|
Surrounded by the greatest heights of the
Himalaya, the kingdom of Nepal is a land of eternal attraction, a
place where one visit is hardly ever enough. It's a land of colorful
cultures, ancient history and people, superb scenery and some of the
best walking on earth
Katmandu It was only in the early 1950s that Nepal came out of its
centuries-old isolation and embarked on the path of modern
development. One of the most immediate effects of this was the
advent of tourism. The few foreign visitors who wandered in during
the early days were overwhelmed by the wealth of culture and natural
wonders they saw here. They went back to tell glowing tales of a
hidden Shangri-La in the Himalaya. The first ascent of Mount Everest
in 1953 further enhanced the image of the Kingdom and helped to make
it known around the world as an adventure destination.
 |
Call it magic, call it enchantment, call it a
trick of the light, sleight of hand, a celestial conjuror's trick,
call it what you will but there is a real Katmandu and a real Nepal
hidden behind the well-trodden snapshot country that is gift wrapped
by an anonymous machine and handed out a half-day sightseeing at a
time. The hidden Nepal and the secret Katmandu still await
discovery. And they are ours. Here is a country agog with palace
squares, towering temples, and with memories of wild dreams. There
are cobbled stone streets that wind through ancient bazaars and lead
to a sanctified place where a hundred priests on flying white horses
once alighted. There are Buddhistst Stupas around which psychics and
fortune tellers abound. There are dawn and dusk places where witch
doctors exorcize spirits and remedy all ills. There are living
Goddesses whose smiles are a benediction. There are reincarnate
Lamas who forsee the future with a roll of dice and scriptural
reference. There are walks that lead the adventurous to legendary
places where ogres once lived, where Goddesses danced, and where
Gods were held ransom by tantric yogis.
There are hidden gardens behind palaces yet
unseen and courtyards where miracles happen, and a city the Buddha
visited. There are hillocks where a patron saint of Sikhism lived,
and where a pagoda roof was invented. There are courtyards with
intricate carvings of stone and there are midnight masked dancers
who are possessed by the Gods.
Mt.Everest
Within that small area, however, is the
greatest range of altitude to be seen on this earth - starting with
the Terai, only 100m or so above sea level, and finishing at the top
of Mt. Everest (8848m), the highest point on earth.
Often a
visitor's overriding goal is to see the mountains, especially
Everest and Annapurna. However, to exclude the people, flowers,
birds and wildlife from the experience is to miss the essence of the
country regions, or natural zones: the plains in the south, four
mountain ranges, and the valley lying between them. The lowlands
with their fertile soils, and the southern slopes of the mountains
with sunny exposures, allow for cultivation and are the main
inhabited regions.
Chitwan
Royal Chitwan National Park is located 166 Kms
Southwest of Kathmandu, 204 Kms Southeast of Pokhra. The national
park is large area of low, heavily forested hills bordering India in
the south, a heaven of wildlife including one horned rhino, leopard,
varieties of deer, wild boar and around 400 species of birds. The
park, formerly a royal hunting reserve covers nearly 400 square
miles of dense forest and is home to nearly 60 Bengal Tigers. The
area has two distinct seasons - the wet monsoon season ( June
through September ) and the dry winter monsoons.The best time to
visit the park is March through May
Bhaktapur
There are many other examples of the newar
craftsmanship architecture and in Bhaktapur : so I won't list all
temples, shrines, statues, bahals (monastery courtyards) or
residences : any well done guide (such as the Lonely Planet) will do
that better than me. I will just tell more about clay
craftsmanship. Indeed, Bhaktapur has a Potter's Square. Under the
old Hindu caste system, someone born in a potter's family is
destined to be a potter. And so will his children. Here, pottery is
made using the same centuries-old methods : under shady verandahs or
tin-roofed sheds, potters spin wheels made of wood or automobile
tires, and clay is kneaded by hand or foot. In the square, literally
thousands of finished pots sit drying in the sun.
Dhulikhel Dhulikhel is a much
larger town than Nagarkot and is situated at an altitude of 5,500 Ft
above Sea level, 30 Kms east of Kathmandu on the Kodari Highway. It
is 90 minutes drive from Kathmandu. The city offers a complete
panoramic view of the snow-capped ranges from Karyolung in the east
to Himalchuli in the west. The view however is not as good as that
from Nagarkot, one can see for 130 miles. It is a magnificent place
to spend the night and awaken to the sun rising across the wide
Himalayan range. Once an important link in the ancient trade route
to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past that can be witnessed in the
lovely building and intricate woodcarving found among the shop loned
streets and in the temples. Like Nagarkot, the city offers
numerous interesting day hikes. These provide the tourists an
opportunity to see the Nepali countryside away from the roads and
also giving a taste of trekking. The easiest is the hike to
Namobuddha and back.
Pokhara
Pokhara is situated 200 Kms South West of
Kathmandu and is the starting and/or finishing point for some of the
popular treks including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Trek
It also offers a number of short treks for those who cannot opt
for long and challenging ones. The most popular among them is
Sarangkot (1592 m), a former Kaski fort lying atop a hill five km
west of the old bazaar. The scenic valley of Pokhara is an
enormous sunlit playground covered by green forested hills,
waterfalls, and terraced fields. It s three lakes Phew,Begnas and
Rupa further enhance the beauty of the valley at 900 m. Pokhara also
offers excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli, the five peaks of
Annapurna and Machapuchare.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, who
in the age of 29 abandoned the material world in search of universal
truth and wisdom.Emperor Ashoka visited this site in 229 B.C. and
errected the Ashoka Pillar - which marks the exact spot of Lord
Buddha's birth There is also a temple dedicated to lord buddha's
mother, Maya Devi Temple. Lumbini is a sacred site rescued from
oblivion and placed under Lumbini Development Trust
Temperature
Summer =28 degrees to 38 degrees Winter =
23 degrees to 41 degrees
Package Tour
Itinerary
Pokhara is situated 200 Kms South West of
Kathmandu and is the starting and/or finishing point for some of the
popular treks including the Annapurna Circuit and the Jomsom Trek
It also offers a number of short treks for those who cannot opt
for long and challenging ones. The most popular among them is
Sarangkot (1592 m), a former Kaski fort lying atop a hill five km
west of the old bazaar. The scenic valley of Pokhara is an
enormous sunlit playground covered by green forested hills,
waterfalls, and terraced fields. It s three lakes Phew,Begnas and
Rupa further enhance the beauty of the valley at 900 m. Pokhara also
offers excellent views of Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli, the five peaks of
Annapurna and Machapuchare.
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birth place of Lord Buddha, who
in the age of 29 abandoned the material world in search of universal
truth and wisdom.Emperor Ashoka visited this site in 229 B.C. and
errected the Ashoka Pillar - which marks the exact spot of Lord
Buddha's birth There is also a temple dedicated to lord buddha's
mother, Maya Devi Temple. Lumbini is a sacred site rescued from
oblivion and placed under Lumbini Development Trust
Temperature
Summer =28 degrees to 38 degrees Winter =
23 degrees to 41 degrees
Package Tour
Itinerary
Sightseeing Details:
Kathmandu City :
Pashupatinath - Bouddhnath - Durbar Square - Temple Of Living
Goddess - Hanuman Dhoka -
Shopping Information
Pokhara :
Bindabhashini Temple - Devi’s Fall - Moving Around City - Lake
Area By Bus,
Mahendra Goofa &
One Hour Boating At Phewa Lake
Chitwan :
Elephant Safari - Jungle Walk - Bird Watching-
Entrance Fees To Jungle-Canoe
Suggested
Itinerary:
Day
01: Arrive At
Kurla Terminus By 2100hrs.Train Leave At 2240hrs.Catch Your
Train From Kurla Mumbai For Gorakhpur Kushi Nagar Express -
Train No.1015
Day
02: In Train.
Day
03: 08.30 AM.
Arrival Gorakhpur. Proceed To Sunauli. We Provide Bus Tickets
Bus From Sunauli To Chitwan.Lunch And Dinner. Overnight Chitwan.
Day
04: Chitwan:
Jungle Activities In Chitwan. Breakfast - Lunch -
Dinner.Overnight Chitwan.
Day
05: Chitwan - Pokhara:
After Breakfast Leave For Pokhara. Arrive Pokhara. Check into
your Hotel. Evening: Move Around The Lake Area On Your Own.
Enjoy One Hour Boating On Fewa Lake. Dinner. Overnight Pokhara.
Day
06 : Pokhara :
After Breakfast , Leave For Sightseeing In Pokhara. Dinner.
Overnight Pokhara.
Day
07: Pokhara - Kathmandu:
After Early Breakfast Proceed To Kathmandu Capital Of Nepal.
Arrive And Check Into Your Hotel. Day Free For Personal
Activities & Shopping & Visit To Casino On Your Own.
Dinner.Overnight Kathmandu
Day
08: Kathmandu:
After Breakfast Leave For Sightseeing Tour Of Kathmandu. Dinner.
Overnight Kathmandu.
Day
09: Kathmandu:
Breakfast Morning Free For Personal Activities. Evening Checkout
And Proceed To Sunauli. Overnight Journey.
Day
10: Arrive
Sunauli And Proceed To Gorakhpur Via Sunauli Border. Arrive
Gorakhpur To Board Your Train For Return Journey To Mumbai.
Train Leaves At 1900hrs(0700PM).
Day
11: In Train -
Enroute
Day
12:
Arrival In Mumbai (0500
Hours At Kurla Terminal)
Valid
Passport Or Voter’s Card Are Absolutely Essential For Travel To
Nepal
|