmati river, on a par with the Ganges in India. However, the atmosphere was different: it felt relaxed, it seemed that locals around me came her for a day out, almost like going to a picnic.

I sat down opposite the cremation site, and watched. For me, the foreigner of a continent where death has virtually disappeared from public life, where seeing a funeral car is the closest you can come to be faced with death in daily life, the openness and accessibility of this cremation site has a tremendous impact. Families with young children were watching with me while a corpse, wrapped in a white cloth, was carried to one of the platforms. A few relatives were bidding their last farewells to the corpse, some flowers were tossed on the corpse, after which it was lifted and carried on the pile of wooden blocks that had been constructed just before. I watched yet another cremation. One of the people working at Pashupatinath was making a pile of wooden blocks, making sure it was the right length and had a more or less straight surface. A coffin, that had been waiting next to a platform, was surrounded by people, and a man opened the lid. He threw clothes and shoes in the holy river Bagmati, which actually is no more than a trickel nowadays thanks to overpopulation. After the coffin was broken apart, its remains were also deposited in the Bagmati. The corpse was covered in flowers, lifted and put on top of the pyre. After relatives walked around it to show their last respect, it was covered by straw and the fire was lit. This was surprisingly little ceremony surrounding the event, and when smoke started billowing out of the pile of wood, straw and human remains, the relatives disappeared.

On the other side of the two bridges spanning the Bagmati river, there are more platforms, for cremation of royalty and those high on the societal ladder. A crowd had gathered around a corpse covered in an orange cloth. Relatives were tossing white and yellow flowes on the cloth, and one woman had to be contained because she was desperate. It was the only display of sorrow and emotions I saw in the few hours I watched the scenes on the banks of the holy river Bagmati. The corpse was lifted, and carried to one of the platforms on the south side of the bridges. It was only when they had left, that I noticed something else, left behind on the stairs. It took some time to sink in: I was looking at a corpse, almost uncovered, lying feet-down on the stairs of the river. I was deeply impressed. When I returned to the south side of the bridges, I noticed that the fire that I had seen started, had almost disappeared. Someone was trying to wake up a fire that had almost extinguished. It was only when I studied my pictures at home that I realized that there were arms and a foot sticking out of the dying fire. Most of the spectators were gone, and someone just pushed the ashes from the platform into the muddy shallow holy water of the Bagmati.

Boudha Stupa

Inevitably, I knew what the stupa of Boudha would look like before I arrived. Still, when I walked the main street in Boudha I did not notice anything special. Only when I turned to the left, the stupa and the golden tower on top of it presented themselves to me. Even so, it was only when I arrived at the end of the alley that the entire stupa unfolded before my eyes. Yes, it was big, yes, it was crowded, and yes, I wanted to get on top! I walked clockwise around the stupa, and climbed several levels to the highest level where you are allowed to walk.

Actually, the Boudha stupa has nine levels, representing the World Mountain, or Neru - home of gods and centre of the cosmos. The levels represent the five elements. The stupa itself, whose original version was probably built in the 7th century, consists of three levels, accessible to the visitor. They symbolize Earth; two higher plinths symbolize water, and the golden tower above that bear the eyes of the omnipresent god. Between each of these eyes, in three colours, you can find a third eye, the symbol of wisdom. Stair-like steps leading up to the top represent the steps to enlightenment; the pyramidal shape symbolizing fire. The canopy on top stands for air, and the spire defining the top of the structure stands for the sphere.


Obviously, as can be seen in the amount of people circumambulating the stupa on the kora at ground leve, the stupa is of significance to Tibetan buddhists, who have established a large community in Bodhnath or Boudha - many of them fled Tibet after the failed uprising in 1959. At the same time, it is a gathering place for many people, and indeed, is as pleasant a place as any to while away your time. The sun has unobstructed access to the sides of the stupa, and, with a little caution for the sloping sides of the stupa, you can sit virtually anywhere. As the sun goes down and the colours of the stupa become warmer, there are more people around. The prayer flags flying above your head, the murmur coming from below, the friendly eyes of the omnipresent god that never even blink looking down on you, make for a peaceful experience, whether you are a buddhist or not.

Sample the Himalaya - Easily accesable viewpoint

Sarangkot is a semi developed village.

It is the highest viewpoint easily accesable from Pokhara. Two hours walk up the staircase, or get most of the way up by local bus or Taxi.

Sarangkot has great views in all four directions, Pokhara below, The Annapurna Range including its highest peaks, Rolling Hills off to the sunset and a rural lanscape out along the ridge road.

This is a most popular spot for sunrise watchers who come up in the morning and head back to Pokahar after breakcfast.. But in my opinion if you have a spare night in your itinery - stay the night in Sarangkot. There are plenty of places to stay from a few dollars upwards. Sunsets are even better than sunrise most days, the food is better than average for most villages, and it is a great place to loung arround and have a few beers for an afternoon.

Stay the NIGHT in sarangkot for best experience

If you're staying in Pokhara, a visit to Sarangkot is a must. and although many people choose to catch (expensive) early morning return taxis to this hilltop, it's much the best to head up one day, perhaps a gentle walk up the hill (a pleasure in itself), have your afternoon tea, evening meal up there, maybe enjoy the mountain views (or views across the lake) during sunset, and stay overnight. It's cheap to stay - and if it's only for a night, no need to check out your regular hotel in Pokhara - just regard the few rupees you spend on accommodation as what you would have spent on taxi fare! Yes, you might get stunning view at sunrise - but more likely you'll get it at another time. and who knows, maybe you'll like the place and the people enough that you'll want to 'chill out' there for a few more days... Plenty of good walking in the area, including along the ridge towards Kaski and Naudanda (half day's level walk along ridge to naudanda, and you can get a bus from there back to Pokhara, if you like) ...

Pokhara: First-time Visitors

Travelers who are headed to Pokhara for the first time are in for a trip which will expose them to a unique culture in an area which has an interesting history and which offers numerous activities to its guests. Visitors should make it a point to learn up about the safety issues associated with travel to the area before heading there.

Once in the area, travelers should strive to achieve a balance in their trip of enjoying the beautiful outdoor activities offered in the area and taking respite from the often rainy weather with activities located indoors.

As far as the outdoors go, travelers should be sure to head to the Annapurna mountain range to do some hiking. Visitors who make it to Sarangkot peak will be rewarded with an amazing view of Pokhara from above. When visitors are ready to head indoors, the places they will want to be sure to check out are the museums and the local temples. In terms of the latter, the Bhimsen Mandir and the Bindhyabasini Mandhir are the two best locations for truly experiencing the Buddhist and Tibetan religious culture of the area.

Pokhara: Sightseeing

Many traveler come to visit pokhara each year. Pokhara is known as paradise City. Following are the main sightseeing places in Pokhara.

• Fewa Lake
• Barahi Temple
• Davi's Fall
• Gupteswar Cave
• Refugee camp
• Mountain Museum
• Annapurna Museum
• Pokhara Museum
• Mahendra Pul Main Town
• Old Bazar
• Matepani Stupa
• Bhadrakali Temple
• Manipal Hospital
• Pokhara Hospital
• Bindabasini Temple
• Prithivi Narayan College
• Seti George
• Mahendra Cave
• Bat Cave

Pokhara: Devi's Fall

Devi's Fall is a familiar tourism Place of pokhara. It lies on app. 5 km Far from central market of pokhara city on the western part.

it lies on beside of siddhrth highway, then it is a exit way to go to another city also.

From here, you can go for trekking for nuwakot, taksar, mattikhan and those villages, where you can get the cultural taste of village.

there, you will get full of heartist welcomes from the natural heart of real nepalies. so, don't forget to go to those villlages, when you go to devi's fall.

What to See In Lumbini

Lumbini lies in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. The site is a large garden with a grove of pipal trees. The area around Lumbini is entirely Hindu, but many Buddhist temples and shrines from various nations are scattered around the holy site itself.

The most important temple at Lumbini is the Maya Devi Temple, which enshrines the traditional site of the Buddha's birth. The current temple stands on the site of earlier temples and stupas, including the stupa built by Ashoka.

The modern temple consists mainly of simple white building that protects ancient ruins, with the exact spot of the Buddha's birth identified. The delicate sandstone sculptures discovered here are now in the National Musuem in Kathmandu.

Atop the temple is a small square tower of the type seen in Kathmandu, with Buddha eyes on each side and a golden pinnacle on top.

On the south side of the temple is a sacred pool (see top photo), where it is said Maya Devi bathed before giving birth, and where the newborn Buddha was washed by two dragons.

The Maha Devi temple is surrounded by the brick foundations of ancient temples and monasteries. All around Lumbini, long lines of colorful prayer flags are strung between trees. They carry prayers and mantras heavenward as they flap on the breeze.

The other main sight of interest at Lumbini is Ashoka's Pillar, near the temple. It is protected by a small fence, which is decorated with prayer flags and banners from the faithful. Around the courtyard containing the pillar are bowls for incense sticks, and there is room to sit in front of the pillar for contemplation.

History of Lumbini

Lumbini is the traditional birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, who was born in the 7th or 6th century BC.

According to Buddhist tradition, Maya Devi (or Mayadevi) gave birth to the Buddha on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha in the month of May in the year 642 BC. Feeling the onset of labor pains, she grabbed hold of the branches of a shade tree and gave birth to Siddharta Gautama, the future Buddha. The Buddha is said to have announced, "This is my final rebirth" as he entered the world. Buddhist tradition also has it that he walked immediately after his birth and took seven steps, under each of which a lotus flower bloomed.

In 249 BC, the Buddhist convert Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini and constructed four stupas and a stone pillar. Ashoka's Pillar bears an inscription that translates as: "King Piyadasi (Ashoka), beloved of devas, in the 20 year of the coronation, himself made a royal visit, Buddha Sakyamuni having been born here, a stone railing was built and a stone pillar erected to the Bhagavan ["blessed one"] having been born here. Lumbini village was taxed reduced and entitled to the eight part (only)".

Monasteries and temples were built at Lumbini until the 9th century, but Buddhism declined in the area after the arrival of Islam and later Hinduism. All that remained was a sculpture, revered by local women as a fertility symbol. The garden of the Buddha's birth was lost for a thousand years.

The site was rediscovered in 1895, when a German archaeologist came upon Ashoka's Pillar, identified by its inscription. Records made by the Chinese pilgrim Fa Xian were also used in the process of identifying this religiously acclaimed site. Lumbini was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

About Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country situated between Mahachin (Big China) and Maha Bharat ( Big India). It is renowned as the birth place of Lord Budda and contains 8 of world’s 10 highest peaks including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively. Its altitude varies from 70 to 8848 meters. It has population around 28 million with different culture and languages. Around 199 languages are spoken here in Nepal. Nepali is a common Language. Geographically it is divided into three sectors tarai (plain), pahad (hill) and himal (mountain). Tarai is influenced by Indian culture and Himal is influenced by Tibetian culture.
Some of you were asking about changes in Nepal. Yes there has been a change. Just like everything and everybody changes a little everyday, Nepal has also changed. Before the ruling power was in hand of king, so it was a kingdom. Now it has become republican country. First president of Nepal was elected in 21 July 2008. Nepali people are patiently waiting for new constitution in this 21st century with political stability as well. We are really very much enthusiastic about new Nepal.
Development wise it is a least developed country. Purchasing Power Parity of Nepal in International dollars is 1040 (2007). Rank wise it is in 190th position. Per capita income is 210 $. Given the high population growth rate of 2.5 percent, per capita income grew by only 1.4 percent per annum during the last 25 years.

In waterresources it is second after Brazil. But i feel same to say that we have become able to generate only 616 MW of electricity from hydropower. 80 % of Population still lives in rural area. Some of you will be surprised by knowing that 60 % of population still lives in dark.
That means no electricity at all. They are using kerosene to light the lamps. The cooking fuel is wood, twigs and biomass in rural area and in urban area its mostly Kerosene, LPG gas and electricity.

Amy from your previous blogs I knew that you were in Delhi. I was so excited when I saw the picture of Bhaktapur in your blog. The place where you have been is called Bhaktapur Durbar Square. We have other two similar types of Durbar squares in Lalitpur and Kathmandu.

Swoyambhu Nath Stupa

Located in a lovely little hill rock Swoyambhu Nath Stupa is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels of the world. This great Stoup is said to have been built around 250 B.C.Generally a holy memorial site Stoup represents a typical Buddhist architecture. Its main feature the white dome is identified with a spotless pure jewel of Nirvana and a thirteen tiered golden spire in conical shape surmounted on the dome. Underneath this towering structure are a pair of all seeing eyes of Buddha painted on all four sides of the Stupa.The Stupa of Swoyambhunath stands on a typically stylized lotus mandala base-a long time ago believed to have originated from a legendary lake of Kathmandu Valley.As the ancient legend goes Kathmandu Valley was a lake a long time ago. Right in the centre of this lake was a full blown lotus with the divine light a top. When Maha Manjushri a saint from China heard about this he came rushing all the way from China to the Valley. He cut through the southern wall hill of the valley with his divine sword. The cleft made by the sword immediately drained the entire lake water making the valley floor open for a close up view of the divine lotus light.This holy site in fact is the massive stupa complex ever built in Nepal. Hundreds of votive shrines and other historical monuments built in and around this stupa speak a lot about the significance and antiquity of this famed stupa.It lies about 3k.m. west of down town Kathmandu. There are two different ways to reach for this site. One is from the west side which is relatively a short cut and another is from the east side where it leads to the main entrance with 360 steps leading all the way to the top, where the most venerated Swayambhu Stupa stands-commanding a magnificent view of Kathmandu Valley and the breathtaking panorama of the north eastern Himalayan range.Other important things to be seen here include a magnificent two tiered golden temple dedicated to Harati. She is the grand mother deity of children and small pox who was said to be the Ogress until Lord Buddha converted her to be the great caretaker of the children.Not to far from this temple is Dewa Dharma monastery-noted for a bronze icon of Buddha and traditional Tibetan paintings .The huge gold plated vajra ' tha priestly symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism set on the Dharmadhatu mandala at the side of the stupa is worth a close look.Important days to visit this holy site:

1. Buddha Purnima, the birth day of Lord Buddha which fails on the full moon day of Baishak (April-May)

2. Gunla the holy Buddhist month according to Newari calendar (Aug.-Sept., early Morning).

3. Kojagrath Purni (Sept.-Oct.)

4. Samyak day of the Magh (Jan.Feb.) (every twelve years)

Kathmandu Durbar Square

This particular area best known as Kathmandu Durbar Square lies in the heart of this city. Locally also called as Hanuman Dhoka Palace Square-an ancient seat of the Nepalese Royalty.Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex consists of a huge Royal Square imposing a tremendous variety of temples dedicated to different Hindu gods and goddess. Most of the buildings we see here date from 15th to 18th century.The entire Palace Complex here is named after a monkey god called Hanuman. One can see a huge stone statue of Hanuman painted all red right next to the main entrance ( the golden gate) of the palace. Hanuman here is regarded as a powerful protector of the entire Durbar Square.Some of the important monuments to be seen here are:
1. Taleju temple- tallest of all structures built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 A.D. 2. Jagannath temple- built in the 16th century, known for fascinating erotic figures carving I the wooden struts eaves. 3. Kal Bhairav- one of the largest stone idol in Kathmandu representing the terrifying aspects of Shiva.4. Statue of King Pratap Malla in praying gesture to Digu Taleju the royal family deity right across.5. Kumari Ghar- 17th century Kumari temple, an example of the highly developed Nepalese temple craft.6. Kasthamandap- built from the timber of a single tree. 7. The Kathmandu City derives its name from Kasthamandap.
Besides this other fascinating part of this palace complex is the towering Nautale Durbar overlooking the beautiful cityscape and the vast Basantapur square where Prithivi Narayan Shah built mansion to commemorate his victory in 1768 A.D. This building complex is known for the most intricately carved wooden doorways roof struts and massive lattice windows full of mythical figures.

Kathmandu Hotel Deals

Nepal's capital is situated in a valley full of historic sites, ancient temples and shrines, golden pagodas and fascinating villages. Hotels, bars and restaurants cater to all budgets. Shops offer handicrafts, carpets and Nepali paper prints. Bus services, taxis and bicycles open up the city. Trek to see the Monkey Temple, the valley's oldest and most sacred shrine. Mingle with locals and animals amid Durbar Square's monuments and temples or with mountain trekkers in the bustling Thamel District.

Parachuting On Mount Everest

The majority of Everest's visitors reach Everest Base Camp by trekking along the classic trails through Nepal. This month however, there was an unconventional approach to the mountain from the sky, as part of a bid for the high-altitude parachute landing world record.The world's highest mountain was the setting for a dramatic record-breaking attempt in September 2009 as three men jumped from a helicopter at an altitude of 6,154m, which is twice the exit altitude of an average recreational jump. Their aim was to land on a plateau called Gorak Shep (5,164m), a narrow, sandy area of open ground close to Everest Base Camp. To do this they were in freefall for only four seconds, during which they fell more than a thousand metres; they had this brief time to steady themselves before opening their chutes, after which they had to steer to safety. The whole event was over in three minutes.It was not a feat to be attempted by the inexperienced, but the trio have accumulated more than 13,000 jumps between them. Two of the sky divers are British; veteran sky diver and cameraman Leo Dickinson and skydiving instructor Ralph Mitchell, and they were joined by Air Commodore Ramesh Tripathi from the Indian Air Force.Ramesh commented on how the jump was "a challenge in terms of high winds and freezing temperatures. The wind was drifting me away." Their landing was also a risky prospect, having to avoid the glaciers, crevasses and ridges around Everest Base Camp. Leo Dickinson confirmed the danger: "If we missed the plateau or even just overshot it, we were either going to die or end up with something important broken.'Ramesh commented on how the jump was challenging because of the high winds and freezing temperatures. At one point he was taken away on the wind. Their landing was also a risky prospect, having to avoid the glaciers, crevasses and ridges around Everest Base Camp. Leo Dickinson confirmed that it was a dangerous landing, suggesting that overshooting the plateau could mean death or ending up 'with something important broken.'They were rewarded for their nerve with a perspective of the Everest Base Camp trekking landscape that few people have seen before now. "It was not just Everest" said Dickinson, "I could see the whole panorama of fantastic mountains and it was just amazing." He added: "The view of the mountain range was beyond my wildest dreams."An outdoor adventure cameraman, Leo Dickinson is no stranger to Mount Everest (8,848 m), having filmed Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler's trek to the summit without supplementary oxygen. He has made a film about a team of canoeists who started 800 metres below Everest Base Camp and rode a freezing river down the mountain. Leo has also had airborne adventures around Everest prior to this record bid. In October 1991 he filmed the first successful balloon ride over the summit of Mount Everest, propelled over the peak by the powerful and volatile jet stream.The three skydivers are waiting for confirmation from Guinness that they have beaten the existing the high-altitude landing world record. Last year, sky divers successfully landed on a drop zone near Everest at 3,765 metres, way below the altitude of this month's jump.The Nepal government permitted the daredevil record attempt and are considering proposals to run regular parachute jumps in the air space around Mount Everest. It is part of a scheme to expand tourism to Nepal for Visit Nepal 2011, building upon the visitors brought by the popular Everest Base Camp Trek experience.

Splendid Beauty Of Nepal

India is among the most famous tourist spots especially for the travellers who love rich culture and heritage. Every year thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the land of colorful assortment. In this majestic land you can pick up any type of tour packages like cool retreats, eco tourism, deserts, adventure sports, wildlife safari, luxurious wheel tour, spa and yoga tour, spirituality tour, royal retreat, heritage sites and beaches etc. while your stay in India you can explore the diversity of this beautiful country. After every thousand kilometres this country shows different features and lifestyle of the people. If you have planned your India tour then just be sure that you travel every nook and corner of the spectacular land of India. You have lot of destination to explore in India. A tailored India travel package will provide a range of tourist destination that charms travellers throughout the world. Moreover you can enjoy amazing Indian food, drinks and deserts.
Do you love mountains and also the activities that are all related to it? Then Nepal is the place for you. The highest mountain peak named as Mount Everest is located in Nepal. Nepal tour packages include a visit to all the famous and unexplored places in Nepal. Nepal is filled with beautiful destinations. If you want to do adventurous activities like river rafting, trekking etc. then there are lot of places that will match with your aspirations. The capital of Nepal is kathmandu. You will find one of the famous and religious temples here named as pashupatinath. You will definitely love this beautiful country and this trip will be one of your memorable trips in life. When you are here you will get the feeling of freshness, warmth and intimacy. Nepal has splendid natural beauty and it’s very difficult to resist the temptation.

Trekking with Children in the Nepal

For many, planning a weekend away with a young family is daunting, let alone planning an overseas trekking holiday. It does not have to be this way and with some simple practical advice, any family with an open mind can enjoy a culturally rich experience trekking with their children in the Himalaya. While planning such a trip, there may seem a myriad of hurdles and difficulties to overcome, but if you prepare yourself adequately, the experience of trekking with your children in the Himalaya could be a truly rewarding and enlightening one, not to mention an invaluable multicultural life lesson for your young ones.
The ideal ages for children to trek is, believe it or not, as infants that are still breastfeeding and can be easily carried and at the ages of six upwards. Though it may sound surprising to take an infant overseas, breastfeeding is actually a no fuss and hygienic way to feed a child. Toddlers as a rule are not so easy to take trekking as they can neither walk the distance nor would they tolerate being carried for long periods of time.
Infants can be carried by a parent in an attachable seat or sling, or alternately it’s easy enough to hire a female porter to accompany you on the trek. “Sherpani”, or hill women in Nepal have a natural affinity with children and it will just be like having a nanny along on your trek. Though it may be unlikely that a single woman will accompany you, so you may have to hire two women, but they can also act as a porter for you. These women can carry a child or baggage up to 22kg. Hiring women as helpers is a great way to get closer to the rich culture of Nepal and also to show your support for equality among the sexes. In Nepal, local women working in the tourism industry was unheard of 10 years ago, now you can find many women guides and porters, not to mention kayaker and mountain bike guides.
A child should not be treated like a special member of the trekking team, they should be included like everyone else. Sit them down at the start of the day and talk to them about the trail ahead, let them know what’s expected, how far it is, when you will eat, set it out for them like an adventure and you will find that your child will relish the day ahead. Uphill section will be the most challenging. At these points, engage your children in games, eye spy, counting steps, singing songs, tell stories, have them guess and count the steps to the next village. Distractions like this will keep your child engaged during the more physical climbs and you will be surprised at how the climb flies by (for yourself as well!).
Mealtime can be hard for fussy eaters. It’s a good idea to get your child used to local foods before you leave home. In the case of Nepal that would be rice, lentils, green vegetables and potatoes. Don’t make a big fuss about meal times. Encourage your kids to eat local food. Try and stay in tea houses with other kids and get your own children to eat with them. In case you do have a fussy child when it comes to food, ensure that you carry enough familiar food with you as it is most important that your child gets enough nutrition while trekking. Take along items like nuts, dried fruits and seeds, cereals and muesli bars that you can also use as a dessert reward for your child after attempting the local food, you can purchase most of these things in Nepal supermarkets, along with chocolate or candy if that is required. However, in Nepal the local food is amazing and it’s well worth trying, not to mention the cheapest option on most menus. In most Tea Houses you can also get items like, bread, eggs, potato chips, mashed potato, noodle soups and simple pizzas.
Along the route, get your kids to interact with local children. Carry some simple toys like a skipping rope, marbles, picture books or a doll. Try and avoid bringing modern expensive toys as this could upset or influence the village kids to ask their parents for things they simply can’t afford. You will soon see how the language barrier does not really affect kids when they are playing, before you know it your kids will be playing happily and you can have some time to relax yourself. This interaction with locals could well be the highlight for you and your children. As much as possible, you and your family should interact with the locals. Plan short days of trekking to allow time in the villages for exploring. Get the kids to help in the fields, collecting vegetables and preparing food. Nepalese are very family orientated and having children around is no problems for them, they enjoy having children from different cultures around.
Taking your children trekking is a big decision but as with all travel the outcome of your holiday all comes down to your own outlook and open-mindedness. Having done family treks before I can openly say it’s one of the most rewarding experience, and seeing the children adapt and interact with a culture totally removed from their own is truly a joy for all parties concerned.
If you do plan on bringing your children, its best to book a trek through a reputed agent, ask them to tailor an itinerary with shorter trekking days, a couple of home stays and an extra porter to help you along the way. Some of the recommended low altitude treks suitable for families in Nepal are –
Ghorapani and Ghandruk
The Royal Trek
Helumbhu and the Tamang Heritage trail
Ghalegaun village home stay trek.

About Nepal

Location: Nepal is a land-locked country bordering with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China in the north and surrounded by India in the east, south and west.
Language: Nepali is the official language of Nepal. However, educated people can speak English.
Seasons: Nepal has four major seasons (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer: June-August and (4) Autumn: September-November. Nepal can be visited all the year round.
People and Religion: Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Muslim, animism and others religion.
Currency: Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 denominations. Coins come in Rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10 denominations.
Area:-147,181Sq. Kms Capital: KathmanduLatitude:-26* 12’ and 30* 27’ NorthLongitude:-80* 4’ and 88* 12’ EastNational Flower: - Rhododendron-Arboreum (Lali Gurans)National .birds: - Impeyan pheasant (Danfe)
Vegetation: Nepal possesses some of the most outstanding bio-diversity in the world ranging from sub tropical rain forest to Alpine deserts.
Weather: climate rages from tropical in low land to arctic in higher altitudes.
Natural resources: Hydropower, breathtaking mountains, copper, cobalt, iron, water
Major Ethnic groups: Chhettri 15.5%, Brahman-Hill 12.5%, Magar 7%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.5%, Newar 5.4%, Muslim 4.2%, Kami 3.9%, Yadav 3.9%, other 32.7%, unspecified 2.8% (2001 census)
Agriculture products: Rice, Corn, Wheat, Sugarcane, Jute, Root crops, Milk, water,
Industries: Tourism, carpet, textile, small rice, Jute, sugar, and oilseed miles, cigarettes, cement and brick production.
Currency code: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
National park:- Shey-Phoksundo national park, Sagarmatha national Park, Rara national park, Chitwan National park, Makalu Barun National park, Langtang national park, Shivapuri national park, Bardia national park, Kanchenjunga national park,
World heritage sites: cultural – Kathmandu durbar square, Bhaktapur durbar square, Patan durbar square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Changaunarayan, and Lumbini.
Natural world heritages site: natural – Royal chitwan National park and Sagarmatha national park
Conservation area: Annapurna conservation area, Manasalu conservation area.
Wildlife reserve: Shukla phant wildlife reserve, Dhorpatan hunting reserve, Koshi tappu wildlife reserve, Parsa wildlife reserve
Popular Trek destination: Everest region, Annapurna region, Langtang region
Highest mountains: Mt. Everest (8,848m), Kanchenjunga (8597m), Lhotse (8511m),Makalu (8481m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), Manaslu (8156m), cho Oyu (8125m), Annapurna I (8091m)

Chilling out in Nepal – Hill Stations, Lakesides and much more…

Most people associate Nepal with trekking, rafting and the likes, but for those relaxed travelers that don’t take a fancy to trudging through the mountains or getting their heart pounding in Nepal’s adventure sports, don’t forget there is also a tranquil side to this Himalayan paradise as well. Yoga, meditation, Buddhist tours, festival tours, golfing holidays, Thangka Painting schools, romantic honeymoons, Nepal is certainly much more than an adventure play ground. Spend a week or two here chilling out in some of the Hill Stations like Daman, Chisopani, Bandipur and Nagarkot or Pokhara’s tranquil lakeside and you will soon find that life here runs to a very different tune. If you want a more relaxed holiday or retreat get in touch with us today and let us arrange your own very special chilled out tour of Nepal.
Chill out destination’s in Nepal
Nagarkot – A popular tourist destination that people use as a quick stop off to view the spectacular Himalaya. There is a lot more to this magnificent Hill Station than just that. You can enjoy secluded retreats and hotels where you can get away from it all, enjoy revitalizing massage, rekie, mediation or just spend your time exploring the hillside villages. Nagarkot is within easy reach of Kathmandu, Nepal’s thriving capital city, in facts it’s an ideal place for a weekend city escape. In Nagarkot, there is also much more to do than just admiring the Himalaya, take a guided off road motor bike tour to experience the rich culture of the Tamang people, pony ride or hike to some nearby villages, go bird watching in the jungle or tackle and exhilarating downhill on mountain bike.
Bandipur – Half way between Kathmandu and Pokhara you can find this sleepy hill station high up on a ridge above the Marsyandi River and the orange growing regions. This one time isolated town is one of the finest examples in Nepal of how eco and social responsible tourism can work to create a wonderful experience for visitors and a profitable one for the villagers. Here you can explore the biggest caves in Nepal, see silk making first hand or just soak up inspiring views of the middle Himalaya. Visits to Bandipur can be arranged on the way to or from Pokhara and they can be combined with trips to Manakarmana, one of the holiest temples in Nepal and the only cable car ride the country has to offer. In Bandipur accommodation varies from first class mountain retreats to basic yet rewarding village home stays.
Bhaltali – Yet another example of tourism working for improved villages in Nepal. This hidden valley is a remarkable place, hemmed on one side by a river gorge and pine forests and on the other side by hillsides terraced with rice and millet fields. It’s a fantastic destination for photographers or people who want to just spend time in a typical Nepali village. Home stays can be arranged or you can spend your evenings in the hilltop resort soaking up the village and mountain views. In close proximity is the breathtaking Namobuddha, a famous Buddhist Monastery and Pauntie an ancient Newari Town (Newars are an ethnic group of Nepal), so you can easily spend a few days here and it’s only an hour’s drive plus two hours walk to get there from Kathmandu.
Chisopani – A 16km trek through the Shivapuri National Park takes you to Chisopani, a small village and trekker’s outpost on the valley rim. From here the views rival those from Nagarkot. One can easily spend a few days chilling out here, relaxing, getting to know the villagers, visiting the local cheese factory, explore the Dhaps “wetlands” or just use it as a stopover on treks to Nagarkot, into Langtang and Helumbu or down to Melamchhi. Chisopani is fast become one of the Kathmandu Valleys most popular Hill Stations and its eco and culturally friendly theme make it an ideal destination for those visitors after a taste of what trekking in Nepal is all about.
Pokhara – Not just a starting point or finishing point for trekkers but an unbelievably beautiful and chilled out place to partake in Rekie or Yoga course, or do some meditation in a retreat. Pokhara also has a world class golf course if that’s your cup of tea! It also boasts a stunning 5 star resort, with manicured gardens, tennis court an pool, if you want to do it in style, or just kick back in one of many cozy road and lakeside hotels lining the main strip, packed full of shopping, restaurants and chilled out night spots. Pokhara is the kind of place that one goes to and never wants to leave.

The Beautiful Nepal and Its Popular Hotels

Nepal is a treasure trove of spectacular scenery and natural wonders. Nestled between India and China, it encompasses 8 of the world's 14 highest mountains and a huge assortment of Buddhist and Hindu temples as well as shrines.Nepal is a landlocked country situated in South Asia. It bordered two countries namely the north People's Republic of China, and the east and west India. The country's capital is Kathmandu, the largest city and cultural center of Nepal. Patan is the sister city of Kathmandu and a metal working center. The main language is Nepali, and the country currency is Nepalese Rupee.Nepali and Nepal Bhasa are the most usually used languages here. Nepal is usually separated into three physiographic areas such as Terai Region, Mountain Region and Hill Region. Hinduism is the main religion. The state has five climatic zones such as subtropical and tropical zones, temperate zone, the cold zone, the Arctic zone and the subarctic zone. It has a monsoonal climate with about four main seasons. Nepal is a predominantly rural society with about 85 percent of its inhabitants living in the countryside.Ethno-tourism is gradually popular in Nepal and it is designed to reduce economic and social benefits for the local societies. It also reduces negative impacts to the environment and cultural heritage. It is a specialized kind of cultural tourism and it can be defined as a kind of excursion that concentrates on the jobs of human rather than nature.Nepal is also separated into 75 district and 14 zones. All districts are headed by one permanent chief district official responsible for maintaining order and the law. The 14 zones of Nepal are Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki and Janakpur, Kamali, Kosi, Lumbini as well as Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha and Seti. The state is home to the popular Pashupatinath Temple and the Shiva temple the largest temple in the world. Nepal is also home to the Mount Everest.There are many hotels located around and one of which is the Hotel Yak and Yeti. This hotel is a leading five-star deluxe oasis situated in the center of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is one minute away from all the shopping malls and to the adventure spots of Kathmandu. The hotel features a fitness center, state-of-the art spa and gym. Hotel Yak and Yeti has about 270 suites and rooms appointed to the premier degree of convenience and comfort. All guestrooms have colored cable television, international direct dial telephones, coffee maker, en-suite bathrooms and a mini bar.Amar Hotel is situated 10 minutes away from the business shopping district and 30 minutes away from the International Airport. The famous Kathmandu Dubar Square and Swayambhu Stupa is a walking distance away from the hotel. This hotel is one of Kathmandu, Nepal's most conventional family hotels.It offers 24 hours room service, a restaurant onsite, spacious outdoor garden, roof top beer garden as well as a luggage storage, safe deposit box, laundry and dry cleaning service. Amar Hotel has 30 rooms and 2 suites equipped with modern furniture. All guestrooms have color television with international cable channels, telephones, coffee maker, hairdryer and iron with ironing board.Radisson Hotel is situated in Kathmandu, Nepal. The hotel is about 5 minutes away from the Royal Palace and within walking distances away from the exciting area such as Durbar Marg and Thamel. It provides fabulous views of the surrounding mountains and the city.Amenities include a fitness center, pool and high speed Internet access. All guestrooms have automatic wake-up calls, data ports, a mini bar, luggage rack, tea and coffee maker, word desk with chair, in-room safety deposit box, direct dial phone, satellite television, sprinklers and smoke detectors in the room.

Travel Nepal - Manakamana 'a Wish From the Heart'

I have traveled along Nepal's “East-West” highway many times from its capital of Kathmandu to the popular lakeside town of Pokhara, but I am usually fortunate enough to sleep for most of the 5 hour journey – spectacular for the first few times, but redundant otherwise. The last time I came to Pokhara, I saw a curious sight that seemed a little out of place in this country – a cable car. It stretched from the Trishuli River that runs along the highway and extended up the steep slope of a surrounding mountain, how I missed this on one of my non-sleeping trips before is a mystery to me.“What is that for?!” I practically yelled, waking up all of my fellow passengers. My aunt informed me it takes you to a hilltop town where people go when they have an important wish they want granted. The steep walk to the top used to take a whole day so the cable car really saves you time (and helps protect you from exhaustion). Even though Nepal has numerous temples and deities that are said to be ideal places to wish for different things in your life – Manakamana and its goddess in particular are said to really grant wishes.In Nepali, Mana means wish and kamana means from the heart, wish from the heart.At this point I was not all that convinced that the place was genuine about the wish-granting but you never know. I was determined to see for myself. I wasted no time trying to get a group together to go to the temple. I had a wish that I desperately wanted to come true and I suspected I was not the only one!
The day I finally organized a group to go, also happened to fall on one of Nepal's many holidays – Teej – also known as the Women's Festival. For this festival, women dress up in red sari's or curta's and pray for a long life for their husbands and brothers or if you have no husband you pray for a good one to come along. I have many brothers (and cousins count as brothers in Nepal) and I had recently gotten married so it was the perfect opportunity to indulge in the local traditions of wearing red and to pray for their long lives as well as make my important wish at this sacred Hindu temple.
I brought along with me some of my family members who had their own profound wishes, my cousins wife, my aunt and my husband. We cruised to the top of the mountain in the cable cars. The ride was surprisingly longer than expected because when we reached the 'top' there was a second incline waiting for us to climb to get to the end of our cable car journey.As we approached the peak of the first summit, we were nearly 20 feet from a small village and passed over property of some of the homes. My first thought was that I would not want to live right there and have strangers passing through my life looking at me through a plastic box. But that was just my opinion and the cable car did not stop for me to change my idea. We sailed over lush green rice fields, dirt ground and orange trees, and as we got higher, the vegetation turned into long-grass covered floor with puffy pine-like trees that had a distinctly different color of green from the forest we had already passed.As we stepped off to the mountain top town we were greeted by the sweet scent of incense. Merchants lined the pathway selling baskets filled with ritual-necessities for puja (prayer) that were especially spruced up for the Teej festival. There were also stalls of goats and chickens for sale if your wish requires a sacrifice to the Goddess. Each of us bought one of the pre-made baskets for our wishes and we all started the stair climb to the temple.
Our route wound through narrow rock slab streets with brightly painted restaurants offering the traditional Nepali meal of dal bhat and souvenir shops selling unique gifts and beautiful woven handmade baskets.
After the semi-quiet walk up through the town with not many people around, the temple suddenly appeared and was surrounded with tens of wishers all gathered in this one area. Devotees were circling the temple, some chanting and others ringing the hundreds of bells that are found around the structure and courtyard creating a pleasant harmonious atmosphere. Women were dressed in their lovely vibrant red saris and curta's while some sadhu men were sitting in the shade of a massive tree along the courtyard perimeter taking in the sight. The overall feeling of the place was surprisingly magical and upon walking closer to the temple itself you could feel a strong energy – a spiritual pull. At this moment I silently believed that the rumors could be true and the possibility of my wish being granted was very likely. I started imagining my wish and concentrating all of my vigor on why I had made this trip and what I really wanted.I placed a small donation on my puja basket and gave it to my cousin to carry it for me into the actual temple. Imagining what my life would be like when my wish came true I started to circle the temple clockwise. I walked around the outer border of temple grounds while my cousins wife walked our baskets to the edges of the temple where she would wait in the line with the other Hindu devotees to bring our wishes to the Goddess. I proceeded to walk around the temple and noticed on the back side through the clouds, I would have had spectacular mountain views had I visited during a clearer season. I kept to the right and passed the protected area where devotees make their sacrifices to Shakti the Goddess.
After coming full circle, I again noticed the massive lone tree that provided the only shade for the courtyard and to the left of this giant there was a designated 'pigeons for sale' area. Apparently, some wishes require not a sacrifice but to buy a soul and and set it free. You could purchase one of these fat over-sized birds and set it free which also makes the Goddess happy to grant wishes. The bird sanctuary (I use this term lightly) is ironically just on the other side of a low fence from the sacrificing grounds and I am sure that after they are purchased and freed, they come right back to their same perch.
When my cousin came out of the temple from bringing our prayers to the Goddess, we all gathered together again to make our Teej prayers. We lit our candles by using the flame from the countless number of other candles that had been burning all morning from other wishers. We then continued to light a hand-sized bundle of incense that had been tucked away in our goodie-prayer baskets. We moved our hands over the smoke from the incense to offer blessings to the Goddess and then we pulled some of them back towards ourselves. It felt like I was in a trance and the smell of the wax, the sweet incense and the gentle smoke that surrounded us kept me conscious and in the moment, making me really think about what we were praying for. Our husbands' and brothers' long life.
At this point I got lucky and received permission from some of the local wishers and was able to walk on the temple grounds. Here, I tied a ribbon on one of the many bells, for my husband and brothers. I rang it proudly.
After we collected our belongings, we headed back down the steps to the top of the cable car to the line-less ride ready to take us down the mountain. We sat in a peaceful silence and thought about the wishes we had asked for while we passed the changing vegetations. We approached the hilltop homes that I had criticized on the way up and with one quick swoop over the last edge before the end of our journey, I realized that living here would not be so bad. Their view of the valley below, the Trishuli River, the curves of the “East-West” highway that cut in and out of the opposite mountain side, and the orange trees made the plastic boxes of strange people not seem so bad. I again imagined what it would be like to live here and I realized the villagers are privileged to live here. They are surrounded with unique beauty and just below a powerful energy-filled temple with a wish granting Goddess that allows hope and beliefs to thrive.

Mountain Trekking in Nepal - 30 Suggestions

Whether you’re into rock climbing or bird watching, on a tight budget or have money to hire porters and guides, you can always find a suitable trekking route in Nepal. A trip to the Nepal Himalayas is a fantastic experience for most of us, offering views of snow-capped mountain peaks and a chance to meet indigenous mountain peoples who live almost cut off from the rest of the world.
All that’s required of you is that you like walking in the nature. You don’t have to be super fit for every trek, but the better shape you’re in, the easier your trek will be. The top season for trekking in Nepal is October-November and February-April. In the summer months the monsoon clouds obscure the grand views most of the time and in the winter months the high mountain passes are closed by heavy snow-fall. But with the right knowledge, you can always find a good trek in Nepal. Just browse through this list to get an overview of your options.
Nepal’s Western Region
1. Simikot, HumlaYou can fly in from Nepalganj and maybe read --Spy on the roof of the world-- by Sydney Wignall before you go. Permits are 90$ /person /week.
2. Rara Lake4 days walk from Jumla to this the largest lake in Nepal. Getting to Jumla though is either a plane/helicopter trip or a several days long jeep ride on a mountain road that’s still under construction -- and will be for any foreseeable future.
3. Upper DolpoFirst of all, see the movie --Himalayan Caravan - L'Enfance d'un chef-- (Eric Valli 1999, Oscar nominated). It's mandatory! Might want to pick up one of his books as well. Having done that, you'll want to go to the Phoksundo Lake, which you can do in 1 week or as part of either the 15 day Dolpa Experience Circuit or the 20 day Dolpa Heritage Trek, all out of Juphal --airport--. Another couple of one-week'ers are the Sundaha Nature Trek and the Sahartara Tour. Expensive permit are required, as in Upper Mustang it's $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days. No lodges. Annual number of visitors are in the low hundreds.
4. Lower DolpoPermits are 10$ /person /week. You might have to fly in from Nepalganj. Don't expect lodges here, so bring your own camping gear.
5. Upper Mustang10 days. Home to the ancient kingdom of Lo, still in existence - sort of. Hefty permit required north of Kagbeni, $70 /person /day with minimum 10 days.
Annapurna Region
6. Dhaulagiri 20-30 days to complete the circle around this 8000+'er. Bring good boots and sleeping bag!
7. Annapurna Circuit2-3 weeks minimum. This is where everyone goes. Except me. In the high season it gets rather crowded and is more appropriately named the Annapurna Circus. Lodges and tea-houses are everywhere. The Thorung La high pass (5400 m) usually closes down in the end of November. If you bring your own camping gear, there's also good possibilities of doing side trips off the beaten track. ACAP entry fees stand at 2000 rupees.
8. Jomsom & MuktinathYou can fly into or out of Jomsom, a days walk from Muktinath, and hike to or from Pokhara in about 1 week. Muktinath is an important pilgrimage site nestled at 3800 m. It's on the Annapurna Circuit.
9. Annapurna Sanctuary & ABC10-14 days, 2000 rupee ticket. Another popular option, since it’s shorter and a little less demanding than doing the full Annapurna Circuit.
10. Ghorepani, Poon Hill5 days out of Pokhara, it reaches 3200 meters and is accessible all year round. Famous for it's views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and rhododendrons in the spring.
11. Panchase Peak & GhandrukAnother holy mountain, this one a couple of days walk west of Pokhara. Ghandruk is 3 days further and it's home to the Annapurna Conservation Project and a whole lot of Gurung people.
12. The Royal Trek4 days out of Pokhara. With altitude no higher that 2000 meters it's open all year round.
13. Siklish, Begnas Lake, Lamjung1 week return trip from Pokhara, 10-12 days through Lamjung to Besisahar. Lodges should be available, 2000 rupee ACAP permit required.
14. Manaslu3 weeks, circle around this 8000+ m twin peak that can be seen all the way from Kathmandu. Pass over Larkya La at 5110 m. There's no lodges and the mandatory permit stands at almost $100 /person /week.
Central Nepal
15. Trishuli - GorkhaThe easy way: 4 days along the route that Prithvi Narayan Shah took in 1768. Apparently has village lodges and stays under 2000 m all the way.The hard way: 2-3 weeks on remote, off the beaten track. Passes over Sing La (3570 m) and by the Jogeshwar kund (4500 m). Camping gear required.
16. Ganesh HimalNo lodges, rough and remote. But wow, wouldn't I like to go there! The highest peak is well over 7000 meters, and it’s prominent view from Kathmandu makes it all worthwhile if you like to brag about your adventures when you get back to civilization!
17. Tamang Heritage Trail8 days, lodges still under construction.
18. Langtang & Gosaikunda / Panch Pokhari1-2 weeks minimum. Third most visited in Nepal, after Annapurna and Everest. Fairly easy, not too crowded, especially the Gosaikunda lake area (4400 m) which is arguably the most scenic. Langtang Valley has lodges every hour or so all the way to Kyanjing Gompa (3900 m), the Gosaikunda trail has fewer, but still enough for short days. Gosaikunda features the annual Janai Purniam festival and from there, you can walk back to Kathmandu in 2-4 days. Entry fee 1000 rupees.
19. Helambu½-1 week, more jungle than mountains but still a rough trail. Tea-houses available if you don't get lost like that Australian guy. Distant, but awesome mountain views before you get too close to the mountain bases. --Walking distance-- from Kathmandu, circuit from Sundarijal to Nagarkot (4 days).
20. Namobudda1 day, one of the few quickies you can do when the noise and pollution of Kathmandu starts to get on your nerves. Take the bus to Dhulikel and start walking.
21. Rolwaling & Gauri Shankar2 weeks or so. Get up close and personal with Gauri Shankar (7130 m) and it’s glacial lakes. Good view of Everest etc. Unspoiled landscape, permission still required but check with Nepal’s Tourism Board when you get here. There’s rumors that they’re making this one permission free.
22. Chitwan Chepang Hills7 days in the Middle Hills. No Himalayas and no higher than 2000 meters so it could be a good winter trekking possibility. Good view of the (distant) Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Ganesh Himal, Gauri Shankar, Gurja Himal and Manaslu, but the main attraction is the nomadic Chepang people who live as hunters and gatherers. There's also a fort, a waterfall and some caves along the route together with 400 bird species. Start in Hugdi on Prithvi Hwy, end Shaktikor in Chitwan. Homestays are on the route.
Everest Region
23. Everest Base Camp & Kala Pathar2 weeks out of Lukla, 3 out of Kathmandu/Jiri with return flight from Lukla. If you don't have a spare $50.000 lying around for an Everest climb permit, you can just settle for this Base Camp trek. Most people seem to choose the Tengpoche route to KP, which stands at 5630 m.
24. Mera Peak2-3 weeks out of Lukla, 6500 m. A popular expedition/climb that requires some basic mountaineering skills, but without being too technical. Long march in, 2 high camps.
25. Island Peak3 weeks out of Lukla. At 6100 meters, this trek is not for everyone. Although not very technical, it is a demanding snow climb. Views are everything you could ever dream of.
26. Gokyo Lakes, Peak & Renjo La2 weeks out of Lukla. High pass at 5400 m. Lakes at 4800 m, peak at 5500 m. Some lodges along the trail. Great Everest views.
27. Pikey & Dudhkunda Trail1 or 2 weeks in the less -much less- visited southern part of Solukhumbu. Both the Chiwong and the Thuptenchoeling Buddhist Monasteries are world renowned, the former famous for the Mani Rimdu Dance Festival, the latter is the biggest monastery in Nepal.
Nepal’s Eastern Region
28. Arun Valley - Makalu Base Camp3 weeks out of Tumlingtar/Khadbari. You'll get up to 5000 meters and still be 3500 meters short of the summit! Either go same way back or climb a couple of 6000'ers into the Khumbu region.
29. Kanchenjunga3 weeks out of Taplejung, 3rd highest mountain in the world. Don't rely on finding any lodges here. Permits are 10$ /person /week.
30. Pathibhara1 week out of Taplejung. The Pathibhara Devi shrine is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike. There is lodges along the route.

Facts About Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu
Language: Nepali (official) & 20 other languages divided into numerous dialects. Derived from Sanskrit, Nepali is related to the Indian language, Hindi, and is spoken by about 90 percent of the population in either native or second language fluency. Many Nepalese in government and business also speak English.
Religion: The majority of the population is Hindu (89%) or Buddhist (6%); there are also small groups of Muslims, Jains, Bons and Christians.
Currency: The official currency is Nepali Rupee (NPR), which is divided into 100 paisa. As change can be a problem it is recommended that visitors have a supply of small notes handy. Tourist activities are often quoted in US Dollars and it is advisable to carry new dollar bills in varied denominations. Both Euro and US dollar travelers cheques are widely accepted in tourist areas and can be cashed easily in most banks and major hotels throughout the country. There are ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted in many tourist hotels, shops, restaurants and travel agencies.
Climate: Nepal has a typical monsoonal two-season a year. There is dry season from October to May and there is the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. When Monsoon just ends, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and during this season there are plenty of colorful festivals to enjoy.
Economy - overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with almost one-third of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for three-fourths of the population and accounting for 38% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Security concerns relating to the Maoist conflict have led to a decrease in tourism, a key source of foreign exchange.
Trekking: The best way to experience Nepal’s unbeatable combination of natural beauty and cultural richness is trekking. Trekking does not mean mountain climbing but refers to walking on trails. Neither you need any advanced training nor have to be very sportive. So anyone with a pair of strong legs and adventurer spirit will enjoy the thrills of trekking in the foothills of Nepal Himalayas.
Nepal lies between China and India in South Asia. The king of this constitutional monarchy traces his lineage to the ruler of Gorkha, who unified the area in the late 18th century. The present monarch, King Gyanendra, came to the throne in 2001 after the tragic murder of the previous king. Violent political protest in early 1990 opened the way to multiparty government. Since then, no single party has been able to form a majority, resulting in a number of incompatible coalitions. The king postponed elections in 2002 because Maoist insurgents controlled nearly half of Nepal mostly the poorer western region. This political instability has not fostered economic reforms, and Nepal remains one of the world's poorest countries.
Highlights of Nepal: Package tours, Buddhist pilgrimage, Trekking, expeditions, Ballooning , Avia gliding, cable car ride, white water rafting, Jungle safari, heli trekking bird watching, Buddhist pilgrimage, cycling, shopping, casinos, mountain flight, Bungy jumps, cultural tours, fossils finding, bird watching etc.

Kathmandu to Pokhara

Nepal is a beautiful country and a cheap place to visit. With so much on offer, from some of the worlds oldest temples, trekking in the Himalayas, rafting, kayaking, horse riding, cycling, or just lounging around lakes. Now is the best time to visit, before tourism takes over the country.Landlocked between Tibet, China and India, Nepal is a country with it's own culture and offerings. The people are a diverse mix of local hill tribes, such as the Sherpas, refugees from Tibet and migrants from India. Buddhism was once the dominant religion, and has left some of the worlds finest temples. Hinduism is now the major religion, which has lead to amazing re-use of temples and religions sites, as well as one of the world's most religious tolerant countries.Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a hectic place, but the home to some of the worlds oldest and finest temples. The Durbur squares of Kathmandu, and the nearby city of Patan are full of palaces and temples. Kathmandu has the worlds oldest Pagodas, and all of Asia's Pagodas are derived from these original designs. The stupas (temples) of Swayambhunath and Bodnath are perhaps Nepal's most famous images. Beautiful, grand whitewashed buildings topped with a tower with Buddha's all seeing eyes.Pokhara is Nepal's second city, at least in terms of tourism. The grand lake of Phewa Tal, surrounded by beautiful green mountains is an idyllic spot to spend a few days, or the remainder of your visa! As if that wasn't enough, the mighty Fish Tail mountain sits in the Himalaya range that is impossible to lose in this region. Pokhara offers so much, with some of Nepal's best trekking, cycling, paragliding, some of the worlds best rafting & kayaking on various rivers, various temples, outrageous views and a beautiful lake to spend time floating around. It might be a bumpy 8 hour bus ride from Kathmandu, but it is definitely worth it.Chitwan National Park, south of Kathmandu, is a incredible national park. Now well managed, ensuring great breeding problems for the animals, but also correct management of the forests and surrounding area. In particular the tigers, elephants and fresh water dolphins make Chitwan a great visitor experience.Nepal is not only home to Mount Everest, but also 8 of the worlds 10 tallest peaks. Nepal is regarded as the ultimate trekking destination, with endless routes across the country, ranging from 1 hour to 28 days. The Everest Base Camp Trek offers some of the finest views of the worlds tallest peaks. But if the 2 week trek isn't your thing, then take the bus to the village of Nagarkot. From here you can see Mount Everest, although it's not much more than a dot in the distance, as well as some of the worlds other tallest peaks.

Nepal Travel - Trekking Explained

Trekking In Nepal to many sounds like one of those activities that one finds on a dream board or an activity that sounds so foreign that it belongs in some obscure National Geographic program about a far away place. Frankly both 'trekking' and 'Nepal' fall under that category of cryptic adventure activities and places. In reality though, trekking in Nepal is nothing shocking (other than of course the beauty of the environment itself) and not too, out of the ordinary for anybody who has been on a long hike.
When I set out to write this explanation of trekking in Nepal, I wanted to answer a question. “What is trekking?” I then realized that the answer is a lot more complex than what it seems. It also dawned on me, that when my friends and family posed the question, “What is trekking?” my cliché synonym derived answer “It's like a long hike in the mountains” that is found on many “Travel Nepal” websites was no where near satisfactory. It's not that they or I didn't know what trekking in Nepal was when formulating the response, but rather that we failed to respond to the question in a way as to dispel the assumptions that rise out of stereotypes that exist whenever the words hiking, Nepal, Himalayas and remote are used in one sentence or close proximity to one another. It is these stereotypes that prevent a simple and accurate one sentence description of trekking in Nepal.
So what is trekking in Nepal, if the proper answer is a lot more than just the stereotypical, travel in Nepal by hiking? Let's start with a little geography.
Nepal, is a landlocked nation, sandwiched between India and Tibet and stretched out along the spine of the Himalayan range. As such, it offers a vast array of habitats from tropical jungles to the alpine tops of the Himalayas themselves. What trekking in Nepal does, is create an opportunity for the traveler to traverse many parts of this varied terrain on foot, and experience the diverse habitats and culture encountered along the way. Still however, although entirely accurate, this answer is incomplete.
We need to first clear up some assumptions.
Clearly, Nepal can be considered as 'remote' geographically when viewed against other “more developed” regions of the world, but this doesn't mean that Nepal is uninhabited and that when trekking one will hike for weeks without seeing any signs of life. Quite the contrary, (though such areas exist), a traveler in Nepal will find themselves no more than half a days journey from a settlement. This is especially true for the common major trekking areas of Nepal. The reason why is actually quite simple.
Nepal being situated on the mountainous terrain that it is, as well as proudly wearing the “third world” badge has to this day, a staggering number of '1' major highway. Appropriately dubbed the East-West Highway, it spans the country and provides less than a handful of axillary routes north and south with only one of these tributaries as the route to Tibet (China) out of Kathmandu. The importance of this, is that many parts of Nepal, are to this day inaccessible by vehicle and many portions, especially those in the West that are completely isolated.
One has to realize that before the 'East West' highway was constructed, the villages and settlements of Nepal were already there, and thus to this day, many of these population centers are still only accessible on foot.
Nepal is a country that has been squeezed between two trading giants India and Tibet (Today China) for as long as it has existed as a unified nation. The trade routes between these two Goliaths ran conveniently for Nepal trough it's territory. Nepal not only had to facilitate trade between these two countries, but also have a way to support it's own economy and trade system between the major metropolitan areas. Needless to say, that without roads, the only method of transport was by foot. A system of transporting goods by a web of footpaths was created and this rather complex, 'via foot' sort of Himalayan highway arrangement linked the Nepali villages with one another and are today the exact same routes traveled by the visiting trekkers.
It's easy to wonder and assume, that the settlements offering bed and breakfast encountered along the trekking routes sprung up at such convenient intervals because of the ever expanding tourism itself. This other than some modern conveniences such as electricity is in fact false. In a book called “A Stranger in Tibet,” the author Scott Berry, describes the adventures of a certain Buddhist, Japanese monk that traveled along the now popular trekking route in the Annapurna Conservation Area in order to sneak into the then forbidden Tibet (Nepal being forbidden at the time as well). This monks adventure occurred in the early 1900s way before the word “tourism” was thought of in Nepal and yet the same settlements encountered by tourists and used as overnight accommodations today were encountered by this intrepid monk (Kawaguchi) some 100 years earlier. The reason is that these routes were being used for transporting goods even before Kawaguchi's adventures, as such they are more often than not, no more than a half days journey from one another; built up out of necessity as continent travel stops for the traveling caravans.
Though trekking in Nepal does not include scaling vertical cliffs and climbing snowcapped mountains, views of both are ample along the way. Somebody wondering am I fit to travel Nepal, need not worry about training to climb Mt. Everest as that is not what trekking in Nepal provides. Trekking in Nepal does however provide a great day-long, on foot journey for multiple days through some of the most beautiful, remote mountainous terrain in the world, while still providing the opportunity for a warm bed and a home cooked meal along the way. It is in this that lies the answer to “What is trekking in Nepal?”.
See you en route!

Is It a Good Time to Travel to Nepal ?

Nepal is well known for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The magnificent mountains, rustling rivers, colourful people, religions and rich cultural heritages make Nepal a travellers paradise. Mantled with the high Himalaya to the north, Nepal is a land of scenic splendour, age-old temples, diverse cultures, exotic wildlife and some of the friendliest people in the world. All these combine to offer a medley of experience to the visitor in a country that stretches roughly 885 km east to west and 193 km north to south. Little wonder, those visiting Nepal return home with a longing to come back again and again.Very few countries in the world can offer as many varieties of adventure tourism packages as Nepal. Of the 14 peaks above 8000 meters in the world eight are located in Nepal. It is the land Mount Everest (8848 meters), the highest peak in the world and other 1310 mountain peaks.For those who can not withstand the rigorousness of mountain climbing there are mountain flights which fly around the Mount Everest and provide a close look of the top of the world. Trekking is the best way to get to interesting and remote mountain villages of Nepal and to enjoy views of the famous peaks together with their lifestyle untouched with modern civilization.River rafting represents another major attractions. Within distance of 100 miles, one can see the topographical variations with the rivers rising from the higher points near Nepals Tibetan border and then dropping dramatically to lower levels the plains bordering India. For the less adventures, Pokhara, the lake city of Nepal, is not to be missed. You can do swimming, canoeing and boating along with the sightseeing of majestic panoramic views in its background. Pokhara is a tropical spot with an altitude of about 900 meters from where one can see the mountain crossing over 8000 meters. Kathmandu possesses several historical monuments, old palaces and palace squares, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends all make it a living museum that any visitor would cherish its vivid memory in ones heart for ever. The Nepali national meal is daal bhaat tarkaari (spiced lentils, boiled rice, vegetable curry). This is served in most Nepalese homes and teahouses. If rice is scarce the grain part may be cornmeal mush called Ato, barley, or chapatis (whole wheat 'tortillas'). The meal may be accompanied by dahi (yogurt) and a small helping of ultra-spicy fresh chutney or achar (pickle). Traditionally this meal is eaten with the right hand. The weather is probably the best guide for deciding when to plan your trip to Nepal. October and November are considered the best times of the year. The monsoon will have just ended, and clear skies with optimal temperature will prevail. The main festivals of Dashain and Tihar (Hindu equivalent of Christmas in terms of festivity) fall during these months. However, this is also the busiest tourist season, and the main tourist centers and trekking trails tend to be crowded with travellers like you. This is definitely the best time to travel to Nepal. With the conflict ended tourism is gearing up again and now the prices are excellent so dont miss this opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Is Nepal Safe to Travel on a Tour ?

Over the last ten years Nepal has experienced problems with infighting between the government and the Maoists due to conflicting ideas and political disagreement. Though its a fact that cannot be hidden that people got killed during this conflict but there is no record of any tourists or travellers being injured, killed or involved in anyway. All people in Nepal have a strong belief that guests are equal to God, every Nepal abides by this and offers the warmest of welcomes to all visitors into Nepal.The much awaited Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed between the government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) formally announcing an end to a decade long armed insurgency by the Maoists. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) Prachanda signed the historic Accord promising to chart a new destiny for "peaceful and democratic" new Nepal, and pledging for peaceful coexistence of all Nepali irrespective of caste, creed, religion and gender. By making the ceasefire permanent, the accord declares the armed insurgency that began since February, 1996 as officially over. Effective immediately, the CPA states that illegal carrying of weapons, their display and any kind of attack, threat, intimidation would, henceforth, be punishable by law.Overall, travelling to Nepal contains no more risk than travelling in other places of the world, in fact as a traveller you are much safer in Nepal than in other countries in the West. All the major tourist areas of Nepal are policed and patrolled and we have are own branch of the tourist police to assist travellers and keep them safe should a situation arise.