Tuesday, January 23. 2007
Kathmandu, Nepal
Overview:
Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 m at sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to Arctic. Situated between China in the north and India in the South and Area being 147,181 sq. km.
Nepal – occupying only 0.1% of the earth – is home to:
2% of all the flowering plants in the world;
8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species);
4% of mammals on earth; .
11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species);
600 indigenous plant families;
319 species of exotic orchids.
Population: 23 Million people live in Nepal.
Climate: Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer : June-August, (4) Autumn : September-November. Nepal can be visited the whole year round.
Main Language(s): Nepali is the national language. However travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.
Places To Visit:
Few destinations in the world can match Nepal in the variety of adventure tourism: be it mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, nature tours, culture tours, pilgrim tours, white-water-rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain flights, hot air ballooning, pony trekking, jungle safaris, bird watching, fishing, hang-gliding, ultra-light aircraft ride, etc. In addition, we have several special interest tours like orchid tours, culture trek, honey hunting, village tours, fossil hunting, meditation courses and seminars, Shamanism-Panimism tour, cave culture, snow leopard and blue sheep trek and many more that take place throughout the year.
Trekking: Nepal is the ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast – offering a myriad of possibilities from the short and easy to the demanding challenges of the snowy peaks. Easy, moderate or rigorous – there is something for every palate. Nepal has aptly been called “A Trekkers' Paradise†as her terrain – mountains, hills and the Terai - offers some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation and wildlife. Trekking in Nepal is as much a cultural experience as a Himalayan adventure. In the shadows and foothills of the icy pinnacles of the Himalaya, one passes picturesque charming villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. Treks vary from expeditions, high altitude treks to simple easy paced walks.
Mountaineering: With eight of the highest peaks in the world, it is hardly surprising that Nepal has been the stage for some of the most outstanding achievements in the world of mountaineering. The dauntless icy peaks have since decades challenged the bodies and spirits of those daring enough to want to conquer the hulks. All inquiries and arrangements for expeditions have to be made well in advance at the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section, Bhrikutimandap (Tel. 256234, Fax. 227281) where the guidelines have been laid down.
River Rafting/Kayaking : Few rafting rivers in the world can match the thundering course of the rivers of Nepal originating from the snow meltdown of the Himalayan terrain. The rivers gush through the twisted canyons, winding through calm valleys where small settlements are perched on the banks, taming out only as they spill out into the Indian plains to merge with the Ganges. A river-trip is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross-section of the country’s natural as well as the ethno-cultural heritage with massive doses of adrenaline buzz on our world caliber white-water thrills.
Jungle Safari: Chitwan offers exciting safari destination in the world. Jungle activities here include venturing into deep jungle on elephant back or four wheel drive to view wild animals in their natural habitat, canoe rides on the jungle rivers, nature walks, bird watching and village tour excursions
Sight-seeing: For those who can not withstand the rigorousness of mountain climbing there are mountain flights which fly around Mt. Everest and other summits providing a close-up of the top of the world. On a clear day, the hill resorts of Nagarkot (32 km East of Kathmandu), Dhulikhel (32km) and Daman (80 km southwest of Kathmandu) afford magnificent views of Mt. Everest and the entire Himalayan range.
For the less adventurous, Pokhara, the lake city of Nepal provides ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with majestic panoramic views in its background.
A rich cultural heritage: Nepal offers an incomparable scope to connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of the fine arts in its painting, sculpture, woodcarving and architecture. The three main historic cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur with numerous historical monuments, old palaces and palace squares, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends make it a veritable living museum. The Kathmandu Valley boasts seven World Cultural Heritage Sites all within a radius of 20 km
World Heritage Sites (Cultural):
Swayambhu
Bouddha
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Changunarayan
Pashupatinath
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Lumbini (Birthplace of Lord Buddha in southern Nepal)
A rich natural heritage: Thanks to Nepal's extensive and effective Parks and Reserves system, the country has managed to preserve more endangered species of flora and fauna than any other area in Asia. Nepal has nine National Parks and three Wildlife Reserves, which include areas in the highest mountains in the world as well as sub-tropical lowland of the plains.
World Heritage Sites (Natural):
Everest National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park
Other National Parks:
Royal Bardiya National Park
Langtang National Park
Shey - Phoksundo National Park
Rara National Park
Khaptad National Park
Wildlife Reserves:
Sukla Phanta Reserve
Parsa Reserve
Koshi -Tappu Reserve
Conservation Areas:
Annapurna
Makalu-Barun
Hunting Reserve:
Dhorpatan
Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60 m at sea level to the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, all within a distance of 150 km resulting into climatic conditions from Sub-tropical to Arctic. Situated between China in the north and India in the South and Area being 147,181 sq. km.
Nepal – occupying only 0.1% of the earth – is home to:
2% of all the flowering plants in the world;
8% of the world's population of birds (more than 848 species);
4% of mammals on earth; .
11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species);
600 indigenous plant families;
319 species of exotic orchids.
Population: 23 Million people live in Nepal.
Climate: Nepal has four major seasons, namely, (1) Winter: December-February, (2) Spring: March-May, (3) Summer : June-August, (4) Autumn : September-November. Nepal can be visited the whole year round.
Main Language(s): Nepali is the national language. However travel-trade people understand and speak English as well.
Places To Visit:
Few destinations in the world can match Nepal in the variety of adventure tourism: be it mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, nature tours, culture tours, pilgrim tours, white-water-rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mountain flights, hot air ballooning, pony trekking, jungle safaris, bird watching, fishing, hang-gliding, ultra-light aircraft ride, etc. In addition, we have several special interest tours like orchid tours, culture trek, honey hunting, village tours, fossil hunting, meditation courses and seminars, Shamanism-Panimism tour, cave culture, snow leopard and blue sheep trek and many more that take place throughout the year.
Trekking: Nepal is the ultimate destination for the trekking enthusiast – offering a myriad of possibilities from the short and easy to the demanding challenges of the snowy peaks. Easy, moderate or rigorous – there is something for every palate. Nepal has aptly been called “A Trekkers' Paradise†as her terrain – mountains, hills and the Terai - offers some of the most spectacular trekking routes in the world. The immense contrasts in altitudes and climates found here support an equally spectacular mix of lifestyles, vegetation and wildlife. Trekking in Nepal is as much a cultural experience as a Himalayan adventure. In the shadows and foothills of the icy pinnacles of the Himalaya, one passes picturesque charming villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups. Treks vary from expeditions, high altitude treks to simple easy paced walks.
Mountaineering: With eight of the highest peaks in the world, it is hardly surprising that Nepal has been the stage for some of the most outstanding achievements in the world of mountaineering. The dauntless icy peaks have since decades challenged the bodies and spirits of those daring enough to want to conquer the hulks. All inquiries and arrangements for expeditions have to be made well in advance at the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Mountaineering Section, Bhrikutimandap (Tel. 256234, Fax. 227281) where the guidelines have been laid down.
River Rafting/Kayaking : Few rafting rivers in the world can match the thundering course of the rivers of Nepal originating from the snow meltdown of the Himalayan terrain. The rivers gush through the twisted canyons, winding through calm valleys where small settlements are perched on the banks, taming out only as they spill out into the Indian plains to merge with the Ganges. A river-trip is one of the best ways to explore the typical cross-section of the country’s natural as well as the ethno-cultural heritage with massive doses of adrenaline buzz on our world caliber white-water thrills.
Jungle Safari: Chitwan offers exciting safari destination in the world. Jungle activities here include venturing into deep jungle on elephant back or four wheel drive to view wild animals in their natural habitat, canoe rides on the jungle rivers, nature walks, bird watching and village tour excursions
Sight-seeing: For those who can not withstand the rigorousness of mountain climbing there are mountain flights which fly around Mt. Everest and other summits providing a close-up of the top of the world. On a clear day, the hill resorts of Nagarkot (32 km East of Kathmandu), Dhulikhel (32km) and Daman (80 km southwest of Kathmandu) afford magnificent views of Mt. Everest and the entire Himalayan range.
For the less adventurous, Pokhara, the lake city of Nepal provides ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating along with majestic panoramic views in its background.
A rich cultural heritage: Nepal offers an incomparable scope to connoisseurs of art and culture to see and study the different aspects of the fine arts in its painting, sculpture, woodcarving and architecture. The three main historic cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur with numerous historical monuments, old palaces and palace squares, shrines and temples, ageless traditions and legends make it a veritable living museum. The Kathmandu Valley boasts seven World Cultural Heritage Sites all within a radius of 20 km
World Heritage Sites (Cultural):
Swayambhu
Bouddha
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Changunarayan
Pashupatinath
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Lumbini (Birthplace of Lord Buddha in southern Nepal)
A rich natural heritage: Thanks to Nepal's extensive and effective Parks and Reserves system, the country has managed to preserve more endangered species of flora and fauna than any other area in Asia. Nepal has nine National Parks and three Wildlife Reserves, which include areas in the highest mountains in the world as well as sub-tropical lowland of the plains.
World Heritage Sites (Natural):
Everest National Park
Royal Chitwan National Park
Other National Parks:
Royal Bardiya National Park
Langtang National Park
Shey - Phoksundo National Park
Rara National Park
Khaptad National Park
Wildlife Reserves:
Sukla Phanta Reserve
Parsa Reserve
Koshi -Tappu Reserve
Conservation Areas:
Annapurna
Makalu-Barun
Hunting Reserve:
Dhorpatan
