Nepal is a
small Himalayan Kingdom situated in the southern
flank of the Himalayan range that has greatest
peaks. This forbidden land until 1950 drew explorers
and mountaineers in the beginning and later
general tourist and trekkers, and the hippies
at one time. Since then it has been drawing
a lot of attention throughout the world.
Nepal is the
birthplace of enlightened Gautaum Buddha; it
has Mt. Everest - the highest mountain peak
in the world. It has great natural diversity
and wild life. Nepal is the home of the famous
"Gorkha" solders that helped the world
from tyranny. Nepal though small it has rich
cultural heritage, diverse ethnic communities
and, smiling, easygoing and hardworking people.
And of course the great and beautiful Himalayan
ranges stretches from east to west. All these
attributes make Nepal a prime tourist destination.
About
trekking in Nepal
Trek in Nepal is
a unique experience. Remote villages
in the mountain are inter-linked with
network of footpath. Well-established
trails are like highway, which provides
linkage to foot - path leading to nook
and corners. You travel from one village
to other on well-established trail,
through rhododendron forest, water-
fall, hot spring and old style wooden
bridges. In long trek sometime you use
high pass to go on the other side of
the mountain and traverse in snow. In
short trek except in late autumn and
winter you don’t get wet with
snow. Traders use well- established
trails that follow river valleys and
ridges. Generally you walk up and down
the hill with your light backpack, water
bottle, jacket and camera meeting friendly
and hospitable people with cheerful
faces and warm greeting under the blue
sky and gleaming snow Himalayan range.
Porters and animals (yaks or horses)
carry your baggage, food, and camping
equipment. Cook prepares your meals
and trek-guide (Sherpa) take cares of
your camp arrangement, and assures your
safety and comfort. You do not need
mountaineering experience or climbing
equipment to go on a trek in Nepal.
You just need a pair of strong feet,
good physical- condition, warm cloths
and good walking shoes to take this
kind of holiday. Trek provide opportunity
to help you think about yourself and
many other subjects you have postponed
to do; it replenish you with new confidence
and energizes your system.
Location:
Nepal is located north of India and south of
Tibet autonomous region of the Peoples Republic
of China. In the east are Indian State of Sikkim
and Darjeeling. On its western and southern
border there are Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, two
populous states of the Ganges plain of India.
Its southeastern border is linked by road with
Siliguri and Bagdogra of West Bengal. Geographically
its latitude is 26 and 30degree north and longitude
80 and 88degree-east.
Topography:
This tiny Himalayan kingdom is divided
into three main regions. Himalayan range and
its watershed area in the north, and Mahabarat
range and Churia hills in the middle and Terain
(plain) in the south. Himalayan range includes
8 of the 14 highest peaks of the world that
has altitude more than 8000 meter: Mt. Everest
(8848m), Kanchanjunga (8586m), Lhotse (8516m),
Cho Oyu (8201m) and Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mt.
Makalu (8463m), Manaslu (8163m) and Annapurna
I (8091m). It covers about 16% of the total
land area of Nepal with elevation range from
2500m to 8848m-(Mt. Everest). The middle hills
known as Mahabarat range encompass 65% of the
area with altitude range from 500 to 3000 meters
above sea level. The plain area known as Terai
covers 17% of the land with altitude range from
100 to 300m. Because of its fertile land now
Terai has 48% of the country’s population.
Some of the best known national parks are in
this region.
Cultures:
The kingdom has varied as spectrum of colours.
Geography of the country has influenced the
culture and religion of many ethnic groups.
In the north residents are Bhotia (Tibetan)
origin this includes Sherpas who live in the
vicinity of Mt.Everest. The Sherpas of Eastern
Nepal follows primarily Buddhist religion; and
in Far Western part there are many followers
of Bon–Po - a pre Buddhist religion. Kiratis
known as Rais and Limbus whose ancestors established
Kathmandu valley in 7th century BC and ruled
the valley for 1000 years lives in the middle
hills of Eastern part of Nepal. Their culture
and religion have been greatly influenced by
Hindu religion. The Kiratis basically practice
animism - worship of ancestors. Like Sherpa
they are descendents of Tibeto-Burman group.
The other major ethnic groups from Tibeto-Burman
stock are Magar, Gurung and Tamang. Magar inhabit
central region around Gorkha and mid west, and
Gurung in the western region on the foothills
of Annapurna and Lamjung. Tamang villages are
located mostly around Kathmandu valley. Newars
are dominant ethnic group in Kathmandu valley.
They practice mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism
with reflection of tantrism and animism. Far
- west is the origin of Bahuns and Chettri,
who are known as Khas. They are Hindu. Teir
presence are spread all over the middle hills
of Nepal. Hindu is a major religion in Nepal.
The inhabitants of Terai (plain) belt are Tharu.
Though animism is practiced widely but their
culture is very much influenced by Hindu religion
and culture of neighboring Indian states.
Trekking
in Nepal is a truly amazing
experience. From the warm
and lush vegetation of the
lower hills to the icy slopes
of the highest mountainous
range on earth, you will
encounter some of the most
stunning scenery and the
friendliest people imaginable.
It's the perfect way to
escape the hustle and bustle
of everyday life and to
relax and enjoy nature at
its very best.Pashupatinath
is one of the four most
important religious sites
in Asia for Shiva devotees.
Pashupatinath, dedicated
to Shiva the god of Destroyer,
is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
destination in Nepal. Although
the Pashupatinath Temple
was only built in the 5th
century and later renovated
by Malla kings, the holy
site is said to have existed
from the beginning of the
millennium
The
glacial-basin of the Annapurna
sanctuary is formed by the
circle of Annapurna Himalaya
range, Gangapurna and Machapuchare.
After a short jeep ride
to Phedi you climb a terraced
hill to Dhampus (1799m).
Continue to walk on the
ridge to Landrung (1464m)
After Landrung the trail
branch out to the sanctuary.
The other trails leads to
Ghorepani and Birenthati.
The trail follows Modi Khola
(river). Walk through thick
bambo and rhododendron forest
into the center of lateral
moraine and base camp of
Annapurna (3963m). En-route
you stop at Chumro (1951m),
Kuldi (2378m) and Hinko
(3018m) moving slowly and
acclimitizing as you reach
higher elevation.
Kathmandu(1), Fly to Pokhara.
Drive to Nayapul, trek to
Hile (1), Ghorepani (1),
Tadapani (1), Chomrong (1),
Trek to Himalaya Hotel (1),
Machhapuchre Base camp (1),
Jhinu danda (1), Nayapul
via Syauli Bazaar (1), Kathmandu
(2)
The
home of Sherpa community
of Nepal is known as Solu-Khumbu.
All famous mountaineer right
from Sherpa Tenging Norgey
to 10th time summiter Ang
Rita came from Thame in
Khumbu region. Sherpa belongs
to Nyingma-pa Tibetan Buddhist
sect. They practice their
own Buddhist tradition and
custom, which their ancestors
brought from Tibet. The
area above Jorsale, about
113 sq. km is under the
protection of National Park.
There are blue pine, fir,
and juniper forest in the
lower elevation and, birch
and rhododendron forest
in between 3300m to 4000m.
Musk deer, Himalayan Thar
and serow are commonly found.
There is panoramic view
of the Himalayan range all
the way from Gaurishanker
to Mt. Makalu.
Above
Kagbeni the vast barren
and dull landscape used
to be forbidden for foreigners
now is possible to visit
this land. Government charges
a high permit fees to preserve
fragile socio-economics,
cultural and ecology of
the region. It is believed
civilization of Mustang
dates as far back as 800BC.
Large villages are located
in the valley at the elevation
of 3300 to 4000m. Major
villages en-route to Lo-Manthang
is Chhusang, Ghilling, Ghami
and Tsarang. The monastery
at Tsarang is a historical
monument: it has precious
fresco painting, Thankas
and antique ceiling.
Trekking
in Nepal is a truly amazing
experience. From the warm
and lush vegetation of the
lower hills to the icy slopes
of the highest mountainous
range on earth, you will
encounter some of the most
stunning scenery and the
friendliest people imaginable.
It's the perfect way to
escape the hustle and bustle
of everyday life and to
relax and enjoy nature at
its very best.Pashupatinath
is one of the four most
important religious sites
in Asia for Shiva devotees.
Pashupatinath, dedicated
to Shiva the god of Destroyer,
is the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
destination in Nepal. Although
the Pashupatinath Temple
was only built in the 5th
century and later renovated
by Malla kings, the holy
site is said to have existed
from the beginning of the
millennium
The
glacial-basin of the Annapurna
sanctuary is formed by the
circle of Annapurna Himalaya
range, Gangapurna and Machapuchare.
After a short jeep ride
to Phedi you climb a terraced
hill to Dhampus (1799m).
Continue to walk on the
ridge to Landrung (1464m)
After Landrung the trail
branch out to the sanctuary.
The other trails leads to
Ghorepani and Birenthati.
The trail follows Modi Khola
(river). Walk through thick
bambo and rhododendron forest
into the center of lateral
moraine and base camp of
Annapurna (3963m). En-route
you stop at Chumro (1951m),
Kuldi (2378m) and Hinko
(3018m) moving slowly and
acclimitizing as you reach
higher elevation. 
The
home of Sherpa community
of Nepal is known as Solu-Khumbu.
All famous mountaineer right
from Sherpa Tenging Norgey
to 10th time summiter Ang
Rita came from Thame in
Khumbu region. Sherpa belongs
to Nyingma-pa Tibetan Buddhist
sect. They practice their
own Buddhist tradition and
custom, which their ancestors
brought from Tibet. The
area above Jorsale, about
113 sq. km is under the
protection of National Park.
There are blue pine, fir,
and juniper forest in the
lower elevation and, birch
and rhododendron forest
in between 3300m to 4000m.
Musk deer, Himalayan Thar
and serow are commonly found.
There is panoramic view
of the Himalayan range all
the way from Gaurishanker
to Mt. Makalu.
Above
Kagbeni the vast barren
and dull landscape used
to be forbidden for foreigners
now is possible to visit
this land. Government charges
a high permit fees to preserve
fragile socio-economics,
cultural and ecology of
the region. It is believed
civilization of Mustang
dates as far back as 800BC.
Large villages are located
in the valley at the elevation
of 3300 to 4000m. Major
villages en-route to Lo-Manthang
is Chhusang, Ghilling, Ghami
and Tsarang. The monastery
at Tsarang is a historical
monument: it has precious
fresco painting, Thankas
and antique ceiling. 
