Annapurna I

Annapurna I was the first eight-thousander to be conquered and lies 34km east of Dhaulagiri. The Annapurna

range stretches from 55km and is made up of a series of peaks. Between this massif and the Dhaulagiri range flows the great Kali Gandaki river which has carved what is believed to be the world's deepest gorge with an eight-thousander on either side. Translated from Sanskrit, Annapurna would mean "Full of grain" but is generally known as the "Goddess of harvests". This area has been well-protected under Annapurna Conservation Area Project  (ACAP), one of the most successful conservation projects. Four other peaks in this range share the name Annapurna: Annapurna II (7,937m), Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m) and Annapurna South (7,219m).
As the French expedition led by Maurice Herzog in 1950 had come with the intension of climbing Dhaulagiri, it took them two weeks to locate Annapurna I after they chenged their plans.

Manaslu - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

 Manaslu lies 64km east of Annapurna, between Gorkha and Manang districts in northern Nepal. Of all the

fourteen eight-thousanders, twelve were first summited by climbers from the west while two were conquered by Asians. The fact that the peak was first climbed by a Japanese Expedition has made it one of the most popular mountains among Japanese mountaineers. It all began with a Japanese Manaslu Reconnaissance Expedition in 1952. This was followed by Japanese expeditions in 1953 and 1954 but the latter was unable to approach the mountain following opposition from the inhabitants of Samu village along the route.
The expeditions went up the river Budi Gandaki's course to reach the mountain.

Cho Oyu

Cho Oyu (meaning "Turquoise Goddess" in the Tibetan language) lies 20km west of Everest and forms the

boundary wall between Nepal and China. The first attempt on this mountain was made by an expedition led by the great Eric Shipton and included mountaineers who would one day become very famous: Edmund Hillary, George Lowe, Charles Evans and Tom Bourdilon. They only made it up to 6,650m before turning back.
It was the Austrians, Herbert Tichy and Joseph Jochler accompanied by Pasang Dawa Lama who made the first successful ascent on 19th October 1954, via the north-west ridge. This was the Golden Decade of mountaineering when most of the eight-thousanders were climbed.

Dhaulagiri - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

The Dhaulagiri also known as "The White Mountain" is quite easily recognized because of its unique, mound

shape when seen from treks that leave from Pokhara. Lying in the north-west of Pokhara, this peak first attracted the French expedition that came to Nepal in 1950. Led by Maurice Herzog, the mountaineers looked up at this formidable peak and decided it was impossible to climb and turned their attention to Annapurna I, which they subsequently climbed. It was the dicovery of Dhaulagiri's height in 1809 that brought to light the fact that the Himalayan range of mountains was higher than the Andes in South America. At the time, the Europeans assumed Dhaulagiri was the highest mountain in the world.

Lhotse - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

The Lhotse peak is often overlooked as its neighbor Everest steals all the lime light. Nevertheless, at 8,516m,

it is the fourth highest mountain in the world. The Lotse Middle (East) is 8,414m while Lhotse Shar is 8,383m. The famous mountaineer Norman Dyhrenfurth made an unsuccessful attempt on the mountain in 1955 accompanied by two Austrians. the following year a Swiss team comprising Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger made it to the summit on 18th May 1956. They were  part of the Swiss Mount Everest/Lhotse Expedition. On 12th May, two Austrians, Zepp Maier and Rolf Walter summited Lhotse Shar while Lhotse Middle remained unclimbed until forty-five years later, Russian climbers, Eugeny Vinogradsky, Segei Timofeev, Alexei Bolotov and Petr Kuznetsov finally conquered it.

Makalu

Like Everest and Lhotse, the fifth highest mountain, Makalu lies in the Khumbu region of North-eastern

Nepal. It has two subsidiary peaks: Kangchungtse or Makalu II (7,678m) is north-northwest of the main summit while Chomo Lonzo, the other peak, lies north of it. On 15th May 1955, Lionel Terry and Jean Couzy, members of a French expedition led by Jean Franco reached the summit of Makalu. The following day, Franco, G. Magnone and SherpaGyaltsen Norbu also summitted. The North face and the north-east ridge via which they climbed became the standard route for the clumbers who came after them.
Over the following years, mountaineers climbed over the south-east ridge, the West Pillar route.

Mt. Everest- Pride of the World

Mt. Everest was first climbed on 29th May 1953 by Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of

Nepal. This British Expedition was led by John Hunt. The first expedition on Everest was led y Lt. Colonel Charles Howard-Bury in 1921. The early atttempts were make from the Tibetan side as Nepal was closed to outsiders until 1950. Since 1953, more than a thousand people have climbed Everest and among them Apa Sherpa has summitted twenty times. The most commonly used route up the mountain is the South-east Ridge.

Kanchenjunga - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Once mistakenly thought to be the highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga is in fact the third largest and

has five prominent peaks which it is named after. Kanchenjunga in Sikkimese means "Five treasures of the Great Snows". Located in far Eastern Nepal, the other side of the mountain lies in Sikkim, India. The five peaks are Kanchenjunga main (8,586), Yalund Kand (8,505), Kanchenjunga west (8,420m) and the Twin Peaks (both 8,476). The mountain lies 128Km east of Everest.
Although plans were afoot to climb Kanchenjunga as early as 1882, it was only in 1905 that the first attempt wa made. Alister Crowley was the first to make his way up the Yalung galcier. A British expedition led by Charlie Evans finally succedded in

Himalayan Peaks of Nepal - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Nepal has the largest share of the highest peaks in the world. Of the fourteen peaks over 8,000m known as 

the eight-thousanders, eight of them lie in the Nepal Himalaya. These include the highest mountain in the world, Mt. everest (8,848m) and the third highest, Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586m). Attempts were made on Mt. Everest since the 1920s, but it was only in 1953 that the peak was successfully climed. The 1950s became known as the Golden Decade of climbing as most of the eight-thousanders were conquered within the ten years. Annapurna (8,091m) was  the first among them to be climbed, in 1950. The other eight-thousanders are Lhotse (8,516), Makalu (8,463m), Cho Oyu (8,210m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m) and Manaslu (8,163m).

Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve - Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve is located in the far-eastern lowland Terai of Nepal. The pristine sub-tropical

jungle makes Shuklaphanta Nepal's second largest wildlife reserve in Terai. The open grasslands and numerous waterholes of the park extend into a vast expanse of plain grasslands and Sal foress, while marsh vegetation is found along rivers and lakes. The reserve that was originally a hunting area was later converted to wildlife reserve to protect swamp deer. There serve now shelters to almost 2,000 swamp deer, around 50 wild elephants and 30 tigers. Other animals found here are spotted deer, blue bulls, barking deer, hog deer, wild boars, leopards, jackals, langurs and rhesus monkeys. Among birds the reserve provides habitat to sarus crane, swamp francolin, grass owl, warblers, flycatchers, and endangered Bengal florican. Reptile species include marsh mugger, crocodile,

Parsa Wildlife Reserve - Nepal Toursim Year 2011

The Parsa Wildlife Reserve spreads over parts of Chitwan, Makawanpur, Parsa and Bara districts. The

vegetation is tropical and sub tropical mostly covered with Sal forests, while the hills are covered with chir pine. Khair, sissoo and silkcotton are found along water areas. The reserve provides good habitat for animals like wild elephant, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, gaur, blue bull and wild dog. Other common animals in the reserve are sambar, chital, hog deer, barking deer, langur monkey, rhesus macaques, striped hyena, rat, palm civet and jungle cat. There are 370 species of birds found in the reserve, one being the endangered great hornbill found in certain parts of the forest. Other bird species include peafowl, red jungle fowl, flycatchers and woodpecker. Apart from birds and animals the reserve is also habitated by snakes like king cobra, common cobra, krait, rat snake and python.

Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve- Nepal Toursim Year 2011

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve has carved a place for itself as a bird watcher's paradise. The reserve spreads

over Saptari and Sunsari districts in East Nepal over the embankments of River Koshi. The reserve has been recognized as a wetland Site from 1987. The vegetation of the reserve is  mainly grassland with patches of scrub and deciduous riverine forests. The reserve has recorded around 479 species of bird variety, some of which fly all the way from Siberia during winter. A wide variety of ducks, herons, storks, egrets, ibis are seen on the riverbanks. Kohi Tappu wildlife Reserve also has one of the few elephant stables of Asia. Other animals found here are wild buffalo, wild boar, hog deer, spotted deer, blue bull and jackal. Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin are also found here.

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Popular trekking, hiking and recreation area, the Park offers the retreat from Kathmandu.The park was

estalished as a watershed and Wildlife Reserve in 1976 and was declared as a national park in 2002 for the protection of flora and fauna. Vegetation varieties in the park include its 129 species of mushrooms while animals include 19 species of mammals including Himalayan black bear, leopard, barking deer, wild boar, wildcat, rhesus monkey and langur monkey. The park also boasts of 177 species of birds and 102 species of butterflies.

| Basanta Panchami | | Shri Panchami | | Saraswoti Puja |

Basanta Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami or Saraswoti Puja which is very special for students and  celebrated to show the respect to the Goddess Saraswoti,  the goddess of knowledge and learning. On this day students take bath early in the morning, wear clean clothes, worship their books and visit temples of goddess Saraswoti with worship materials. There is a belief that worshipping the goddess on this day broadens up the knowledge horizon and studies will progress further fruitfully. Parents who have toddlers at home take them to temples and make them write on the walls of the temple.

Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park in west Nepal is the home of Late Khaptad Swami, the renowned scholar and a hermit. The park with rolling hills of grasslands and forests of subtropical, temperate and sub alpine vegetation, is also a rich natural habitat. The park boasts of 224 species of medicinal herbs and offers excellent bird watching opportunities, with 270 species of birds, the common ones being different varieties of impheyan pheasant, partridges, flycatchers, bulbuls, cuckoos and eagles. Animals in the park are barking deer, wild boar, ghoral, Himalayan black bear, yellow throated marten, rhesus monkey and langur monkey. The park also offers religious sightseeing at Tribeni on the way to its headquarters. There are several historical temples surrounding this area and an annual celebration

Sun Koshi (Lower)

The Sun Koshi (Lower) is one of those rivers whire along trip (9 days) is possible . Rated as one of the ten best high water river expeditions, it has tuberlent waves and a large volume of water. The river runs through landscape of thick vegetation that harbors rich wildlife. Many species of birds, monkey and even leopards can be seen during the rafting trip. The river also has Gharial crocodiles which are predominantly fish eating creatures. The put-in point at Dolalghat is a three-hour drive from Kathmandu.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur meaning the city of devotees was founded by King Ananda Dev in 1197 AD according to the

 Gopala Raj Vamsabali even
Bhaktapur meaning the city of devotees was founded by King Ananda Dev in 1197 AD according to the Gopala Raj Vamsabali even though the existence of the city could be traced back to the Lichhavi period (185-750 AD). There are many monuments including pagodas, palaces, shikhara style monuments, courtyards and Buddhists shrines and monasteries. The Durbar Square was the seat of the Malla Kings and the present structures were erected from the 12th to the 18th century AD. Bhaktapur is Located at around 12 Kilometer away from Kathmandu city.

National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Conservation Area of Nepal

The geography of Nepal can be divided into high mountains, mid hills and low lands. A wide range of ecosystem from sub-tropical jungles of the Terai to the arctic conditions of Himalayan highlands are found within an area of 147,181 sq. Km.

There are a total of 9 national parks, 3 wildlife reserves, 6 conservation areas, 1 hunting reserve in including 11 buffer zone areas in an around protected areas, covering a total of 28,998.67 sq Km. (19.07%) of the country's total land. Nepal's rich bio-diversity renders it ideal as an eco-tourism destination.

Official Inuguration of Nepal Tourism Year 2011

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 is official going to start from the 14th January 2011and celebrated as a festival of all Nepalese. On this occasion, government has decleard public holiday on 14th January and president Dr. Ram Baran Yadav is going on to formally launch the festival at Dasarath Stadium and many other institutions are organising different programs. The main organising committe of the Tourism Year has expected to welcome one million tourist during the year as the statistics shows that about half a million people choose as their destination in average. The natural beauty, bio-diversity, high topographical difference religous and cultural diversity are the key attraction of this festival.

Tamor

The river Tamor lies in the east of the country and is fed by the waters coming down  from

Mt. Kanchanjunga. Tamor has some excellent Class IV and Class V rapids ensuring a good rafting trip. Ideal for adventure seekers, this is another long trip that involves a flight to Biratnagar in the terai, followed by a long drive after which a four-day trek leads up to the put-in point.The trek is rewarding with great mountain views.

The flight from Kathmandu to Biratnagar itself promises grand panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Arun

The Arun river run provides yet another adventutous trip in eastern Nepal for those who want more than just

a river trip. The approach to the river involves a three-day trek through the wilderness, passing through villages and enjoying views of mountains. This is a thrilling trip combining rafting with trekking and camping out in a pristine forest. The large volume of water ensures thrills and spills as it cuts a deep gorge through the hills. Impressibe rapids that are technically challenging are encountered throughout the river run.

The trip begins with a flight to Tumlingtar in the Hilly region of eastern Nepal where rafters camp for the night before setting out towards the river.The next day's adventure is a short trek to the next camping site.On Day 3, the river trip begins and Class III and Class IV rapids are encountered.

Canyoning in Nepal

Canyoning in Nepal- A short Video.

Bheri

The river Bheri has its origin in the Dolpo region of Nepal and is yet to be fully explored. Graded as an easy

 river to raft, it nevertheless gives rafters a thrilling ride. Along the way are encountered charming little villages with ancient traditions that have been perfectly preserved. Bheri is also well-known for its good fishing spots. As with the Karnali, the journey here begins with a plane ride to Nepalgunj followed by a 3-4 hrs drive to the put-in point at Samjighat.

Soon after setting off on the river journey, the first major rapid is encountered and there are many more along the way.

Rafting in Nepal - Video

A short video of the rafters rafting in Nepali higher Class rivers.

Seti Karnali

The Seti Karnali is yet another remote river in far-west Nepal. The airstrips at Nepalgunj, Dipayal and

 and Chainpur make access to this river relatively easy. Seti Karnali flows through serene wilderness promising plenty of wildlife viewing. The river starts at a steep gradient but gradually eases as it flows down. Seti Karnali is known for its splendid white beaches and views of distant mountains.

If one decides to put-in at Deura, the approach involves a trek over a hill from Gopghat which is rewarding for beautiful scenery and views of Api and Saipal peaks which are the source of the Seti Karnali. The Class III+ and Class IV rapids encountered here can be tackled with little difficulty

Karnali

Karnali, the longest river in Nepal, Originates in the holy Mt. Kailash in Tibet, and flows through deep

gorges, deserted beaches and steep canyons. One of the best river trips in Nepal, the Karnali run can last up to ten fun-filled days. The mild Class III to fabulous Class V rapids make the rideas unforgettable one, and combining fishing or jungle safari with the trip adds another dimension to the great adventure.
Rapids:Captivity, Flip and Strip, God's House, Elbow and Sweet Well.
The Karnali is also famous for Mahseer fishing. Far removed from urban influence, this is a remote region of Nepal with frequent sightings of diverse wildlife. The river is demanding with encounters of massive rapids that test the skill of rafters. For thrill seekers looking for an adrenaline high, it has a 7km roller-coaster ride through a fabulous gorge. The journey to the river starts with an hour-long flight to Nepalgunj and a drive to Surkhet. The put-in point at Tallo Dhungeshwor is reached after a six-hour drive through lovely sal forest.

Tama Koshi

The river Tama Koshi flows down from Tibet and has a volume twice that of the bhote Koshi. After flowing 75km down, it reaches the road at Busti which is the usual put-in point. 'Tama Koshi' in Nepal means 'River of Copper'. The river is recommended only for keen Kayakers who can maeuver through the treacherous waters. The put-in point is at Busti Bridge which is reached after a 4-hour drive by car from Kathmandu.

The river deceptively is quite calm on the outset, but soon plenty of rapids are encountered for the next 4km before an island is reached. Both sides of the island present Class V + rapids.

Balephi

The river Balephi comes down from Mt. Dorje Lakpa which is seen north of Kathmandu.

It lies 50km from the capital, Kathmandu. This is a fast flowing river that goes past Helambu and has has steep slopes on either side. The put-in point lies 3 hrs. away by bus near a village called Jalbire Gaun. Rafters have to drive past Dolalghat and the village of Balephi to get there.

This river offers one of the shorter rafting trips and has Class III and Class IV rapids. With many boulders on the way, it is full of surprises and rocky as well as technical. What lies ahead can only be seen as one glides past the boulders. After leaving Jalbire around moon, the end of the trip or the put-out point at Sukute is reached in about 3 and half hours after going past the Balephi bridge. It is then time to head back to Kathmandu by bus.

The best time for rafting on the Balephi is October to November.

Dudh Koshi

Flowing down from the Everest region, the Dudh Koshi is a great river of eastern Nepal. The Hingu  and
Inku rivers flow into this river greatly augmenting the flow. The last 32 km of Dudh Koshi is highly recommended for rafting. It then flows into the Sun Koshi which makes it feasible to start a river trip on the Dudh Koshi and end it in the Sun Koshi.


The Dudh Koshi trip also allows stunning views of the Khumbu himal and there are many lodges along the trail. The river throws up challenging class III and Class IV rapids along the way and as the going gets though, there are places where portage becomes necessary. But before it merges with Sun Koshi, the river slows down to an easy flow.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - ROCK CLIMBING

Rock climbing is a challenging sport for outdoor lovers. Most of the areas for rock climbing are situated

towards the north of Kathmandu in the Nagarjun forest and Shivapuri National Park areas. Trip to these places can be combined with hiking, bird watching, nature tours and other activities. Nagarjun, 3 kilometers from kathmandu city can be reached via Balaju near the New Bus Park. Shivapuri, can be reased via Budhanilkantha which is 9 kilometers outside the city area in Kathmandu.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - BUNGY JUMPING

The ultimate thrill of bungy jumping if offered at one of the best sites in the world.

 Nepal's bungy jumping site is situated 160 meters over the raging Bhote Koshi river in the northern part of the country. The site is located close to the Nepal-China border at Barabise and is 3 hour bus ride from Kathmandu. A package deal includes the jump, bus ride to the site and meals. Nepalis are entitled to a 30 percent discount. Accommodation and other facilities are available in Barabise.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - JUNGLE SUFARI

The tropical jungle of Nepal's Terai preserve some of the best wildlife habitat in the subcontinent.

 Jungle safaris on elephant back or jeep rides are offered at Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, all located in Terai. Winter months here are temperate while summer and monsoons are hot and humid. A wide range of tourist facilities are available in and around the areas.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - MOUNTAIN BIKING

Nepal's diverse terrain is a mountain biker's dream. Biking offers an environmentally sound way of exploring

the country. It is possible to go biking the entire length of Nepal. Centuries-old dirt roads and trails offer a chance to go on extended trips to exotic locates like Annapurna and Kanchenjunga areas. 21 to 27 gear bicycles are recommended when riding through Himalayan terrain. Mountain bikes are available for rent at numerous bicycle rental outlets in and around Kathmandu or Pokhara. Riders can explore rims and ridges of kathmandu and Pokhara through off routes that weave in and out of the cities. Food and accommodation facilities are available along the main trails. It is recommended to use the services of licensed biking companies. For more information Official site of Nepal Mountain Bike Tours.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - HUNTING

Licensed hunting is allowed in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in western part of Nepal. Dhorpatan is the prime habitat of blue sheep, ghoral, serow, Himalayan tahr, black bear, pheasant and partridge.sheep, ghoral,

 serow,Himalayan tahr, black bear, pheasant and partridge. Endangered specied here are chir pheasand and red panda. Hunting allowdd only after acquiring license from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) in Kathmandu and is restricted to a certain times in a year. Most hunting trips are planned in spring and onset of autumn from February through April and August through October. Dhorpatan is 4-days trek from Baglung which is 72 km from Pokhara. Accommodation facilities are available in tented camps offered y agencies or at one of the village houses. For more details please visit Official web site of DNPWC

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - HONEY HUNTING

Honey hunting is an age-old tradition in Nepal. Local honey hunters show their exceptional skills by

hanging themselves on cliffs as high as 300 meters using bamboo ladders and hemp ropes, while harvesting the honeycombs.

See the spectacular honey hunting on the steep bee cliffs to experience the tradition and culture of the local people. See them while you trek in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT

Ultralight aircrafts offer breathtaking bird's eye view of Pokhara valley and the surrounding mountains.

Ultralight aircrafts offer breathtaking bird's eye view of Pokhara valley and the surrounding mountains. Flights are operated almost throughout the year except during the monsoons June through August. Flights take place from sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset every day provided the weather is not rainy. In the half hour flight, one can fly over Pokhara city, Phewa Lake, Sarangkot hill and get close to the Mt. Fishtail. Another Option is the exploration of Annapurna range from 12,000 feet or higher in an hour. Pokhara is easily accessible from Kathmandu, Chitwan and other major towns.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - PARAGLIDING

Paraglidiing in Nepal gives the opportunity to experience an aerial view of the Himalayas.

Paraglidiing in Nepal gives the opportunity to experience an aerial view of the Himalayas. Pokhara, the beautiful lakeside town at the foot of the Annapurna mountains offers paragliding services. There are various deals for the paragliding veterans and novices. Three-day introduction course is offered to beginners, and tandem flights where one can fly with instructor are also offered.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - MOUNTAIN FLIGHTS

Mountain flights offer a luxurious option of Himalayan experience. The one hour mountain flight takes one close to some of highest peaks in the world including Mt. Everest.

The one hour mountain flight takes one close to some of highest peaks in the world including Mt. Everest. One can clearly see and identify the peaks, and see the Himalayan landscape and glaciers during the flight. The peaks seen are Gosaithan, Dorje Lhakpa, Phurbi Chyachu, Choba Bhamare, Gaurishanker, Melungtse, Chugimago, Numbur, Karyolung, Cho-Oyu, Gyachungkang, Pumori, Nuptse and of course Mt. Everest. Mountain flights are offered by several airlines especially in the morning from the domestic airport in Kathmandu.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - ANGLING/ FISHING

Angling is gaining popularity in Nepal as a water sport. Approximately 118 varieties of fresh water fishes are found in the Himalayan rivers ranging from the much sought after Mahseer to the mountain stream trout varieties. Fishing trips on White waters and generally organized before and after the monsoons from February through April and October through November.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - RAFTING/KAYAKING/CANYONING

Rafting is one of the most exciting ways of exploring Nepal. Options reange from paddle rafting a team to Kayaking alone in the water. Yet another extremely popular water-sport option is canyoning to explore hidden landscapes. Rafting trips are usually planned in the dry seasons from October through mid-December and March through early May. The overnment has opened 16 rivers graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for commercial rafting. Since safety is of utmost importance, choosing a well-reputed rafting company is recommended. It is also important to obeserve all the safety rules and precautions provided by the river guide. For futher details visit Official site of Nepal Association of Rafting Agents.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - BOATING

From glacier-fed lakes up north to where rivers ease into the Terai plains, there are numerous lakes in Nepal where tourists can experience the pleasures of boating. With famous lake Phewa, Begnas and Rupa, Pokhara is known as the lake city and a popular place to go boating.
In Terai, one can go canoeing on Narayani or Rapti rivers near Chitwan National Park. Boats and canoes can be rented from local dealers on hourly  basis from nearby areas. Pokhara and Chitwan are accessible both by air and road from kathmandu. A wide variety of accommodation and other facilities are easily available in both the places.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - TREKKING

Trekking is the highlight of a visit to Nepal. The range of geographical features, variety of vegetation and rich Himalayan culture award trekkers with unique trekking experience. Thousands of visitors trek to different parts of Nepal every year to experience the charm of nature and culture. Most treks go through altitude between 1,000 to 4,000 meters, while some popular parts reach over 5,000 meters.
Protected regions along the Himalayas like Sehy-Phoksundo, Langtang, Sagarmatha, Makalu-Barun, Rara, Kanchenjunga and Shivapuri national parks, and Annapurna and Manaslu conservation areas, provide excellent trekking options.

Amazing Adventures in Nepal Tourism year 2011 - THE MOST DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES ON EARTH

Nepal is a blend of ancient history, vibrant cultures and scenic grandeur. Located between China and India, Nepal's main geographical features include snow capped peaks, lower mountains, mid hills and fertile Terai plains of tropical jungles. Nearly one-third of the total length of the Himalayas and 8 of the world's 14 highest peaks are in Nepal. The landlocked country covers an area 147,181 sq. kilometers ranging from 70 meters to the highest point at 8,848 meters above sea level. Nepal's popularity as a tourist destination has increased vastly over the years. While trekking and mountaineering have long been popular, an entire range of other activities are carried out. With the variety of adventure options, the country is favourite among adventure lovers.

Loshar

Sherpas and Tibetans welcome their New Year with feasts, family visits and dancing. Families done their finest clothes and jewellery and exchange gifts. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity, and perform dances at the monasteries. People wear new clothes and finest jewelries and exchange gifts during the festival. Colorful prayer flags decorate streets and rooftops; the colors seem especially brilliant at the Bouddha and Swayambhu stupas. Crowds of celebrants at Bouddha bring in the New Year by throwing tsampa (roasted barley flour) into the air.

This Year it lies on 16th January.

Sun Koshi (Upper)

The Sun Koshi (Upper) is the ideal river for novices as it has no big, challenging rapids. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and the trip is relaxing with mountain views to admire. The river run is a short half day of rafting through forested valleys and white sandy beaches. Combining an overnight stay at Dhulikhel, rafters can enjoy superb views of the Himalayas and a stunning sunrise the nest morning before heading out to the river.

The put-in point for this Sun Koshi trip is at Balefi Bazaar. As the trip begins, rafters immediately face Class I rapids.

Bhote Koshi

Another popular river for rafting, the Bhote Koshi originates in the Tibetan plateau from where it flows down steep gorges to Nepal in the south. Naturally, the landscape it flows through is rugged, adding thrills to the trip. It's a tough ride with Class IV and Class V rapids at the higher flows and Class III in the lower levels.

Rapids: Frog in the Blender, John's Home, Gerbil in the Plumbing, Liquid Bliss, Daxed and  confused.

It's a 3-hour drive from Kathmandu along the Ariniko Highway to Bhote Koshi. The drive to the put-in point has its own highlight-views of snow capped mountains such as Langtang and Dorje Lakpa towards the north of the country.

Budi Gandaki

One of the rivers that have their source within Nepal, the Budi Gandaki drains the eastern slopes of two great mountains, the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. It flows into the Trishuli like many rivers do and has an easy gradient from Arughat Bazzar just below which is the put-in point. Classified as Class II and Class III, the Budhi Bandaki is another starting point for the Trishuli run.
Very often, this trip is combined with a trek in the Gorkha district where great views of Manaslu and Banesh Himal can be had.

Seti

Ideal for those looking for a short two-day trip in a remote location, the river Seti is suitable for a family outing. This river takes rafters through loverly forested regions and over plenty of easy rapids. The put-in point being close to the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway, is easily reached after a short drive.

The river trip begins down a remarkable forested canyon which brings rafters immediately close to Mother Nature. The surrounding greenery incudes a warm feeling on one of Nepal's warmest rafting rivers. The jungle brings its own reward with wildlife sightings right along the river.

Marshangdi

Seasoned rafters from around the globe consider the Marsyangdi one of the best rafting rivers in the world. Encounters with rapids of Class IV to Class V make this run an exciting and exhilarating one. To further add to the thrills on this river, there are superb views of the Manaslu and Annapurna massifs throughout the trip.

Rapids: Instant Karma, Twinkle, Mama's Big Butt and Adrenaline.

This is one of those trips which involve a day's trek.
 Rafters are taken on a wonderful adventure,

Kathmandu Durbar Square - Video

kathmandu Durbar square is one the the world heritage in Nepal. It is located at the center of capital city kathmandu. There, you can see the statues of ancient king and their architecture.

Kali Gandaki

A medium length river, the Kali Gandaki offers spectacular views of mountains and flows by charming little villages with no motor roads in sight. With views of eight-thousand meter peaks and challenges of rousing rapids, this is indeed a unique experience for rafters. With visits to temples and villages, this trip is a cultural one as well, and the technical nature of the rapids ensures a busy time paddling.

Rapids: Small Brother, Big Brother and Refund.

The adventure begins with a trip down to Pokhara (either a half-hour plane ride or a five-hour drive) where the first day is spent relaxing.

Trishuli

The river Trishuli is which is relatively close to Kathmandu, is one of the popular rivers for rafting and is ideal for beginners. Unraveling deep gorges and rolling valleys, the river takes rafters through remarkable landscape before arriving in the plains (terai). The exhilaration of tackling challenging rapids is followed by relaxing sections that allow time for admiring the surroundings. Trips can last anywhere from one day to three days and river is open to rafting through the year, unlike other rivers where trips are not feasible during the monsoons.

Rafting Rivers

Rafting in Nepal

The rivers open for rafting in Nepal are : The Tamur, Arun, Dudh Koshi, Likhu, Tama Koshi, Sunkoshi and Indravati of the Koshi river system in eastern Nepal; The Kali Gandaki, Budi Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Trishuli, Seti, Madi and Daraudi of the Gandaki river system; The Humla Karnali, Seti Karnali, Bheri and Mugu Karnali of the Karnali river system in far western Nepal.

A Typical Day on the River
Typically, on the first day, rafters are driven to the put-in point which is the actual starting point of the river trip. In a few cases, the approach may also involve a short hike before arriving at the river bank.

Maghe Sankranti

According to the astrological belief, in the month of Magh(tenth month in Nepali Calender) the sun enters the southern hemisphere, and the days begin to grow longer and warmer. Lord vishnu the Preserver is thanked for his efforts. On Maghe Sankranti (the first day of Magh) people take an early morning bath in a holy river, visit the shrines of Vishnu, and present flowers, incense and food to him. They read the Bhagwad Gita, also known as The Song of the Gods, apply mustard oil over their bodies, and enjoy feast of rice cooked with lentiles, yams or tarul-a must-and til ko laddu, sweets made of seasame and jaggery (sugarcane paste).