Mountain Flight

Introduction

Where else would you go for an hour of escape for a panoramic view of the Himalaya for an eternal memory? Nepal.
Over four airlines offer regular flights into the snow-capped peaks of the Himalaya. Travelers take off from Kathmandu in the early morning. Soon as you leave the ground, the menu is served to you instantly.
The first mountain to view is Gosaithan 8013m followed by Dorje Lakpa 6966m, then comes the Gauri Shanker 7134m. After Gauri Shanker you have Melungtsee and Chugimago. The Mount Pumori comes in front of your nose right after Gyachungkang which stretches 7952m.
Everyone waits for the final item on the menu. Here comes the mother of all mountains, the Mount Everest 8848m, the highest point on earth. Mount Everest is called as Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. Spectacular views of the mountains with a wonderful mountain flight experience will leave with you an unforgettable memories.
Route Map
Rough Sketch Quick Facts

Most Flights Operate in the Morning
Weather Conditions Must be favorable for good views
Free Package comes when you fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, since the flight takes place parallel to the Himalaya. But you aren't guaranteed for the views here, but guaranteed to travel from one point to another. If you get a flight on a good weather condition, you got yourself a free ticket to mountain flight.
Helicopter is also a great option. So check with Helicopter service providers located in the country.

Best Seasons for Mountain Flight in Nepal
Sightseeing of mountains are best on clear sky day with maximum Sun. While following months are regarded as the best months, you should always check local weather before your journey. A bad weather is always possible even in the best month. Best Months Are:
February
March
April
October
November
How Much Will It Cost?
Cost depends on the choice. Tours by Helicopter are expensive than by Airlines also Airlines have different prices as well.
From Kathmandu to Mountain : Minimum Cost = $120, Maximum Cost = $150
Use those as a guide. Please contact your travel agent to confirm the latest price
Helicopter Charter can cost upto US$ 2,000 to US$ 4,000 from Kathmandu to Mountain or Kathmandu - Pokhara - Lumbini - Kathmandu
Flight Schedules and Hour
Over four Airlines have daily schedules from Kathmandu. Airlines Depart from Kathmandu; varied time from 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM, then return back after an hour of journey. Buddha Airlines offer "Everest Experience" which has more schedules than others, while other airlines offer "Experience of other mountains as well". Flights can be purchased right in Nepal once you get there, or book online from the website of airlines. See the next section below:
Related Content(s)
Airlines in Nepal - a list of them from the web directory
Himalaya of Nepal - with details on the mountains located in the region
Mt. Everest Facts - learn about the highest mountain on earth with useful external links as well all one a single page.

Rafting in Nepal

An Overview of Rafting in Nepal

River rafting is also known as White Water Rafting. Simply put, it is an sports that challenges your ability to stir against the current of rivers. You ride on a inflatable rubber raft over crashing waves of rivers. Rivers in Nepal are popular for its wild run flows, narrow to wider width, excellent views of wildlife and unforgettably scenic views, and the fact that the rivers source is the Himalaya makes it even more thrilling. Rivers are rated on a scale from one to six based on rapids and difficulties in rafting through the river. Rivers with 3 grade or higher ratings require some what prior experience of rafting before taking on the challenges. However with proper guides and a few basic trainings once can have a go for a thrill of a life time.

Popular Rivers for Rafting in Nepal
River Popularity Difficulty Total Run Flows Rafting Period Features
Kali Gandaki *** **** 120km 5 days Intense rapids, excellent mountain views and gorgeous wilderness. Trips begin and end at Pokhara. Rapids in this river reach 4 to 4+
Trisuli ***** *** - - Favorite for a ride to Pokhara or Chitwan. Easy road access, plenty of excitements for first timers. A simple 3 to 3+ rapids are here.
Bhote Koshi **** ***** 26km 2 days Pure adrenaline. Journey starts just 3 hours from Kathmandu. Huge 4 to 5 grades of rapids.
Marshyangdi **** ***** 52km 4 days Purely uninterrupted white water. Trips start from Pokhara. Flows through the Annapurna Himalayas. A maximum of 5 and a minimum of 4 grades of rapids can be experienced here.
Sun Koshi *** ***** 270km 10 Days Intensive white water, rapids reach 4 to 5 grades
Karnali ** ***** - 7 days Longest river in Nepal. Requires a two-days trekking before rafting begins. Awesome landscapes and narrow gorges. 4 to 5 Grades of rapids here.

Did you know?
Rafting is the the third most popular adventure sport in Nepal. (The first is mountaineering, and second comes the trekking)
Rafting agents often have their own special names for the rapids. On the Trisuli, the rapid known as Ladies Delight is so called as it is suppose to be a favorite with women.
Trishuli is the favorite choice for a short rafting (2 to 3 days) and is combined with the jungle safari at Royal Chitwan National Park
If you plan to raft yourself, make sure to have what the trekking agents provide you; life jackets, camping gear, emergency medical technicians, and trained and experienced guides.
Did you know that Royal Bardiya National Park is the largest untouched wilderness area in the Terai. And you can have it for yours when you raft on the Karnali river which requires few days of trekking from Nepalgunj or Surkkeht before rafting begins.

Did you know?
Rafting is the the third most popular adventure sport in Nepal. (The first is mountaineering, and second comes the trekking)
Rafting agents often have their own special names for the rapids. On the Trisuli, the rapid known as Ladies Delight is so called as it is suppose to be a favorite with women.
Trishuli is the favorite choice for a short rafting (2 to 3 days) and is combined with the jungle safari at Royal Chitwan National Park
If you plan to raft yourself, make sure to have what the trekking agents provide you; life jackets, camping gear, emergency medical technicians, and trained and experienced guides.
Did you know that Royal Bardiya National Park is the largest untouched wilderness area in the Terai. And you can have it for yours when you raft on the Karnali river which requires few days of trekking from Nepalgunj or Surkkeht before rafting begins.

About Gorkha

About Gorkha

A 25 kilometer road off the main highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu brings you to an ancient Gorkha - the untouched and captivating town of Nepal! Some 300 years ago, Nepal was divided into 50 tiny states, and Gorkha was one of them. King Prithivi Narayan Shah, the founder of `Shah Dynasty' which runs Nepal today, unified Nepal into one kingdom. His Gorkha palace resides on top of a hill at an altitude of 3281 feet (about 1000 meter) The King would watch-over his people as far as his eyes could see from the tallest palace in the very center of Nepal! Gorkha is also the home of Gurkhas - the legendary brave warriors who fought with knives against guns.
Places to Visit and Things to do in Gorkha
Gorkha Palace

Visit the Gorkha palace here to begin your sightseeing of the region.Climb the palace steps from the bottom of the hill, all the way to the top, climbing about one thousand seven hundred steps (1700), in about two hours. That's some hiking to do! If you get tired sit down on a step or think how much easier the trip down will be! You will be glad you got to the top. On a clear sky day, you can view Himalayan range including spectacular view of Manaslu and Himalchuli Mountains, and panoramic views of the valleys.

Also view the palace building, one of Nepal's historical landmark, some buildings have interesting wood carvings portraying various romantic scenes. Also viwe the temple of Goddess Gorakhkali residing on the west side of the palace. To view sunrise from the palace, climb very early in the morning.

King Prithivi's Birthday Celebration

On King Prithivi's birthday, which is a national Nepali holiday known as Prithivi Jayanti , various celebrations are held throughout Nepal, one of which is held in Gorkha bazaar located at the foot of the hill. So if you happen to visit Gorkha on that day, observe that event as well. Prithivi Jayanti is on 27th of January 2005 (1st of Poush 2060, according to Nepalese Annual Calendar).
The King's statues are found in many places in Nepal which many visitors find of interest to observe. Many places are dedicated to his name, for example Prithivi Chok (Cross Road) in Kathmandu, Prithivi Chok in Pokhara, Prithivi Chok in Bharatpur, and the Highway connecting Kathmandu with Pokhara and then to Baglung is called Prithvi Highway. Photos and Portraits of the King have his right-hand's first finger pointing up, signifying that Nepal is one kingdom (or in Nepali, the meaning is `We all come together as one'). His statues have that characteristic.

Dashain Jamara Procession
During Nepal's popular festival Dashain, Jamaras are brought from the Gorkha palace to the modern Narayan Hiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu. The King Prithivi Narayan Shah had moved the capital of Nepal from Gorkha to Kathmandu, and he is the founder of the Shah dynasty. Jamaras from Gorkha are used by the Royal family as a blessing from the King and above! On the Dashain Fulpati Day, there is a Royal Army parade, Fulpati procession to Gorkha Durbar and other activities of religious and cultural interests which visitors may find interesting to observe. For more on Jamaras and Dashain see Dahsain festival (The 7th Day of Dashain)

Popular Trekking from Gorkha
If you seek to trek from Gorkha, there is no where a better place to taste some of Nepal's hillside experience than from Gorkha. You can chose to trek from Gorkha to Kathmandu or Gorkha to Pokhara, However, the most popular trekking from Gorkha is from Gorkha to Pokhara, which is of 10 days. First day, arrive at Gorkha Bazaar, complete sightseeing of the Gorkha palace, then from the second day onwards start trekking from Gorkha - Luitel - Hirmantar - Tarughat - Besisahar - Ghattekhola - Gharpokhari - Rupatal - then arrive Pokhara on the 10th day, then extend a few days of trekking or sigtseeing in and around Pokhara

How to get to Gorkha?
Gorkha, located midway between Kathmandu and Pokhara, can be reached from either cities by taxi or public bus. For accommodation and dining, there are hotels, guest houses and restaurants located in Gorkha to satisfy your preferences. Transporation Cost should not cost you $2 to $3 by bus, about $20 by Taxi from Pokhara, and about $30 by Taxi from Kathmandu, and accomodation is relatively inexpensive here.

Ilam

Ilam

Nepal Travel Destination

Sitting on the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga (the third highest peak in the world) is the town of Ilam. It is in the far east of Nepal near the famous Indian town of Darjeeling.Ilam is decorated with numberous lush-green tea gardens and is famous for producing tea. If you traveled to Ilam, you could get a first-handed look at where your next cup of tea might be coming from. The rolling hills are covered with tea leaves which makes the surrounding areas a lovely place to rest. When a thick white fog comes down from the mountain it seems to imitate a magician who seems to be a professional at the disappearing magic trick because the gardens seem to vanish under its coat. The beautiful greenery of Ilam lasts all year round and continues up the surrounding hill sides.

Ilam is a municipality and tea-producing town in Nepal. It is in Ilam District which is in hilly Eastern Region of Nepal. It is famous for its natural sceneries and landscapes.
Ilam is a small hilly town with pristine landscapes of sloped tea gardens, thick natural forests, holy sites and unique culture. There are several holy sites one can visit in and around the area. Ilam is a much sought after tourist destination for travelers of all kinds. It is also famous for its special brand Ilam Tea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilam_District

The two main tea gardens in the area are the Ilam Tea Garden located near the Ilam Bazaar and the Kanyam Tea Garden which is located halfway between Ilam Bazaar and the plains of the Terai.
Besides teahouses, the Ilam District in eastern Nepal has many other treasures. At Antu Danda, at an elevation of 1677 meters, you can find breathtaking sunrise and sunset views of Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) and Kanchanjunga. There is also a drivable road from Ilam to Chhipitar from where one can reach Antu Danda on foot. Those wishing to travel along the lush green hills by trekking would enjoy three hours of beautiful sights.
Another place of interest for travelers is Mai Pokhari. It sits at an elevation of 2438 meters, Mai Pokhari is a famous pilgrimage destination in Ilam district. Lying at about 13 kilometers north of Ilam Bazaar, this beautiful jewel consists of a pond whose circumference is more than 1 kilometer. Altogether there are nine ponds in the area some of which are large enough for boats and possible boatrides.Ilam is easily accessed via road linked with Nepal's East-West Highway. Pashupatinagar, situated at northern boarder of Ilam, is an important entry point for travelers from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Mirik. Darjeeling, a famous hill station of India, is just two hours drive from Pashupatinagar.To get to Ilam there are regular bus services to Pashupatinagar and Ilam from Kathmandu and Biratnagar.

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About Pokhara

About Pokhara

Pokhara is situated at about 827 meter from sea level, and is located 124 miles (about 200 km) west of Kathmandu and can be reached by plane in 35 minutes or in 5 hours by bus. Pokhara is the next destination after Kathmandu for many adventure and pleasure trips in and around Pokhara. Pokhara is often called the enchanting Himalayan valley with a heart of major actions and adventures.Surrounded by beautiful snow-caped mountains, with a magnificent lake of crystal-clear pure Himalayan water, all-year round pleasing weather, and friendly Pokhralis will greet you with a smile and leave you with the most unforgettable moments in your life. So pack up your bag, load your camera, and get ready for Pokhara experience!

Places to Visit

The Fewa (or Phewa) Lake 1.5 kilometer long, second largest lake in Nepal, offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on the lake. Many tours and trekking operators and hotels are located on the lakeside. One can easily find a place to sit back, relax and enjoy great meal while enjoying scenery here. You will also enjoy boating on the lake. Most hotels and guest houses have traditional designs and layouts which match with the surrounding views. The photo on the right is of Rara Lake, another popular lake located in Pokhara.

Davis Fall, you sure will remember this snap in Pokhara!!

Other Pictures of Fewa Lake - Web Links
Photobucket: Pokhara - Pokhara search results from Photobucket
twogypsies.com - 2 pictures
karlgrobl.com - 3 pictures
ddddddddddddd - 1 picture
taoliver.com - 1 picture
Shivacharity.com: - 1 picture
Annapurna Range Skyline
The most spectacular sight in Pokhara is the sight of Annapurna range. See the following image which shows eight important mountains of the Annapurna range.

This range stretching from west to east includes Dhaulagiri, South Annapurna, Annapurna 1, Hiunchuli, Fish-tail (Machapuchare), Annapurna 3, Annapurna 4, and Annapurna 2. In Pokhara, the holy unclimbed mountain Macchapucchre (or also known as Fishtail Mountain), located in the middle of the Annapurna range, can be seen standing right in front of our nose.Everyone in Pokhara wakes up early to greet the mountains during sunrise. The reflection of sunlight from a mountain is always a breathtaking site. You will never forget the sight of the fishtail mountain standing right before your eyes saying "Good Morning!"
Pictures of Annapurna Range - Web Links
feeback.nildram.co.uk - various pictures
dddddd 1 picture
nepalviajes.com - 1 picture
ddddd - 1 Annapurna range picture
dddd - Annapurna range and its reflection on fewa lake
Begnas and Rupa Lake
The name Pokhara is derived from the word Pokhari, which in Nepali means pond or a lake. There are about eight lakes in Pokhara and besides the the fewa lake, the other two lakes known as Begnas Lake and Rupa lake located about 15 km from Pokhara are ideal places for relaxation, boating and fishing. Get to Begnas by bus, or by a taxi, or cycle from Pokhara. Visit Begnas Bazaar for a unique hillside market experience.
Seti Gandaki / Gorge
Seti Gandaki and Seti Gorge are other two important places to visit in Pokhara. The Seti gandaki flows right through the city, it runs completely underground at many places. There is a local myth that the entire land of Pokhara floats on the Seti river. Rivers in Nepal are known for their strength and the purity as entire source is from the Himalayan range.
Mahendra Cave (Gufa or Gupha in Nepali)
Mahindra cave is located about 10km north from central Pokhara. It is a natural site located across the Seti river pass the Batulechours village.
Davis Fall
Witness a unique waterfall that lies 2 Km from central Pokhara City. The water fall directly goes into a deep and narrow canal with no ends. It is believed that this deadly waterfall took the life of a tourist named David, who fell down into the canel and was never found, and hence the name David waterfall, named in his memory by the people of Pokhara. This place has many nick names like Davy's Fall, David's Fall or Davis's Fall, all mean the same thing `The Davis Water Fall' Davis Fall Picture 1 (Web Link)
Other Places to Visit
Other places to visit in Pokhara are Barahi temple, situated in the middle of Phewa lake, Pokhara Museum, Annapurna Museum, Bindhyabasini temple, and World Peace Pagoda.

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Hotels in Pokhara
Base Camp Resort - 30 rooms, Lake Side, Pokhara-6, Nepal, Tel: 977 61 521226 Email: info@basecampresort.com
Hotel Barahi - Pokhara, Tel : Phone : 977 1 4429820
Hotel Kantipur - 50 rooms, Lake-Side Pokhara, Nepal, Tel: 977-61-520886 Email : kantipurpkr@cnet.wlink.com.np
Hotel Lake Palace - Lakeside, Baidam, Tel: 977-61-521027 Email: hlpalace@fewanet.com.np
Hotel View Point - Lakeside, Baidam, Tel: Phone: 977-61-541671
Hotel Shikhar - Lakeside, Pokhara, Tel: 977-61-525033 Email: shikhar@fewanet.com.np
New Pokhara Lodge - Lakeside Pokhara Tel: 977-61-52499

How to get to Pokhara?

Mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is the best option. View Himalayas including the Annapurna range which lies right next to flight path. So sit back, turn your head to the right, and enjoy the flight. Be careful though, this will blow your mind away, don't hurt your neck, do not push the passenger on the right out through the window!!
Riding a public bus or a taxi to Pokhara is also a good option. Public buses run daily from Kathmandu. It takes about 5 to 6 hours by bus. Buses are crowded, but thats' how Nepalese travel all life long, so what the heck, go ahead experience it, for you, it's only for a day! Remember, public buses do not have A/C, Heaters and have frequent stops on the way. Bus will stop at Mugling for Lunch or Dinner. Have some Nepail food there, if you can digest spicy foods, or you can pick restaurants which specifically cater to foreigners. Taxis are expensive, probably will cost you as much as the Air-fare. When you ride by land, you get to see more places, you get to enjoy the scenery that you would not be able to see from the air.
About buying the tickets :
How to get Cheap Ticket to Pokhara ? Buy them directly from the Airlines located in Kathmandu. Visit their website and make online reservations. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, buy tickets from their Sales Office. If needed, ask your Hotel's travel desk to help you find the airlines office.
Facts on Pokhara City
These facts are based on Data from HMG Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, and Websites of Municipalities. Last update on May 9 2006
Population
About 170,000 thousand. It is believed that Pokhara was the city of Mallas, the rulers of Nepal about 250 years ago. The Newar community of Kathmandu Valley migrated to Pokhara, built houses like those of Mallas, and started developing settlements which lead to the development of this city. Today, Pokhara is developed by tourism, import and export business of both domestic as well as foreign products to various towns and villages in Kaski and other districts of Nepal
Land Area
47.5 square miles (about 123 sq kilometers), About half of the area is the Sub-Metropolitan City area.
Location
Longitude : 83 58' 30"E to 80 02' 30" E Latitude : 28 10' N to 28 16' N
Altitude
2900 feet (about 884 meter)
Distance
124 miles (200 kilometers) from the Capital, Kathmandu114 miles (about 184 kilometers) from the Indian border located about 2.5 miles from Bhairahawa (Also called as Belhia)
Weather
Pokhara receives very good amount of Rainfall every year. Rainy months include May to September, where July is the most heavy rain fall season receiving upto 33 inches (about 845 mm or millimeter) rainfall. Pokhara has a mild weather all year around, however during December to February, temperature can drop to freezing point. Pokhara gets more rain than any other city of Nepal. Best time to visit this city is October and April, but if you have an umbrella in your hand, then cross that out, please!
Official Holidays
All Major National HolidaysandEach Friday Half Day (Evening Shift) and Saturday Full Day.
What does Pokhara mean for Nepal?
It is a main center for the import and distribution of the domestic and imported foreign goods for various districts that are linked to Pokhara. Pokhara is the main entry point for goods going to the Kaski district of Nepal. Pokhara's population is growing more than ever, as the city has become the immediate choice for those who are leaving Kathmandu because of pollution or congestion factors, and it is also the number one choice for Nepalese living abroad for buying lands or houses in Nepal. Population of vehicles in Pokhara is also increasing. Pokhara will eventually develop the nearby villages and towns both by tourism industry as well as by local business, which will benefit all
Related Content
Visit Pokhara 2007 - the biggest tourism festival of Nepal, but it's gone and a new one will be coming in 2011.. - every now and then Nepal launches tourism festivals, this is a page that was created back then. Rumor is that there will be on in 2010. What's it gonna be ?
Pokhara Web Directory - find a list of websites from this region
Airlines in Nepal Web Directory - from web dir.
Roads and Buses in Nepal Nepal FAQ - it's always nice to know.
Hotels Web Directory - complete list of hotels.
Travel Videos - browse and watch videos on Pokhara category

Pokhara Experiences -
Browse these websites and photo album and feel like you are experiencing it yourself. Have you been to Pokhara recently ? We would love to hear from you. Please share your experience in our blog or forum, links are at the bottom of this page.
Picasaweb : Pokhara - Tosunilstha - a Nepali shows his trip to Pokhara through photos
Mountain Music Project : Sarangi - a traveler talks about the place and nepali sarangi
People - Umass - Pokhara- group of students from Bangladesh going to Pokhara
Forgetmenotchildrens - Nepal Visit - daily blog on their visit to Nepal and beyond
Flickr - Pokhara - Sdhawan - author's pokhara photos
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Annapurna Circuit-Jomsom and Upper Mustang Trek- Nepal

Annapurna
Trekking in the Annapurna region is the best approach to have a close look at the formation of mysterious nature's wonders which have facilitated this region to be highly concentrated trekking spot amongst the world since 1977 when it was first time opened for the foreigners. This region has been associated with the name of massive Annapurna peak - one among eight world's highest peaks of the world. This highly praised and spectacular trekking route makes your traveling a different experience ever in lifetime. More than anything else, the great deal of traditional culture and the unique hospitality of the native people can definitely help to erase your tired mind in course of your great journey. This two weeks trek in the Annapurna region is specially designed considering those individual who have got only few time in Nepal and very interested to explore this area by crossing Thorung La Pass (5416m.). In this way, this short but exclusive trek program is basically targeted to enjoy the Himalayan spirit through unique adventure as well as within short period of time.The starting point of this ideal two weeks trek is Besishahar - a naturally rewarding area from where the trail heads to Bahundanda. This magnificent trek leads you to the fine village inhabited by a wide diversity of people from different ethnic groups, offering spectacular and majestic view of the white Himalayas. As it continues to the north of the main Himalayan range on to the high and dry Tibetan Plateau, the scenery is equally breathtaking. The trails then follows the way crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge, leading to the fine stone village called "Jagat".Muktinath - the most sacred Hindu temple stands as the most remarkable feature of this trek offering the astonishing view of the snow - capped mountains from the top. The eye appealing view of around surrounding is beyond one's thought to enable you to enjoy never ending blissful experience in peace and tranquility.Jomsom at an altitude of 2713m is the ultimate destination of this trek where our hiking excursion gets an end. A night rest at this point is more praiseworthy in a sense that the countryside view settle down your all tiredness both mentally and physically. The next day, a 20 minutes scenic flight takes you another picturesque town - Pokhara which undoubtedly offers many things of tourist's alike within a very limited area.Anyone with sound health can join this trek since this trek has been set on the basis of slow hike pace to get full acclimatization with a view to enable our clients to get ultimate fun of trekking in this Himalayan paradise.
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Itinerary
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Itinerary

Annapurna Circuit Jomsom MapDay 01: Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. B.B.

Day 02: Drive Kathmandu to Besishahar (790m).About 5 hours scenic drive by car / van. Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 03: Besishahar to Bahundanda (1310m).Today our journey starts at Besishahar, from where, the trail makes the climb to Khudi at 790m, we then reach the first Gurung village (many of Nepal’s Gurkha Soldiers are Gurungs). As we continue the from Khudi the trail offers fine views of Himalchuli and Peak 29 (Ngadi Chuli). It climbs to Bhulbhule at 825m; it then goes to Ngadi before reaching Lampata at 1135m and nearby Bahundanda at 1310m.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 04: Bahundanda to Chyamje (1400m).Today the trail drops steeply to Syange at 1070m from Bahundanda crossing the Marsyangdi River on a suspension bridge. We then follow the river to the stone village of Jagat before climbing through forest to Chyamje at 1400m.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 05: Chyamje to Bagarchhap (2160m).The day begins with the rocky trail following the Marsyandi Rivers steadily uphill to Tal at 1675m, the first village in the Manang district. We make a trailverse crossing a wide, flat valley. The trail then climbs a stone stairway to 1860m till another stairway. The journey continues making up and down to Dharapani at 1890m. There we find a stone entrance chorten typical of the Tibetan influenced villages from here northwards. We then visit the Bagarchhap at 2160m that offers the typical flat roofed stone houses of local Tibetans design although the village which is still in the transition Zone before the dry highlands.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 06: Bagarchhap to Chame (2630m).With often rough and rocky, the trail climbs to Tyanja at 2360m, & then continues through forest, but near the river, to Kopar at 2590m. As we reach the Chame, the headquarters of the Manang district, we are rewarded by the fine views of Annapurna II as you approach Chame & two small hot springs by the town.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 07: Chame to Pisang (3300m).The day starts through deep forest in a steep and narrow valley, crosses a river on a long bridge at 2910m. We then cross another bridge at 3040m, from there the view of the soaring Paungda Danda rock face really begins to appear. From there the trail joins to climb to Pisang, which sprawls between 3200m & 3300m.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 08: Pisang to Manang (3500m).Today we continue through the drier upper part of the Manang district, cut off from the full effect of the monsoon by the Anapurna Range. People of this region, herd yaks & raise crops for part of the year besides, they also continue to enjoy special trading rights gained way back in 1784.Leaving Pisang, we have an alternate trails north and south of the Marsyangdi River which meet up again at Mungji. The southern route by Hongde, with its airstrip, at 3325m involves less climbing than the northern route via Ghyaru, though there are better views on the trail that follows the northern bank of the river. From Mungji, the trail continues past the picturesque but partially hidden village of Bryanga at 3475m to nearby Manang at 3500m.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 09: Manang - Acclimatization dayToday we spend a day acclimatizing in Manang. The whole day we spend by doing some fine day walks and overviewing the magnificent views around the village & the day time is best to gain altitude. At the end of the day, we return back to our accommodation & have a night rest.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 10: Manang to Ledar (4250m).Today we leave Manang, & the trai makes an ascent of nearly 2000m to the Thorung La pass. We make the climb steadily through Tenki, leaving the Marsyangi Valley. Continuing along the Jarsang Khola Valley, we reach Ledar at 4250m, there we see the vegetations steadily more sparse. Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 11: Ledar to Phedi or High camp (4600m).The trail descends to cross the river at 4310m we then climb up to Phedi at 4420m. At High Camp on the elevation of 4600m, we can recently found some good Guesthouses built. Your overnight stay will be there.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 12: Phedi or High Camp to Muktinath (3710m).The journey from Phedi “foot of the hill” or at the foot to the 5416m Thorung La pass, begins the day. We then make the climb steeply that is regularly used and easy to follow. However, the problem may arise due to the altitude and snow. It often causes terrible problem to cross the pass if it is covered by snow. About four hours climb up to the pass marked by the chortens & prayer flags. As you reach the top, you are rewarded by the magnificent view from the top.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 13: Trek to Jomsom (2713m.). Treks ends here. Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 14: Fly back to Pokhara (about 20 minutes short, but scenic flight).Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.
Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu by Private Car / Van - about 5 hours scenic drive.
Day 16: Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 17: Transfer to Airport for your onward Journey. Farewell!

Upper Mustang Trek - Nepal

Until recent years, this Tran- Himalayan region was closed for foreigners. Nesting on the Tibetan boarder, this region is dominated by giants Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massif. Situated at the head of the Kali Gandaki in north central Nepal, the little-known district of Mustang is naturally and culturally attractive, in particular, origin of Tibet. Tourists in Upper Mustang can opt for the strangely eroded landscape of this remote territory that presents a vibrant mosaic of earth colors- red, yellows, browns and blues. This location is bestowed with ecological diversities, delightful views of snowy peaks, colorful village, monasteries, ancient palaces. Get connect with NATURE AND EXPERIENCE DIVERSE CULTURE!
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Upper Mustang Trekking MapDay 01: Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. B.B.Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel. B.B.Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara - 4-5 hours scenice drive by Private Car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.Day 04: Flight Pokhara - Jomsom, and trek to Kagbeni, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 05: Trek to Chele, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 06: Trek to Geling, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 07: Trek to Tsarang, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 08: Trek to Lo Manthang, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 09: Rest day at Lo - Manthang, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 10: Trek to Ghami, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 11: Trek to Samar, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 12: Trek to Kagbeni, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 13: Trek To Jomsom, Overnight at tented camp. B.L.D.Day 14: Flight Jomsom - Pokhara, Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.Day 15: Drive back to Kathmandu by car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.B.Day 16: Transfer to Airport for your onward Journey. Farewell!

Trekking in Jomsom and Annapurna Region

The Jomsom Trek is indeed a classical trek, essentially the final third of the Annapurna Circuit, follows the Kali Gandaki Valley between the soaring peak of Annapurna & Dhaulagiri. Finally, it emerges to the north of the main Himalayan range, on the dry, desert- like Tibetan Plateau. A several days walk beyond Jomsom, takes you the final destination, Muktinath, the holy temple. This trek allows access to the high mountains of the Himalayas within a reasonable timeframe and without ascending to extreme altitude. You will then return to Pokhara by taking a flight from Jomsom.
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Jomsom Muktinath Trekking MapDay 01: Your arrival to Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA), you will be met by our Airport Representative, and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara - 4-5 hours scenice drive by Private Car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.
Day 03: One hour drive to Nayapul by private Car / Van, we then begin trek to TikhedhungaWe begin our trek at Nayapul, driving to the road head. After 15- minutes short walk along the bank of the Modi Khola, we reach Birethanti (1065m) a large village that has many shops & teahouses. From there, the trail continues through the village. The trail follows the north bank of the Bhurungdi Khola.From there, the trail climbs steadily up the side of the valley to Hille at 1495m & after the short climb, we reach Tikhedhunga at 1525m. This trek offers a short & relatively easy day, during journey & allows us to become used to the experience of trekking in Nepal.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 04: Trek to Ghorepani Leaving Tikhedunga, we begin our journey with steep climb to Ulleri. Ulleri is a large Magar village at 2070m. Then the trail continues to ascend more gently, through fine forests of oak & rhododendron towards Banthanti at 2250m. Then we make our trek towards Nangethanti at 2460m. After an hour walk brings you to Ghorepani at 2775m.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 05: Ghorepani to TatopaniThis day early in the morning at 5 o'clock, we begin the trek for hiking to Poon Hill. It takes an hour to climb from here to Poon Hill, offering you one of the best Himalayan viewpoints in Nepal from where spectacular Himalayan ranges with amazing sunrise view can be seen very closely.After observing the wonderful Himalayas views, we return to Ghorepani and we will have hot breakfast. After breakfast, we continue our journey to Tatopani.The trail makes a descend steeply to Chitre at 2390m. As the trail drops down through Sikha, the hills are extensively terraced. Sikha is a large village with shops and hotels at 1980m, from there the trail descends gently to Ghara at 1705m. A further steep descent of 500m takes you to the Ghar Khola where the trail crosses the river on a suspension bridge. We then make another climb up above the Kaligandaki River before crossing that too. As you turn north, it takes you to the Tatopani at 1180m. Tato means 'hot' and pani is 'water', a name earned courtesy of the hot springs by the river. Tatopani is one of the popular shorter trek spot out of Pokhara.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 06: Tatopani to KalopaniToday, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki gorge. This is considered to be the deepest in the world which is situated as it is between the two 8000m peaks of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. From there, trail rises gently up to Dana at 1400m, & on to Rupse Chhahara at 1550m, there you can see a stunning waterfall. As the trail crosses to the eastern bank of the river, you will reach Kopchepani, & then crosses back to the western side on a suspension bridge at 1935m. From here it is a short climb to Ghasa at 2080m. The trail continues to ascend & pass through Lete at 2470m, shortly before arriving at Kalopani at an elevation of 2560m, where we obtain superb views of the Nilgiri peaks to the east.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 07: Kalopani to MarphaThis day we start the trek by crossing to the eastern side of the river, but cross back again further up the trail before entering Larjung at 2560m. The trail continues on a short distance to the interesting village of Khobang with its narrow alleyways. Then will have our lunch at the ancient Thakali village of Tukuche at 2590m.After Tukuche, the trail continues up the Kali Gandaki. As we pass through the gorge, the terrain becomes much more barren & the breeze increases. We continue towards Marpha at 2665m passing a Tibetan refuge settlement & then a horticulture research station. Marpha is a large Thakali village with many excellent teahouses, however it still retains the typical architectural features of narrow alleyways, flat roofs, & whitewashed buildings. There we will visit a superb Nyingmapa Buddhist gompa.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 08: Marpha to KagbeniFrom Marpha, we climb along the side of the valley to Jomsom at 2713m. Jomsom is a large, bustling settlement, & it is the administrative centre of the region that contains the airport, army camp, & numerous hotels, shops, banks & government offices.On the way, we cross the river to the eastern bank, we then walk onwards to Eklai Bhatti at 2730m. From here we catch a direct route to Muktinath that ascends the hill behind the village, however we follow the trail along the river to Kagbeni at 2810m which is situated at the junction of the Jhong Khola & the Kali Gandaki, the northernmost village that can be visited without a permit to continue on to Mustang. This village fascinates rich Tibetan cultures & their unique hospitality, influences us much.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.Day 09: Kagbeni to MuktinathWe make a steep climb up the Jhong Khola valley leaving Kagbeni, we then join the direct trail to Muktinath just below Khingar at 3200m. From here trail continues high above the Jhong Khola to the imposing village of Jharkot at 3500m which is well worth exploring. We, therefore, take a break here for lunch before continuing on to Muktinath.As we leave Jharkot, the trail climbs up to our ultimate destination of Muktinath at 3800m. We initially visit Ranipauwa, there are many teahouses and shops. Our overnight stay will be here. Further 10 minutes walks up the hill, we will be rewarded with the actual religious site of Muktinath & this area is kept free of hotels and camping sites. Muktinath is a pilgrimage center for Buddhists and Hindus. There we can see Tibetan traders as well as sadhus from the far south of India. There is shrines in a grove of trees including a Buddhists gompa & the Vishnu temple of Jwalamai. An old temple nearby shelters a spring and natural gas jets that provide Muktinath's famous eternal flame. It's the earth-water - fire combination that accounts for Muktinath's great religious significance.Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 10: Trek back to Jomsom. Overnight at Guest House. B.L.D.
Day 11: Fly back to Pokhara (about 20 minutes short, but scenic flight). Overnight at hotel. B.L.D.
Day 12: Drive back to Kathmandu by car / van. Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 13: Full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley (Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Swayambhu, and Kathmandu durbar square). Overnight at hotel. B.B.
Day 14: Transfer to Airport for your onward Journey. Farewell!
Note: B.B> Bed and Breakfast, B.L.D> Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Annapurna Reagion

Globally renowned trekking site in Nepal is no other than Annapurna region which comprises of three major trekking routes lying towards the north of central Nepal: Jomsom, Annapurna Sanctuary, and a circuit of the Annapurna Himal itself. The diverse terrain and the communities

with varieties of cultures of the region make this area the most popular trekking areasofNepal. You are definitely rewarded by sensational mountain scenery, tops are Dhaulagiri (8167m), Annapurna (8091m), Manaslu (8156m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Machapuchhre (6993m), Tukuche Peak (6920m), Tilicho Peak (7134m), Nilgiri (6940m) and complex assortment of traditional cultural. The Kaligandaki passing between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri is the deepest gorge in the world. Cultural variety from Hindu communities to Buddhist, Aryans to Mongols, famous Gorkha soldiers, fortresses, villages, valleys, most rainy areas to the rain shadow areas of Nepal –all with extreme contrasts from each other make each day's walk a different experience. According to the recent survey held by Modern Maturity (USA), this region has been declared as the world’s most spectacular trekking trails.
Pokhara "The city of lakes” would be either the starting point or ending point of your trek in the Annapurna region. Naturally enriched and picturesque town located at an altitude of 3000 feet is Pokhara, lying on the lap of great massive Himalayan ranges. One of the best tourist destinations, Pokhara is only 200km west of Kathmandu valley. It is within easy access by both air and road.

When to Trek in Nepal

There are two major factors to weigh as you decide when to go to Nepal: crowds and weather. As a general rule, the better the weather, the more people come to Nepal to go trekking. During the high tourist season in October and November, flights and hotels are fully booked and hotels and trails in the hills can be horrendously busy.
During autumn the nights are cold in the mountains, but the bright sun makes for pleasant day temperatures - in the high 20s° C, falling to 5° C at night, between 1000 metres and 3500 metres. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 20° C down to -10° C. Mornings are usually clear with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night to reveal spectacular starry skies. During winter it is about 10 degrees colder.
Early December usually has a lull, but this is also a good trekking season. The Christmas period is cold, but this is the holiday season in Japan and Australia and these nationalities dominate flights and hotels. High passes, especially Thorung La on the Around Annapurna trek and Laurabina Pass on the Gosainkund trek are usually closed from late November to March. February is still cold, though less so as the spring trekking season of March and April approaches. The Middle Hills, especially around Pokhara, are full of dust and haze in April and May, but the high country is usually clear. Trekking tapers off in the heat of May except at high elevations.
The monsoon is a good time to visit Kathmandu, but there are few trekkers among those who come. A monsoon trek is possible if you are willing to put up with the rain, leeches, slippery trails and lousy mountain views. Flights operate throughout the monsoon to Lukla, Jumla and Jomsom, so it is possible to fly in and trek above the leech line.
Many of the new treks to recently opened restricted areas are good summer treks. Mustang and Simikot are partially in the Himalayan rain shadow, so trekking conditions are good throughout the monsoon season. Most of the restricted area treks are impossible during the winter season.

ClimateNepal has four distinct seasons. Spring, from March to May, is warm and dusty with rain showers. Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies, and is the most popular trekking season. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night and can be foggy in the early morning, but afternoons are usually clear and pleasant, though there is occasional snow in the mountains.
Because Nepal is quite far south (at the same latitude as Miami and Cairo) the weather is warmer and winter is much milder at lower elevations, including Kathmandu at 1400 metres. It rarely snows below 2000 metres.
The monsoon in the Bay of Bengal governs the weather pattern. The monsoon creates a rainy season from the middle of June to the middle of September. It is hot during the monsoon and it rains almost every day, but it is a considerate rain, limiting itself mostly to the night. During this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable. Clouds usually hide the mountains and the trails are muddy and infested with leeches.
It usually does not rain for more than one or two days during the entire autumn season from mid-October to mid-December. During winter and spring there may be a week or so of rainy evenings and occasional thunderstorms blanket the hills with snow. The Himalaya makes its own localised weather, which varies significantly over a distance of a few km. Despite the sanguine assurances of Radio Nepal that the weather will be "...mainly fair throughout the kingdom", always expect clouds in the afternoon and be prepared for occasional rain.
Most of the precipitation in the Himalaya occurs during the summer monsoon. There is less snow on the mountains and on many of the high trails during winter. Everest itself is black rock during the trekking season, becoming snow-covered only during summer. There are always exceptions to this weather pattern, so be prepared for extremes. Winter snowstorms in December and January may make an early spring pass crossing difficult and can present an avalanche danger, especially on the approach to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
In Kathmandu, spring and autumn days are comfortable and the evenings are cool, usually requiring a light jacket or pullover. Winter in Kathmandu brings cold foggy mornings and clear evenings, but pleasant day temperatures with brilliant sunshine most days after the morning fog has lifted. It never snows in Kathmandu, though there is frost on cold nights in January and February. The hottest month is May, just before the rains start.

Temperatures
Temperatures in Kathmandu are as follows:
Maximum Minimum
° F ° C ° F ° C
October 88 31 58 14
January 66 19 37 3
April 84 29 46 8

Temperatures in the Everest Region average 20 to 30° F (10 to 15° C) colder than the above figures up to about 14,000 feet, the highest point reached on a short Everest trek. Near Pokhara, temperatures are 5 to 10° F (3 to 5° C) warmer than Kathmandu. Remember that it will often feel quite cold because you will be outdoors all day.

About Trekking in Nepal

Why Trek In Nepal?

The Himalaya, the "abode of snows", extends from Assam in eastern India west to Afghanistan. It is a chain of the highest and youngest mountains on earth and it encompasses a region of deep religious and cultural traditions and an amazing diversity of people. A trek in Nepal is a special and rewarding mountain holiday.

Just as New York is not representative of the USA, so Kathmandu is not representative of Nepal. If you have the time

and energy to trek, don't miss the opportunity to leave Kathmandu and see the spectacular beauty and the unique culture of Nepal. Fortunately for the visitor, there are still only a few roads extending deeply into the hills, so the only way to truly visit the remote regions of the kingdom is in the slowest and most intimate manner - walking. It requires more time and effort, but the rewards are also greater. Instead of zipping down a freeway, racing to the next "point of interest," each step provides new and intriguing viewpoints. You will perceive your day as an entity rather than a few highlights strung together by a ribbon of concrete. For the romanticist, each step follows the footsteps of Hillary, Tenzing, Herzog and other Himalayan explorers. If you have neither the patience nor the physical stamina to visit the hills of Nepal on foot, a helicopter flight provides an expensive and unsatisfactory substitute.
Trekking in Nepal will take you through a country that has captured the imagination of mountaineers and explorers for more than 100 years. You will meet people in remote mountain villages whose lifestyle has not changed in generations. Most people trust foreigners. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries that has never been ruled by a foreign power.
Many of the values associated with a hiking trip at home do not have the same importance during a trek in Nepal. Isolation is traditionally a crucial element of any wilderness experience but in Nepal it is impossible to get completely away from people, except for short times or at extremely high elevations. Environmental concerns must include the effects of conservation measures on rural people and the economic effects of tourism on indigenous populations. Even traditional national park management must be adapted because there are significant population centres within Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) and Langtang national parks.
Trekking does not mean mountain climbing. While the ascent of a Himalayan peak may be an attraction for some, you need not have such a goal to enjoy a trek. As far as most people are concerned, trekking always refers to walking on trails.
While trekking you will see the great diversity of Nepal. Villages embrace many ethnic groups and cultures. The terrain changes from tropical jungle to high glaciated peaks in only 150 km. From the start, the towering peaks of the Himalaya provide one of the highlights of a trek. As your plane approaches Kathmandu these peaks appear to be small clouds on the horizon. The mountains become more definable and seem to reach impossible heights as you get closer and finally land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan Airport.
During a trek, the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual hills, but dominates the northern skyline at each pass. Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest will become familiar names. Finally, after weeks of walking, you will arrive at the foot of the mountains themselves - astonishing heights from which gigantic avalanches tumble earthwards in apparent slow motion, dwarfed by their surroundings. Your conception of the Himalaya alters as you turn from peaks famed only for their height to gaze on far more picturesque summits that you may never have heard of - Kantega, Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and Kumbhakarna.

What Is a Trek?
A Trek is Not a Climbing Trip
Whether you begin your trek at a roadhead or fly into a remote mountain airstrip, a large part of it will be in the Middle Hills region at elevations between 500 and 3000 metres. In this region, there are always well-developed trails through villages and across mountain passes. Even at high altitudes there are intermittent settlements used during summer by shepherds, so the trails, though often indistinct, are always there. You can easily travel on any trail without the aid of ropes or mountaineering skills. There are rare occasions when there is snow on the trail, and on some high passes it might be necessary to place a safety line for your companions or porters if there is deep snow. Still, alpine techniques are almost never used on a traditional trek. Anyone who has walked extensively in the mountains has all the skills necessary for an extended trek in Nepal.
Though some treks venture near glaciers, and even cross the foot of them, most treks do not allow the fulfilment of any Himalayan mountaineering ambitions. Nepal's mountaineering regulations allow trekkers to climb 18 specified peaks with a minimum of formality, but you must still make a few advance arrangements for such climbs. Many agents offer so-called climbing treks which include the ascent of one of these peaks as a feature of the trek. There are a few peaks that, under ideal conditions, are within the resources of individual trekkers. A climb can be arranged in Kathmandu if conditions are right, but a climb of one of the more difficult peaks should be planned well in advance.
A Trek Requires Physical Effort
A trek is physically demanding because of its length and the almost unbelievable changes in elevation. During the 300-km trek from Jiri to Everest base camp and return, for example, the trail gains and loses more than 9000 metres of elevation during many steep ascents and descents. On most treks, the daily gain is less than 800 metres in about 15 km, though ascents of as much as 1200 metres are possible on some days. You can always take plenty of time during the day to cover this distance, so the physical exertion, though quite strenuous at times, is not sustained. You also can stop frequently and take plenty of time for rest.
Probably the only physical problem that may make a trek impossible is a history of knee problems on descents. In Nepal the descents are long, steep and unrelenting. There is hardly a level stretch of trail in the entire country. If you are an experienced walker and often hike 15 km a day with a pack, a trek should prove no difficulty. You will be pleasantly surprised at how easy the hiking can be if you only carry a light backpack and do not have to worry about meal preparation.
Previous experience in hiking and living outdoors is, however, helpful as you make plans for your trek. The first night of a month-long trip is too late to discover that you do not like to sleep in a sleeping bag. Mountaineering experience is not necessary, but you must enjoy walking.

Religion in nepal

Main article: Religion in Nepal

Shaiva-devotees gather at the Hindu Pashupatinath
The overwhelming majority in Nepal follow Hinduism. Shiva is regarded as the guardian deity of the country.Nepal is home to the largest Shiva temple in the world, the famous Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage. According to mythology, Sita Devi of the epic Ramayana was born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja.
Near the Indian border, Lumbini, is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and UNESCO World Heritage Site site in the Kapilavastu district. It is held to be the birthplace in about 563 B.C. of Siddhartha Gautama, a Kshatriya caste prince of the Sakya clan, who, as the Buddha Gautama, gave birth to the Buddhist tradition. The holy site of Lumbini is bordered by a large monastic zone, in which only monasteries can be built. All three main branches of Buddhism exist in Nepal and the Newar people have their own branch of the faith. Buddhism is the dominant religion of the thinly populated northern areas, which are inhabited by Tibetan-related peoples, such as the Sherpa.
The Buddha, born as a Hindu, is also said to be a descendant of Vedic Sage Angirasa in many Buddhist texts. The Buddha's family surname is associated with Gautama Maharishi.Differences between Hindus and Buddhists have been minimal in Nepal due to the cultural and historical intermingling of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Morever traditionally Buddhism and Hinduism were never two distinct religions in western sense of world. In Nepal, the faiths share common temples and worship common deities. Among other natives of Nepal, those more influenced by Hinduism were the Magar, Sunwar, Limbu and Rai and the Gurkhas. Hindu influence is less prominent among the Gurung, Bhutia, and Thakali groups who employ Buddhist monks for their religious ceremonies.Most of the festivals in Nepal are Hindu. The Machendrajatra festival, dedicated to Hindu Shaiva Siddha, is celebrated by many Buddhists in Nepal as a main festival. As it is believed that Ne Muni established Nepal,some important priests in Nepal are called "Tirthaguru Nemuni".
Health
Main article: Health in Nepal
The fertility rate in Nepal was at 3.7 births per woman in the early 2000s. Public expenditure on health was at 1.5 % of the GDP in 2004.Private expenditure on health was 4.1 % in 2004. In the early 2000s, there were 21 physicians per 100,000 people.Infant mortality was 56 per 1000 life births in 2005.
[edit] Culture
Main article: Culture of Nepal
A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari. Dal is a spicy lentil soup, served over bhat (boiled rice), served with tarkari (curried vegetables) together with achar (pickles) or chutni (spicy condiment made from fresh ingredients).. The Newar community, however, has its own unique cuisine. It consists of non-vegetarian as well as vegetarian items served with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Mustard oil is the cooking medium and a host of spices, such as cumin, coriander, black peppers, sesame seeds, turmeric, garlic, ginger, methi (fenugreek), bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, chillies, mustard seeds, etc., are used in the cooking. The cuisine served on festivals is generally the best.

Costumed Hindu-girls in Nepal. The two small children represent the god Krishna and his consort Radha. Sitting behind are the god Vishnu and his consort Laxmi.
Main article: Music of Nepal
The Newari Music orchestra consists mainly of percussion instruments, though wind instruments, such as flutes and other similar instruments, are also used. String instruments are very rare. There are songs pertaining to particular seasons and festivals. Paahan chare music is probably the fastest played music whereas the Dapa the slowest. There are certain musical instruments such as Dhimay and Bhusya which are played as instrumental only and are not accompanied with songs. The dhimay music is the loudest one. In the hills, people enjoy their own kind of music, playing saarangi (a string instrument), madal and flute. They also have many popular folk songs known as lok geet and lok dohari.
The Newar dances can be broadly classified into masked dances and non-masked dances. The most representative of Newari dances is Lakhey dance. Almost all the settlements of Newaris organise Lakhey dance at least once a year, mostly in the Goonlaa month. So, they are called Goonlaa Lakhey. However, the most famous Lakhey dance is the Majipa Lakhey dance; it is performed by the Ranjitkars of Kathmandu and the celebration continues for the entire week that contains the full moon of Yenlaa month. The Lakhey are considered to be the saviors of children.
Folklore is an integral part of Nepalese society. Traditional stories are rooted in the reality of day-to-day life, tales of love, affection and battles as well as demons and ghosts and thus reflect local lifestyles, cultures and beliefs. Many Nepalese folktales are enacted through the medium of dance and music.
The Nepali year begins in mid-April and is divided into 12 months. Saturday is the official weekly holiday. Main annual holidays include the National Day, celebrated on the birthday of the king (December 28), Prithvi Jayanti (January 11), Martyr's Day (February 18), and a mix of Hindu and Buddhist festivals such as dashain in autumn, and tihar in late autumn. During tihar, the Newar community also celebrates its New Year as per their local calendar Nepal Sambat.
Most houses in rural lowland of Nepal are made up of a tight bamboo framework and walls of a mud and cow-dung mix. These dwellings remain cool in summer and retain warmth in winter. Houses in the hills are usually made of unbaked bricks with thatch or tile roofing. At high elevations construction changes to stone masonry and slate may be used on roofs.
Nepal's flag is the only national flag in the world that is non-quadrilateral in shape, and one of only two non-rectangular flags in use (the other being the flag of the U.S. state of Ohio). According to its official description, the red in the flag stands for victory in war or courage, and is also color of the rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal. Red also stands for aggression. The flag's blue border signifies peace. The curved moon on the flag is a symbol of the peaceful and calm nature of Nepalese, while the sun represents the aggressiveness of Nepalese warriors.

Economy of nepal

Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2008 was estimated at over US$12 billion (adjusted to Nominal GDP), making it the 115th-largest economy in the world. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal's GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce, services 18% and manufacturing/craft-based industry 6%. Agricultural produce — mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India — includes tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.
Its workforce of about 10 million suffers from a severe shortage of skilled labour. The spectacular landscape and diverse, exotic cultures of Nepal represent considerable potential for tourism, but growth in this hospitality industry has been stifled by recent political events. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work. Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery. The total remittance value is worth around US$1 billion, including money sent from the Persian Gulf and Malaysia, who combined employ around 700,000 Nepali citizens.

A long-standing economic agreement underpins a close relationship with India. The country receives foreign aid from India, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, China, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries. Poverty is acute; per-capita income is less than US$470.The distribution of wealth among the Nepalis is consistent with that in many developed and developing countries: the highest 10% of households control 39.1% of the national wealth and the lowest 10% control only 2.6%.
The government's budget is about US$1.153 billion, with expenditures of $1.789 billion (FY05/06). The Nepalese rupee has been tied to the Indian Rupee at an exchange rate of 1.6 for many years. Since the loosening of exchange rate controls in the early 1990s, the black market for foreign exchange has all but disappeared. The inflation rate has dropped to 2.9% after a period of higher inflation during the 1990s.
Nepal's exports of mainly carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods and grain total $822 million. Import commodities of mainly gold, machinery and equipment, petroleum products and fertilizer total US$2 bn. India (53.7%), the US (17.4%), and Germany (7.1%) are its main export partners. Nepal's import partners include India (47.5%), the United Arab Emirates (11.2%), China (10.7%), Saudi Arabia (4.9%), and Singapore (4%

Nepal remains isolated from the world's major land, air and sea transport routes although, within the country, aviation is in a better state, with 48 airports, ten of them with paved runways; flights are frequent and support a sizable traffic. The hilly and mountainous terrain in the northern two-thirds of the country has made the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. There were just over 8,500 km (5,282 mi) of paved roads, and one 59-km railway line in the south in 2003. There is only one reliable road route from India to the Kathmandu Valley. The only practical seaport of entry for goods bound for Kathmandu is Calcutta in India. Internally, the poor state of development of the road system (22 of 75 administrative districts lack road links) makes volume distribution unrealistic. Besides having landlocked, rugged geography, few tangible natural resources and poor infrastructure, the long-running civil war is also a factor in stunting the economic growth.
There is less than one telephone per 19 people. Landline telephone services are not adequate nationwide but are concentrated in cities and district headquarters. Mobile telephony is in a reasonable state in most parts of the country with increased accessibility and affordability; there were around 175,000 Internet connections in 2005. After the imposition of the "state of emergency", intermittent losses of service-signals were reported, but uninterrupted Internet connections have resumed after Nepal's second major people's revolution to overthrow the King's absolute power.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Nepal

Terraced farming on the foothills of the Himalayas.
Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2008 was estimated at over US$12 billion (adjusted to Nominal GDP), making it the 115th-largest economy in the world. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal's GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce, services 18% and manufacturing/craft-based industry 6%. Agricultural produce — mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India — includes tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.
Its workforce of about 10 million suffers from a severe shortage of skilled labour. The spectacular landscape and diverse, exotic cultures of Nepal represent considerable potential for tourism, but growth in this hospitality industry has been stifled by recent political events. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work. Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery. The total remittance value is worth around US$1 billion, including money sent from the Persian Gulf and Malaysia, who combined employ around 700,000 Nepali citizens.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Nepal

Terraced farming on the foothills of the Himalayas.
Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2008 was estimated at over US$12 billion (adjusted to Nominal GDP), making it the 115th-largest economy in the world. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal's GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce, services 18% and manufacturing/craft-based industry 6%. Agricultural produce — mostly grown in the Terai region bordering India — includes tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, and water buffalo meat. Industry mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.
Its workforce of about 10 million suffers from a severe shortage of skilled labour. The spectacular landscape and diverse, exotic cultures of Nepal represent considerable potential for tourism, but growth in this hospitality industry has been stifled by recent political events. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work. Nepal receives US$50 million a year through the Gurkha soldiers who serve in the Indian and British armies and are highly esteemed for their skill and bravery. The total remittance value is worth around US$1 billion, including money sent from the Persian Gulf and Malaysia, who combined employ around 700,000 Nepali citizens.

GEOGRAPHY OF NEPAL

The Hill Region (Pahad) abuts the mountains and varies from 800 to 4,000 metres (2,625 to 13,123 ft) in altitude with progression from subtropical climates below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) to alpine climates above 3,600 metres (11,811 ft). The Mahabharat Lekh reaching 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,921 to 9,843 ft) is the southern limit of this region, with subtropical river valleys and "hills" alternating to the north of this range. Population density is high in valleys but notably less above 2,000 metres (6,562 ft) and very low above 2,500 metres (8,202 ft) where snow occasionally falls in winter.
The Mountain Region (Parbat), situated in the Great Himalayan Range, makes up the northern part of Nepal. It contains the highest elevations in the world including 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) height Mount Everest (Sagarmatha in Nepali) on the border with China. Seven other of the world's eight thousand metre peaks are in Nepal or on its border with China: Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri,

Annapurna and Manaslu.

Nepal has five climatic zones, broadly corresponding to the altitudes. The tropical and subtropical zones lie below 1,200 metres (3,937 ft), the temperate zone 1,200 to 2,400 metres (3,937 to 7,874 ft), the cold zone 2,400 to 3,600 metres (7,874 to 11,811 ft), the subarctic zone 3,600 to 4,400 metres (11,811 to 14,436 ft), and the Arctic zone above 4,400 metres (14,436 ft).
Nepal experiences five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The Himalaya blocks cold winds from Central Asia in the winter and forms the northern limit of the monsoon wind patterns. In a land once thickly forested, deforestation is a major problem in all regions, with resulting erosion and degradation of ecosystems.
Nepal is popular for mountaineering, containing some of the highest and most challenging mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Technically, the south-east ridge on the Nepali side of the mountain is easier to climb; so, most climbers prefer to trek to Everest through Nepal. Morever Nepal has 8 of the top 10 highest mountains of the world with postcard beauty.

Environment
The dramatic differences in elevation found in Nepal result in a variety of biomes, from tropical savannas along the Indian border, to subtropical broadleaf and coniferous forests in the Hill Region, to temperate broadleaf and coniferous forests on the slopes of the Himalaya, to montane grasslands and shrublands and rock and ice at the highest elevations.
At the lowest elevations we find the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion. These form a mosaic with the Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests, which occur from 500 to 1,000 metres (1,600 to 3,300 ft) and include the Inner Terai Valleys. Himalayan subtropical pine forests occur between 1,000 and 2,000 metres (3,300 and 6,600 ft).
Above these elevations, the biogeography of Nepal is generally divided from east to west by the Gandaki River. Ecoregions to the east tend to receive more precipitation and to be more species-rich. Those to the west are drier with fewer species.
From 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft), we find temperate broadleaf forests: the eastern and western Himalayan broadleaf forests. From 3,000 to 4,000 metres (9,800 to 13,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests. To 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) are the eastern and western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows.