Nepal Major Tourism Sites

KATHMANDU

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is one of the oldest cities in the world. The old town with narrow medieval streets and lovely little shrines, centers on the Durbar Square. Here one can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures, old Monasteries and historic monuments.

BHAKTAPUR

Bhaktapur or also known as Bhadgaon, is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many fine examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and goddesses. The city is shaped like a snail, one of the emblems of the god Vishnu and was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889. The city is 1402 meters above the sea level. Pottery and weaving are the most important traditional industries. The town is located fifteen kilometers east of Kathmandu.

PATAN

The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur meaning, city of beauty. In fact, a city of beauty and grace and is planned in a circular format with Buddhist stupas at each of the four cardinal points. The town is three kilometers southeast of Kathmandu, across the river Bagmati. As Kathmandu, center of attraction is its Durbar Square complex, situated in the center of the marketplace. The city is full of monuments, Buddhist and Hindu temples with fine bronze entries, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Known for its craftsmen and metal workers, also known as the city of artists. The city is believed to have been built during the reign of Vira developer in the year 299.

POKHARA

Pokhara, a charming city located in the tranquil valley (827m), is the starting point for many of the most popular destinations in Nepal, trekking and rafting. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the summit trail Machachhapuchhre Fish (6977 m) behind them create an environment of peace and magic. The valley surrounding Pokhara is home to thick forests, gushing rivers, clear lakes and views of the world famous Himalayas. Located 200 km west of Kathmandu, Pokhara is connected by air and by road from Kathmandu and Bhairawa, a border town near India. Pokhara offers magnificent views of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machchhapuchhre, five peaks of Annapurna and others

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LUMBINI

Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama. The Prince and the Buddha Shakya Finally, the Enlightened One, is the place of pilgrimage for millions of people in the world of the faithful in all schools of Buddhism. UNESCO lists the birth site, identified by Indian Emperor Ashoka pillar commemorating a World Heritage Site. The main attraction of Lumbini remains the sacred garden spread 8sq km, possessing all the treasures of the historic area. Mayadevi Temple is the main attraction for pilgrims and archaeologists alike. Here we find a bas relief of Mayadevi, Buddha's mother giving birth to him. Standing to the west of the sanctuary is Mayadevi the oldest monument of Nepal, the Ashoka Pillar. Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar in 249 a. C. to commemorate his pilgrimage to the holy sites. South of the column, is the sacred lake, where there Puskarni} {Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to Buddha. Places of interest around the area there are several other attractions nearby. It can be accessed by air from Kathmandu to Bhairawa. From Kathmandu it takes about eight hours by bus or car.

CHITWAN

Chitwan is one of the best national parks in Asia, renowned for its concentration of wildlife and better class tourist lodges, which offer the opportunity to see animals in their natural habitat. Chitwan which means "heart of the jungle 'is among the last surviving example of the continuous band of forests and grasslands, which stretched from the Indus River in Pakistan to the Burmese border. Its main attraction is the Chitwan National Park One of the major forest regions of Asia where wild animals live, like the few great one-horned rhinoceros, several species of deer, sloth bears, leopards, wild boar, fresh water dolphins, crocodiles, 350 species of birds and the elusive Bengal tiger. Chitwan National Park is shown in the World Heritage Site (natural) list. Visitors to Chitwan may enjoy elephant back excursions, nature walks, canoeing and hiking through the jungle. There are several authorized agencies to organize such safaris. Visitors can also take a raft. First driving from Kathmandu to the river or Seti Khola Trishuli. The five-hour trip to Chitwan (165 km overland) from Kathmandu, is filled with exciting views of the hills, rivers and plains with jungles on either side.

DHULIKHEL

Dhulikhel is scenic and the town located 30 kilometers east of Kathmandu on the Arniko Rajmarg (Kathmandu Kodari Highway). From here you can have a panoramic view of the Himalayas. In the main city, a brief visit to Namobuddha with Buddhist stupa and the monastery is highly recommended place to visit. Panauti, a village famous for its numerous temples with magnificent wood carving is a short distance from Dhulikhel.

MUKTINATH & JOMSOM

It is believed that all miseries / sorrows are relieved once you visit this temple (Mukti = Nirvana, Nath = God). The famous temple of Lord Muktinath lies in the district of Mustang and is situated about 18 km northeast of Jomsom at an altitude of about 3749 m. The main shrine is a pagoda shaped temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On the wall is around 108 suppliers who take holy water. The temple is located in a high mountain and is visited during fair weather. There are two ways to get to Muktinath from Kathmandu. Or take a direct flight from Kathmandu via Pokhara to Jomsom and hike for 7-8 hours through Kagbeni or trekking to the end of Pokhara which is 7-8 days. It is believed that one should visit this temple after competing pilgrimage of four dhams in India. This temple is considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. The Jwala Mai temple nearby contains a spring and an eternal flame fed by natural gas underground. Jomsom is a major center in the Annapurna region. Not a first class accommodation in Jomsom from where one can enjoy the outstanding natural beauty.

GORKHA

Gorkha is the birthplace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah the Great, the founder of modern Nepal. Situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalayas is a beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar. There are two attractive temples and Kali Gorakhanth place within the enclosure. Gorkha can be reached in about six hours by road from Kathmandu and four hours from Pokhara. A side trip to Manakamana temple on the way to Gorkha is very enjoyable and interesting. The Nepalese believe Manakamana Goddess fulfills the desires of all people and that's one reason why the temple is visited by tourists and locals throughout the year.

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Bungy (Bungee Jumping)

BUNGEE JUMPING If you thought bungy jumping was restricted to some places in Europe, New Zealand and America, it is time you bought and update. the game has finally found a natural home within the highest mountain vary within the world. the final word thrill of a bungy jump will currently be experienced in Nepal at maybe the most effective website within the world.

Nepal's initial bungy jumping website is situated 160m over the wild Bhote Kosi river, and located near the Nepal-Tibet border, a three-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. As will be organized on arrival in Kathmandu. As of now, there's just one agency providing this sport. The jump, at 160m, was designed by one in every of New Zealand's leading bungy consultants, and is operated by a number of the foremost experienced jump masters within the business. It's mishap-proof. The agency takes safety "very, terribly seriously".

Bhote Koshi river is found in Nepal, concerning seventy km (44 mi) east of Kathmandu, and is undoubtedly the simplest bungee location within the himalayas. The gorge where the jumping takes place is named The Last Resort, and it's one among the highest 3 deepest gorge bungee jumps within the world.

At one hundred sixty meters (525 feet) the jump from the suspension bridge at The Last Resort is that the final adrenaline fix consistent with VisitNepal.com. The bridge itself could be a Swiss construction, designed specifically for bungy jumping and satisfying the best international safety standards. Plunging into the sub-tropical gorge with the wild Bhote Koshi river raging below remains as nerve-racking as anything you may expertise on your Nepalese journey. Bhote Koshi have the worlds best bungee jumping

Location:
Less than three hours outside Kathmandu by final Bungy Shuttle. you may travel the Arniko (Kathmandu/Lhasa) Highway to among 12km of the Tibet Border and also the famous Friendship Bridge.

The Gorge:
Ultimate Bungee Nepal takes place on a 166 m. wide steel suspension bridge over the Bhoti Kosi River.

The Bridge:
Swiss designed, specially for bungy jumping with a 4x saftey issue. The bridge includes a loading issue of 250kg per running meter. this implies that the bridge can hold 250 x 166 = forty one,500kg or 4.5 tonnes. And... those are Swiss measurements! * Over 6000 meters of steel wire was used to create the bridge * Longest suspension bridge in Nepal * The bridge joins 2 sides of a good valley. Before its construction, locals walked 5 hours to cross this river gorge.

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Whitewater Rafting

Rafting is inarguably the simplest manner of exploring Arcadian Nepal. The waters supply one thing to everybody: from grade 5-5+ rivers with several raging Whitewater Rafting for the brave and therefore the adventurous, to grade 2-3 rivers with a number of rapids for the laid-back sort. the gorgeous issue is that almost about anybody, whether or not recent or terribly young, can raft. Moreover, it will either be a two-week trip or a 2-3 day trip-you decide.

RAFTING Kayaking Canyoning the very fact that you simply wish to raft down Nepal's difficult rivers means you've got some time past graduated from the nursery faculty of "Row, row, row your boat". the various 'raftable' rivers in Nepal meander between canyons, villages, and forests, wildlife, like pine needle through thread, weaving the country's wealthy tapestry of ethno-culture and bio-diversity. Originating within the bowels of the himalaya, these rivers flow across the length and breadth of Nepal and neighboring India, before emptying largely into the Bay of Bengal.

Paddle rafting is strongly suggested. It involves teamwork with the river runner barking directions from his perch on the aft. you'll be able to either do participatory rafting, where you and your cluster are given a runner and barebone workers support, or a "luxury safari style" trip where a full team of workers is provided to handle your group's each want and wish. Mind you, rafting isn't the sole thanks to travel downstream. a number of firms provide inflatable kayaks, or fiberglass kayaks for rent.

An extreme sport popular in Europe, Canoeing is now available in Nepal. Canoeing gives you the freedom to explore some of the most ruggedly beautiful, yet forbidden places in the world.

Season
October through mid-December and March through early might are the most effective times. it's doable in winter, however you've got to look at out for hypothermia. Throughout monsoon (June through September), the whitewater sections are dangerous, however gentler stretches are runnable.

Raft Route
River Profiles: up to now the govt. has opened sections of ten rivers for industrial rafting.

Karnali (arcade 4-5): Nepal's longest, it flows through steep, jagged canyons where the rapids are tightly-packed, giving continuous difficult water in the slightest degree flows. Either a bus ride to far-western Nepal or a flight to Nepalgunj will take you there. The river section takes concerning seven days to navigate, at the same time as you explore canyons and waterfalls. For those craving an adrenaline rush, this river could be a should.

Sun Kosi (grade 4-5): this is often the longest river trip (270km) offered in Nepal. you start at Dolalghat simply 3 hours out of Katmandu and finish in Chatara, down the Gangetic Plain of north India, nine or ten days later. The Sun Kosi starts off with comparatively delicate rapids the primary number of days. The surprises sneak up on you throughout the last days. it's thought of one in all the world's prime ten classic river journeys.

Trisuli (grade 3+): the most affordable river trip offered in Nepal, where you pay $20 or thus per day. though comparatively unsafe throughout monsoon, it's fun otherwise. A Trisuli river trip may be combined with visits to Chitwan or Pokhara. it's undoubtedly the foremost well-liked of Nepal's raftable rivers.

Kali Gandaki (grade 5-5+): Sacred Hindu river, here the rapids are technically difficult, winding through canyons and gorges. beginning at Baglung, you may raft right down to Ramdighat in five-six days. you will then continue on to the confluence with the Trisuli at Devghat, adding another a hundred thirty km and 3-4 days.

Bhote Kosi (grade 4-5): some of hours out of Kathmandu, it's twenty six km of continuous white water. may be tired two days. it's the steepest river rafted in Nepal, requiring Zen-like concentration from the river-runner, and giving an adrenaline rush even in low-water months. beginning higher than Barabise, you raft right down to the dam at Lamosangu.

Upper Sun Kosi (grade 1-2): Begins at Khadichour and ends in Dolalghat. The river is lined with clean sandy beaches, that build for nice picnic or camping spots. The trip offers a good family getaway, removed from the madding crowd.

Marsyangdi (grade 5-5+): The raging Marsyangdi is four days of continuous white water. Begins from the village of Ngadi, up from Besisahar. because the rapids are unrelenting, it's suggested that you simply consult corporations with variant expertise on underneath their belt. For individuals yearning for a 5-6 tour with raging rapids, the Marsyangdi is unquestionably where it's at.

Other rivers: The Bheri in western Nepal may be combined with a visit to the Royal Bardia National park. The Arun from Tumlingtar is another choice.

 Safety
Safety is the most important part of any river trip. Choosing a professional veteran rafting company is the first step. So it helps to abide by the following tips:
Pick your river with care. Seek information from a rafting agency, local experts, and literature on river levels and difficulty.
There should be a minimum of two rafts per trip, so that one can help when a fall happens from the other.
Carry first-aid kit, survival and rescue gear.
Check to see that end loops and the leash are adequate before you push off. This makes it easier to keep hold of your boat when swimming big rapids, and also in the event of rescue.
Be a team person, paddle synchronously.
For boats, paddles and helmets, loud colors are recommended.
Wear life jackets and helmets, properly too.
Keep your feet and arms inside the raft at all time.
When you fall off into a rapid, float on your back, with your feet downstream.

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About Mountain Biking

Nepal's various terrain may be a mountain biker's dream journey come back true. Mountain biking offers an environmentally sound manner of exploring this magnificent country, its landscape and living heritage. as a result of this can be a Spartan, laborious mode of travel, it's additionally thought of the thanks to travel by the 'purists'. There are many dirt roads and trails in Nepal to satisfy each mountain biker's wildest fantasy. Mountain biking is additionally suggested if you want to explore the urban centers like Pokhara and Kathmandu, and the outskirts. Imagine, if you may, a ride through lush inexperienced rice fields, through hamlets,the hillside up and down, along the river bank, around temples, past the road roaming cattle, along the highway, you name it. Through snow, monsoon heavy shower, wonderful light-weight effects, or fierce head winds, looking on place and season. The adventurous souls might arrange extended visits to such exotic locales as Tibet, Namche Bazaar, and western Nepal. you'll even do the whole length of Nepal across the plains. What you'll or cannot do on mountain bike is proscribed solely by your imagination. it absolutely was within the mid Nineteen Eighties that Biking activity extremely took off in Kathmandu within the mid Nineteen Eighties. Enthusiasts flew with their bikes from East Asia to Tibet to try and do a 2-week journey from there over the passes (17,000-ft) to Nepal. This landmark event place Nepal squarely in mountain biker's map. so Kathmandu nowadays is taken into account a Mecca for mountain bicyclists, drawing many enthusiasts from all corners of the planet once a year.

Bike Routes 

Some of the regular routes that cowl the valley are those that weave in and out of Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu. Day 1: Kathmandu (24 km/ 3-4 hours): begin from the nerve center of recent Kathmandu, the Durbar sq., and wind your high to holy Swambhu, additionally referred to as the temple of monkey. Then ride up and over ring road, to say, Kakani, and reenter Kathmandu from the Northwest corner through terraced farmland and hamlets abandoned by time. Day 2: Bhaktapur (30 km/ 4-5 hours): Begin at Thimi, the restored capital of Bhaktapur and head up the tortuous road to Changu-Narayan Temple and come back via farming villages. Then head right down to Pashupati along the bank of the Bagmati River, and land up at a Buddhist shrine, the Bouddhanath stupa. Day 3: Patan (51 km/8-9 hours): begin in Patan, winding your approach through the maze of alleys with ornately-carved windows, taking in historical sites like the Krishna Temple,  Patan Durbar Square and Golden Temple. Then head southeast past Ring Road to Panauti along a tough off-road path. Then come back to Kathmandu via a paved road or an equivalent path. Alternatively, you may leave to Dakshinkali or Godavari. alternative outlying places fashionable with the enthusiasts are Nagarjuna, Nage Gompa, Tokha, Ichangu Narayan, Gomcha, Bungmati, Kakani, Dhulikhel and Nagarkot.

Further mountain bike trips are those extending from:

Dhulikhel to Kodari (82 km), close to the Tibetan border Naubise to Royal Chitwan Park along the Rajpath through such scenic places because the Palung Valley, Daman, and also the not-so-scenic industrial city of Hetauda within the plains Hetauda to Muglang by approach of Narayanghat Lakeside Pokhara up and along the ridge to Sarangkot purpose, and continuing on to Naudanda from where you'll soak up the breathtaking close-up read of the Himalayas and also the Pokhara Valley Naudanda to Pokhara through Lumle, Beni and Birethanti, Naudanda to Pokhara (32 km) either via Sarangkot path described in a pair of. or the highway track, that starts with a tortuous half dozen km descent into Modi Khola valley. There are several a lot of choices if you're willing to require the time to seek out out and blaze your own path.

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Mountain Flight

For the traveller who is unable to make a trekking trip to the mountains either because of lack time or physical fitness, or due to sheer want of the adventure streak, there are mountain flights to simulate the experience.

For millennia, the Himalayas have had a grip on the world's imagination. The sheer majesty and grandeur of the lofty, snow-capped mountains have inspired awe, curiosity and reverence.

Tens of thousands of visitors from the world over come to Nepal annually, as English climber George Leigh Mallory would say, because they are there. But not all who visit the Himalayan kingdom can afford the time and the stamina to be on the mountains. You can, however, afford to be with us on our exhilarating Himalayan Spectacular that shows you the mountains from the closest range possible.

What to expect during the flight? The one hour flight takes you within camera range of some of the highest peaks in the world, and cruising this close to the awe-inspiring massifs of rock and ice, is an out-of-this earth experience. The aircraft takes off and heads eastward and almost immediately, the peaks come into view. The first peak that appears on your horizon is the majestic Gosaithan, standing 8,013m tall. To its right, appears Dorje Lhakpa (6,966m), looking like a massive figure of 8, lying prone and covered in snow. To its right is Phurbi Chyachu, which looms over the Kathmandu Valley.

Next on your vision is Choba Bhamare, rather small in this company at 5,933m, but singularly stubborn as it remains unconquered to this day. Then comes Mt. Gaurishanker (7,134m), standing out sharp and conspicuous-Hindus believe that Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati protect this mountain.

As the flight move toward the eastern Himalaya, a succession of majestic mountains follows. Melungtse, with a plateau-like top stand at 7,023m; Chugimago is at 6,297m, and still remains to be scaled. Mt. Numbur stands at 6,956m. Then, Karyolung, a gleaming-white mountain at 6,511m, and cho-Oyu, the sixth highest in the world at 8,021 m.

The last and most exciting stretch of the journey takes you close to the 7,952m tall Gyanchungkang, which is considered an extremely tough climb. To its right is Pumori at 7,161m and Nuptse at 7,855m. Finally, there is Mt. Everest itself (8,848m), called Sagarmatha by the Nepalese and Chomolungma by the Tibetans. It is an altogether different feeling as one comes face to face with the world's tallest and most enigmatic of mountains. Mountain flights are also conducted from Pokhara.

Can we charter? Helicopters and Aircraft are also available for charter use, especially for group treks and expeditions. STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) airstrips are located throughout the country.

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