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.

Gorkha

Gorkha, situated at 140km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135 meter, is the ancestral hometown of the Nepal's ruling royal family. Gorkha is only 18 km up a paved road of the Pokhara-Kathmandu Highway. A brief visit on the way to or from Pokhara would provide more insights into Nepal than one is likely to get at lakeside in Pokhara.

Gorkha's small town is perhaps the most important historical town of Nepal. From its hilltop fortess, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ninth generation paternal ancestor of the present King, launched his lifelong attempt to unify the independent states of Nepal, a wildly ambitious project which succeeded due to his brilliance, and the effectiveness of his locally recruited troops. The British term "Gurkha" evolved from the name Gorkha, referring to the famed fighting soldiers of the region.

Gorkha's centerpiece is the magnificent Gorkha Durbar with a fort, a palace and a temple with excellent views of the surrounding valleys, and the Mansalu range.

Of Interest

Gorkha Bazaar is primarily a cobbled street market place where by people from neighboring hill dwellings come to trade. There are a few temples near about, but not much. Yet, it is worth a visit as it provides a very good vista of the quiet charm that soaks a typical hill village of Nepal.

Gorkha Durbar is the main attraction of Gorkha, an hour steep walk up a hill from the bazaar area. It used to be the dwelling of King Prithvi Narayan and his ancestors. The Durbar itself is a humble, yet quite impressive, complex of a temple, fort, and a palace built in the Newar style of Kathmandu. The view of the Himalayan range and the deep valleys from up there is quite breathtaking.

Gorakhnath Cave, ten meters below the palace's southern side, is the sacred cave temple of Gorkhanath. The cave is is carved out of the solid rock and is among the most important religious sites for mainstream Brahmins and Chhetris of Nepal.

Gorkha is also an alternate starting point for a few trekking routes in the region. Gorkha-Trisuli is an easy three day walk along unspoiled Nepali country side. One can also walk a long day's walk to Besishahar, which is the usual starting point for Annapurna and

Manang area treks. One can also walk through Besishahar area to Pokhara in a four days.

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Getting there
Gorkha is five and half hours from Kathmandu, four and half from Pokhara, and two hours from Chitwan. If travelling by bus, take the bus to Pokhara, get off at Abu Khaireni on the way to Pokhara from Chitwan or Kathmandu. From Abu Khaireni, take a bus to Gorkha, the ride is 21km. If you are travelling to Pokhara from Kathmandu or Chitwan, or vice-versa, you can make Gorkha a daytime stop-over. Bus fare would cost you between US$1-US$3 from Kathmandu, depending on whether you take the local bus or a more comfortable "tourist bus".

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Accommodation
Basically, two choices. Gorkha Hill Resort is a rather expensive upscale hotel (about US$30) with a great view of the Himalayas. The fact that it is located 4km from the town makes it a little inconvenient if you don't have your own transportation. For about US$8, there is also a very basic lodge closer to the town.

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Dining
Not much. There are a number of local eateries serving dal-bhat (the staple Nepali food of rice with vegetables and lentil soup). Gorkha Hill Resort serves decent food (primarily to their guests) for a steep US$8-US$10 price range. If you are there for a day trip, bringing your own sandwich etc. from Kathmandu or Pokhara is perhaps better.

            

Trekking Routes

GORKHA

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          Having 5 hours of drive from Kathmandu, we overcome with a smile of people from the land of Ancient Nepal;the birth place of King Prithvi Narayan Shah - The Great, the Founder of modern Nepal.The beautiful old palace known as Gorkha Durbar with two attractive temples of Gorakhnath & Kali are situated on a hill overlooking the snowy peaks of the Himalayas.


          This is a short trek provided by prettiest foothill scenery, mountain views and village life being away from the crowd.

Tansen (Palpa)

Tansen, an ancient hill town, with its architecture strongly influenced by Newari migrants from the Kathmandu valley is waiting to be discovered by the tourists. Situated at the southern slope of the Mahabharat range; about half way from the Indian border to

Pokhara and the Himalayas, this town offers an opportunity to experience genuine Nepalese culture, away from westernized places like Thamel in Kathmandu or Lakeside in Pokhara. Old artistic Newari houses and cobbled streets shape the townscape. The town's hill, Shreenagar, allows breathtaking views of the Himalayan range from Dhaulagiri in the west to Ganesh Himal in the east.

Tansen is the district administrations headquarter of Palpa district, one out of 75 districts in Nepal, and since 1957 a Municipality. It is itself often referred to as Palpa, and its people (population approx. 13,000 in the core area) as Palpalis.

At an elevation of about 1350-m (4430 ft) above sea level the town experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. The maximum temperature, even in pre-monsoon times, hardly exceeds 31°C (88 F) and only in December/ January the minimum temperature can fall below 10°C (50 F). The annual precipitation is about 1500 mm of which 90% falls in the monsoon season.

Of Interest

• History
• Language
• Religion
• Economy
• Tansen town
• Sights around the vicinity of Tansen
• Fairs
• Festivals
• Getting there
• Accomodation
• Dining
• Other Useful Information

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History

The name of the town "Tansen" has its origin in Magar language, meaning "northern settlement". Magars are one of the ethnic groups of Nepal having their own language, culture and history, and are assumed to be the first settlers in this area. Around 600 years ago, Nepal was divided into several small kingdoms and hill states. In this region, they were known as "Bahra Magarat", meaning the "twelve regions of Magar". The percentage of Magar population in these districts is very high till today.

During the invasion of Muslims into India, numerous kings and clans escaped from there to the northern hill areas. In the late 15^th century, they entered the Himalayan region. Some of them conquered the local kings and established their own states. The former Sen - Dynasty of Palpa, founded by Rudra Sen, had its roots in those days. Under the reign of his son, Mukunda Sen (1518 - 1553), the kingdom of Palpa reached its largest expansion and Tansen became its capital. The kingdom of Palpa spread as far as the Koshi River in the east, Gorakhpur in the south and today's Gulmi and Kaski districts in the west and north. Mukunda Sen, though unsuccessful, attacked Kathmandu valley too. After ruling thirty-five years, he resigned and spent the rest of his life as a saint.

In 1806, after a lot of political unrest, the kingdom of Palpa, which until then had been independent, was annexed into the kingdom of Nepal and was then administered by a governor, appointed from Kathmandu.Political changes in Nepal brought up changes in the administration too. Today the head of Palpa district is the CDO (Chief District Officer) and Tansen is one out of 58 Municipalities in Nepal.

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LANGUAGE

Due to the diversity of the ethnic groups living in this area, one also finds a diversity of languages spoken. Although the main language is Nepali, in the core area the Newari community is partly using their own tongue as do the Magar people in the surrounding villages.

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RELIGION

The main religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Parts of the population are Muslim and also a small Christian community has established itself.

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ECONOMY

Before the major road between Butwal and Pokhara was built, connecting the plains of the Terai with the foot of the Himalayas, Tansen was an important commercial center for North/South trade (Tibet/India) and the main bazaar for the surrounding districts. With the development of better infrastructure and industry in this country, which had been molded for centuries by mountains and porter services, the importance is now shifting to the plain Terai, to new industrial centers and into villages along the new roads.

The main occupation of today's inhabitants are in small business and industries, handicraft, trade, public service, health service (United Mission to Nepal runs a big hospital in Tansen) and education. In the surrounding villages, agriculture is still of high importance.

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TANSEN TOWN The town of Tansen is a prosperous looking- collection of red brick houses set on the steep hillside and is among the largest far-flung Newar trading posts scattered across the hills. Though the Newar community forms one of the major communities in this place now, the place originally belonged to the Magar community, one of the most delightful ethnic groups of Nepal.

Tundikhel, the large plateau in the southeast part of the town, near the bus park, is the best starting point to discover the fascinating destinations of the town. The former kings of Palpa made this artificial plateau when they needed a drilling and parade ground. Today Tundikhel is a popular gathering place for people to chat, walk and play in the afternoon. A statue of King Birendra marks the southwest corner of the Tundikhel; the building at the north side is the town hall.

Amar Ganj Ganesh Temple is a beautiful three-storey pagoda style temple. The rest house of the temple that has space to shelter thousand people has been converted into a school. On the premises of the school, there's an old small one-storey temple of Bhairab. The mask of Bhairab, which is worshipped here, was snatched from Kathmandu by Mukunda Sen, King of Palpa. To
get here, one needs to follow the northeast path from Tundhikhel.

Amar Narayan Temple is one of the largest temples in Tansen. The whole temple complex, including the temples, the ponds and the park was built under the reign of Amar Singh Thapa, the first governor of Palpa. According to a legend, a holy spring (or lake) is hidden under the three-storey pagoda style Narayan Temple. The two other temples of the ensemble are dedicated to Vishnu (to the west, next to one of the ponds) and to Shiva (to the south, next to the staircase). The remarkable huge dry stone masonry wall surrounding the whole premises is called "The great wall of Palpa". One can get here by taking a west path from Tundikhel and then turn right to get to the temple at its upper end.

Sital Pati (shady restplace), near Ason Tole, is the most popular square in Tansen. The square is named after the white octagonal shaped building, that lies in the middle of the square. The Sital Pati was built under the order of Khadga Shamsher, governor of Palpa from 1891- 1902. Khadga Shamsher, an ambitious politician, was exiled from Kathmandu after plotting against the Prime Minister.

The south corner of the square leads to Baggi Dhoka, the main gate to the Tansen Durbar, the former palace and today's district administration's headquarter. Baggi Dhoka is the gate where the chariots of religious festivals have to pass through. The fine woodcarvings on the buildings on both sides of the gate represent the fine Newari craftmanship. This Baggi dhoka leads to the palace grounds. The right route leads to the Bhagwati Temple, that was built in 1815 by Col. Ujir Singh Thapa to commemorate the victory over the British-Indian troops in the the battle of Butwal.

If you return to the Durbar grounds and continue your way to the palace itself, you will find an older, smaller palace, built in 1927. Today the Durbar houses the district's administration. There still exists a room called "the throne hall" in the Durbar's second floor.

The gate opposite to the palace leads to Makhan Tole, the main bazaar of Tansen that focuses the town's commericial activity, notably the sale of Dhaka cloth. Of woven cotton or muslin, this cloth is characterised by jagged, linear designs orginally made famous in Bangladesh. With principal colours of red, black and white, the cloth is used to make saris as well as "topis" (Palpali topi), the hat that is an intergral part of the national dress for men.

Taksar is another interesting place of the town, where for centuries the famous bronze and brass works of Tansen were produced. One can have a look at how the famous ancient articles such as Karuwa (water jug), Hukka (water pipe), Antee (jug for Nepali brandy) etc are produced.

Shreenagar hill, at 1525 m high, is about an hour uphill from the town center. While climbing this hill, one can not only enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view of the Himalayas running from Dhaulagiri in the west to Ganesh Himal in the east, but also get pleasure of passing through peaceful forest, pine plantation and decidious forest with a lot of beautiful rhododendron flowers. There is a statue of Buddha at the eastern end of Shreenagar ridge. It takes about half an hour to reach this statue. Thai monks donated the Buddha statue with the monkey and elephant. It commemorates a part of Buddha's life. According to the legend, when Buddha was meditating in a jungle for roughly three months, a monkey and an elephant served him in many ways.

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Sights around the vicinity of Tansen

Ghorbanda - Kumal Gau (Potter's Village) The village of Ghorbanda is on the way to Pokhara from Tansen. It is the best place to see the unique style of pottery making in Nepal. The articles produced here are traditional water pitchers, pots and "Handa" (a vessel with holes in the bottom; used for brewing rokshi, which is Nepali brandy).

Ranighat Ranighat is the palace built on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river by Khadka Shamsher in remembrance of his beloved wife Tej Kumari. It takes about two hours to reach this place from Tansen. On the way, one has to pass through a small settlement called "Hatti Dhunga" (elephant stone).

Ramdi A half days walk through fertile landscape shaped by terraced rice fields lead to Ramdi at the banks of the Kali Gandaki. Ramdi is a "Ghat" (cremation place) where people bring their deceased relatives for their final rites. Besides this, Ramdi is famous for its cave temples, where the

farmers from surrounding villages offer milk to protect their cattle from leopards and jackals.

Ridi Ridi, sacredly located at the confluence of the Ridi Khola (stream) and the Kali Gandaki, is visited by pilgrims from Nepal and India who take holy bathes and worship at the temples. Additionally, like in Pashupatinath, in Kathmandu, old people

arrive and stay here to take their last breath and get cremated at the banks of the holy Kali Gandaki. Furthermore, Ridi is the locality for the biggest yearly fair of the area. The walk down to Ridi will take around five hours, rewarded by beautiful landscape. To return to Tansen, we suggest you takae a bus or jeep.

Bhairabsthan A pleasant walk along the mountain ridge to the west of Tansen will bring you the alleged largest golden trident of Nepal. After walking roughly 9 kms, you will reach Bhairabsthan, a temple sitting atop a hillock. The temple's statue of Bhairab iis kept hidden, because it's sight is unbearably frightening and it is said that people who catch a glimpse of it are in danger of losing their liver. So even the priests worship the statue from behing a curtain.

The main days of worshipping for the common people are Tuesday and Saturday. In the yard of the temple you can see the largest golden trident of Nepal, the centre of the ceremonies. From the temple's terraces you again have a beautiful view of the Himalayan range.

Satyawati Lake To leave the beaten track and visit the site of an important fair, Satyawati lake, a bit more effort is needed. You have to take a morning bus to Butwal and get off at "Chaubis Mile"(Twenty four miles). From there you first descend to the valley of the river Tinau and then steeply ascend through dense jungle (it deserves the name here) to the pecuilar lake on the top of the mountain ridge. The lake is said to be the home of a goddess. To avoid backtracking and

to have impressive views of the Himalayan range, you should follow the ridge to the south and then descend through picturesque villages back to the road and take a bus to Tansen.

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Fairs

Maghe Sankranti Mela (Ridi Mela), held in Magh (Jan/Feb) in Ridi Bazaar, is the most important fair of this region. The fair, lasting three days, is well known for the sale of local handicrafts and products such as woolen blankets, wooden pots, bamboo products, sugarcane cakes, walnuts, medical herbs and a kind of dried cottage cheese.

Besides the busy trading, a large number of Hindu pilgrims from different parts of Nepal and India take a holy bath in the Kali Gandaki River and worship at Ridikesh Temple.

Satyawati Mela (Night Fair) is held in the full moon night of Kartik (Oct./ Nov) at Satyawati Lake. According to the legend an old goddess lives here, Satyawati Bajai (grandma). Today she is said to be hard of hearing, she possesses supernatural powers. Pilgrims from the surrounding hill districts and Terai attend this mela to ask Satyawati Bajai to fulfil their hopes. For that, they circle the lake three times shouting their wishes for sons, employment, wealth, death of enemies etc to this goddess. Goats and cocks are sacrificed and pigeons are set free. Mute children should drink the waters of the lake to be healed. The fair which starts in the evening, ends before sunrise, so as not to offend the goddess.

Parvas Mela is held on Shivaratri in Fagun (Feb./Mar.) in Parvas, 6kms south of Tansen.

Lalpati Mela is held on Holi in Fagun (Feb./Mar) in Lalpati in the center of Madi valley.

Rambha Pani Mela is held on Krishnaastami in Bhadra (Aug. /Sept.) in Rhamba Pani, 30 kms east of Tansen.

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Festivals

It goes without saying that the Palpalis celebrate the Hindu and Buddhist festivals listed in the Nepali festival calendar. But there is a week of special festivals in this area worth mentioning, starting with Janai Purnima at the full moon day in August.

On Janai Purnima, Brahmin and Chetri men change their religious threads, worn from shoulder to waist. Traditionally on this day, the Gai Jatra Festival is announced for the following day.

Gai Jatra (Cow Festival) was launched by a former king of the Kathmandu valley to heal his wife from a deep depression after the death of the prince in a smallpox epidemic. So this festival combines the remembrance of the deceased with an attempt to cheer up the mourners. Families who experienced a death during the previous year form

processions through the town singing religious songs. Children of the mourning families, dressed like kings and saints, lead some of these processions. Wealthy families may even hire a choir for an impressive remembrance procession in the evening. Huge artificial cows, made of bamboo, cloth, paper etc. are carried around, accompanied by clowns. These groups perform small ironic and satirical dramas in public squares and entertain the town.

Gai Jatra is followed by Ropai Jatra (Rice Planting Festival), when farmers of the area show the city people the pleasure of rice planting, "ploughing" the streets of Tansen while singing folk songs. On the next day's Bag Jatra (Tiger Festival) men dressed as tigers and hunters roam around the town to caricature the favorite hobby of the old rulers.

For the Chariot Festival, where chariots of Ganesh (elephant headed god of success), Bhimsen (strongest hero) and Narayan (one out of the trinity of Hindu gods) are carried through Tansen, the town inhabitants light candles in their windows and offer flowers, fruit and money to the chariots passing through their houses.

Bhagwati Jatra marks the end and climax of the week of festivals. The goddess Bhagwati, who symbolizes power, supported the fight against the British-Indian troops. People stay in the Bhagwati temple the night through to worship, sing, dance and observe the placing of a statue of Bhagwati into a chariot.
The following morning government officials, as well as the army, police and many Palpalis make up a large procession through the town. However, due to the topography of the town the chariots do not have wheels and are not pulled by animals, but are carried by members of a special ethnic group, the Kumal, whose usual occupation is pottery.

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Getting There

From Kathmandu
Daily bus services (duration 8 - 10 hours)
7.00 a.m.: "Sitara bus" leaving from the new buspark in the north of Kathmandu.
6.30 a.m.: "Sajha bus" leaving from Sajha bus station in Patan Pulchowk.
5.00 p.m.: "Nightbus" leaving from the new buspark in the north of Kathmandu.

You can also fly from Kathmandu to Bhairahawa and take a bus up to Tansen. Unfortunately, there is no direct bus service and you have to change buses in Butwal.

From Pokhara
Daily bus service (duration 6-8 hours) 7.00 a.m. Tourist coach to Sunauli. You have to get off at Bartung junction and take a bus or jeep for the 4-km link road to Tansen.

From Chitwan
There are two possibilities to reach Tansen. Having made your way from the National Park to Narayanghat, you can either catch the "Sitara bus" or "Sajha bus" coming from Kathmandu on its way to Tansen (duration 4 -5 hours), both buses arrive around noon in Narayanghat Pulchowk; or take one of the several buses to Butwal (duration 2 - 3 hours) and change there for a bus to Tansen.

From Lumbini
Unfortunately, there is no direct bus service from Lumbini to Tansen. You have to change buses in Bhairawa as well as in Butwal.

From Butwal
It can be easily seen that Butwal is the most important traffic junction for Palpalis to nearly all destinations. Buses leave every 40 min. for Tansen, as do buses from Tansen to Butwal. The duration of the journey is approx. 2 hours.

From Sunauli
There is a daily tourist coach service from Sunauli to Pokhara. You have to get off at Bartung junction and take a bus or jeep for the 4km link road to Tansen. Several local buses leave Sunauli for Butwal, where you have to change a bus to Tansen.

From Bardia
There is a direct bus service twice a week from Guleria via Kohalpur to Tansen, and daily buses leave from Kohalpur to Butwal, where you can easily get a bus to Tansen. For departure times, connections and length of journey, please ask your hotel or lodge in Bardia National Park.

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Accommodation

There are large number of low budget accomodation around the buspark. The approximate cost to stay a night or two around nice hotels range in price between US$5-US$15. "Srinagar", "The Bajra", "The White Lake" and "Gauri Shankar" are some of the decent hotels of this place.

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Dining

There are large number of small restauants in the town, selling Nepali dishes and snacks. "Nanglo West" restuarant at Sital Pathi square is one of the excellent restuarants that serves western style, Palpali, Nepali, Indian and Chinese cuisine. Hotel Srinagar provides some western meals too.

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More Information

Tansen Municipality Office
Tundikhel, opening hours 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Telephone: 20109/129

Tourist Information Center
Tansen Municipality runs a tourist information center on the campus road near the buspark. Basic information is available here, concerning in-town hotels, bus connections and tickets etc. Opening hours 11a.m. - 1p.m. daily, except Saturdays.

Money Exchange
The Rastriya Banijya Bank at Makhan tole, near the Tansen Durbar, changes a limited amount of foreign currencies, including US $, German Mark, British Pound, French Franc. It also cashes travelers cheques.

News
The two English language newspapers published in Nepal, "Kathmandu Post" and "Rising Nepal" are available in the town.

Communication
There are several shops and hotels offering national and international fax and telephone services.

Hospital
United Mission Hospital to the east of the town, telephone number: 20111. A number of western doctors of various nationalities are available here.

Cinema
A cinema hall showing Nepali and Hindi movies is situated near the Tansen Durbar.

Possible Purchases
Quintessentially products of Palpa include Karuwa, dhaka cloth and dhaka topi. These can be obtained from many shops in the town.

Information Providers for places to visit in Tansen are by:

PALPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.

GETUP PALPA, GROUP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND TOURISM UPGRADING.

DED, GERMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICE.

Hilly Region

Kathmandu Vally

The Kathmandu Valley, the capital, is the political, commercial and cultural hub of Nepal. Spread across an area of 360 square kilometers and at an altitude of 1336 meter above the sea level, Kathmandu is an exotic and fascinating showcase of a very rich culture, art and tradition. The valley, roughly oval bowl measuring 24 km east-west and 19 km north-south, is encircled by a range of green terraced hills and dotted by compact clusters of red tiled-roofed houses.

A remarkable legend speaks that the valley was once covered by a lake until the Bodhisattva Manjushri raised his sword of wisdom and sliced a passage through the mountain walls, draining the water and creating the first settlements. The valley embraces most of Nepal's ethinc groups, but Newars are the indigenous inhabitants and the creators of the valley's splendid civilization.

Not very long ago, it was said that there were just as many houses as there were temples and shrines in Kathmandu valley. Now, of course, that fact does not hold true because of the rapid urbanization and population growth in the

last three decades. Nevertheless, the valley still exhibits a living, breathing entity,a vital culture that has miraculously survived till now.

The valley consists of three fabulous cities of great historic and cultural interest. These legendry cities go by the names of:

• Kathmandu
  
• Lalitpur or Patan
  
• Bhaktapur

Beyond the urban milieu of these three ancient cities of the Kathmandu Valley, there are also villages and small towns that provide charming glimpses of rural life.

• Bandipur (in the Kathmandu-Pokhara Prithivi Highway)
  
• Banepa
  
• Daman
  
• Dhulikhel
• Nala
  
• Nagarkot
• Phulchowki
  
• Shivapuri
  
• Tika Bhairav
  
• Timal Narayan

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Getting Around

Sightseeing can be best done on foot or ride a bike in Kathmandu Valley. Bus travel in the city is cheap but a little time-consuming and crowded. The cenral bus station to travel around the valley in Kathmandu city is at Bagbazar and that of Lalitpur is at Lagankhel. There are trolley buses (electric buses) that operate from Tripureshwor (near the national stadium in Kathmandu city) to Bhaktapur city. Taxis or cabs are reasonably priced, but you will probably have to bargain on the price in advance as drivers are sometimes unwilling to use the meter. There are three wheeler environmentally friendly white and green tempoes. The main station of these tempoes is at Newroad, infront of Royal Nepal Airlines office. They are cheaper and fastest means of travel around the three cities of Kathmandu valley. There are motorbikes for hire around freak street such as Thamel.
You can't rent cars to drive yourself, but you can rent a car with a driver - a trip around the valley will cost you about $40 plus fuel.

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Accomodation

Kathmandu City offers excellent ranges of places to stay, from expensive international style hotels to cheap and comfortable lodges. Thamel is the tourist quarter of Kathmandu city. In general the lodges of Thamel provide a double room for $5 to $10 per night (depending upon your bargaining skills) with basic facilities like running hot shower facilities, flush toilets, foam mattresses and clean sheets. Then there are the so-called "hotels". Most of these are slightly more luxurious than the "lodges" with probably attached bath, carpeting, furniture etc. These hotels quote their prices in dollars ranging on average $15-$40 per night. Finally you can also stay at "luxury hotels" which are generally Over-priced, like any world-class hotel, at a range of $100-$300 per night.
Hotels in Kathmandu City

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Dining

Eating out in Kathmandu is a real joy because of the tremendous variety of restaurants to be found here. There are plenty of restaurants that offer traditional Nepalese festival dishes, international cuisine such as Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Korean and so on.
In Kathmandu, you should try Newari cuisine: the Newars (original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley) have a very rich history of culinary art.
Since Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom, beef is strictly prohibited among both the Hindus and Buddhist. Hence it is little bit difficult to find restaurants that offer beef.
Restuarants

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Season
The popular time to visit Kathmandu is August through December. Medium-weight and easy to wash cottons can be a good choice year-round in the Kathmandu valley. It is recommended that between October to February, woolen sweaters, jackets or similar other warm outfits are necessary. For months from June to August, it is recommended that you bring an umbrella or raincoat and a pair of sandals with you as these months are the rainy months in the Kathmandu Valley. Expect lot of walking even if you don't plan to trek. So it's recommended that you bring comfortable footwear: sneakers and sandals are the best.