Kathmandu(kantipur)

Kathmandu(Kantipur)

Once upon a time according to the legend there was a primordial lake surrounded by lush green forested mountains. In this untouched lake lived enormous serpents until one fine day, Manjushree raised a mighty sword and in one fell swoop, cut open the side of a mountain at a place now known as Chovar. The roomy waters of the lake gushed out leaving behind a fertile valley which we know today as Kathmandu valley.

Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal, once known as ‘Kantipur’, is now the political as well as cultural Capital. Nestled within a large valley, it enjoys a pleasant climate second to none and is a relatively safe place to live. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade and the hustle and bustle is typical, yet the people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. The old, fabulous palaces, the superbly crafted pagodas and the monumental Stupas are reminders of the Golden age of architecture in Nepal. They stand testimony to the artistic genius of the Newar craftsmen, the original inhabitants of the valley, whose skills were championed by the Malla king. The Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath have been enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage Monuments.

Retaining ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed not only by a Living Goddess but also by Tantrik priests and reincarnated Lamas who are revered for their spiritual prowess. The city is enriched by such living traditions and the spectacular religious processions that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. Major tourist attractions, these religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions, masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities and the inevitable ceremony of sacrifice. 

Important Places around Kathmandu:

Asan: 
- Used to be the center of old Kathmandu, has six roads radiating in all directions. 
- The three storied pagoda style Annapurna temple and the two storied shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesh.
- Is still an important shopping center and one of the busiest markets place.

Thamel: 
- Known as the tourist district of Kathmandu, bustles with activity late into the night. 
- It is a mere10-minute’s walk from the center of Kathmandu, yet completely different from the rest of the city. 
- Caters entirely to tourists with its scores of hotels, rows of restaurants and bars, book shops, inviting souvenir shops, cyber cafes and travel agencies. All that a tourist needs can be found here, even friends and traveling companions.

Dharahara: 
- The soaring landmark of Kathmandu.
- Is 50.5 m high and was built by the then Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa in 1832. 
- Once closed to the public, it was recently opened and anyone can go up after paying the entrance fee. 
- The 360 deg. astounding view of the Kathmandu Valley is well worth the long climb up the spiraling staircase.

Budhanilkantha:
- The largest of Vishnu’s stone statues.
- Also known as ‘the Reclining Vishnu’, located 8 km north of Kathmandu. 
- The large impressive statue of lord Vishnu reclines on a bed of snakes known as ‘Nags’, allocated in the center of a small pond.
- The 5th Century shrine attracts Hindu pilgrims and large crowds gather during the festivals of Haribodhini Ekadasi and Kartik Poornima (Fullmoon Day of October). 

Things to do around Kathmandu:

Explore Kathmandu: 
The three cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are of historical importance and retain monuments of immense artistic and cultural value. There are temples everywhere you turn and dedicated to a host of gods and goddesses. The major tourist spots are the World Heritage Sites of Pashupatinath, Swoyambhunath, Bouddhanath, Changu Narayan and the three Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapaur. Reservation of car, van, haice, or bus through us as per the size of visitors number or includes the exploration program in tour/trek packages could be worthy enough for such.

Nepalese Art and Craft: 
Handicrafts are one of Nepal’s major exports chiefly metal craft and wood carvings. The Newar community is blessed with the ancient traditions of carving on stone, woods and metals, handed down from generation to generation. Some of the finest of Nepalese art and craft come in the form of wood carvings, metal statues, jewelry, the famous Gorkha knife-- the Khukuri, pottery, handmade rice paper, Thangkas and Pauvas, woolen carpets and garments.

Hanuman Dhoka Palace: 
The three museums housed in the extensive historical Hanuman Dhoka Palace in central Kathmandu: Tribhuvan, Mahendra, and Birendra Museums, dedicated to the Shah rulers, they showcase the lifestyles of three generations of Shah Kings in the form of their offices, gym, hunting room, the clothes they wore and their hobbies. Also on display are a collection of artifacts dating back to their time on the throne. One of the highlights of visiting the old palace is the nine storied Basantapur section of the durbar with its exquisitely carved giant windows that lean out of the building.

National Museum: 
The building of the National Museum was once the residence of Nepal’s most famous Prime Minister, Bhimsen Thapa of Dharahara fame. This Locates in Chauni, near Swoyambhu. The museum has a fine collection of ancient Nepalese religious art, amazing weapons and costumes worn in battle in ancient times, a sword gifted by Napoleon III; of particular interest are the Tibetan leather cannon and locally built machine gun. The coin section has a fascinating collection of antique while the Buddhist section preserves thangkas from the 18th and 19th centuries and pieces of old ruins found during excavations.

Bhaktapur City:

The major tourist attraction taking visitors back in time and suspended on a hill at an altitude of 1,401m, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally the City of Devotees is located. Covering an area of 4 sq. miles, this city retains the charming paved roads, red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. The extraordinary ‘Durbar Square’ with its celebrated Golden Gate and extraordinary Palace of Fifty-Five windows reflects the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley. Situated 14km east of Kathmandu, this ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving amply displayed on the squares and windows respectively. 

Around Bhaktapur
Siddha Pokhari: 
For a small city, Bhaktapur has the largest number of public water tanks built within the city limits. Siddha Pokhu (Pokhari) is one of the largest tanks meant to supply drinking water to the people of Bhaktapur. Built in the 15th Century by King Yakshya Malla, this large rectangular tank is teeming with fish and is occasionally open to the public for fishing and boating. 
Nyatapola: 
The unique temple of Bhaktapur, the Nyatapola literally means ‘Five storied’ and rises above the city as a remarkable landmark. It also has the distinction of having withstood the devastating earthquake of 1933. Dedicated to a Tantric goddess, the steps leading up to the temple, is flanked by stone sculptures. At the base are two statues of Malla era wrestlers representing humans and in ascending order of power and strength, there are creatures each ten times more powerful than the preceding statue.
Batsala Temple: 
One of temples built out of stone is the Batsala Devi of Bhaktapur which has many intricate carvings. Beside it is the famous bronze bell, locally known as 'the bell of barking dogs' as its ringing was invariably accompanied by the howling of dogs in the vicinity. This large bell was put up by King Ranjit Malla in A. D. 1737 and its sounding announced the beginning and end of a daily curfew. Today, it is rung every morning when the priests worship Goddess Taleju. 
Bhairavnath Temple: 
Dedicated to Kasi Bhairav, the three storied temple of Bhairavnath has only the head of Bhairav in the inner sanctum. Legend has it that Kasi Bhairav’s head was cut off by a Tantric expert in order to keep him in Bhaktapur. Built in the pagoda style, it stands adjacent to the more famous five storied Nyatapola temple. Bhairav is the dangerous aspect of Shiva. Originally built by King Jagat Jyoti Malla, the temple was improved by King Bhupatindra Malla, a zealous lover of the arts. 
Thimi: 
Nearly 10 km east of Kathmandu close to Bhaktapur, is the potter’s town of Thimi. Besides farming, most households here are engaged in pottery. This laid back town not only supplies Kathmandu its pottery but also its vegetables. The most important deity here is Goddess Balkumari. The charming medieval lifestyle of these farmers is a major tourist attraction. 

Patan City:

Patan is also known as ‘Lalitpur’ literally, the City of Artesian, which lies 5km southeast of Kathmandu, and is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who preserve ancient techniques such as reposed and the lost wax process, still producing exquisite pieces of sculpture. The city retains much of the old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses and the multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries (Vihars). The predominant sound in Patan is not motor vehicles but the tinkering of craftsmen bent over the statuettes they are shaping. As in Kathmandu, Hinduism and Buddhism have co-existed here for ages, influencing each other and the religious harmony is exemplary. 

Around Patan
Hiranya Varna Mahabihar: 
Dating back to the 12th Century A.D. the three storied golden pagoda of Lokeshwar in Patan was built by King Bhaskar Varma. Located in the courtyard of Kwabahal, this temple is in a class of its own. On the upper floor is a golden image of Lord Buddha and a large prayer wheel on a pedestal. Intricate decorative patterns on its outer walls add charm to the mellow richness of the shrine. 
Kumbheshwar: 
The temple of Kumbheswar is the only five storied pagoda in Patan and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that a natural spring within the courtyard of this temple has its source in the very popular glacial lake of Gosainkunda. Built by King Jayasthiti Malla, the golden finial was added later in 1422 A.D. During his time the pond was cleaned and various images of, Ganesh, Sitala, Basuki, Gauri, Kirtimukh and Agamadevata were added around the pond and in the courtyard. A large gathering of devotees arrive here for ritual bathing on the day of Janai Poornima Narayan each year. 
Jagat Narayan: 
The Jagat Narayan temple on the banks of the Bagmati River at Sankhamul is a tall shikhara-style temple consecrated to Lord Vishnu. Built of red bricks, the temple has many fine images. An attractive metal statue of Garuda mounted on a stone monolith is accompanied by several images of Ganesh and Hanuman. 
Mahaboudha: 
The famous temple of Mahabouddha in Patan is unique for its thousand little images of Buddha in terracotta. This artistically built shikhara-style temple is a fine specimen and owes its existence to a priest named Abhaya Raj. Every brick on the surface of this shrine bears a small image of the Buddha. After it was completely destroyed during the great earthquake of 1933, a new one was built replicating the original to the exact specifications. Mahaboudha is one of the major attractions of Patan. 
Ashoka Stupas: 
Although there is little evidence that the Emperor Ashoka ever visited Kathmandu valley, there are four Stupas supposedly built by him in 250 AD. Marking the four corners of Patan, three of these Stupas are merely mounds of earth with prayer wheels around them while the fourth near Shankamul is a beautiful concrete Stupa. At the time they were built, Buddhism flourished in the Kathmandu Valley. 
Machhendranath Temple: 
The temple of Red Machhendranath, the God of Rain is of great importance in Patan. The temple lies in the middle of a wide, spacious quadrangle just at the outer rim of the market place. A clay image of Red Machhendranath or Avalokiteshwar is kept here for six months each year, after which it is placed on a chariot and taken round the city of Patan in a boisterous colorful procession as part of a festival that begins in April-May and lasts for several months. 
The Tibetan Refugee Camp: 
A large number of Tibetans fled their homeland in Tibet and settled in Nepal during the early 1960s. To shelter these homeless people the government of Nepal set up the Tibetan Refugee Camp on the outskirts of Patan. The Tibetans brought their carpet weaving skills to Nepal and soon a carpet industry was thriving in the valley. The camp has become a tourist attraction with its souvenir shops that sell carpets and handicrafts such as prayer wheels made of wood, ivory, silver or bronze along with an assortment of belt buckles, wooden bowls and jewelry. A Stupa and a number of shrines have also been built within the Camp.

Everst Base Camp

Inturdiction:

This is the place that separates the boys from the men. This is also a place where boys become men! The Everest (Solo-Khumbu) region is not for the 'run-of-the-mill adventure tourist'. This place beckons the hardest of the hardcore folks out there. This place is a paradise for those who get excited hearing words like EBC (Everest Base Camp), high-altitude trekking and mountaineering and near death experiences that leave you feeling more alive than ever. In short this is the ultimate adventure destination for those whom the society dubs as 'Crazy'.

To successfully navigate this region, you indeed, need that streak of madness blended with sheer grit in just the right proportions. This is what will help you surpass numerous difficulties that you will face for sure during your trekking and soul-stirring mountaineering adventure-filled expeditions, like, when the air around starts to get thinner making it difficult to breathe, your body being stretched way beyond any normal endurance levels and your mind starting to go numb. The elements of this region are harsh, to say the least, and fatal if you make the cardinal mistake of not respecting them. The region with its erratic climate changes, its deceptive snow laden mountain slopes, its slippery layers of ice, glaciers that may give way before you can recover and its precarious paths make this expedition the most daunting one you would have ever undertaken.

This is where you can eat the world's most expensive chicken as you sit chatting, recuperating after a day of laborious climbing. This is where a little 10-year old Sherpa can embarrass you with his ability to navigate the mountain terrain with comparative ease. This is where the not so distant view of the Everest Base Camp makes your chest swell with pride and eyes filled with tears of joy, as images of the magnificence that is Mt. Everest conjure up before you. This is where the awesome heights leave you feeling humbled. This is a place where you don't have to go in search for an adventure. Your adventure starts the moment you board the plane to land on one of the world's most dangerous, shortest and highest airstrips, Lukla. This region inspires you as it tests your mettle and will not relent till it brings out the Snowy Horizon in you.

Will you dare yourself to make this trip? Will you be ready to test yourself against one of natures mightiest? Will you prove to yourself that you are a true Snowy Horizon? 

If the answer to all the above questions is yes, then we have the most potent of packages in store for you. Go ahead. Take that first step. Take pride in being called 'Crazy'. For this one thing we assure you of, when you tell stories of your adventure-filled exploits of how you tamed the treacherous terrains and belittled the forces of nature during your wild trekking and mountaineering ventures to your family, friends and acquaintances, 'Crazy' would soon give way to 'Respect'! 

Nepal is a land-locked country between India and China. It spans across the hills and mountains between the enormous Ganges plain and the high Tibetan plateau. To the north of it are the majestic Himalayas, including Mount Everest (8,850 mts.), Kanchenjunga (8,586 mts.), Lhotse (8,516 mts.), Makalu (8,485 mts.), Cho Oyo (8,201 mts.), Dhaulagiri I (8,167 mts.), Manaslu (8,163 mts.) and Annapurna I (8,091 mts.) - eight of the ten highest peaks on planet Earth.

Nepal is a country with many legends and folklores that add to the vibrancy and colour of the place rendered by it being a cultural bridge between Tibet and India. It is a potpourri of various ethnic groups, castes and clans. Nepal, the only Hindu kingdom in the world, also has Buddhists, a few Muslims and Christians. Kathmandu, the country’s capital is a fascinating city offering many engaging delights and various interesting places to visit and for sightseeing.

About The Everest (Solo-Khumbhu) Region

Most people in Nepal call Mt. Everest, Sagarmatha, which means ‘Forehead in the Sky’. The Tibetans call Mt. Everest, Chomolungma, which translates as ‘Mother Goddess of the Universe.’ These are expressions which are not at all far from the truth. How else does one describe the magnificence of Mt. Everest, the world's highest mountain at 8,850 mts.(29,035 ft.), offering the highest perch on Earth?

The Everest region represents nature at its most powerful, most awe-inspiring, most unconquerable. It offers an opportunity of a lifetime to stare the impossible in the eye. It is a region that has many inherent dangers, extremely low temperatures, low levels of oxygen, high winds at high altitudes, the tremendously strenuous terrain, to mention just a few. However, ask anybody who has been there if all the hardships were worth it and more often than not the answer would be in an absolute affirmative. It is a place where every true Snowy Horizon would definitely leave his/her heart behind.

Distinct Geography:
The Everest region lies mostly in the country of Nepal with some parts of it extending beyond the borders of Nepal and into China. This region known as Solo-Khumbu includes the famed Sagarmatha National Park in addition to over 90 peaks of height greater than 7,000 mts. and includes the towns of Namche Bazaar and Lukla, the villages of Thami, Khumjung, Pangboche, Phakding, Monjo, Dingboche, Debuche, Lobuche, Pheriche and Kunde and the famous Buddhist monastery at Tengboche. Some of these permanent settlements in the region are situated as high as 4,500 mts. and the summer encampments can be at much higher altitudes. Across the region, altitude ranges from 3,300 mts. to 8,850 mts., the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest.

One of the most dangerous parts of the region is the Khumbu Icefall at the head of the Khumbu Glacier. It is at an elevation of 5,486 mts., a little above the Everest Base Camp and southwest of the Everest summit. The danger is due to the unbelievable speed at which the Khumbu glacier, that forms the icefall, moves, causing large crevasses to open up with little warning. Also, the magnificent heights all around, can play ruthless games with you. Altitude sickness, frostbites, blizzards and bitter cold might test your resolve. Conquering becomes more vital first in your mind and over your senses and only then over nature itself.

The Untamed Factor:
The Khumbu region becomes dry and desert from around October to spring and a contrasting intense green and flowery in the monsoons. The rapid change in elevation in the region leads to flora and fauna that is diverse with dense forests of pine and oak and up to 4,000 mts., the flowering rhododendrons. The latter causes a riot of colors in spring and is a major reason to make the trip. Tiny snow rhododendrons are amazingly, the highest altitude plants in the region. Other flora that can be seen here includes the gentian, primrose, edelweiss and the mountain poppy while the deep valleys offer sights of blue pine, fir and juniper, which is highly sought by the locals for its fragrance.

Most of the wildlife seen here comprises birds including Danfe or Danphe (in Nepali), the Impeyan Pheasant and national bird of Nepal. Tibetan ravens, Lammergeyers or bearded vultures, Griffons which are similar to the Lammergeyers but heavier and with shorter, wider tails and Golden eagles can be seen gliding along the mountain sides either hunting or scavenging. Blood pheasants and flocks of Snow pigeons can be spotted at close quarters and birds like the Snow coughs that soar to seemingly impossible heights remind a Snowy Horizon of the task ahead.

Land animals in these regions are elusive, so keep an eye out for the Himalayan Thar, a large mountain goat that is excellent at rock climbing. The males can touch one meter in height and sport a copper brown coat with a slightly paler mane. Although extremely hard to spot, the region is also known to have a number of Snow leopards and Wolves that live at the top of the tree lines. A little beauty, the Weasel might present itself to you, even at altitudes of 18,000 ft., as a blur of tan fur scampering along somewhere. The musk deer that is unfortunately illegally hunted for its Musk is sometimes seen in the dark forest near Dole or Tengboche. Red panda and the Himalayan black bear are some of the more exotic animals that are found in this region.

And finally, the yaks and naks; yaks are the male animals while the naks are females. They are famed around the world for their thick coat and ability to thrive at extreme altitudes and temperatures. A yak can sleep outside in -40° Celsius and some are known to grow to weigh over a ton while standing 1.8 mts. tall at the shoulders.

Chitwan National Park

Inturdiction:

Asia’s most well-preserved conservation area is the Chitwan National Park, where wildlife thrives and habitats remain intact. Only a half-hour flight away from Kathmandu, or five hours drive by tourist coach or private coaches the park lies in the 'Tarai' region (plains) and is home to a range of wildlife including endangered species like the Greater One-horned rhinoceros and the elusive Royal Bengal tiger. Enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park has a particularly rich flora and fauna boasting more than 450 species of birds. Resorts within the park facilitate safaris on elephant back, boat ride or jeep drives.

Cheerful rides on elephant back, crossing rivers on dug-out canoes and catching unsuspecting wildlife in their natural habitat; these are thrills one is not likely to forget even years after the mystical holiday in Nepal. Chitwan has a sub-tropical climate. Resorts both inside and outside the national park cater to the needs of tourists who come down for safari adventure in the jungles. Chitwan is easy to reach both by road and by air. The nearest airports are in Meghauli and Bharatpur and flights leave for these airports on a regular basis.

Chitwan National Park is the favorite destination of tourists looking for an enduring safari experience. Once this large tract of land was declared a national park, illegal settlements were halted and deforestation brought under control within its boundaries. At the same time poaching was controlled to some extent. The natural habitat of wildlife was preserved and they flourished. Major Projects were initiated to save the tiger and rhinoceros with the help of friendly nations and foreign institutions. As a result rhinos are quite commonly seen in Chitwan and occasionally the Bengal tiger can be spied well camouflaged among the tall grass. The Rapti River has been dammed to create a man-made lake called Lamital where waterfowl and many other exotic birds are found in abundance. Elephant grass that are five to six feet tall, provide excellent cover for animals.

Accommodation:

There are resorts and lodges of varying standards that cater to the needs of tourists both inside and outside the national park. Most include elephant safaris, jungle walks, canoeing and a variety of cultural activities in their programs. Accommodations range from the luxurious to some that offer simple food and shelter. The rich culture of the indigenous Tharu people of Chitwan can be observed first hand during village walks. Tharu cultural dance are performances to the delight of tourists who sometimes join in. There’s never a dull moment in Chitwan with a choice of activities to fill your day, whether you stay two days or a week.
Interesting Centers
Besides the rhinos and tigers there are sloth bears, wild boar, gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles, leopard, wild cats; a large variety of reptiles and over 500 species of birds. Apart from jungle safari, there are many places of interest within the park such as the Elephant Breeding Centre and Crocodile Farm where these animals have been successfully breeding in captivity.

Things to do

Jungle Safari: Jungle safari on elephant back is the highlight of a trip to Chitwan. The elephant takes visitors into the heart of the jungle clearing paths where there are none, wading through the river allowing an unmatched view of the jungle. It is a good photo opportunity as well with a view from the top. Jungle walks, jeep drives and canoe rides are the other means of seeking out the abundant bird-life and wide variety of flora and fauna in the Park. With a bit of luck, you may see the elusive Royal Bengal tiger too.

Bird Watching: The Chitwan National Park is made up of dry deciduous forest, tropical evergreen forest and reverie grasslands. The highest number of bird species (over 539) has been recorded here than in any other part of Nepal. The naturalist accompanying you will point out birds on trees that you would never have spotted on your own.

Getting there

By air: Daily flights from Kathmandu to Bharatpur airfield. Chitwan is also served by Meghauli airfield. The rest of the journey is by road on private or tourist coach.

Land Transport: A pleasant four-five hour drive is a good means of seeing more of the country and reaching Chitwan at the end of the journey. The road goes over and follows the Trishuli River most of the way. An exciting means of reaching Chitwan is by rafting down the Trishuli River is also highly recommended.